When Honor launched the 9 Lite, it took no time to seize our eyeballs with its slim and glossy design. Not simply that, however having 4 cameras and a good processor for simply Rs 10,999 is greater than what one will ask for.
However then it was quickly joined by the favored Redmi Note 4 successor– the Note 5 at the same value vary. Though, the cellphone is extra like an improve, it nonetheless is a feature-rich cellphone with up to speed specs.
At a value under 12Ok, the 2 telephones proper now are one of the best choices to purchase. The Honor 9 Lite additionally has a 4GB RAM variant priced at Rs 14,999, but it surely will get crushed by the Redmi Note 5 Pro at a lesser value and higher worth for cash proposition. So we determined to pit the cheaper variant towards one of the best in its vary to seek out the final word winner.
Design and construct
Whereas scripting this comparability, the one factor that I did not discover tough to guage was the design. Because the Honor 9 Lite has been placing the high-end telephones to disgrace as quickly because it debuted. I’ve talked about this a number of occasions in our comparisons and critiques that the Honor 9 Lite has appears that is sufficient to persuade you to purchase it.
Contrarily, the Redmi Observe 5, regardless of having an excellent hand really feel, does not impress us with its dated design. The one substantial change is on the entrance, the place the corporate has chopped off some bezels to increase the show. From the again, it nonetheless appears like you might be holding a Redmi Observe four. Certain, Xiaomi has added some curves to the again and sides which makes it extra useful, however that is by no means sufficient.
If stored aspect by aspect, as I mentioned, the Honor 9 Lite is the one I might put my hand on. The one issue that Observe 5 is best at is the sturdiness. The glass physique on the Honor 9 Lite is fragile and vulnerable to finger stains. However the 9 Lite is slimmer and 30 grams lighter too.
So in the event you do not care how your cellphone appears, and all you want is a extra sturdy cellphone, Observe 5 will suffice there.
However appears, single handed operations, really feel and the whole lot else is superior on the shiny Honor cellphone.
Efficiency, storage and software program
Each the telephones are normally clean in operations for day after day duties, however on paper, the 9 Lite has a chipset clocked at the next frequency. The Honor 9 Lite runs a Kirin 659 clocked at 2.36GHz, whereas the Redmi Observe 5 runs on Snapdragon 625 clocked at 2.0Ghz.
The principle distinction right here is within the RAM and storage. As this variant of the Observe 5 has a 4GB RAM with 64GB storage and the 9 Lite has a 3GB RAM with 32GB of storage. Though, the distinction in efficiency in not large, you’ve the choice to go for extra RAM and double the storage by paying additional Rs 1000 on Redmi.
Nonetheless, the Redmi Observe 5 does really feel barely smoother, due to a greater tuned MIUI.
The Honor 9 Lite, like all Honor telephones, runs on a EMUI (v8.zero) on high of Android eight.zero Oreo, and the Observe 5 runs firm’s customized MIUI (v9.zero) based mostly on older Android 7.1 Nougat.
For those who desire inventory, or close to inventory Android expertise, not one of the telephones promise something near that. However there are components on each, which appear higher over one another.
Whereas the MIUI appears neater and effectively optimised for its , the EMUI gives an app drawer, smoother navigation, and a few handy gesture management choices. However total, I might go for MIUI as it’s simpler to get used to and in addition, it gives loads of customisation choices.
The Honor 9 Lite takes the lead right here, because it has the newest model of Android that’s topped with Oreo unique options that the Observe 5 misses. One good instance of such a characteristic is splitscreen window.
Show
Whereas the Redmi Observe 5 has a 5.99-inch FHD panel, the 9 lite has a smaller 5.65-inch FHD show. Each have the in-trend 18:9 side ratio and look immersive. Visually, the Honor 9 Lite has a extra vibrant and saturated show, compared to Redmi’s extra nice to eye show.
Honor 9 Lite has a yellowish tint, that makes the whites look higher on Redmi, however some customers like the heat.
So all of it boils right down to a matter of desire, the Redmi has a much bigger and refined show for individuals who like consuming multimedia on their telephones. However, the Honor 9 Lite has a extra compact and enticing show for individuals who desire a useful cellphone.
In any other case, each the shows supply color saturation, sharpness, and are viewable from excessive angles.
Battery
Like I mentioned for the design, Honor is the clear winner. When it comes to battery, the Observe 5 undeniably dominates. It has a 4000mAh battery to compete with 9 Lite’s 3000mAh one, so it undoubtedly beats it by an excellent margin.
It isn’t larger battery at all times lasts longer, however the distinction right here is large and the Snapdragon 625 has confirmed to be an excellent chipset for higher battery optimisation.
To get a readability, we ran PCMark’s Work 2.zero battery check on each the telephones and the outcomes mentioned all of it. The Redmi Observe 5 lasted for 720 minutes and the Honor 9 Lite went as much as 415 minutes.
We additionally ran a battery drain check on each the phones-
Redmi Observe 5
Video- three% in 16 minutes
Searching- 6% drop in 30 minutes
Honor 9 Lite
Video- 6% in 16 minutes
Searching- 7% drop in 30 minutes
Digicam
The Honor 9 Lite has a twin digicam setup on each back and front, which is commendable for a cellphone at this value. Whereas the Redmi Observe 5 nonetheless has a single digicam on the again, which Xiaomi included within the Redmi Observe 5 Professional, for which it’s essential to pay Rs 2000 extra.
In day mild, the Redmi Observe 5 captures extra particulars, as you can see within the image of the flower under. Honor 9 Lite alternatively has its personal benefits like a greater stability, punchy colors and the leverages secondary digicam to for bokeh impact.
In low mild, the Honor 9 Lite beats the Redmi Observe 5 in nearly each state of affairs. It reduces noise with out compromising with the main points. Even the colors look higher the Observe 5. The final image within the gallery under is an effective instance of how Redmi reproduces washed out photos and Honor handles lights rather well.
General, the Honor 9 Lite is a greater digicam among the many two generally. It is the day mild the place the Redmi is comparable.
Redmi Observe 5 (Left) Honor 9 Lite (Proper)
Redmi Observe 5 (Left) Honor 9 Lite (Proper)
Redmi Observe 5 (Left) Honor 9 Lite (Proper)
Redmi Observe 5 (Left) Honor 9 Lite (Proper)
Redmi Observe 5 (Left) Honor 9 Lite (Proper)
Which one to purchase?
Each telephones excel in some or the opposite division, however the Honor 9 Lite is a greater system total. It has a greater design, superior cameras, a more moderen and extra feature-rich model of Android. So the tradeoff right here is of the battery dimension and show dimension.
I might suggest having a cellphone with a barely smaller battery if there’s a lot extra connected to it. Redmi Observe 5 is prices Rs 1000 additional, has a dated design with nothing that significantly stands out.
One may say that the Redmi Observe 5 would supply higher multitasking because it has an additional GB of RAM, but it surely has a minimal impression on the cellphone’s efficiency. If it is in regards to the 64GB storage, you at all times have an choice to broaden it utilizing microSD card.