Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Honor 70 and the Asus ROG Phone 6. These are two very different beasts, each designed with a distinct purpose in mind. I'll break down the specs, explain what they mean in the real world, and help you figure out which one might be right for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at the key specs, with a focus on what they mean for day-to-day usage:
| Feature | Honor 70 | Asus ROG Phone 6 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.4 × 73.3 × 7.9 mm | 173 × 77 × 10.3 mm | The ROG Phone 6 is noticeably larger and thicker, making the Honor 70 more comfortable for single-handed use and pocketability. |
| Weight | 178g | 239g | The Honor 70 is significantly lighter, feeling much less hefty in your hand and easier to carry around. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.78" | The ROG Phone 6 offers a slightly larger screen which enhances immersion. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2448 | Both offer sharp visuals; the difference in resolution is negligible. |
| PPI | 395 | 395 | Identical pixel density means similar clarity and sharpness. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both use similar high-quality display technologies offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | The ROG Phone 6's higher refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and animations, particularly noticeable in gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | The ROG Phone 6 has a significantly brighter display, making it much more usable in direct sunlight, while the Honor 70 has an unlisted brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | The ROG Phone 6's flagship chipset offers drastically better performance for demanding tasks like gaming and heavy multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 1,203,000 | The ROG Phone 6 demonstrates double the performance in benchmarks, translating to much smoother and faster real-world usage. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 730 | The ROG Phone 6 has a more powerful GPU, providing superior graphics for gaming and other visually intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 6000mAh | The ROG Phone 6 has a larger battery, likely resulting in longer battery life, especially under heavy usage. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Both phones offer fast charging, with the Honor 70 having a slight edge. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging, 10W Reverse Charging | The ROG Phone 6 offers bypass charging for gaming which helps keep the phone cooler when plugged in. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 54MP (1/1.49") | 50MP (1/1.56") | Honor 70 has a slightly higher resolution main sensor, but sensor sizes are very close |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP (1/3.2") | 12MP (1/2.93") | Honor 70 has a much higher resolution front camera; Asus ROG Phone 6 has a larger sensor which means better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 50MP | 13MP | The Honor 70 has a much higher resolution sensor for its wide-angle camera. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP | 5MP | The Asus ROG Phone 6 has slightly higher resolution macro lens. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 8K@24fps, 4K@120fps | Asus ROG Phone 6 offers much greater recording resolutions and framerates |
| Camera Features | Ultra Stable Video | Optical Stabilization (OIS) | The ROG Phone 6 features OIS for more stable videos and better low-light performance, while the Honor 70 has an 'Ultra Stable' video mode. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12, Upgradeable to 13 | The ROG Phone 6 offers the promise of at least one more major Android update |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ax | 802.11ax, 802.11ad | Both support modern Wi-Fi standards, but the ROG Phone 6 has the addition of 802.11ad offering more advanced functionalities. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.2 | Both support Bluetooth 5.2, but the ROG Phone 6 has a slightly wider range of supported codecs, including EDR and aptX adaptative. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | The ROG Phone 6 has a more advanced suite of navigation systems |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Both offer the same storage options. |
| RAM | 6/8/12GB | 8/12/16GB | The ROG Phone 6 provides up to 16GB of RAM, better for heavy multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so choose the right capacity from the start. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio | Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio, DTS/DTS:X, Noise Cancelling Mic, 4 Mic | The ROG Phone 6 boasts a more immersive sound and better noise cancelling features. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Both phones use basic in-screen fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Asus ROG Phone 6 has superior screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall | The ROG Phone 6 has an additional Hall sensor, enhancing its gaming capabilities. |
2. Key Insights
Honor 70
- Strengths: The Honor 70 shines with its elegant, lightweight design, great wide-angle camera, and solid main camera performance. The 66W fast charging also allows for quick power-ups.
- Competitive Advantages: Its lighter profile and more comfortable feel in hand make it better for everyday use. The large 50MP ultrawide lens is also impressive.
- Trade-offs: The mid-range chipset means it will struggle with graphically intensive games, and the display brightness could be an issue in direct sunlight.
Asus ROG Phone 6
- Strengths: The ROG Phone 6 is a powerhouse, excelling in performance with its top-tier Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, high refresh rate display, and large battery.
- Competitive Advantages: It’s designed for gaming, providing smooth performance, excellent audio, and a robust cooling system. It also has a higher max brightness for outdoor visibility and superior screen protection.
- Trade-offs: Its bulky design and weight make it less practical for everyday use, and the higher price may be a barrier.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Honor 70: Best for users who prioritize style, a lightweight design, solid camera performance and don't need flagship-level gaming capabilities. Ideal for social media enthusiasts, content creators (who can utilise the ultrawide sensor), and everyday users.
- Asus ROG Phone 6: Best for gamers who demand top-tier performance, a high refresh rate screen, and a long-lasting battery. Ideal for users who heavily play demanding mobile games, often use multiple apps, and want the best possible gaming experience.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
What is your primary use case? If you’re primarily a social media user, enjoy photography or value lightweight devices, the Honor 70 makes more sense. If you are a gamer, the Asus ROG Phone 6 is the superior choice.
How much do you value performance? If you demand the best gaming performance and heavy multitasking, the ROG Phone 6 is the clear winner. If casual performance is enough, the Honor 70 will satisfy.
Do you mind a larger, heavier phone? The Honor 70 is much more comfortable to hold for extended periods. If you prefer a thinner and lighter phone, the Honor 70 is the way to go.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
Everyday User: If you use your phone for general tasks, browsing, social media, and occasional photography, the Honor 70 is a great balance of performance, features, and ergonomics.
Mobile Gamer: If you're serious about mobile gaming, then the Asus ROG Phone 6 is the obvious choice, providing the best hardware, features and software for gaming.
Budget-Conscious: Although not discussed, in most markets the Honor 70 is typically a cheaper phone making it the better option if budget is a key factor.
My Choice:
Personally, I'd lean towards the Asus ROG Phone 6, but that comes with a caveat. My main use case is demanding and often involves gaming on the go. The ROG Phone 6 is a mobile gaming beast and its powerful chipset, 165 Hz display, large battery, and sophisticated audio system is what I am looking for. The ROG Phone 6 is an enthusiast-grade phone, and I fall into that category. However, for someone who is focused more on portability, everyday use, and a stylish design, the Honor 70 would be the better choice and a great phone.
The ROG Phone 6 might be overkill for most, but if I'm only choosing between these two devices based on my needs, the ROG Phone 6 takes the crown.
