Looking for a new smartphone but overwhelmed by the choices? We're pitting two very different devices against each other: the budget-friendly ZTE Blade L9 and the mid-range powerhouse, the Honor 70. This comparison will help you determine which phone best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor 70 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 778G+ chipset, vibrant display, impressive camera, and fast charging significantly outperform the ZTE Blade L9. While the Blade L9 offers affordability, the Honor 70 delivers a much more premium and capable experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 10 | 2022, May 30 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 10 | Available. Released 2022, June 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 137.5 x 67.5 x 10 mm (5.41 x 2.66 x 0.39 in) | 161.4 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm (6.35 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 143 g (5.04 oz) | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~215 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 64.5 cm2 (~69.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC7731e | Qualcomm SM7325-AE Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400 MP2 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 12, Magic UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP (up-scaled to 8 MP) | 32 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 54 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.49", PDAF
50 MP, f/2.2, 122˚ (ultrawide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 2 MP (up-scaled to 5 MP) | 32 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 66W wired, 60% in 20 min
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh | Li-Po 4800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Midnight Black, Emerald Green, Icelandic Frost, Crystal Silver |
| Models | - | FNE-AN00, FNE-NX9 |
| Price | About 70 EUR | £ 201.00 / € 189.90 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 100h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.4 LUFS (Average)
|
ZTE Blade L9
- Affordable
- Basic functionality
- Decent battery life
- Weak performance
- Low-resolution display
- Limited camera capabilities
- No 5G
Honor 70
- Powerful processor
- Vibrant display
- Excellent camera
- Fast charging
- Stylish design
- 5G connectivity
- More expensive than Blade L9
- Potential software bloat (depending on region)
Display Comparison
The Honor 70 boasts a significantly brighter and more vibrant display with a measured peak brightness of 790 nits and an infinite contrast ratio. The Blade L9's display is likely to be more basic, with lower brightness and contrast. The Honor 70's display offers a superior viewing experience for media consumption and general use.
Camera Comparison
The Honor 70 is expected to have a much more capable camera system, likely featuring higher resolution sensors and advanced image processing capabilities. While specific details for both phones are limited, the Honor 70's chipset typically supports better camera features. The Blade L9's camera will likely be adequate for basic snapshots.
Performance
The Honor 70's Snapdragon 778G+ chipset is a world apart from the Blade L9's Unisoc SC7731e. The Snapdragon offers significantly faster processing speeds, better graphics performance, and 5G connectivity. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the Honor 70.
Battery Life
Both phones are reported to have excellent battery life with an endurance rating of 100h. However, the Honor 70's 66W fast charging allows it to reach 60% charge in just 20 minutes, a significant advantage over the Blade L9, which likely lacks fast charging capabilities.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade L9 is ideal for users on a very tight budget who primarily need a basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light social media use. The Honor 70 is perfect for those seeking a stylish phone with a good camera, smooth performance, and fast charging, without breaking the bank on a flagship.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZTE Blade L9 good for gaming?
No, the Blade L9's chipset is not powerful enough for demanding games. It's best suited for basic apps and light usage.
❓ Does the Honor 70 support 5G?
Yes, the Honor 70 with its Snapdragon 778G+ chipset supports 5G connectivity.
❓ What is the expected price difference between these two phones?
The ZTE Blade L9 is significantly cheaper, typically costing under $150. The Honor 70 generally retails between $300-$400, depending on storage configuration and region.
