{"id":155876,"date":"2023-02-25T19:12:37","date_gmt":"2023-02-25T19:12:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techweekmag.com\/?p=155876"},"modified":"2024-06-19T15:59:03","modified_gmt":"2024-06-19T15:59:03","slug":"honor-x9a-review-the-affordable-flagship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/mobile\/honor-x9a-review-the-affordable-flagship\/","title":{"rendered":"HONOR X9a: The affordable flagship"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>HONOR X9a clearly looks more expensive than it is. Nice, thin, light, with good battery and modern &#8220;stuffing&#8221; &#8211; this model will compete with the best representatives of the middle segment.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-155877\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Pasted-67-1200x810.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"810\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Pasted-67-1200x810.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Pasted-67-770x520.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Pasted-67.jpg 1281w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Despite belonging to the mid-budget segment, HONOR X9a looks very cool &#8211; it can easily be confused with a flagship device.\u00a0The case is very thin, 7.9 mm, and the edges of the screen and the back panel have fashionable curves on the sides.\u00a0Visually, this solution reduces the already small thickness of the device.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"widget-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"regressive_image lazyloaded aligncenter\" title=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/40_techweek.webp\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/40_techweek.webp\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The lower and upper frames are also quite \u201cflagship\u201d \u2013 the screen occupies 93% of the total area of \u200b\u200bthe front surface.\u00a0The selfie camera, as befits modern Android devices, is located in the center of the screen in a small hole.<\/p>\n<p>The test version in emerald green has a velvety solid color back panel that is virtually fingerprint-resistant.\u00a0The same is used for the color &#8220;shimmering ice&#8221;, but &#8220;midnight black&#8221; has a glossy &#8220;back&#8221;.\u00a0As for the camera block, HONOR is again experimenting with its format.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"widget-photo widget-half\"><figcaption>The current version is a rather large \u201cdonut\u201d in the center with cameras spaced in four directions and a flash.\u00a0This option will clearly appeal to lovers of symmetrical solutions.\u00a0There is also a practical plus: when the smartphone is on the \u201cback\u201d, it does not sway when you click on different areas of the screen.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Slim on\/off and volume buttons are traditionally located on the right side.\u00a0On the bottom is a USB-C port and a slot for two SIM cards.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-155878\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Pasted-68-1200x675.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Pasted-68-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Pasted-68-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Pasted-68-1000x563.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Pasted-68-560x315.jpg 560w, https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Pasted-68.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In general, the smartphone fits comfortably in the hand.\u00a0And it is also very light &#8211; 175 g. And this is in the presence of a full-fledged 5100 mAh battery.<\/p>\n<h3>Screen<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Diagonal: 6.67 inches<\/li>\n<li>Resolution: 2400\u00d71080<\/li>\n<li>Refresh rate: 120Hz<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>HONOR&#8217;s official release claims a &#8220;flagship OLED screen&#8221;.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"widget-photo widget-one_thirds\"><figcaption>Judging by the characteristics, it can really be a matrix like the HONOR 70. The same diagonal of 6.67 inches, the same resolution of 2400 \u00d7 1080, the same coverage of 100% of the DCI-P3 space.\u00a0The refresh rate, of course, increased &#8211; 120 Hz.\u00a0Adjusts automatically, although you can set the desired value manually in the settings.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>There is enough brightness for any conditions, automatic adjustment works correctly.\u00a0At the same time, at low PWM values, it does not irritate due to the high frequency of 1920 Hz.\u00a0It is possible to adjust the color mode and temperature of the screen, use a special eye protection mode or even monochrome mode.<\/p>\n<h3>Cameras<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Primary: 64 MP, f\/1.8, autofocus<\/li>\n<li>Wide angle: 5 MP, f\/2.2<\/li>\n<li>Macro: 2MP<\/li>\n<li>Selfie: 16MP<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The main violin in photo and video shooting is played by the main camera with a 64 megapixel sensor.\u00a0As usual, by default, four pixels are combined into one, resulting in a finished photo with a resolution of 16 megapixels.\u00a0But there is a High-Res mode that allows you to shoot at all 64 megapixels.\u00a0The zoom here is only digital, but this does not prevent taking pictures with a double increase: there is practically no loss of quality.<\/p>\n<p>There are no complaints about the quality of the photo from the main camera.\u00a0Autofocus is fast and rarely misses.\u00a0Even in automatic mode, the pictures are balanced, with natural colors.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-155880\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Pasted-69.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Pasted-69.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Pasted-69-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Pasted-69-1000x563.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Pasted-69-560x315.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>By the way, about modes.\u00a0In addition to the standard ones, the main menu also has &#8220;Aperture&#8221;, in which you can adjust the background blur.<\/p>\n<p>Another mode that will be of interest to bloggers and active users of social networks is Multivideo.\u00a0In it, you can create short videos with animation effects, and shoot at the same time on the main and selfie cameras.<\/p>\n<p>The wide-angle lens allows you to take high-quality, sharp photos, although the detail is (as you might guess) lower than that of the main camera.<\/p>\n<h3>Hardware and performance<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 695<\/li>\n<li>Memory capacity: 6\/128 GB<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The filling of the HONOR X9a is typical for a mid-range smartphone.\u00a0This is an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 with two productive Kryo 660 Gold cores and six energy-efficient Kryo 660 Silver cores.\u00a0Many competitors have simpler processors &#8211; for example, Snapdragon 680. The difference is not fundamental, but still it is.<\/p>\n<p>The amount of memory is sufficient for most users &#8211; 6 GB of RAM and a 128 GB drive.\u00a0If necessary, RAM can easily be increased by another 5 GB due to permanent memory.\u00a0The drive itself cannot be increased: there is no support for memory cards here.<\/p>\n<p>In synthetic tests, it shows good results.\u00a0For example, in Geekbench 6, the smartphone received 898 points in the single-core test and 2066 in the multi-core test.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/41_techweek.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" \/><\/p>\n<p>What is important, there is no throttling at all.\u00a0Despite the thin body, the manufacturer managed to achieve good cooling of the processor.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/42_techweek.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" \/><\/p>\n<p>For owners of HONOR tablets and laptops, the smartphone has a couple more bonuses.\u00a0For example, it can be connected in the &#8220;Multiscreen&#8221; mode to another device of the brand.\u00a0The desktop of the smartphone will be displayed on the screen of a large device, and from it it will be possible to launch applications, answer calls, move files from one drive to another.<\/p>\n<p>Another useful feature within the same ecosystem is HONOR Share.\u00a0With it, you can quickly transfer files from one HONOR device to another wirelessly.<\/p>\n<h3>Battery<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Battery capacity: 5100 mAh<\/li>\n<li>Fast Charge Support: HONOR Super Charge 40W<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We have already noted that, despite the thin body, HONOR X9a received a 5100 mAh battery.\u00a0It would seem that these are practically \u201cstandard\u201d for the 5100 mAh class, but due to the extra \u201chundreds\u201d and energy-efficient filling, HONOR X9a has become one of the leaders in terms of autonomy in the DxOMark rating.\u00a0In its segment, it took the third position, leaving many competitors behind.\u00a0DxOMark experts have confirmed that with moderate use, the battery of this smartphone may well last for 3 days.<\/p>\n<p>Support for fast charging is also included: a 40-watt HONOR Super Charge adapter is included.\u00a0It takes a little over an hour to replenish energy from 0 to 100%.<\/p>\n<h3>Conclusion<\/h3>\n<p>It&#8217;s no secret that many owners of flagship models in real life do not use even half of the resources of these devices.\u00a0They care about interesting design solutions, a thin body, a good screen with barely noticeable frames, and decent shooting quality.\u00a0The performance of modern &#8220;tops&#8221; is such that you still need to try to find applications in which it will manifest itself.<\/p>\n<p>Against this background, HONOR X9a looks very attractive in the literal and figurative sense.\u00a0Visually, it is not much inferior to the flagships, offers the same good screen with high brightness and increased refresh rate.\u00a0Pictures from the main camera are quite high quality both day and night.\u00a0Yes, the processor is simpler and the amount of memory is more modest, but this is absolutely not noticeable in most typical use cases.\u00a0So, if top-end power and 4K shooting are not important to you, it is quite possible to consider HONOR X9a for purchase.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>HONOR X9a clearly looks more expensive than it is. Nice, thin, light, with good battery and modern &#8220;stuffing&#8221; &#8211; this model will compete with the best representatives of the middle segment. Despite belonging to the mid-budget segment, HONOR X9a looks very cool &#8211; it can easily be confused with a flagship device.\u00a0The case is very [&hellip;] <a class=\"g1-link g1-link-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/mobile\/honor-x9a-review-the-affordable-flagship\/\">More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10404,"featured_media":155879,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1509],"tags":[778],"class_list":{"0":"post-155876","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mobile","8":"tag-reviews"},"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155876","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10404"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=155876"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155876\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/155879"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=155876"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=155876"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=155876"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}