Smartphone Honor 9X Pro - advantages and disadvantages

Huawei Technologies has been delighting users with a regularly updated line of smartphones and tablets for the past few years. Honour. Elegant design, constantly expanding functionality, the introduction of new technologies - thanks to these parameters Huawei quickly climbed up the rankings of the best manufacturers to prominent positions. Line devices Honor freely competes with well-known brands, gaining more and more fans.

However, last year the company Huawei decided to experiment by releasing a smartphone of the eighth generation in two variationsX and 8X Max, relying on the difference in dimensions. Users did not support the vector of the direction of the company's development, negatively evaluating the size of the released device - equipment Max is more like a tablet than a phone.

The manufacturer took user feedback into account: leaving the idea of ​​varying sizes, Huawei decided to return to the development of functionality, announcing the release of Honor 9X Pro with an improved camera, added features for gamers, increased memory and advanced functionality.

On July 23, in China, Huawei presented two new devices - Honor 9X and Honor 9X Pro, the main difference of which is the rear camera - the Pro version has three, and the regular version has two. Also, the differences include the amount of RAM and internal memory, which the Pro version is much higher than its counterpart.

The devices went on sale worldwide on July 30. And in the first day, more than one hundred thousand devices were sold, which was twice the revenue from the previous Honor series! For Huawei, this is indeed a huge success.

It is assumed that they will appear in Russia no earlier than August 9th. And while we are waiting for the opening of sales of the device on the Russian market, we will consider the main characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of the “advanced version” - Honor 9X Pro.

Common parameters

Smartphone design and dimensions

The entire line of Honor smartphones has a distinctive design, and the Honor 9X Pro is no exception - it is a frameless phone with a supposedly holographic drawing of the letter X on the back cover. It's actually a gradient created with a special iridescent texture. However, this will only get devices in blue, red (in the 9X version) and purple (9X Pro) - the black cover will be completely matte.

Most of the device is glass - the display and the back cover, and only the side frame is made of aluminum.The smartphone is released in two color variations - Magic Night Black (Magic black night) and Phantom Purple (Phantom purple), whose names already speak of their unusualness and attractiveness.

The new smartphone is notable for the location of the fingerprint scanner - it is located on the right side of the device, on the side, and is built into the power button. There are also volume buttons.

Another distinctive feature is the retractable front camera. Huawei placed it on the top left side of the device. The solution is successful from the point of view of design and engineering, but many users fear for the fragility of this module, citing as an example the moments with the camera accidentally moving out when the user did not notice it. At a presentation in China, manufacturers decided to refute such assumptions by launching a video in which a guy opens a bottle with an extended front camera module, like an opener!

Smartphone dimensions:

• Width - 77.2 mm;
• Height - 8.8 mm;
• Length - 163.1 mm;
• Weight - 206 g.

The Honor 9X Pro is a really big and heavy smartphone, but early buyers have already noted the ease of use of the device, despite its impressive dimensions.

Screen

The manufacturer decided to follow the new trend and create a smartphone with a wide frameless display. The entire ninth series is equipped with IPS-matrix displays with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels and a size of 6.59 inches with Full HD support. The aspect ratio of the screen is 19.5:9. The screens have an oleophobic coating that repels oil stains from the surface, and also protects against minor scratches and damage, and also improves image quality in the sun.

However, Honor is distinguished from the fashionable format by the absence of cutouts, “bangs”, etc.The company managed to achieve this by installing a pop-up front camera.

In general, users note the display of the new device as ordinary, due to the simple matrix and standard extensions.

cameras

The new Huawei device is equipped with three rear (rear) camera modules:

• The first is 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2″, PDAF;
• The second is 8 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide);
• And the third is 2 MP, f/2.4 (depth sensor).

Thus, the smartphone has a 48 MP main camera with f / 1.8 aperture and an 8 MP f / 2.4 secondary camera (used to create bokeh), which are equipped with a third 8 megapixel camera with f / 2.4 and a wide-angle lens.

In addition, Honor 9X Pro is equipped with a huge amount of photo and video processing software. For example, artificial intelligence for face recognition, scenes, lighting, etc., or the AIS Handheld Super Night View 2.0 mode, designed to set shutter speeds up to 30 seconds in order to get really high-quality photos in low light.

All standard functions, such as autofocus, panorama, etc., are present in the device.

The front camera has 16 megapixels and, apart from the retractable module on which it is installed, it has no other features. Face ID is built into the same camera, but there are reviews saying that "in a device with a retractable camera, this is such a pleasure."

Sound

There is no detailed information about the sound of the new device at the moment. Users appreciated Huawei's desire not to deviate from the standards and leave the usual 3.5 mm headphone jack in the presented devices.

We can only say with certainty that the music speakers (and there are most likely two of them) are located on the bottom of the device.About the sound quality and what kind of microphone and speakers the manufacturer has placed in the new smartphone, there is not even an assumption.

Price

The new Honor 9X Pro smartphone belongs to the middle price segment, and with known indicators, the expected price of $ 349 (22,700 rubles) is perceived by users as quite justified. Of course, a few comments “No more than 15,000 rubles. for such a device” are also found. But the vast majority of critics and netizens are positive about the price decision of the implementation of these devices.

Specifications

CPU

The manufacturer equipped Honor 9X Pro with its new development - the Kirin 810 processor. This circuit is made using a 7-nm process technology, has 8 cores (2 Cortex-A76 cores, the frequency of which reaches 2.27 GHz and another 6 Cortex-A55 cores 1.8 GHz ). The graphics processor in this device is Mali-G52 MP6.

But the main feature is not in the numbers of cores and frequency: the Pro version has become an ideal option for gamers and active users thanks to the new cooling system. Nine layers of metal components connected with a heat pipe is what Huawei introduced as an innovation for mobile devices in 2019.

In fact, installing such a cooling system makes sense - the video accelerator and processor get very hot under load, which leads to skipping cycles to optimize performance (throttling) and protect the mechanism. The new CO may well save smartphones from this, making them both faster and more reliable.

As software, the device already has the standard Android 9 Pie, optimized for the needs of the 9X Pro.

Users respond positively to the hardware platform of this device. Both the processor and GPU, combined with the updated cooling system, promise to give excellent results in work.

Memory

The amount of RAM Honor 9X Pro hit users with 8 GB of RAM. Many people have questions about why there is so much and whether the device can handle it. However, based on the previous paragraph, where we covered the technical characteristics of the processor and its cooling system, we can say with confidence - yes, the system is quite suitable for such a amount of RAM, and the phone will please with the speed of work and data loading.

Another pleasant moment is the amount of internal memory: the device comes in two variations - 128 and 256 GB. In addition, the manufacturer took care to leave the usual microSD for many, the volume of which the new Honor supports up to 512 GB. You can be sure - suddenly the memory on this device will not run out!

Communications

Of course, the announced device supports all the necessary communication standards:

• WLAN (Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac, dual band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot). At the same time, Huawei hinted that some new technologies are built into the Wi-Fi module that can maintain a stable signal even through several dense walls;
• Bluetooth (5.0, A2DP, LE);
• GPS (Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, OBD);
• Radio (FM radio);
• USB (2.0, reversible Type-C 1.0 connector).

Regarding the number of SIM cards, Russian-speaking users are still arguing. However, there is reason to believe that the device is released in two variations - with one and two SIM-cards. The size of the SIM is expected like most new devices - Nano-card.

Smartphone network technology supports LTE, GSM (850MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 1900MHz), HSPA.

Battery

The new device has a lithium-polymer (Li-Po) battery, which is used in most new devices of the latest generations. It has a number of advantages compared to Li-ion batteries:

• Higher density and higher capacity in the same size;
• Low self-discharge rate;
• No need for recharge cycles to restore the original capacity (although this plus is worth describing in comparison with nickel batteries).

The battery capacity is 4000 mAh, which guarantees, with average use, up to two days without recharging. In active use mode, the device will last about 7 hours, in standby mode - up to 6-7 days.

The battery in the smartphone is non-removable, that is, it does not imply the possibility of self-replacement for users.

The smartphone supports the Fast battery charging function with a power of 20 W - a fairly popular feature today, which allows you to quickly recharge your smartphone at the right time. It is not recommended to use Fast battery charging on an ongoing basis.

Sensors and additional features

The novelty, of course, is equipped with all the main functions used in modern devices: an accelerometer, proximity light sensors, a gyroscope, a compass, etc. right side of the smartphone. Thanks to this, the Honor 9X Pro is deprived of the Home button on the front and the back cover, which users were really happy about.

Not without Face ID - the first buyers abroad have already noted the fairly stable operation of this feature in the new Honor. But, as mentioned above, the outgoing frontalka is not very conducive to using this bun.

What there is no exact information about is the contactless payment chip. Given the events of last year (the released 8X was also not accompanied by information about the chip, which later turned out to be built-in and functions perfectly), we can assume that there will still be models with NFC for the European and Russian markets.

Equipment

Most likely, the delivery package of the novelty will be standard: a device, headphones (there are suggestions that these will be ordinary wired headphones), charging, warranty documents and manuals. The length of the cord will probably meet the standard - 1 meter.

To summarize: the advantages and disadvantages of the Honor 9X Pro smartphone

Consider the main pros and cons of new items from Huawei.

• Attractive design, colors;
• The pop-up camera is an interesting engineering and design solution;
• Display without frames and "bangs", with a large diagonal, Full HD;
• Three cameras, each of which is responsible for separate functions and capabilities;
• A large number of software options for processing photos and videos;
• New fingerprint location for unlocking (however, this is a matter of taste and for many users this may seem like a minus);
• Powerful "stuffing": processor, GPU;
• Large amount of RAM and built-in memory;
• Support for microSD up to 512 GB;
• Probably the presence of an NFC contactless payment chip;
• Good autonomy;
• Adequate value for money.

• Heavy, there is a chance that it will cause the same response as its predecessor - too big a device;
• Simple display despite its size. Ordinary matrix and standard extensions;
• There will probably be difficulties with using a pop-up front camera;
• The first users note the inconvenience in using Face ID due to the new front camera module;
• Catchy appearance, which was not appreciated by all netizens. There is a solution - a smartphone in a laconic black color with a matte back cover.

The advantages of the new Honor 9X Pro are really many. At the moment, this is a device that can compete with Xiaomi, the company that holds the majority of the market among devices in this segment.

It is worth recognizing that in this generation of smartphones, Huawei has taken a big step forward and, in many respects, due to the fact that they listened to the fans and users of their products. It remains to wait for the device to enter the Russian market and compare expectations with reality in order to confirm or refute the guesses about the functionality and capabilities of the new Honor.