Xiaomi or Honor - which company's smartphones are better in 2021?

Don't expect impressive specs from the cheapest phones. When they were created, both companies saved money. Especially Xiaomi, because her device received the most affordable price tag. As a result, you are waiting for only 32 GB built-in memory. The competitor has twice as much. Fortunately, this problem is solved by using a microSD card. Concerning operational memory, then under the case there are only 2 GB. And this is already a serious drawback, which will strain the entire period of operation of the device. But the Honor 9A is a little better in this regard, because it has 3 GB at its disposal. In a word, on both smartphones, the interface of closed applications will quickly be erased from memory.

As processor Chinese companies have chosen MediaTek products. These are different chips, but both of them consist of eight cores, and their clock speed can rise to 2 GHz. It's interesting that graphics accelerator used exactly the same, so when you start games, the phones will behave very similarly.

It should be noted that both devices are not the best suited for entertainment. Yeah they got big display, whose diagonal is equal to or even greater than 6.3 inches. But if you have ever used a more expensive smartphone, you will notice that the colors here are not very saturated.This is due to the fact that IPS technology was used to produce the screen. But most annoying is the resolution, which is only 1600x720 pixels. However, this can be a plus. The processor does not have to work too hard to render the interface.

If a comparison is made operating systems, then in both cases, the tenth version of Android is involved. However, Honor lacks Google services. In 2021, the company separated from Huawei, but we would not advise expecting that in connection with this, the products released by it earlier will suddenly receive the same services. The owner of Honor 9A will have to download applications from the company store and put up with other regularly occurring restrictions. Xiaomi is doing well in this regard. However, the proprietary MIUI shell is also not the height of perfection. Admittedly, not everyone likes it.

Otherwise, the devices do not differ too much from each other. From the ones they use cameras don't expect something amazing. The main modules in both cases have a resolution of 13 megapixels and f / 1.8 aperture. As a result, you will find the average quality of pictures in good light, and in the dark, and completely mediocre. Video recording is carried out in Full HD resolution at a frequency of 30 frames / s.

Xiaomi Redmi 9A has a number of shortcomings, because of which it is still capable of disappointing. First, there is no fingerprint scanner (Honor should look for it on the back panel). Secondly, this model has not received NFC chip (however, it works in a limited mode for a competitor due to the lack of Google services). Also, both smartphones use the outdated microUSB connector. I'm glad that at least battery did not disappoint - its capacity in both cases is 5000 mAh. But do not rely on a particularly high charging speed.

Honor 9A vs Xiaomi Redmi 9A. Who won? We would prefer the first device. It is felt that during its creation they did not save as much as when the main competitor was released. It is not surprising, because this device has a slightly higher cost. At the same time, we must not forget that you will have to experience difficulties due to the lack of Google services. However, this applies to absolutely all Honor smartphones we are considering.

Usually the cheapest Xiaomi phones do not get their hands on NFC chiprequired for contactless payment. Redmi 9 is an exception to the rule. A competitor, which is Honor 10 Lite, also has such a chip, but its functionality is greatly reduced. This is due, as you already understood, to the lack of Google services (because of this, it is impossible to use Android Pay).If we talk about others wireless modules, then Xiaomi's leadership becomes undeniable. It uses a faster Wi-Fi standard, and its Bluetooth is more energy efficient. And this company also decided to equip its creation with a USB Type-C connector, the convenience of which makes no sense to doubt.

If speak about processor, then at first MediaTek Helio G80 and Hisilicon Kirin 710 may seem similar. However, benchmark tests show that the former is more powerful. Or is it just so cool optimized operating system, which is Android 10 here, supplemented by a proprietary shell. In a word, Xiaomi shows itself a little better in games, and slowdowns on this device are a slightly rarer occurrence. Disappointing only volume permanent memory, which is 32 GB. Competitor offers twice as much. Concerning RAM, then Honor loses in this regard.

Display phones have a different diagonal. However, the resolution and manufacturing technology are the same. There is a teardrop notch at the top for good front camera. Interestingly, Xiaomi focuses on aperture, while Honor focuses on high resolution. If we talk about rear cameras, then Xiaomi offers the largest number of modules. The buyer will be available and ultra wide-angle, and even macro photography. In this regard, of course, it is Redmi 9 that wins the comparison. You won’t notice any special differences only during video shooting – the processor’s power is only enough for Full HD resolution and a frame rate of 30 frames / s.

It is impossible not to notice that the Honor 10 Lite turned out to be very light. Its weight is only 162 g. This is due to the presence inside a very modest batteries. Its capacity is 3400 mAh. Until the evening the charge is enough, but no more. Xiaomi is a heavier device, and its battery capacity has been increased to 5020 mAh. Charging is carried out using an 18-watt AC adapter.

Both smartphones have a fingerprint scanner at their disposal. But it is located on the back panel, this arrangement will not suit everyone. Perhaps, we can also note the presence of an FM radio in Redmi 9. But the victory of Xiaomi is clear even without this. This is definitely the best choice if only 11-12 thousand rubles are allocated for the purchase of such a device. But be sure to stock up on a memory card!

The superiority of Xiaomi is most clearly manifested in the mid-budget segment. Here it is felt that the American sanctions have strangled Honor, in connection with which this company had to sell devices with obsolete components. For example, Honor 10X Lite is not able to boast stereo sound, unlike a competitor released by Xiaomi.And for some reason, the device also uses a Wi-Fi module that works only with the 802.11n standard. The competitor is ready to download data at a higher speed. I am glad that at least both devices received FM radio. It upsets NFC. Xiaomi does not have a sensor, and Honor, due to the lack of Google services, does not allow it to be used to its full potential.

Redmi Note 10 is running operating system Android 11. As processor The choice of the Chinese manufacturer fell on the Snapdragon 678. This is a powerful solution that should suit even a gamer. But for their installation, only 64 GB are allocated here. Traditionally, the competitor provides twice as much. Of course, both devices support the installation of a microSD memory card. Even under the body of both devices are hidden 4 GB random access memory. Good volume, which is enough in most cases. At least in this price segment, it's foolish to expect more. And if we return to the processor, then the Honor product is running a slightly weaker Kirin 710A. This is especially noticeable when running heavy games. As an OS, they use the tenth version of Android without, you guessed it, Google services. But the device has twice the amount of built-in storage!

The difference between smartphones is noticeable not only in the design of their back panel (Honor shimmers more in the sun), but also in display. Xiaomi has opted for a more expensive AMOLED panel. And because of this, for Redmi Note 10 it’s absolutely not a pity to give your hard-earned money. Recall that such a screen has high energy efficiency, since it does not have a separate backlit layer. It also produces very deep blacks.As for the resolution, it is the same for both devices. You can complain about Xiaomi only because of the old version of the protective glass. As a result, the display can quickly get scratched.

Once we have already compared Chinese smartphones with each other. The hardest part was judging them. cameras. The fact is that they are ordered on the side. Most often - from Sony. So the two devices currently selected use very similar modules. The main one has a 48-megapixel resolution and a physical size of 1/2 inch. The corresponding application handles images in much the same way. As a result, you are unlikely to notice any differences in photography. This can also be said when using, for example, an ultra-wide-angle camera. In a word, it is extremely difficult to say which of the devices provides the best result.

It is curious that the devices use different front cameras. Xiaomi opted for a slightly higher resolution, while the Honor 10X Lite, with its f/2.0 aperture, performs better in the dark.

These devices are embedded, it would seem, exactly the same accumulators. However, the Xiaomi battery supports significantly faster charging. In just 20 minutes, it is filled with exactly half of the energy. At least if you use a 33-watt network adapter. Honor charges 46% in half an hour. Which, however, is also not bad.

So, Honor 10X Lite vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 10, who comes out the winner? Definitely the second device. At its disposal is a more modern Wi-Fi, a productive processor and an AMOLED screen. And it also weighs less. Honor also has its advantages, but they are less significant.

The assortment of both companies includes devices created on the basis of powerful processors. For example, Redmi Note 10 Pro can be an excellent choice for a gamer, because it uses a pair of Snapdragon 732G chip and Adreno 618 graphics accelerator. However, in benchmark tests, the Kirin 820 5G built into Honor 30S performs a little better. And do not be afraid that this device does not have Google Play. The best games are also available in the Huawei AppGallery store.

There are a lot of interesting things under the body of the devices. For example, both devices received 6 GB random access memory. This is sufficient in the vast majority of cases. Another buyer will receive 128 GB permanent memory. At the same time, in Xiaomi it is a little more high-speed. Sometimes this is important.Also, both devices support the installation of a removable drive. But in Honor's case, you'll have to purchase a much more expensive nano SD card. Not to mention the fact that it will not be possible to use it in the future in a smartphone of another brand (with the exception of Huawei) or some other portable electronics. Fat minus.

When you buy a device at such a high price, you want to get a decent camera. The comparison shows that both gadgets are capable of boasting a decent quality of photography. Finding a clear winner is again difficult. Perhaps we will give our preference to Xiaomi. For several reasons. Firstly, the main module of this smartphone has not only a higher resolution, but also a slightly larger physical size. This affects during shooting in low light levels around. Secondly, this device has a slightly better ultra-wide-angle camera. Thirdly, the device received a better module for macro photography. It is useful when photographing all kinds of insects, flowers and other small objects. If we talk about video shooting, then smartphones are almost equal. At the very least, both of them are capable of recording video in 4K resolution, albeit only at 30 fps. Concerning "front-ends", then the minimum gain is on the side of Honor.

Device manufacturers in this price segment rarely save on wireless modules. In this case, too, this did not happen. Smartphones are fully supported by modern standards. Only Wi-Fi 802.11ax remained behind, but not every reader has a router that understands it. I am glad that Honor received support for 5G. And its Bluetooth module is also capable of transmitting sound in the aptX HD codec.The only pity is that the device itself does not reproduce music in the best way - it uses only one speaker, while the competitor is able to boast of a full-fledged stereo.

Finally, it's time to talk about accumulator. Its capacity is higher in Xiaomi, but Honor charges much faster - in just half an hour, its battery is filled with energy by 70%.

Choosing a winner in this pair is the most difficult. Each device has its own advantages. For example, Honor can work in 5G networks, and its processor turned out to be more productive. Xiaomi is able to boast an AMOLED display and stereo sound. In a word, it turned out to be parity. However, you yourself see the winner by the average score above.

Top smartphones should show what both companies are capable of. They were released even before the semiconductor crisis, so there were no restrictions on manufacturers. In particular, they built their devices based on the best processors. Xiaomi has Snapdragon 888 5G as the chip, while Honor has Kirin 990 5G. The first processor is still more powerful. This is confirmed by various benchmarks. If you are going to play regularly on your smartphone, then it is better to look towards Xiaomi Mi 11. However, not only for this reason.

Both companies have used displaybased on organic light emitting diodes. But in the case of Xiaomi, the refresh rate is increased to 120 Hz. This is especially noticeable in games and when swiping the screen in a variety of applications. In Honor, this parameter is also increased, but only up to 90 Hz. And in terms of resolution, this smartphone loses. Not to mention the fact that it copes with the display of HDR content a little worse. And the curved edges of the display will not suit everyone.

Front-camera Both devices have an island. Here, Honor is already outperforming its competitor. Firstly, this module is double. Secondly, the buyer is waiting for a higher resolution. Thirdly, it is difficult to find fault even with aperture ratio. It is not surprising that the Honor 30 Pro Plus front camera is capable of recording 4K video.

If we talk about rear camera, then someone will also give preference to Honor. At least because of the larger number of modules. Unlike Xiaomi, this device offers a 5x optical zoom. The resolution in this shooting mode is reduced to 8 megapixels, but often it turns out to be quite enough. The main module has a 50-megapixel matrix resolution. Its physical size is surprising - it reaches 1 / 1.28 inches. More - only in a few action cameras, expensive quadcopters and, of course, mirrorless cameras. However, one should not think that Mi 11 is far behind in this parameter.The physical size of its 108-megapixel matrix is ​​1/1.33 inches, and the aperture is opened even a little more. But instead of optical zoom, the device offers 5-megapixel macro photography.

If you are going to regularly engage in video shooting, then it is better to purchase the Xiaomi flagship. In this case, you will appreciate the video recording in 8K resolution. Even if you don't have an appropriate TV, this feature will come in handy for later framing during editing. And the main camera of this device received excellent optical stabilization.

Both devices received mass wireless modules. For example, you already understood that devices support 5G networks. They can also receive and transmit data on 802.11ax Wi-Fi networks, which may prompt you to upgrade your router. Implemented here and support for the fifth version of Bluetooth. At the same time, Xiaomi can transfer music in the aptX HD codec. In a word, again a small win is on his side.

Honor loses to its competitor for one more reason. It does not use the most capacious battery. Yes, and it charges a little slower. The flagship from Xiaomi allows you to use a 55-watt AC adapter, thanks to which the battery is completely filled with energy in just 45 minutes. It also supports 50W wireless charging. Honor, on the other hand, requires a similar accessory, which will be almost twice as weak.

Like it or not, but in the comparison of flagships, the Mi 11 wins. This is the case when you will soon stop regretting the money spent. With Honor, this feeling can stay for a long time. At least because of the same lack of Google services. In this model, it is especially noticeable how the Chinese manufacturer had to literally excel due to sanctions from the US government, in connection with which the buyer is inflicted with certain inconveniences. For example, the NM Card slot is used here. However, the competitor does not have the opportunity to increase the amount of storage at all.

Evaluating the devices of two Chinese companies, it is difficult to come to certain conclusions. If not for the sanctions from the United States, then Honor would be out of competition. But with them, smartphones under this brand had a hard time. As a result, Xiaomi products look much better in many price categories. These devices require a standard memory card, many of them received stereo speakers, and the Chinese often do not save on the display. In a word, we give preference to these gadgets. Not without reason, we recently compared Xiaomi and Samsung smartphones - the Chinese are reaching a whole new level.

Summing up, it is impossible not to notice that in some cases devices from Honor look more interesting. Someone will like their design. Some models attract with a more thoughtful camera.In a word, everything is not as simple as you might think.