The vivo Y5s and Honor 9X Pro represent compelling options in the crowded mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this goal. The Y5s focuses on a streamlined experience with a Mediatek Helio P65, while the 9X Pro leverages Huawei’s Kirin 810 chipset for a performance boost. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Honor 9X Pro is the clear winner. Its Kirin 810 chipset, built on a more efficient 7nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Y5s’ Helio P65. While the Y5s offers reverse charging, the 9X Pro’s superior processing power and measured display brightness make it the better overall choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November. Released 2019, December | 2019, July 23. Released 2019, August 09 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 163.5 x 77.3 x 8.8 mm (6.44 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6768 Helio P65 (12 nm) | Kirin 810 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G52 MP6 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.2 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 9.1, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| 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) | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE (International)5.0, A2DP, LE (China) |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
5W reverse wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Magnetic Black, Spring White, Blue | Midnight Black, Phantom Purple |
| Models | V1934A | HLK-AL10, HLK-TL10, HLK-L41, HLK-L42 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 104h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1319:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-31.1 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 312668 (v8)
GeekBench: 7836 (v4.4), 1911 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Y5s
- Reverse wireless charging offers added convenience.
- Potentially lower price point.
- Streamlined software experience (likely).
- Less powerful processor compared to the Kirin 810.
- Lack of detailed display specifications.
- Slower charging speed.
Honor 9X Pro
- More powerful Kirin 810 chipset for better performance.
- Brighter display for improved outdoor visibility.
- More efficient 7nm process for better thermal management.
- Slower charging speed (10W).
- Lacks reverse wireless charging.
- Software experience may be less streamlined.
Display Comparison
The Honor 9X Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 517 nits, significantly enhancing visibility in bright sunlight compared to the vivo Y5s, which lacks published brightness data. Both displays share a 1319:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar black levels and color depth. However, the lack of detailed display specifications for the Y5s – such as panel type (IPS vs AMOLED) and color gamut coverage – leaves the 9X Pro as the clear winner in terms of confirmed display quality. The 9X Pro’s higher brightness translates to a more usable experience outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing algorithms. Without this information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the Honor brand’s historical focus on camera technology, it’s reasonable to assume the 9X Pro benefits from more sophisticated image processing. The absence of details on the Y5s suggests a more basic camera experience. We can infer that both phones likely include standard features like HDR and scene detection, but the 9X Pro is likely to offer more refined results.
Performance
The Kirin 810 in the Honor 9X Pro, fabricated on a 7nm process, represents a significant architectural leap over the 12nm Mediatek Helio P65 found in the vivo Y5s. The Kirin 810’s CPU features two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.27 GHz, offering superior single-core performance compared to the Y5s’ 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads. While both phones utilize a 6x Cortex-A55 cluster, the Kirin 810’s overall architecture provides a substantial performance advantage, particularly in GPU-intensive tasks.
Battery Life
Both the vivo Y5s and Honor 9X Pro achieve an endurance rating of 104 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Y5s supports 18W wired charging and 5W reverse wired charging, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices. The 9X Pro is limited to 10W wired charging. While the Y5s charges slower overall, the reverse charging capability is a unique advantage. The similar endurance ratings suggest that despite the slower charging, the 9X Pro’s more efficient chipset helps offset the difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y5s if you need a dependable daily driver with the added convenience of reverse wireless charging, and prioritize a simple, uncluttered software experience. It’s ideal for users who primarily browse, use social media, and make calls. Buy the Honor 9X Pro if you prefer a more powerful processor for gaming and multitasking, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and a phone that’s likely to remain responsive for a longer period. This is the better choice for power users and mobile gamers.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio P65 in the vivo Y5s struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio P65 is a capable chipset for casual gaming, but it may struggle to maintain consistently high frame rates in demanding titles like PUBG Mobile, especially at higher graphics settings. Users may need to lower the settings to achieve a smooth gaming experience. The Honor 9X Pro’s Kirin 810 offers a significantly better gaming experience.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Honor 9X Pro noticeably slow in 2024?
Yes, 10W charging is relatively slow by modern standards. While it will still charge the phone overnight, it will take considerably longer than the 18W charging on the vivo Y5s. This is a trade-off for the 9X Pro’s superior performance and efficiency.
❓ How does the 7nm process of the Kirin 810 impact real-world usage on the Honor 9X Pro?
The 7nm process allows the Kirin 810 to operate more efficiently, generating less heat for a given level of performance. This translates to less thermal throttling during prolonged use, such as gaming or video recording, resulting in more consistent performance over time.
