Comparing the Honor 9 and Huawei P20 Lite presents an intriguing challenge, as both devices are essentially crafted by the same creators. Honor, having once been a subsidiary brand, has since branched off into its own line of smartphones. The Honor 9, released in 2017, was hailed as a flagship model, while the P20 Lite serves as a more streamlined version of its flagship counterpart. Determining which device reigns supreme can be ascertained through the comprehensive review and comparison outlined below.

Characteristics

Even though the P20 Lite is considered a more budget-friendly flagship, it still offers a solid set of features. It comes equipped with all the necessary interfaces, a capable processor, and an attractive design. On the other hand, the Honor 9 is a flagship device that carries certain expectations. To determine which device is superior between the Huawei P20 Lite and the Honor 9, it’s important to examine their specifications.

Honor 9 smartphone

Honor 9

When it comes to specifications, the models are generally similar, but the Honor 9 stands out with a more powerful and updated processor as well as a larger battery. The two devices have slight differences when it comes to memory options: the Honor 9 offers a top version with 6/128Gb of memory, while the P20 Lite is only available with 4Gb of memory. Both models support dual SIM cards and have the option to use a MicroSD card instead of a second SIM. There is no clear winner in the comparison of features between the Huawei P20 Lite and the Honor 9.

The Huawei P20 Lite is a smartphone

Design

Generally, the devices from both brands are quite similar. Honor 9 is made using nanoglass technology, which gives its body a shimmering effect in sunlight. P20 Lite also uses the same technology, which is not surprising considering it came out later and received positive reviews from buyers. From this perspective, the models are almost identical. The front side of Honor 9 features a familiar display shape with a 16:9 aspect ratio and the typical arrangement of elements. The top part includes the earpiece, front camera, and sensors, while the bottom part houses a button with a fingerprint scanner. On the other hand, the front panel of P20 Lite has some noticeable differences. It has an increased aspect ratio of 18:9, which is a current fashion trend in smartphone design. Visually, the display takes up most of the space, with only a small area for the upper elements and the absence of a bottom button with a fingerprint scanner.

Further comparison between Honor 9 and Huawei P20 Lite reveals differences on the back panel. The first device has separate camera modules that are not protruding, have a round shape, and are surrounded by a metal edge. The cameras are positioned horizontally, with dual flash and laser autofocus placed next to them. On the other hand, P20 Lite has a single protruding camera module that is vertically positioned and stands out due to the difference in color. The flash is located lower down, and there is a round fingerprint scanner in the central part at the top of the back panel.

The ports and buttons on the devices are almost the same, with the only difference being that Honor 9 has an infrared port on the top, while P20 Lite has a second microphone. The bottom edge has a headset connection, synchronization cable (power), and an external speaker. On the right side, there are audio level controls and a power button, and on the left side, there is a microSD and SIM slot. Both the front and back of the devices are made of glass, with metal bezels on the side edges.

It is noteworthy that even though the Huawei P20 Lite is bigger in size, it still offers comfortable handling, just like its smaller sibling. The clever design feature of having beveled edges on both the back and the front panels helps in providing a good grip and makes up for the increased dimensions.

The 9 comes in three color options: black, gray, and blue. On the other hand, the P20 Lite is available in black, blue, or pink.

Screen

When it comes to screens, you can make a comparison between the Honor 9 and the Huawei P20 Lite. However, the victory in this aspect goes to the P20 Lite solely due to its higher resolution. Both devices use IPS matrices, which provide excellent viewing angles, brightness capabilities, and offer the same settings, resulting in good color reproduction. The only drawback in both cases is the slightly inaccurate display of gray color. Nevertheless, overall, this is a rather insignificant detail that does not detract from the overall impression.

The Huawei P20 Lite display

The P20 Lite borrows elements from the iPhone X, specifically the design feature that allows for more screen space. While this design may seem unusual, Apple manages to make it work due to the width of the device, setting a trend in the process. Huawei attempted to fit everything into a smaller area, but the result is not very successful. Unlike the Honor 10, which offers the option to remove the "eyebrow" in settings for users who are dissatisfied with it, the P20 Lite does not provide this option. The Honor 9 has a more pleasing design in this aspect.

Display of the Honor 9

When it comes to the screen of the Honor 9, it is truly remarkable. With its vibrant colors and high resolution, it provides a stunning visual experience. The display is bright and vivid, making images and text appear sharp and clear. Whether you are watching videos, playing games, or browsing the internet, the Honor 9’s screen never disappoints.

Power and Battery Life

The performance and battery life of the Honor 9 are equally impressive. Powered by a fast and efficient processor, the smartphone offers snappy and smooth performance. It can handle multitasking effortlessly, allowing you to switch between apps seamlessly.

In terms of battery life, the Honor 9’s large battery ensures that it can easily last through a full day of normal usage. It also supports fast charging, allowing you to quickly recharge your device when needed. Overall, the Honor 9 delivers a reliable and long-lasting performance.

If you’re wondering which is the better choice between Honor 9 and Huawei P20 lite, a thorough comparison of their processors and battery life is essential. These are crucial factors to consider when evaluating a phone. The average battery life of the P20 lite is around 17 hours. It can provide approximately 7 hours of video playback, 5 hours of gaming, and 6 hours of online streaming. On the other hand, the Honor 9 can last for about 4 hours of gaming and video playback, while its overall battery life is higher. Many reviews highlight its impressive 30-hour real-world usage. Additionally, the Honor 9 features fast charging, allowing it to reach 40% battery in just 30 minutes. In comparison, the P20 Lite can only charge up to 30% in the same amount of time. Therefore, when it comes to charging speed, the Honor 9 stands out as the clear leader.

Honor 9 evaluations

The P20 Lite incorporates a processor that is not the most recent. It was introduced to the market in 2016 and has demonstrated its reliability. It delivers problem-free functionality, average gaming performance, and multitasking stability. In testing, it achieves a score of approximately 90,000 points. The Honor 9, on the other hand, features a newer processor. In addition to its performance and 140,000 test points, it generates less heat and enables battery life preservation. This may be why the Honor 9 outlasts its newer counterpart. Another benefit of the processor is its hardware support for 4K and enhanced sound quality. To put it simply, the Honor 9 possesses a superior processor in comparison to the Huawei P20 Lite.

Camera

Both devices come with dual camera technology on the rear, enabling you to achieve the Bokeh effect and blur the background. However, the P20 Lite has simpler cameras and lacks optical stabilization. This can be attributed to the fact that it is the most basic version in the P20 series and had to make certain sacrifices.

On another note, the P20 Lite’s detailing surpasses that of its older siblings, but the flagship models have less noise and offer a wider dynamic range.

The front camera delivers average results that are neither superior nor inferior to the others. The maximum video quality is FHD. The camera features standard modes, including built-in scenarios, HDR, night shooting, and manual settings. The video model performs below par, while the selfie camera excels in this regard.

Here’s a photo taken using the front camera of the Huawei P20 Lite.

However, the Honor 9 outshines it in terms of camera capabilities, resulting in higher photo quality. To begin with, the secondary camera boasts a 20-megapixel resolution. Users can choose to capture images at either 20 or 12 megapixels. Opting for the former will produce black and white photos, while the latter will yield colored ones. The Honor 9 excels at producing sharp bokeh effects with minimal noise. Although night shots may contain more artifacts, many competitors still struggle to match its overall photo quality.

Honor 9 smartphone photo

Thanks to the smaller aperture size, the laser focus compensates for the lack of light in this smartphone. The added bonus is the presence of optical stabilization. The smartphone is capable of shooting high-quality 4K videos, thanks in part to its highly efficient processor that includes several built-in hardware solutions for this purpose.

Note: A notable feature of the camera is the hybrid zoom function, which allows for magnification without sacrificing details. This innovative and top-quality feature is sure to impress users.

The front-facing camera boasts an expansive field of vision and captures impressive self-portraits. What’s more, this device features a "live photo" function, reminiscent of those short videos known as gifs.

Conclusion

Both phones serve as excellent representatives of the market. After carefully examining the specific reviews and nuances mentioned above, Honor 9 emerges as the clear winner across various parameters. However, considering its higher price tag, the question of which device to purchase becomes a bit subjective. If budget is not an issue, then the Honor 9 is the ideal choice. On the other hand, if you are looking to save money, the P20 Lite is a great alternative. Overall, both devices are competitive and offer a satisfactory price/performance/quality ratio within their respective price segments. The Honor 9 is priced at around 21-25 thousand rubles, depending on the memory capacity, while the Huawei P20 Lite falls between 18-20 thousand rubles. It should be noted that at the time of its release, the Honor 9 was priced at approximately 28-30 thousand rubles.

Huawei P20 Lite.