The Xiaomi Mi CC9e and Honor 9X Pro represent compelling options in the crowded mid-range smartphone market. While both aim for affordability, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving it. The Mi CC9e focuses on a streamlined experience with a Snapdragon 665, while the Honor 9X Pro leverages the more powerful Kirin 810 chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor 9X Pro emerges as the stronger choice. Its Kirin 810 chipset provides a significant performance uplift over the Snapdragon 665 in the Mi CC9e, making it better suited for demanding tasks and gaming. While the Mi CC9e offers a more compact form factor, the 9X Pro’s superior processing power justifies the trade-off.
| 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 (2CA) 450/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, July. Released 2019, July | 2019, July 23. Released 2019, August 09 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 153.5 x 71.9 x 8.5 mm (6.04 x 2.83 x 0.33 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 | 173.8 g (6.14 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~286 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.01 inches, 88.7 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Kirin 810 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 MP6 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), MIUI 10 | 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 | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 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 | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | 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@30/60/120fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 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 HD | 4.2, A2DP, LE (International)5.0, A2DP, LE (China) |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4030 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Midnight Black, Phantom Purple |
| Models | - | HLK-AL10, HLK-TL10, HLK-L41, HLK-L42 |
| Price | About 170 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) |
Xiaomi Mi CC9e
- Faster 18W charging
- Potentially more compact design (based on market positioning)
- Lower price point (likely)
- Significantly weaker processor (Snapdragon 665)
- Likely lower display brightness and contrast
Honor 9X Pro
- More powerful Kirin 810 chipset
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Longer battery endurance (equal rating, but benefits from efficient chipset)
- Slower 10W charging
- Larger form factor (likely)
Display Comparison
The Honor 9X Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 517 nits and a 1319:1 contrast ratio, providing a vibrant and clear viewing experience. While the Mi CC9e’s display specifications aren’t provided, it’s likely to have a lower peak brightness and contrast ratio given its price point. The 1319:1 contrast ratio on the 9X Pro ensures deeper blacks and more vivid colors, enhancing media consumption. The lack of information on the CC9e’s panel technology makes a direct comparison difficult, but the 9X Pro’s display is demonstrably brighter.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a definitive comparison is impossible. However, given the Honor 9X Pro’s overall positioning, it’s reasonable to assume it benefits from more advanced image processing algorithms and potentially a larger main sensor. The Mi CC9e likely focuses on providing adequate camera performance for casual users, while the 9X Pro aims for a more competitive experience. The absence of information on OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) for either device makes it difficult to assess low-light performance.
Performance
The Kirin 810 (7nm) in the Honor 9X Pro represents a substantial leap in processing power compared to the Snapdragon 665 (11nm) found in the Xiaomi Mi CC9e. The Kirin 810’s octa-core configuration, featuring 2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, delivers significantly faster performance in CPU-intensive tasks. The Snapdragon 665’s 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver cores are less capable. The 7nm process node of the Kirin 810 also contributes to improved thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during prolonged gaming sessions. This translates to a smoother and more responsive user experience on the Honor 9X Pro.
Battery Life
Both the Xiaomi Mi CC9e and Honor 9X Pro achieve an endurance rating of 104 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Honor 9X Pro’s 10W wired charging is significantly slower than the Mi CC9e’s 18W wired charging. This means the Mi CC9e can replenish its battery more quickly, offering a convenience advantage despite the similar overall endurance. The slower charging speed of the 9X Pro may be a drawback for users who frequently need to top up their battery throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Mi CC9e if you prioritize a smaller, more easily pocketable device and your usage primarily revolves around basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Buy the Honor 9X Pro if you value performance for gaming, multitasking, and future-proofing, and are willing to accept a slightly larger footprint. The 9X Pro is the better option for users who want a phone that can handle more than just the basics.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 810 in the Honor 9X Pro get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Kirin 810's 7nm process node is more efficient than the Snapdragon 665's 11nm node, meaning it generates less heat under load. While some warming is inevitable during prolonged gaming, the 9X Pro is less likely to experience significant throttling compared to devices with less efficient chipsets. However, sustained peak performance will still generate heat.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Honor 9X Pro a significant drawback?
Compared to the Mi CC9e's 18W charging, the 10W charging on the 9X Pro is considerably slower. A full charge will take significantly longer. However, the similar battery endurance ratings suggest that you won't necessarily need to charge it more frequently, just that when you do, it will take longer to reach 100%.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 665 handle multitasking compared to the Kirin 810?
The Kirin 810's more powerful CPU and efficient architecture allow it to handle multitasking with greater ease. The Snapdragon 665 may struggle with numerous apps open simultaneously, leading to slowdowns and app reloads. The 9X Pro will provide a smoother experience when switching between applications.
