The sub-$250 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Honor X9 5G and vivo Y72t both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a solid smartphone experience without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches, primarily in their chipset and charging technology. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone offers the best overall package.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor X9 5G emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 695, built on a more efficient 6nm process, offers a slight performance edge and better thermal management. Crucially, the 66W fast charging is a game-changer, significantly reducing downtime compared to the Y72t’s 18W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 23 | 2022, March 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 23 | Available. Released 2022, March 29 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.3 x 9.2 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.36 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 | 199.8 g (7.05 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.81 inches, 112.3 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, OriginOS 11 | Android 11, Magic UI 4.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 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 | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | - | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 66W wired, 81% in 30 min |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 4800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Pink | Titanium Silver, Ocean Blue, Midnight Black |
| Models | V2164A | ANY-NX1 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 240 EUR |
vivo Y72t
- Faster 66W charging significantly reduces downtime.
- Snapdragon 695 offers a slight performance advantage.
- More efficient 6nm chipset for better battery life.
- Potentially higher initial cost.
- Camera performance relies heavily on software optimization.
Honor X9 5G
- Potentially lower price point.
- Decent performance for everyday tasks.
- Reliable MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset.
- Slow 18W charging is a major drawback.
- Less efficient 7nm chipset may lead to shorter battery life.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness or color gamut coverage) are unavailable, the focus here is on the internal hardware. Both likely utilize LCD panels common in this price bracket. The absence of high refresh rates is expected. The real differentiator will be color calibration and viewing angles, which require hands-on testing.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of a main sensor, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 695 generally offers more sophisticated image processing capabilities. This could result in better dynamic range and noise reduction in photos and videos. The Y72t’s Dimensity 700 ISP is capable, but likely lags behind in computational photography features. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device is unlikely at this price point.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor X9 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (6nm) benefits from a more modern fabrication process compared to the vivo Y72t’s MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7nm). This 6nm process generally translates to improved power efficiency and potentially lower temperatures under sustained load. Both CPUs feature a similar core configuration – 2x high-performance cores (2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold vs 2.2 GHz Cortex-A76) and 6x efficiency cores (1.8 GHz Kryo 660 Silver vs 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). However, Qualcomm’s Kryo cores often exhibit better single-core performance, impacting app launch speeds and general responsiveness. The Snapdragon 695 also has a more advanced Adreno 619 GPU, offering a slight advantage in graphics performance.
Battery Life
The Honor X9 5G’s 66W wired charging is the clear winner. The ability to reach 81% charge in just 30 minutes is a significant convenience. The vivo Y72t’s 18W charging is comparatively slow, requiring considerably longer to fully replenish the battery. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the Honor X9 5G effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery size. The Snapdragon 695’s improved efficiency also contributes to better overall battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y72t if you prioritize a potentially lower initial cost and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s a reasonable choice for basic smartphone tasks and light 5G usage. Buy the Honor X9 5G if you value faster charging, slightly improved performance for gaming and multitasking, and a more modern chipset architecture. It’s the better option for users who actively use 5G and demand a more responsive experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the Honor X9 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 695 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to stick to medium graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. While not a dedicated gaming chipset, it offers a noticeable improvement over the Dimensity 700 in graphics performance, resulting in fewer frame drops.
❓ How much faster is the 66W charging on the Honor X9 5G compared to the 18W charging on the vivo Y72t in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Honor X9 5G can reach 81% charge in 30 minutes, while the vivo Y72t will likely take well over an hour to achieve a similar charge level. This means you can quickly top up the Honor X9 5G during short breaks, whereas the Y72t requires a longer charging period.
❓ Does the Dimensity 700 in the vivo Y72t struggle with 5G connectivity, leading to poor signal strength or battery drain?
The Dimensity 700 is a capable 5G modem, but its 7nm process is less efficient than the Snapdragon 695’s 6nm process. This means the Y72t may experience slightly faster battery drain when actively using 5G compared to the Honor X9 5G. Signal strength will depend more on network coverage than the chipset itself.
