The vivo Z5 and Honor 9X Lite represent compelling options in the budget-to-midrange smartphone space. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches under the hood. The vivo Z5 leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 712, while the Honor 9X Lite opts for Huawei’s Kirin 710F. This comparison dissects these key differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and faster charging, the vivo Z5 emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 712 chipset, built on a more efficient 10nm process, provides a noticeable edge in processing power and sustained performance, complemented by its 22.5W fast charging capability. The Honor 9X Lite remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, July. Released 2019, August | 2020, April 17. Released 2020, May 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159.5 x 75.2 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.96 x 0.32 in) | 160.4 x 76.6 x 7.8 mm (6.31 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 187 g (6.60 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~404 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~397 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 99.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.2 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) | Kirin 710F (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1, Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3750 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora illusion, Bamboo Forest Night, Holographic illusion | Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | V1921A, V1921T, 1921 | JSN-L21, JSN-L22, JSN-L23 |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 220 EUR |
vivo Z5
- Faster Snapdragon 712 processor
- More efficient 10nm process
- Significantly faster 22.5W charging
- Potentially higher price point
- May not have a significantly better camera
Honor 9X Lite
- Lower price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- Acceptable performance for everyday use
- Slower Kirin 710F processor
- Less efficient 12nm process
- Slow 10W charging
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Given the context data focuses on internals, we can infer both likely feature LCD panels common in this price bracket. The Honor 9X Lite’s potential weakness lies in its chipset’s ability to efficiently drive a higher resolution or refresh rate display, should it have one. The vivo Z5’s more powerful GPU could offer a slightly smoother experience with graphically intensive content, assuming similar display specs.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s reasonable to assume both phones feature similar sensor configurations targeting the budget segment. The Snapdragon 712’s image signal processor (ISP) is generally considered more advanced than the Kirin 710F’s, potentially leading to better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. The ISP’s capabilities impact noise reduction, dynamic range, and overall image quality. The absence of OIS on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo Z5’s Snapdragon 712 (10nm) features a Kryo CPU architecture with a clear performance split – 2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold cores for demanding tasks and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver cores for efficiency. The Honor 9X Lite’s Kirin 710F (12nm) uses a more traditional Cortex-A73/A53 configuration. The 10nm process of the Snapdragon 712 is a significant advantage, offering better power efficiency and potentially less thermal throttling during prolonged use. This translates to more sustained performance in gaming and demanding applications. While the Kirin 710F’s Cortex-A73 cores reach a slightly higher clock speed (2.2 GHz vs 2.3 GHz), the architectural advantages and process node of the Snapdragon 712 likely outweigh this difference.
Battery Life
The vivo Z5’s 22.5W wired charging is a clear advantage over the Honor 9X Lite’s 10W charging. This difference in charging speed significantly impacts the user experience, allowing the Z5 to replenish its battery much faster. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 712’s superior power efficiency could offset a potentially smaller battery size in the Z5, resulting in comparable or even better real-world battery life. The Honor 9X Lite will require considerably longer to fully charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Z5 if you need a phone capable of handling moderate gaming and multitasking with relative ease, and if quick charging is a priority. The Snapdragon 712’s architecture delivers a smoother experience for demanding apps. Buy the Honor 9X Lite if you prioritize affordability above all else and your usage primarily revolves around basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media browsing. It’s a functional device for users who don’t require significant processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Kirin 710F in the Honor 9X Lite struggle with graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Kirin 710F can run PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 712 in the vivo Z5 offers a more comfortable gaming experience with higher settings and less frame rate fluctuation due to its superior GPU and thermal management.
❓ How long does it realistically take to charge the vivo Z5 from 0% to 100%?
With its 22.5W fast charging, the vivo Z5 should fully charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes, depending on usage during charging. The Honor 9X Lite, with its 10W charging, will take significantly longer – likely exceeding 3 hours.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
For basic tasks, the difference will be minimal. Both phones will handle browsing, social media, and messaging without issue. However, the Snapdragon 712 in the vivo Z5 will feel snappier when switching between apps or multitasking.
