The vivo U3 and Honor 9X Lite represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver a functional experience without breaking the bank, but they achieve this with different approaches to processing power and charging technology. This comparison dives deep into the core differences between the Qualcomm Snapdragon 675-powered vivo U3 and the Honor 9X Lite’s Kirin 710F, helping you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and faster charging, the vivo U3 emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 675, built on a smaller 11nm process, offers a noticeable advantage in CPU and GPU performance, coupled with 18W fast charging. While the Honor 9X Lite is a capable device, its Kirin 710F and slower 10W charging hold it back.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October. Released 2019, October | 2020, April 17. Released 2020, May 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 160.4 x 76.6 x 7.8 mm (6.31 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~397 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.2 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) | Kirin 710F (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.0 | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1, Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
5W reverse wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3750 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green | Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | V1941A, V1941T | JSN-L21, JSN-L22, JSN-L23 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 220 EUR |
vivo U3
- Faster Snapdragon 675 processor
- 18W fast charging for quicker power-ups
- More efficient 11nm manufacturing process
- Potential for software bloat (typical of vivo)
- Camera performance likely similar to Honor 9X Lite without further specs
Honor 9X Lite
- Potentially better power efficiency for basic tasks
- Large display size (marketing focus)
- Honor’s EMUI software (preference-based)
- Slower Kirin 710F processor
- Significantly slower 10W charging
- Less efficient 12nm manufacturing process
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Given the context data focuses on processing, we can infer both likely utilize standard IPS LCD panels common in this price bracket. The Honor 9X Lite’s marketing often highlights its large screen size, but without knowing the specific resolution or brightness, it’s difficult to assess a clear advantage. The absence of details like HDR support or high refresh rates suggests a focus on cost-effectiveness over visual fidelity for both.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the market segment suggests both phones likely feature a primary camera paired with depth and macro sensors. The quality will heavily depend on the primary sensor’s size and image processing algorithms. Given the price point, we can expect similar limitations in low-light performance on both devices. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either phone suggests reliance on software stabilization, which is less effective.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo U3’s Snapdragon 675 (11nm) features a Kryo 460 architecture with a dual-cluster configuration – 2x2.0 GHz Gold cores for performance and 6x1.7 GHz Silver cores for efficiency. This contrasts with the Honor 9X Lite’s Kirin 710F (12nm), employing a more traditional Cortex-A73/A53 setup with 4 cores at 2.2 GHz and 4 at 1.7 GHz. The 11nm process of the Snapdragon 675 provides a thermal advantage, potentially leading to less throttling under sustained load. While the Kirin 710F’s higher clock speeds on its performance cores might offer a slight edge in single-core tasks, the Snapdragon 675’s architecture and process node give it a broader performance lead, particularly in GPU-intensive applications.
Battery Life
The vivo U3’s 18W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Honor 9X Lite’s 10W charging. This translates to substantially faster charging times, reducing downtime. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed of the U3 mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery. The 10W charging on the Honor 9X Lite will require a considerably longer time to reach a full charge, impacting usability for users who need quick top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo U3 if you need a phone capable of handling moderate gaming, multitasking, and benefit from quicker charging times. This is the better choice for users who frequently use demanding apps or want to minimize downtime. Buy the Honor 9X Lite if you prioritize a slightly more power-efficient chipset for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media browsing, and are less concerned with fast charging or demanding applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Kirin 710F in the Honor 9X Lite struggle with graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Kirin 710F is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 675 in the vivo U3 offers a more comfortable gaming experience with higher settings and less frame rate fluctuation due to its more powerful GPU.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Honor 9X Lite with its 10W charging?
With 10W charging, expect the Honor 9X Lite to take approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours to fully charge from 0%. This is considerably slower than the vivo U3’s 18W charging, which can fully charge the device in around 1.5 to 2 hours.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 675 known to overheat during prolonged use?
The Snapdragon 675 is generally well-managed in terms of thermals, especially compared to more powerful chipsets. Its 11nm process contributes to better efficiency, reducing the likelihood of significant overheating during extended gaming or video recording sessions. However, sustained heavy use will still generate heat.
