Alright, let's dive deep into this head-to-head comparison between the Apple iPhone 13 Pro and the Honor 90. We'll break down the specs, see what they mean for you, and figure out which phone comes out on top for different user needs.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these two phones stack up, with a focus on real-world implications:
| Feature | Apple iPhone 13 Pro | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-09-24 | 2023-06-07 | Honor 90 is significantly newer, potentially having the latest software and design trends. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are traditional smartphones, no foldable or unique form factors. |
| Dimensions | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.7 mm | 161.9 × 74.1 × 7.8 mm | Honor 90 is taller and slightly wider, making it feel larger in hand. |
| Weight | 204g | 183g | Honor 90 is noticeably lighter, enhancing comfort during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.7" | Honor 90 has a significantly larger display, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 1200x2664 | Honor 90 offers slightly sharper visuals thanks to more pixels, but likely unnoticeable in most cases |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 460 | 435 | iPhone 13 Pro has slightly sharper text, better for reading. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer similar display quality, with vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both devices. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1600 nits | Honor 90 will be significantly easier to see in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm) | The iPhone 13 Pro's chipset is older but higher performance. Honor 90 is newer and more efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,325,768 | 701,227 | iPhone 13 Pro is much faster for demanding tasks, games, and overall snappiness. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 644 | iPhone 13 Pro offers much better graphics performance, especially in gaming. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 3125mAh | 5000mAh | Honor 90's larger battery will likely last significantly longer under normal usage. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging | 66W fast charging | Honor 90 charges much faster, a huge plus for busy users. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | None | iPhone 13 Pro offers the convenience of wireless charging, plus magsafe. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 12MP | 200MP | Honor 90 captures much more detail with its high-resolution sensor. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.5 | f/1.9 | iPhone 13 Pro's wider aperture is better for low-light photos. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.66" | 1/1.4" | Honor 90 larger sensor can capture more light, but has smaller individual pixels. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 1.9 µm | 0.56 µm | iPhone 13 Pro's larger pixels gather more light for less noise, but Honor 90 uses pixel-binning to achieve similar results. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 12MP | 50MP | Honor 90 captures much more detail with its high-resolution sensor. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.4 | iPhone 13 Pro's wider aperture is better for low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.8 | None | iPhone 13 Pro has an extra optical zoom lens for enhanced zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/1.8 | None | iPhone 13 Pro has an extra lens for capturing wide scenes. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | 12MP | None | iPhone 13 Pro has an extra lens for better portrait mode and AR experiences. |
| Portrait Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Honor 90 has a dedicated lens for better depth effect. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 12MP, f/2.2 | Honor 90 has a dedicated lens for ultra wide shots or macro close ups. |
| Video Stabilization | Yes | No | iPhone 13 Pro provides more stable video. |
| DXoMark Mobile | 141 | 122 | iPhone 13 Pro's cameras have been assessed by professionals, confirming better overall photo/video quality. |
| DXoMark Selfie | 134 | Not assessed | Only Apple has been professionally assessed for the front-facing camera. |
| Camera Features | Quad, OIS, etc | Triple, EIS, etc | iPhone 13 Pro offers a more versatile camera system with optical zoom and image stabilization. Honor 90 does offer digital image stabilization though. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | iOS 15 | Android 13 | Different ecosystems; personal preference matters here. iPhone 13 Pro has available updates to iOS18. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support fast WiFi speeds. Honor 90 features Wi-Fi direct and display. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Honor 90 has a newer Bluetooth version for enhanced connectivity. |
| GPS | Yes | Yes | Both provide accurate GPS tracking. |
| SIM | Nano + eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | iPhone 13 Pro supports eSIM for flexibility; Honor 90 has dual physical SIM card slots. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512/1024 GB | 256/512 GB | iPhone 13 Pro offers wider storage options, including a massive 1TB configuration. |
| RAM | 6 GB | 8/12/16 GB | Honor 90 offers more RAM for smoother multitasking and app management. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, etc. | Noise Cancellation Only | iPhone 13 Pro provides higher quality sound experiences with spatial audio. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Basic Security | Fingerprint sensor | Honor 90 offers fingerprint security for better biometric authentication. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones likely have glass screens with similar protection. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, RGB | iPhone 13 Pro includes additional environmental sensors; Honor 90 includes additional biometric sensors |
2. Key Insights
Apple iPhone 13 Pro:
- Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The A15 Bionic chip offers significantly higher processing power and graphics performance, making it ideal for demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking.
- Enhanced Camera System: Features a versatile setup with telephoto and wide-angle lenses, a LiDAR sensor, and Apple's renowned image processing for consistent, high-quality results across all scenarios. It has professional video capabilities.
- Premium Audio: Enhanced audio and support for spatial audio.
- Premium Design and Build Quality: High-quality materials and seamless integration. MagSafe charging adds convenience.
- Ecosystem: Seamless integration with other Apple devices and services.
- Established Brand: Strong resale value and well-known user experience.
- Competitive Advantages:
- The benchmark performance, quality of construction and camera system is unmatched.
- Trade-offs/Limitations:
- Smaller screen, heavier, smaller battery, slower charging, and older technology compared to the Honor 90.
Honor 90:
- Strengths:
- Stunning Display: A larger, brighter display with vibrant colors. Ideal for media consumption.
- Massive Battery: The 5000mAh battery provides great battery life.
- Super Fast Charging: 66W fast charging ensures that the phone doesn't stay plugged in for too long.
- High-Resolution Camera: The 200MP main sensor captures great detail.
- Lighter Build: Feels comfortable in hand and is very portable.
- Newer Technology: A more recent phone, which often means better efficiency and updated features.
- Competitive Advantages:
- The display size, charging speeds and price point make it compelling
- Trade-offs/Limitations:
- Significantly lower performance and lacking of optical zoom in its camera system.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- For the Power User (iPhone 13 Pro):
- Ideal for users who need top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, and other demanding tasks.
- Perfect for those who prioritize a premium build, superior camera capabilities, and a seamless ecosystem.
- For the Media Enthusiast (Honor 90):
- Best for users who value a large, bright display for watching videos, browsing, and social media.
- Great for users who want great battery life and fast charging without compromising too much on display quality.
- Suited for users who need high-resolution photos and don't need a dedicated telephoto lens.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help you decide, ask yourself these questions:
- How important is raw performance? If you need the fastest possible speeds for demanding tasks, the iPhone 13 Pro is the better pick. If you want a phone that can comfortably handle most tasks with a smooth and reliable experience, the Honor 90 works well.
- What's your priority: camera quality or screen size/battery life? The iPhone 13 Pro offers better photo and video quality, but the Honor 90 provides a larger display and better battery life.
- Which ecosystem do you prefer? If you're already invested in Apple's ecosystem, the iPhone 13 Pro is a seamless choice. If you want to use Android, Honor 90 is the way to go.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User: If you primarily use your phone for social media, browsing, and occasional photography, the Honor 90 provides the best balance of features, battery, display and price.
- Scenario 2: Photographer/Videographer: The iPhone 13 Pro is the clear winner here, with its versatile camera system, optical zoom, and superior video quality.
- Scenario 3: Gaming Enthusiast: The iPhone 13 Pro’s processing power makes it the better option for demanding games.
- Scenario 4: Battery-Life Focused: The Honor 90's larger battery and faster charging are ideal for heavy users who want a reliable all-day experience without worrying about the battery life.
- Scenario 5: Budget Conscious: The Honor 90 offers better value for money, giving you access to a great screen, battery and fast charging for a lower price compared to the Apple iPhone 13 Pro.
My Choice
If I were buying a new phone today, I would choose the Apple iPhone 13 Pro. Here's why:
- Performance: The A15 Bionic chip's raw power still provides a noticeable speed and smoothness advantage that appeals to my heavy usage.
- Camera Versatility: As someone who enjoys photography and video editing, the iPhone's camera capabilities, including telephoto and wide-angle lenses, provide much more flexibility and versatility for my needs.
- Ecosystem: Being deeply integrated into Apple's ecosystem makes the iPhone a more seamless experience, providing ease of communication, quick file transfers, and an overall polished feel.
While the Honor 90 has a lot to offer with its incredible display and battery, I prefer the raw performance and camera system of the iPhone 13 Pro for my daily use.
