The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro Max and Honor 9X Pro represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market, both aiming to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag. Released around the same timeframe, they compete directly for users seeking a balance of performance, camera capabilities, and battery life. This comparison dissects their key differences, focusing on the architectural nuances of their chipsets and the real-world impact of their specifications.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and a slightly more modern chipset, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro Max is the better choice. Its 33W charging significantly outperforms the Honor 9X Pro’s 10W, and the Snapdragon 720G offers a slight edge in GPU performance. However, the Honor 9X Pro boasts comparable battery endurance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 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 | 2020, March 12. Released 2020, May 12 | 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 | 165.5 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.52 x 3.02 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 | 209 g (7.37 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Kirin 810 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G52 MP6 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 | 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 | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 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 |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 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, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 32 MP, (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 | 4.2, A2DP, LE (International)5.0, A2DP, LE (China) |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 50% in 30 min | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5020 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Black | Midnight Black, Phantom Purple |
| Models | M2003J6B1I | HLK-AL10, HLK-TL10, HLK-L41, HLK-L42 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR | 0.88 W/kg (head) 0.47 W/kg (body) | - |
| 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 Redmi Note 9 Pro Max
- Faster 33W charging for quick top-ups
- More modern Snapdragon 720G chipset
- Potentially better thermal management
- Battery endurance likely lower than Honor 9X Pro
- Display brightness data unavailable
Honor 9X Pro
- Exceptional 104-hour battery endurance
- Higher peak display brightness (517 nits)
- Strong single-core performance from Kirin 810
- Slow 10W charging
- Older Kirin 810 chipset
Display Comparison
Both devices feature a contrast ratio of 1319:1, suggesting similar visual depth and black levels. However, the Honor 9X Pro’s measured peak brightness of 517 nits provides a brighter viewing experience, particularly outdoors, compared to the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max (brightness data unavailable). While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Honor 9X Pro’s higher brightness gives it an advantage in direct sunlight readability. The lack of high refresh rate support on either device is typical for this price point, but limits the smoothness of scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics on sensor size and aperture, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max’s brand reputation suggests a focus on versatile camera systems, potentially offering more refined image processing. The absence of information regarding Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization, which can be less effective in low-light conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and low resolution.
Performance
The Redmi Note 9 Pro Max’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) and the Honor 9X Pro’s Kirin 810 (7nm) represent different approaches to mid-range performance. The Kirin 810 utilizes Cortex-A76 cores, offering strong single-core performance, while the Snapdragon 720G’s Kryo 465 Gold cores prioritize efficiency. The 8nm process of the Snapdragon 720G generally translates to better thermal efficiency than the 7nm Kirin 810, potentially leading to less throttling during sustained workloads like gaming. The Snapdragon 720G also benefits from a more modern GPU architecture, offering a slight advantage in graphics performance.
Battery Life
The Honor 9X Pro boasts an impressive endurance rating of 104 hours, indicating excellent battery life under typical usage. However, the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max compensates with significantly faster 33W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 30 minutes. The Honor 9X Pro’s 10W charging is comparatively slow, requiring considerably longer to fully replenish the battery. While the Honor 9X Pro excels in longevity, the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max prioritizes convenience with its rapid charging capabilities.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro Max if you need rapid charging capabilities and prioritize a smoother gaming experience, even if only marginally. Its 33W charging is a game-changer for users constantly on the move. Buy the Honor 9X Pro if you prioritize maximizing battery life and are less concerned with the latest chipset advancements. The Honor 9X Pro’s 104-hour endurance rating is ideal for users who frequently find themselves away from a power outlet.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 810 in the Honor 9X Pro struggle with demanding games like PUBG?
While the Kirin 810 is capable of running PUBG, users may experience occasional frame drops or the need to lower graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. The Snapdragon 720G in the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max offers a slight GPU advantage, potentially resulting in more stable performance at higher settings.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to fully charge the Honor 9X Pro with its 10W charging?
With its 10W charging, the Honor 9X Pro will likely take over 3 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%. This is a significant drawback compared to the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max’s 33W charging, which can reach 50% in just 30 minutes.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance between the Snapdragon 720G and Kirin 810 noticeable in everyday tasks?
For typical daily use like browsing, social media, and video streaming, the difference in performance between the two chipsets is unlikely to be noticeable. However, the Snapdragon 720G may exhibit slightly faster app loading times and smoother multitasking.
