The sub-$300 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo V50 Lite 4G and Honor X9 5G both aim to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches. The V50 Lite prioritizes rapid charging and endurance, while the X9 5G offers the future-proofing of 5G connectivity. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and incredibly fast charging, the vivo V50 Lite 4G is the better choice. Its 90W charging and impressive 57:35h endurance significantly outperform the Honor X9 5G. However, if 5G connectivity is a must-have, the X9 5G is a viable alternative.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, March 17 | 2022, March 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, March | Available. Released 2022, March 29 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 76.3 x 7.8 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) | 166.1 x 75.8 x 8.1 mm (6.54 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 4 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2392 pixels (~388 ppi density) | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.77 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.81 inches, 112.3 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1300 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 15, Funtouch 15 | Android 11, Magic UI 4.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Ring-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5 |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 90W wired, 50% in 27 min, 100% in 58 min
6W reverse wired | 66W wired, 81% in 30 min |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 6500 mAh | Li-Po 4800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue/Silver, Violet, Gold | Titanium Silver, Ocean Blue, Midnight Black |
| Models | V2441 | ANY-NX1 |
| Price | € 177.65 | About 240 EUR |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 57:35h endurance, 1000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
vivo V50 Lite 4G
- Incredibly fast 90W charging
- Exceptional battery life (57:35h endurance)
- 6W reverse wired charging
- Potentially lower price point due to 4G connectivity
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Older CPU architecture compared to the X9 5G
Honor X9 5G
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- More modern CPU architecture (Snapdragon 695)
- Slightly better performance in demanding tasks
- Future-proofed for 5G network expansion
- Shorter battery life compared to the V50 Lite
- Slower charging speed (66W)
Display Comparison
Display specifications are not provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the price bracket, both devices likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The Honor X9 5G's 5G modem may necessitate a slightly more advanced display driver, potentially offering marginally better color accuracy. The absence of high refresh rate information suggests both are likely capped at 60Hz, focusing on power efficiency.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a definitive comparison is difficult. However, the market segment suggests both phones will rely on multi-camera setups with a primary sensor likely around 50MP. Image processing will be a key differentiator; vivo typically emphasizes vibrant, social media-ready images, while Honor often aims for a more natural look. The absence of any mention of OIS suggests neither phone will offer optical image stabilization.
Performance
The Honor X9 5G boasts the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G, featuring a Kryo 660 Gold/Silver core configuration clocked up to 2.2 GHz. This represents a step up in CPU performance compared to the vivo V50 Lite’s Snapdragon 685, which utilizes Cortex-A73/A53 cores peaking at 2.8 GHz. While the V50 Lite's cores have a higher clock speed, the Snapdragon 695’s newer architecture and 5G modem integration provide a more balanced and future-proof experience. The 6nm process node is shared by both chipsets, suggesting similar thermal efficiency. The X9 5G’s advantage will be most noticeable in sustained workloads and 5G network utilization.
Battery Life
The vivo V50 Lite 4G truly shines in battery endurance, achieving a remarkable 57:35 hours of usage. This is coupled with an astonishing 90W wired charging capability, reaching 50% charge in just 27 minutes and a full charge in 58 minutes. The Honor X9 5G, with its 66W charging, reaches 81% in 30 minutes, but lacks the V50 Lite’s overall endurance. The V50 Lite’s 6W reverse wired charging is also a useful addition for topping up accessories. The X9 5G’s battery capacity is not specified, but the shorter endurance suggests it’s smaller than the V50 Lite’s, and the slower charging reflects this.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo V50 Lite 4G if you need exceptional battery life, the fastest charging speeds in its class, and don't require 5G connectivity. It's ideal for users who heavily rely on their phones throughout the day and dislike waiting for their device to power up. Buy the Honor X9 5G if you prioritize 5G access for faster data speeds and future compatibility, and are willing to trade some battery endurance and charging speed for that feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 685 in the vivo V50 Lite struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 685 isn't a gaming powerhouse, it can handle PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. However, expect some frame drops during intense firefights. The Snapdragon 695 in the Honor X9 5G will offer a slightly smoother experience, but neither phone is designed for high-end gaming.
❓ How much faster is the 90W charging on the vivo V50 Lite compared to the 66W charging on the Honor X9 5G in real-world use?
The 90W charging on the V50 Lite is significantly faster. It can add around 50% charge in just 27 minutes, while the X9 5G takes approximately 30 minutes to reach 81%. This translates to less downtime and more time using your phone. The V50 Lite also reaches a full charge in 58 minutes, compared to an unspecified time for the X9 5G, which is likely longer.
❓ Is the lack of 5G on the vivo V50 Lite a significant drawback in 2024?
It depends on your location and usage. If 5G coverage is limited in your area, or you don't frequently stream high-bandwidth content, the lack of 5G won't be a major issue. However, if you live in a 5G-dense area and regularly download large files or stream 4K video, the Honor X9 5G's 5G connectivity will be beneficial.
