[Geek Lab] Why Do HONOR 9A Possess Such Large Battery, While it is Uncommon in High-end Models?

Battery life is a major factor when determining which phone to purchase. Most of us are glued to our phone screen for hours on end, and today's all-powerful apps are more power-hungry than ever – so a lengthy battery is simply a must. However, you may have noticed that many high-end expensive phones only come with a capacity in the range of 4,000 mAh, if not lower, while entry-level models easily match this, sometimes far exceeding it with staggering 5,000+ mAh batteries.

This holds true for the recently released HONOR 9A, which provides for exceptional battery life, which is only enhanced by an impressive Ultra power saving mode that sustains the phone for a mindboggling 12 hours on a 5% charge. The large-capacity battery and advanced settings ensure that the phone will always stay on its feet, until you get home or can swing by the office for an overdue refill.

You're probably wondering why there's an inverse relationship between price and battery life. After all, wouldn't it be more natural for expensive phones to offer a larger battery, given that it's a desirable trait? Why is it that only budget phones manage to pack the massive battery capacity that we as users clamor for?

The answer may surprise you – differently-priced phones target distinct user demographics, and thus, are the subject of differing R&D priorities and selling points.

High-end phones tend to be all-round performers, and are highlighted by lightning-fast mobile processing, advanced chipset/software, and efficient heat removal. They're also designed with the goal of balancing technical prowess with component size, milking the best possible performance out of the slimmest possible body. As a result, expensive phones usually focus on system and algorithm optimizations, including those related to extending the battery life.

Budget phones, by contrast, are fashioned to satisfy niche customer demands related to battery life and durability, and to do so in the most economical possible manner. So manufacturers tend to equip such phones with a large battery, which makes them slightly bulkier, saving on otherwise costly software improvements. This is generally an acceptable trade-off for budget phone users.

The smartphone market is unimaginably vast, and populated by a wide range of customers that want different things and are willing to pay different amounts. Expensive models that maximize all-round performance, and durable budget phones – they're designed with different user groups in mind, and there's nothing strange about that.

However, that general principle can also be a massive oversimplification – there are in fact entry-level phones on the market that feature really impressive performance. While it's true that they can't quite hold up to latest iPhones or high-end Huawei models, they offer far more than their modest price tags would suggest. Or in other words, you get what you pay for… except when you get more than that!

If you try them out for yourself, like the aforementioned HONOR 9A, at a retail store, you'll see what I mean!

Anything else you'd like to add on this issue? Please leave a comment below!

From column: Geek Lab