Apple iPhone 12 vs Honor 90 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Honor 90
Honor 90
Honor

General

Launch Date October 23, 2020 June 7, 2023
Release Year 2020 2023

Physical

Volume 77.62 cm³ 93.57 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.72 "/g 3.66 "/g
Weight 164 g 183 g
Height 146.7 mm 161.9 mm
Width 71.5 mm 74.1 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 7.8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Red
  • Blue
  • White
  • Green
  • Purple
  • Midnight Black
  • Emerald Green
  • Diamond Silver
  • Peacock Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1200 x 2664
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.1 % 90.4 %
Pixel Density 460 PPI 435 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 625 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1200 nits 1600 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 75.65 mAh/in² 111.38 mAh/in²
Battery Density 36.27 mAh/cm³ 53.43 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 2815 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition (4 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) Octa-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU Apple GPU (4-core graphics) Adreno 644

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features Lightning 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System iOS Android
Initial OS Version 14.1 13
Maximum OS Version 18

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureApple iPhone 12Honor 90Practical Impact
Dimensions146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm161.9 × 74.1 × 7.8 mmThe Honor 90 is noticeably larger, which might be less comfortable for one-handed use, especially for users with smaller hands. The iPhone 12 is more pocketable.
Weight164g183gThe iPhone 12 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying around.
BuildAluminum frame, Glass backPlastic frame, Glass backThe build materials provide different levels of premium feel.

Display

FeatureApple iPhone 12Honor 90Practical Impact
Size6.1"6.7"The Honor 90 offers a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming.
Resolution1170x25321200x2664The Honor 90 has slightly sharper images but the difference is hardly noticeable.
Pixel Density460 PPI435 PPIThe iPhone 12 has slightly sharper text and images, although the difference is subtle.
TechnologyOLEDAMOLEDBoth displays offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, with similar overall quality.
Refresh Rate60Hz120HzThe Honor 90 provides smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experiences.
Brightness1200 nits1600 nitsThe Honor 90 is much easier to view in bright sunlight.

Performance

FeatureApple iPhone 12Honor 90Practical Impact
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition (4 nm)The iPhone 12 offers significantly faster processing speeds for demanding tasks like video editing, gaming, and complex apps.
AnTuTu Score1,083,947701,227The iPhone 12 provides a smoother and more responsive experience overall, especially with graphically intensive applications.
GPUApple GPU (4-core graphics)Adreno 644The iPhone 12's GPU provides better graphics performance for gaming and video editing.

Camera

FeatureApple iPhone 12Honor 90Practical Impact
Main Camera12MP, f/1.6200MP, f/1.9The Honor 90 captures more detail in well-lit conditions due to its higher resolution. The iPhone 12 performs better in low-light thanks to its wider aperture.
Selfie Camera12MP, f/2.250MP, f/2.4The Honor 90 captures more detailed selfies.
Ultrawide Lens12MP, f/2.4NoThe iPhone 12 allows for wider field-of-view shots.
Macro LensNo12MP, f/2.2The Honor 90 allows for capturing close-up details of small objects.
VideoUp to 4K@60fpsUp to 4K@30fpsThe iPhone 12 can record smoother video due to higher frame rates.
OISYesNoThe iPhone 12 offers better video stabilization.

Battery

FeatureApple iPhone 12Honor 90Practical Impact
Capacity2815mAh5000mAhThe Honor 90 will likely last significantly longer on a single charge.
Charging20W66WThe Honor 90 charges much faster.
Wireless ChargingYes (MagSafe & Qi)NoThe iPhone 12 offers the convenience of wireless charging.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip offers significantly better processing power for demanding tasks.
  • Better Video Recording: Offers 4K at 60fps, OIS, and excellent video stabilization.
  • Wireless Charging: Supports MagSafe and Qi wireless charging.
  • Compact Size: Easier to handle and more pocketable.
  • Software Support: Typically longer software support from Apple.

Honor 90 Advantages:

  • Larger Display: Provides a more immersive viewing experience.
  • Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother scrolling and animations.
  • Larger Battery: Significantly longer battery life.
  • Faster Charging: Charges much faster.
  • Higher Resolution Main Camera: Captures more detail in well-lit conditions.
  • Macro Lens: Additional macro lens for detailed close-up shots.
  • More RAM: The 16GB RAM option can handle heavier multitasking.

Trade-offs:

  • The Honor 90 sacrifices processing power and video recording quality for a larger display, better battery life, and a higher resolution camera.
  • The iPhone 12 sacrifices battery life and screen size for performance and a more compact design.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Apple iPhone 12:

  • Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, video recording quality, and a compact design.
  • Use Cases:
    • Video creators: Benefit from the excellent video stabilization and 4K 60fps recording.
    • Gamers: Enjoy smoother gameplay due to the powerful A14 Bionic chip.
    • Users who prefer one-handed use: Appreciate the smaller size and lighter weight.

Honor 90:

  • Ideal User: Users who prioritize battery life, a large display, and camera versatility.
  • Use Cases:
    • Media consumers: Enjoy a more immersive viewing experience on the larger, high refresh rate display.
    • Photography enthusiasts: Appreciate the high-resolution main camera and macro lens.
    • Users who need all-day battery life: Benefit from the significantly larger battery capacity.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your priority: performance or battery life? If performance is key, the iPhone 12 is the better choice. If battery life is more important, choose the Honor 90.
  2. Do you value a large display or a compact design? The Honor 90 offers a larger, more immersive screen, while the iPhone 12 is more pocketable and easier to handle.
  3. How important is video recording quality and stabilization? If you frequently record videos, especially on the move, the iPhone 12's superior video capabilities make it a better option.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Frequent traveler: The Honor 90 is better due to its longer battery life and fast charging.
  • Scenario 2: Mobile gamer: The iPhone 12 provides a smoother gaming experience with its more powerful processor and GPU.
  • Scenario 3: Social media user: Both are good options, but the Honor 90's higher resolution front camera could be preferable for selfies.

My Choice

I would choose the Apple iPhone 12. While the Honor 90 has a larger screen, better battery life, and faster charging, I prioritize the iPhone 12's performance. The A14 Bionic chip ensures a smooth and responsive experience, which is crucial for demanding tasks like video editing and gaming. Additionally, the superior video recording capabilities and stabilization are important for capturing high-quality content. Finally, I prefer the more compact form factor of the iPhone 12 for comfortable one-handed use.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.