Honor 90 vs Honor X9b
The Verdict
Honor 90 and X9b represent different value propositions at $449 and $279 respectively. The 90 edges ahead with a superior Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition processor versus the X9b's Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, delivering noticeably faster performance for demanding apps and gaming. Its 200MP main camera with OIS and f/1.9 aperture outperforms the X9b's 108MP sensor in low-light conditions and optical stabilization. Display quality slightly favors the 90 with 1600 nits brightness and higher 2664x1200 resolution, though the X9b counters with an impressive 2000 nits peak brightness and larger 6.78-inch screen. Battery capacity tips toward X9b at 5800mAh versus 5000mAh, but the 90's faster 66W charging (versus 35W) means quicker refills. The X9b deserves credit for IP53 dust/water resistance and drop-resistant glass, practical durability features the 90 lacks entirely. For photography enthusiasts and performance-focused users, Honor 90 justifies the $170 premium. Budget-conscious buyers prioritizing battery longevity and ruggedness should seriously consider the X9b, which delivers 90 percent of the experience at 62 percent of the price.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Honor 90 if…
- →200 MP main sensor captures incredibly detailed photos in daylight
- →1.5K AMOLED display with 1600-nit brightness is vibrant and sharp
- →66W fast charging fills the battery in about 45 minutes
Buy the Honor X9b if…
- →Massive 5800 mAh battery provides outstanding multi-day endurance
- →2000-nit AMOLED display brightness is excellent for outdoor use
- →108 MP main sensor captures detailed photos in good lighting
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Honor 90
Pros
- 200 MP main sensor captures incredibly detailed photos in daylight
- 1.5K AMOLED display with 1600-nit brightness is vibrant and sharp
- 66W fast charging fills the battery in about 45 minutes
- Slim and lightweight at 7.8 mm and 183 g
- 50 MP front camera delivers excellent selfies
Cons
- No water or dust resistance rating
- 200 MP mode produces huge files with limited low-light gains
- No telephoto camera for zoom photography
- MagicOS software can feel bloated
- No wireless charging at any price tier
Honor X9b
Pros
- Massive 5800 mAh battery provides outstanding multi-day endurance
- 2000-nit AMOLED display brightness is excellent for outdoor use
- 108 MP main sensor captures detailed photos in good lighting
- Enhanced drop resistance with 2-layer glass structure
- 5G connectivity at an affordable price point
Cons
- 35W charging is slow for the large 5800 mAh battery
- 5 MP ultrawide and 2 MP macro cameras are filler
- IP53 splash resistance is basic protection
- No wireless charging
- MagicOS has some bloatware and ads
Full Specifications
| Spec | Honor 90 | Honor X9b |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13 (MagicOS 7.1) | Android 13 (MagicOS 7.2) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 183 g | 185 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, glass front and back | Plastic frame, glass front (2-ply drop resistant), plastic back |
| IP rating | None | IP53 |
| Dimensions | 161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm | 161.5 x 74.9 x 7.98 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 200 MP, f/1.9, OIS, PDAF | 108 MP, f/1.75, PDAF |
| Front camera | 50 MP, f/2.4 | 16 MP, f/2.5 |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Macro | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB / 12 GB | 8 GB / 12 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5800 mAh |
| Charging | 66W wired | 35W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.78 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2664 x 1200 | 2436 x 1116 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 2000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz + 3x2.36 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 644 | Adreno 710 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.1 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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