1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi 9C | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.9 × 77 × 9 mm | 161.9 × 74.1 × 7.8 mm | Honor 90 is more pocketable and comfortable to hold due to its smaller size and thinner profile. |
| Weight | 196g | 183g | Honor 90 is slightly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, no foldable design. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi 9C | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.53" | 6.7" | Honor 90 provides a slightly larger viewing area for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1200x2664 | Honor 90 offers much sharper and more detailed visuals. |
| PPI | 269 | 435 | Honor 90's higher pixel density results in crisper text and images. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Honor 90 offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Honor 90 provides smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experiences. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | Honor 90 is much more usable outdoors in bright sunlight. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Lacking specific screen protection information makes it difficult to compare durability. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi 9C | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition (4 nm) | Honor 90 provides significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 110,490 | 701,227 | Honor 90 delivers a vastly superior user experience in terms of responsiveness and overall performance. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 644 | Honor 90 offers significantly better graphics performance for gaming and demanding applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi 9C | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 13MP, f/2.2 | 200MP, f/1.9, 1/1.4", Samsung ISOCELL HP3, 0.56 µm pixel size | Honor 90 captures much more detailed and higher-quality photos, especially in good lighting. Wider aperture allows more light, improving low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/2.4 | Honor 90 takes significantly sharper and more detailed selfies. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4, 2.24 µm pixel size | Both offer similar depth-sensing capabilities for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Xiaomi Redmi 9C can take close-up macro shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | Honor 90 offers versatile wide-angle and macro photography capabilities. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS | Honor 90 can record higher-resolution videos with electronic image stabilization (EIS) for smoother footage. |
| Slow-motion | No, 30 fps | Yes, 960 fps | Honor 90 offers significantly better slow-motion video capabilities |
| DxOMark | N/A | 122 (Mobile) | Honor 90's camera performance is objectively rated, providing a benchmark for its capabilities. |
| Features | Manual focus, Panorama | 4K Video, Digital image stabilization, PDAF, RAW, Front Flash, Night Mode | Honor 90 has more advanced features like 4K video, image stabilization, and night mode. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi 9C | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life under typical usage scenarios. |
| Charging | 10W | 66W | Honor 90 charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Removable | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both have non-removable batteries. |
Storage and Memory
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi 9C | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 256/512 GB | Honor 90 offers significantly more storage for apps, photos, videos, and files. |
| RAM | 2/3/4 GB | 8/12/16 GB | Honor 90 provides smoother multitasking and handles demanding apps and games better. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion via microSD card. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi 9C | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6) | Honor 90 supports faster and more reliable WiFi connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Honor 90 has a newer Bluetooth version for improved connectivity and efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Honor 90 offers more precise location tracking with additional satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
Other
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi 9C | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 10 | Android 13 | Honor 90 has a more recent version of Android. |
| Audio | Basic audio features | Noise cancellation microphone | Honor 90 potentially offers clearer call quality. |
| Security | Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones have similar fingerprint sensor technology; Provides basic biometric security |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Magnetometer, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, RGB | Different sensor sets; impacts specific app functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi 9C Advantages:
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- Magnetometer: A magnetometer can be used as a compass
- Ultrasonic proximity virtual: More reliable proximity sensor
Practical Implications:
- The Redmi 9C may appeal to users who specifically want a macro camera for detailed close-up shots without needing a dedicated wide-angle lens. The magnetometer can be used as a compass for direction in navigation apps.
Honor 90 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: Much faster processor and more RAM.
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, AMOLED technology, and 120Hz refresh rate.
- Significantly Better Camera System: Higher resolution sensors, 4K video recording, and advanced features.
- Faster Charging: 66W charging significantly reduces charging time.
- More Storage: Offers much larger storage options (256GB/512GB).
- Newer Software: Ships with a more recent version of Android.
- Better Connectivity: Supports faster WiFi and a newer Bluetooth version.
Practical Implications:
- The Honor 90 provides a significantly better user experience for almost all use cases, including gaming, photography, media consumption, and general productivity. Its higher resolution and refresh rate display makes using the device more enjoyable, its camera allows for greater quality and versatility, and faster charging reduces wait times.
Trade-offs:
- Price: The Honor 90 will undoubtedly be more expensive than the Xiaomi Redmi 9C.
- Macro Camera: Honor 90 lacks a dedicated macro lens, although it does have a wide-angle lens that also does macro.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi 9C Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who need a basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light social media use.
- Users who specifically want a dedicated macro camera.
- Users that rely on a magnetometer
Use Cases:
- As a secondary phone or backup device.
- For users with very basic smartphone needs and limited budgets.
Honor 90 Ideal User:
- Users who want a high-performance smartphone with a great camera and display.
- Users who enjoy mobile gaming and media consumption.
- Users who value fast charging and ample storage.
Use Cases:
- Photography and videography.
- Mobile gaming and streaming.
- Everyday productivity and multitasking.
- Professional use requiring high performance and storage.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Performance Needs: What tasks will you primarily use the phone for (basic communication vs. gaming/photography)?
- Camera Importance: How important is camera quality and versatility to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Limited Budget, Basic Needs: If your budget is very tight and you only need a basic smartphone for essential tasks, the Xiaomi Redmi 9C might suffice.
- Scenario 2: Balanced Performance and Price: If you want a good balance of performance, features, and price, consider other phones within the same price range as the Honor 90.
- Scenario 3: High Performance and Camera are Priorities: If you prioritize performance, camera quality, display quality, and fast charging, the Honor 90 is the clear choice.
My Choice
I would choose the Honor 90.
Reasons:
The Honor 90 offers a vastly superior user experience across almost every metric. While the Xiaomi Redmi 9C might be suitable for basic needs and specific macro photography, the Honor 90's significantly better performance, display, camera system, faster charging, and ample storage make it the clear winner for anyone who values a modern and capable smartphone. The Redmi 9C offers a magnetometer but I feel as though I could easily live without this.
