The vivo Z5i 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 different approaches. The Z5i relies on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 675, while the 9X Pro features Huawei’s Kirin 810. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best balance of performance, features, and value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing overall performance and future-proofing, the Honor 9X Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Kirin 810, built on a more efficient 7nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Z5i’s Snapdragon 675, despite the Z5i’s slightly faster charging.
| 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, 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 / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November. Released 2019, November | 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 |
| 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 Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) | Kirin 810 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | 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 (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| 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 | 4K@30fps, 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, aptX | 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 | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glazed Black, Jade Blue | Midnight Black, Phantom Purple |
| Models | - | HLK-AL10, HLK-TL10, HLK-L41, HLK-L42 |
| Price | About 230 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 Z5i
- Faster 18W charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Capable for everyday tasks
- Less powerful chipset (Snapdragon 675)
- Less efficient 11nm process
- Likely inferior gaming performance
Honor 9X Pro
- More powerful chipset (Kirin 810)
- More efficient 7nm process
- Better sustained performance
- Superior gaming capabilities
- Slower 10W charging
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
The Honor 9X Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 517 nits and a 1319:1 contrast ratio, providing a visually pleasing experience. While the Z5i’s display specifications are not provided, the 9X Pro’s higher brightness is immediately beneficial in outdoor visibility. Both devices share the same contrast ratio, suggesting similar panel technology in terms of black levels. The lack of high refresh rate support on either device is typical for this price segment, but the 9X Pro’s superior brightness gives it an edge.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, given the market positioning, it’s likely the Honor 9X Pro benefits from Huawei’s established image processing algorithms. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. The presence of a dedicated Night Mode on the 9X Pro, a common feature in Huawei phones, suggests better low-light performance. The Z5i likely relies more heavily on software processing to compensate for potentially smaller sensors.
Performance
The Kirin 810 in the Honor 9X Pro, fabricated on a 7nm process, represents a significant architectural advantage over the Snapdragon 675 (11nm) found in the vivo Z5i. The 7nm node allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, translating to sustained performance under load. While the Z5i’s CPU features a 2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold core, the 9X Pro’s Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.27 GHz offer superior single-core performance. This difference is particularly noticeable in demanding applications and gaming. The Kirin 810’s GPU also outperforms the Snapdragon 675’s Adreno 618, providing a smoother gaming experience.
Battery Life
Both the vivo Z5i and Honor 9X Pro achieve an endurance rating of 104 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Z5i supports 18W wired charging, while the 9X Pro is limited to 10W. This means the Z5i will recharge considerably faster, potentially mitigating any slight differences in overall battery capacity. The 9X Pro’s more efficient Kirin 810 chipset may contribute to its comparable endurance despite the slower charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Z5i if you prioritize a slightly faster charging experience and are on a very tight budget. It’s a capable device for everyday tasks. Buy the Honor 9X Pro if you value smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, and a more efficient chipset, even if it means accepting slower 10W charging. The 9X Pro is the better long-term investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 810 in the Honor 9X Pro experience significant thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 810 is a capable chipset, it's not immune to thermal throttling. However, the 7nm process helps mitigate this compared to the Snapdragon 675. Reviews suggest the 9X Pro can maintain reasonable performance for extended gaming periods, but expect some performance reduction after 30-60 minutes of intensive gameplay.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Honor 9X Pro a dealbreaker in 2024?
10W charging is undeniably slow by modern standards. A full charge will take considerably longer than with the Z5i’s 18W charging. However, the 9X Pro’s efficient chipset and comparable battery life mean you may not need to charge it as frequently. If overnight charging is acceptable, the slower speed is less of an issue.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 675 handle graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 675 can run PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to compromise on graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. Expect to play at medium settings with a moderate frame rate. The Kirin 810 in the Honor 9X Pro offers a significantly better gaming experience, allowing for higher graphics settings and more stable frame rates.
