Honor 9 vs Honor 10 – does it make sense to change?

Following the arrival of the Honor 10, numerous consumers are pondering whether it is wise to invest in the latest device or if the relatively recent Honor 9 is still a strong contender. This article delves into a comprehensive analysis of the Honor 9 and Honor 10, highlighting their contrasting features and drawing conclusions regarding their similarities.

Characteristics

It makes sense to begin comparing phones by looking at their characteristics, which are displayed in the table below.

Huawei Honor 9

A comparison between the Honor 9 and Honor 10 reveals several differences in terms of attributes. The Honor 10, being the newer model, is equipped with a more advanced chipset and coprocessor, as well as a larger battery capacity and an improved front camera. Additionally, the Honor 10 boasts a larger size and features a modern aspect ratio of 19:9 for its display screen. It is also safe to assume that the Honor 10 runs on a newer firmware version and Android operating system. Lastly, the memory options differ between the two models, with the older Honor 10 available in 4/64GB or 4/128GB versions and a later 6GB version, while the younger Honor 9 is only available in the former variant.

Huawei Honor 10

It is worth noting that the Honor 9 offers the advantage of expandable memory through a memory card, unlike the Huawei Honor 10.

Huawei Honor 9

Design

In its latest smartphones, Huawei has actively embraced the use of glass, resulting in stunningly beautiful devices. However, it is worth noting that each new device bears a striking resemblance to its predecessor.

Of particular significance is the incorporation of multiple nanolayers of glass by Huawei, which are capable of reflecting around 36 spectra of sunlight. As a result, the end product is a device that glistens magnificently in the sunlight, creating a truly impressive visual effect.

When comparing the design of the Honor 9 and Honor 10, it becomes evident that there are indeed some differences between the two phones. This is perhaps influenced, to a significant extent, by the introduction of a new aspect ratio in the Honor 10.

The front panel of the Honor 9 presents a familiar appearance. There are narrow bezels on the sides, with a noticeable distance between the screen and the edges of the case at the top and bottom. Above the display, you can find the usual camera, sensors, and speaker. Below the screen, there are touch buttons for navigation – back and menu. These buttons are not visible when not in use and only light up when activated. In the center, there is an oval button with an embedded scanner. Although it is highlighted, it does not respond to touch. This button also functions as the home button.

The display of the Honor 9 is coated with Gorilla Glass 3, which includes an oleophobic layer. The overall quality of the display is excellent and it performs well. The display features rounded edges, while the side edges of the device are made of metal. At the top, there is an infrared (IR) port and a microphone. At the bottom, you can find the power connector (type-C), speaker, and headphone jack. On the left side, there is a combined SIM card slot that can accommodate either 2 SIM cards or a SIM card and a memory card. On the right side, there are two buttons – power and volume. Moving to the back of the device, you will notice a smooth and pleasant-to-touch curved glass surface, which provides a secure grip. The camera module is situated in the top left corner. Unlike many devices with a dual camera setup, the Honor 9 separates each lens. Adjacent to the lenses, there is a dual flash that emits both cold and warm light, as well as a laser focus feature.

Honor 10.

When looking at the Honor 10, the differences are immediately noticeable. What stands out is the metal frame that runs around the perimeter and the rounded edges of the display and back panel. However, the similarities end there.

Critical! Although one might expect the Honor 10 to be larger than its predecessor due to its larger display, the physical dimensions of the devices are almost identical, with only a fraction of a millimeter difference. In terms of thickness, the 10 is even thinner.

To achieve nearly the same dimensions, the Honor 10 features a display with a 19:9 aspect ratio, which has resulted in its appearance. The front panel of the device has thinner edges, particularly noticeable when compared to the Honor 9. The bottom of the screen features the same buttons, but the fingerprint sensor is less prominent and its bezel is less pronounced. At the top of the device, the elements had to be rearranged to provide more space for the display. Consequently, there is a small "notch" or "bangs" in the center at the top, where the camera, sensors, and a compact speaker are located. The overall placement of elements at the ends remains quite similar. The only difference is that the SIM card slot is not combined and is designed only for SIM cards. Moving to the back of the device, the notable difference is that the cameras are combined into a single unit. This unit protrudes slightly from the body and is black regardless of the body color, making it stand out. The flash remains in the same position, but the laser autofocus has been removed.

The decision between Honor 9 and Honor 10 comes down to personal preference when considering the design. Both phones are made with high-quality materials and have a visually appealing color scheme, as they employ similar technology that creates a shimmering effect. Additionally, the devices have almost identical dimensions and feel comfortable when held. Moreover, both models feature a fingerprint coating of excellent quality.

Screen

If we look at the display screens of the two models, we will find that they are almost identical. Honor 9 slightly loses in resolution compared to Honor 10, but the latter has a larger screen size. Both screens use the LTPS matrix, which ensures excellent color reproduction, brightness, and contrast.

Important! A noteworthy fact is that some users criticized the color temperature change on Honor 9 as it did not work correctly. However, this issue has been eliminated on Honor 10.

Conclusion. Overall, the displays are identical, making it difficult to determine a clear winner. There are virtually no distinctions between Honor 9 and Honor 10 in this aspect.

Battery life

• The average battery life under normal usage is between 20-22 hours;
• With video playback, the battery can last for about 9 hours;
• Gaming sessions can expect around 5 hours of battery life;
• Fast charging capabilities allow the battery to reach 100% in 80 minutes, or 50% in just 25 minutes.

The Honor 9 offers the following battery specifications:

• Average use can prolong the battery life up to 30 hours;
• Gaming sessions can last for 4 hours;
• Movie playback can use up to 7 hours of battery life;
• The battery can charge to 40% within 30 minutes.

In conclusion, the Honor 10 and Honor 9 differ in terms of battery performance. The Honor 10 is more suitable for gaming and movie watching, as it offers faster charging. However, for those who prioritize battery longevity, the Honor 9 is the better choice, with a difference of 10-8 hours being significant.

Processor and memory

The Honor 9 has received its own Kirin 960 processor, which is an octa-core solution with numerous advantages. It features a smart co-processor that minimizes power usage while tracking and counting steps, as well as hardware support for dual-camera functionality and 4K video recording. Additionally, it incorporates technology to enhance audio quality. In Antutu benchmark tests, the device achieves a score of 144,000 points. The phone delivers exceptional performance and effortlessly handles any games, all while maintaining a cool temperature.

The Honor 10 also features a Huawei-designed processor. In the P20 Pro model, Huawei utilized the Kirin 970, a chipset that is well-known in the industry. It consists of 8 cores, which is the same as the Kirin 960, though the frequency is slightly lower. However, the Kirin 970 is considered to be a more intelligent and sophisticated chipset. Huawei even refers to it as neuromorphic, which suggests that it is capable of self-learning. While it may be challenging to verify this claim, one thing is certain: the Kirin 970 achieves an impressive score of 200,000 in Antutu benchmark tests.

Conclusion. The Honor 10 surpasses the Honor 9 in terms of performance. Its processor is flawless and outperforms other brands. Huawei has developed the most powerful processor, which competes with other top brands.

Readers may be curious as to why the Kirin 960 is considered inferior to the Kirin 970. The answer is simple – the Kirin 970 will remain powerful and reliable for a longer period of time. On the other hand, the gap between the chipsets will widen over time for the Kirin 960. However, for those who plan to upgrade their device within a year, the Kirin 960 will still provide more than enough power.

When it comes to memory, the Honor 10 and the other models are similar, with the exception that the Honor 10 has both a 64 GB and a 128 GB version. This is a particularly advantageous feature considering that the option to expand the memory has been removed. In terms of speed, the memory capabilities of the two models are comparable.

By the way, there is an interesting fact regarding the Honor 10: it was initially announced to have 4 gigabytes of RAM, but later it was revealed that a version with 6 gigabytes was also available.

The Honor 9 features a unique dual camera system, consisting of a color module inherited from the Honor 8, and a new monochrome module. This combination allows for an expanded dynamic range, similar to HDR technology. The color module has a resolution of 12 megapixels, while the black and white module boasts 20 megapixels. Unfortunately, the two modules cannot be individually configured. The resulting photos are 12 megapixels in color and 20 megapixels in black and white. The phone also includes a dual flash and laser autofocus. The front camera is a standard 8 megapixels.

The quality of photos taken during the day is excellent, although there might be some noise in the ones taken at night. The autofocus feature is highly efficient and there are no issues with it. The background blurring effect may not always be perfect, but by adjusting the settings manually, it can be improved. In fact, with the right adjustments, manual mode can produce even better results compared to automatic mode.

Note: The device now boasts a cutting-edge feature: hybrid zoom that can magnify images up to 2 times without any loss in quality. This impressive capability is made possible through software enhancements. While the company has managed to achieve exceptional picture quality with zoom, the exact technique behind it remains a mystery.

On the other hand, the front camera of the device captures stunning wide-angle shots. However, it’s important to maintain a minimum distance of 40 cm from the face to ensure clear pictures. Adding to its repertoire, the phone also offers the exciting feature of live photos, essentially small video clips. Users can also take advantage of the Pro mode which allows for precise adjustments similar to those found in a high-end DSLR camera. Finally, the phone delivers high-quality 4K videos.

Despite the fact that the resolution of all cameras has been increased in the Huawei 10, it is not easy to find any significant distinctions. The only distinctive feature that has been added to the device is artificial intelligence in the camera’s functionality. This feature does not always work perfectly, but it can be overlooked as the technology is still being optimized and will be improved through future updates. If desired, it is possible to disable this feature, which will yield the same results as the Honor 9. Another peculiar aspect of the newer device is the absence of optical stabilization and laser focus.

To sum up, the conclusion can be drawn that the camera of the Honor 9 outperforms that of the Honor 10, making it a more suitable choice for photography enthusiasts. However, it is important to note that the intelligence of the Honor 10’s chip presents a potential for improvement through updates, indicating that the model has the potential to surpass the Honor 9 in terms of camera capabilities in the future.

Conclusion

It is a challenging question to determine whether Honor 9 or Honor 10 is better. These two smartphones possess distinct characteristics. Honor 10 outperforms in categories such as power, productivity, a large display, and long-lasting battery life for gaming and movies. Additionally, it offers more memory and comes with the latest Android and firmware version installed. On the other hand, Honor 9 can be updated to the new operating system and firmware versions. When it comes to the camera, the younger model takes the lead and it is also generally more independent. Although the processor is weaker, it is sufficient for those who are not particularly focused on gaming.

Advice! Overall, the Honor 10 still reigns supreme, but it’s only worth investing in for those who will truly make use of all its features. For those who recently bought the 9, there’s little benefit in upgrading to the newer device.

The Honor 9 is priced at 21,000, while the Honor 10 starts from 27,000. Both phones are excellent options, and the ultimate decision should be based on the individual needs of the prospective owner.