Snapdragon 439 vs Kirin 710F: Which Budget Phone Reigns Supreme?

The vivo Y11 (2019) and Honor 9X Lite represent a shrinking segment of the smartphone market: truly affordable devices. Both phones aim to deliver essential functionality at a low price point, but they differ significantly under the hood. This comparison focuses on the core performance differences stemming from their respective chipsets – the Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 and the Huawei Kirin 710F – and how those differences translate to real-world usage.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user, the Honor 9X Lite is the better choice. While both phones offer similar 10W charging and target the budget market, the Kirin 710F’s more powerful Cortex-A73 cores provide a noticeable performance boost in everyday tasks and light gaming, making it a more future-proof option.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo Y11 (2019) Honor 9X Lite
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 411, 3, 7, 8, 20
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2019, October 18. Released 2019, October2020, April 17. Released 2020, May 14
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame-
Dimensions159.4 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm (6.28 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)160.4 x 76.6 x 7.8 mm (6.31 x 3.02 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight190.5 g (6.74 oz)188 g (6.63 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 1544 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~268 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~397 ppi density)
Size6.35 inches, 99.6 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 103.2 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53)Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm)Kirin 710F (12 nm)
GPUAdreno 505Mali-G51 MP4
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.1Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1, Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
Dual13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF Auxiliary lens48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/1.88 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.0, A2DP, LE4.2, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGmicroUSB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging10W wired10W wired
Type5000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 3750 mAh
Misc
ColorsAgate Red, Mineral BlueEmerald Green, Midnight Black
Models1906, 1906_20JSN-L21, JSN-L22, JSN-L23
PriceAbout 70 EURAbout 220 EUR

vivo Y11 (2019)

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Reliable for basic tasks
  • Qualcomm chipset generally has good software support

  • Significantly slower performance than the Honor 9X Lite
  • Less responsive user interface
  • Struggles with multitasking

Honor 9X Lite

  • Faster and more responsive performance
  • More efficient processor for potentially better battery life
  • Potentially better image processing

  • May be slightly more expensive
  • Huawei’s software ecosystem has faced challenges
  • 10W charging is slow by modern standards

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The focus here is on the chipset, as display specs are not provided. However, the Honor 9X Lite’s slightly higher processing power could contribute to smoother scrolling and animations, even on a similar panel.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. Both phones likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The absence of information regarding sensor size or aperture suggests neither device will excel in low-light conditions. Image processing will likely be the differentiating factor, and Huawei’s Kirin chipsets often include dedicated image signal processors (ISPs) that offer better optimization, potentially giving the Honor 9X Lite an edge in image quality.

Performance

The Kirin 710F is the clear winner in terms of processing power. Its octa-core configuration, featuring four 2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 cores, significantly outperforms the Snapdragon 439’s 1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The A73 architecture is a generation ahead of the A53, offering improved IPC (Instructions Per Clock) and overall responsiveness. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural advantage of the Kirin 710F translates to faster app loading times and a more fluid user experience. The Snapdragon 439’s lower clock speeds and less efficient core design will struggle with demanding tasks.

Battery Life

Both devices are equipped with 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds. The actual battery capacity isn't specified, but the Kirin 710F’s greater efficiency could lead to slightly better battery life despite potentially powering a more demanding display. The Snapdragon 439, while less powerful, may offer comparable battery endurance if paired with a larger capacity battery, but this is speculative without further data.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo Y11 (2019) if your primary need is a basic, reliable smartphone for calls, texts, and very light app usage, and you prioritize a potentially lower price. Buy the Honor 9X Lite if you want a smoother experience with multitasking, occasional gaming, and a more responsive user interface, even if it means spending slightly more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Honor 9X Lite handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Kirin 710F can run PUBG Mobile, but likely at lower graphics settings and frame rates to maintain stable performance. Expect medium settings for a playable experience, rather than high or ultra. The Snapdragon 439 will struggle significantly with this title.
❓ Is the difference in performance between these two phones noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Honor 9X Lite will feel snappier when opening apps, switching between tasks, and browsing the web. The Snapdragon 439 in the vivo Y11 (2019) will exhibit more lag and slower response times, especially with multiple apps open.
❓ Does either phone support fast charging?
No, both the vivo Y11 (2019) and the Honor 9X Lite are limited to 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow compared to modern fast charging standards. Expect a full charge to take over two hours.