The sub-$250 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo Y39 and Honor X9b are two contenders vying for your attention. Both leverage Qualcomm's Snapdragon series, but with different generations and approaches. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device delivers the best value for everyday users.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the vivo Y39 emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, while a step down in nominal number from the X9b's 6 Gen 1, offers a more efficient architecture and faster 44W charging, translating to longer battery life and quicker top-ups. The Honor X9b isn't a bad phone, but the Y39's balance is more compelling.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, March 27 | 2023, October 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, March 27 | Available. Released 2023, October |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 165.7 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm (6.52 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 163.6 x 75.5 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.97 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Schott Glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1608 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~264 ppi density) | 1220 x 2652 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~431 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.68 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 112.6 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 613 | Adreno 710 |
| OS | Android 15, Funtouch 15 | Android 13, Magic OS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired, 74% in 60 min
Reverse wired | 35W wired
Reverse wired |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 6500 mAh | Li-Po 5800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lotus Purple, Ocean Blue | Sunrise Orange, Midnight Black, Emerald Green |
| Models | V2443, V2436 | ALI-NX1 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 970 EUR |
| SAR | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body) | - |
vivo Y39
- Faster 44W charging
- Potentially better battery life due to chipset efficiency
- Competitive Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 performance
- Potentially less raw processing power than the X9b
- Camera performance is unknown without further specs
Honor X9b
- Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 offers more processing cores
- Reverse wired charging
- Potentially better gaming performance (though limited by other factors)
- Slower 35W charging
- Likely shorter battery life compared to the Y39
- May experience more thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. While specific details like resolution and refresh rate are missing, the focus here is on processing power, not visual fidelity. Bezels are expected to be moderate on both, and color accuracy will likely be tuned for vibrant, rather than accurate, reproduction.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. Both phones will likely feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor and supporting lenses. However, the quality of image processing and sensor size will be crucial. We anticipate both will rely heavily on software algorithms to enhance image quality, and the inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely for marketing purposes. The X9b *might* have a slight edge if it utilizes a larger primary sensor, but this is speculative.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor X9b’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm) features 4x Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, alongside 4x Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz. The vivo Y39 utilizes the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4nm) with 2x Cortex-A78 cores at 2.2 GHz and 6x Cortex-A55 cores at 1.95 GHz. Despite the X9b having more A78 cores, the Y39’s higher clock speed on the A55 cores and potentially more efficient architecture could lead to comparable, or even better, sustained performance in many real-world scenarios. Both utilize a 4nm process, ensuring reasonable thermal efficiency, but the Y39’s configuration may prioritize efficiency over raw power.
Battery Life
The vivo Y39’s 44W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Honor X9b’s 35W. vivo claims a 74% charge in 60 minutes, while the X9b will take considerably longer to reach full capacity. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2’s efficiency in the Y39 should translate to longer battery life, even with a potentially smaller battery pack. Both support reverse wired charging, a useful feature for topping up accessories.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y39 if you prioritize all-day battery life, fast charging, and a smooth experience for everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and light gaming. Buy the Honor X9b if you occasionally engage in more demanding gaming sessions and prefer a slightly more powerful processor, understanding that this comes at the cost of charging speed and potentially battery longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 in the vivo Y39 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While not a gaming powerhouse, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. Expect some frame drops during intense action, but it's perfectly playable for casual gaming. The Honor X9b's 6 Gen 1 will offer a slightly smoother experience, but the difference won't be dramatic.
❓ How much faster is the 44W charging on the vivo Y39 compared to the 35W charging on the Honor X9b in real-world use?
The 44W charging on the Y39 will noticeably reduce charging times. vivo claims 74% in 60 minutes, suggesting a full charge will take around 90-100 minutes. The X9b's 35W charging will likely take closer to 2 hours for a full charge. This difference is significant for users who frequently need to top up their phones quickly.
❓ Does either phone support 5G connectivity?
Both the vivo Y39 and Honor X9b are expected to support 5G connectivity, given the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 and 6 Gen 1 chipsets both include integrated 5G modems. However, 5G availability will depend on your carrier and region.
