Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Honor 70 and the Asus ROG Phone 7. I'll break down the specs, highlight the key differences, and help you figure out which phone might be the better fit for your needs.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table to start with, focusing on the real-world implications of each spec:
| Feature | Honor 70 | Asus ROG Phone 7 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-06-02 | 2023-05-01 | Asus ROG Phone 7 is a much newer device. |
| Dimensions | 161.4 × 73.3 × 7.9 mm | 173 × 77 × 10.3 mm | ROG Phone 7 is significantly larger and bulkier, less comfortable for one-handed use. Honor 70 is slimmer and more pocketable. |
| Weight | 178g | 239g | Honor 70 is noticeably lighter, which makes it more comfortable for extended use. ROG is hefty, which is something to consider if you value portability. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.78" | ROG Phone 7 offers a slightly larger viewing area for more immersive video watching and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2448 | Both offer sharp visuals, a minor difference in pixel count is virtually unnoticeable. |
| PPI | 395 | 395 | Identical pixel density meaning the displays appear just as sharp. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Similar display technologies which provide vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 7 offers considerably smoother scrolling and animations, especially great for gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1500 nits | ROG Phone 7's display is much brighter, offering vastly better outdoor visibility, making it a better choice in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | ROG Phone 7's processor is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking and more seamless gameplay. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 1,603,292 | Massive performance gap, with the ROG Phone 7 handling demanding tasks effortlessly. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 740 | The Adreno 740 in the ROG Phone 7 is far more capable, handling graphics-intensive tasks with ease. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 6000mAh | ROG Phone 7 provides noticeably better battery life, ideal for heavy users and gamers. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Honor 70 charges slightly faster. The difference is negligible, though. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging, USB Power Adapter, 10W Reverse Wired | ROG Phone 7's bypass charging is excellent when plugged in while gaming and the included charger is a bonus, so is the wired reverse charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 54MP, f/1.9, 1/1.49" Sony IMX800 | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | Honor 70 has a slight edge in resolution and larger sensor size, suggesting potentially better image quality in some situations. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2" Omnivision OV32C | 32MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2" Omnivision OV32C | Honor 70's slightly wider aperture could allow for marginally better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 50MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" Omnivision OV13B10 | The Honor 70 has a vastly higher resolution for its wide angle lens. |
| Macro | 2MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5" Samsung S5K5E9 | ROG Phone 7 has higher macro lens resolution. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 8K@24fps with HDR, EIS | ROG Phone 7 supports much higher video resolution, giving more creative video editing options. |
| DXOMark | 115 (Mobile) | N/A | Honor 70's camera has been tested and scores well, ROG Phone 7's Camera hasn't been tested by DXOMark. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, EIS, etc. | 4K/8K Video, Digital zoom, EIS, Manual Focus, PDAF etc. | ROG Phone 7 has 8K Video and Manual Focus as a plus over the Honor. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13, upgradeable to 15 | ROG Phone 7 has the latest Android OS and will get future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | ROG Phone 7 features newer Wi-Fi standards, providing faster and more stable internet connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 | The ROG Phone 7 has a newer version of Bluetooth and additional codec support. |
| 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) | ROG Phone 7 offers better location accuracy using more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones support dual SIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 256/512 GB | Both offer good storage options, but the Honor has a lower 128 GB entry option. Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| RAM | 6/8/12 GB | 8/12/16 GB | ROG Phone 7 offers more RAM which helps multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, Noise Cancellation, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics. | ROG Phone 7 has additional audio enhancements, with noise cancellation which provides a better audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones use a basic fingerprint scanner. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | ROG Phone 7 provides superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall | ROG Phone 7 has an additional Hall sensor for specific gaming features. |
2. Key Insights
Honor 70
- Strengths: The Honor 70 stands out with its sleek, lightweight design, making it a more comfortable and pocket-friendly choice. It also boasts a strong camera performance, particularly with its 54MP primary sensor and 50MP ultrawide. The display is vibrant, and it offers faster charging compared to the ROG phone.
- Competitive Advantages: This phone caters to users seeking a stylish device with solid camera capabilities and a comfortable form factor for daily use.
- Trade-offs: It lacks the raw power and advanced features of the ROG Phone 7, notably a slower processor and less impressive gaming performance. The display is not as bright and the battery isn't as big.
Asus ROG Phone 7
- Strengths: The ROG Phone 7 is a powerhouse, featuring the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, a stunning 165Hz AMOLED display with remarkable brightness, and a massive 6000mAh battery. Its gaming capabilities are unmatched, with advanced features like bypass charging, an additional Hall sensor and superior audio.
- Competitive Advantages: This phone is tailored for gamers and power users who demand the best performance, battery life, and display quality.
- Trade-offs: Its larger size and heavier build make it less portable, and the camera system is not as advanced for photography compared to the Honor 70's wide angle lens.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Honor 70
- Ideal User: The Honor 70 is perfect for everyday users who value design, camera performance, and portability. It's a good fit for those who enjoy social media, photography, and streaming videos.
- Use Cases: Excellent for casual photography, social media, video watching, and general daily tasks, where a light device is preferred.
Asus ROG Phone 7
- Ideal User: This is the ideal phone for gamers, tech enthusiasts, and heavy users who prioritize top-tier performance, extended battery life, and a fantastic display.
- Use Cases: Perfect for demanding mobile games, video editing, multitasking, and any scenario where raw power and immersive visuals are essential.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Do you prioritize power and performance, or portability and a great camera? If raw power for gaming is key, the ROG Phone 7 is the better pick. If you want a light, stylish device with good photography capabilities, the Honor 70 is better suited.
- What's your typical daily usage like? If you spend hours gaming, and have intensive multitasking the ROG Phone 7's battery and processor will shine. For normal everyday use, you could save some cash by getting the Honor 70.
- How important is display quality to you? If you need excellent outdoor brightness and smoothness for gaming the ROG Phone 7 is the clear winner, however if you don't play demanding games the Honor 70 will work just fine.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- For the Casual User: If you need a good all-around phone that won't break the bank, with decent performance, a good camera, and a beautiful screen, the Honor 70 is the better bet.
- For the Gamer: The ROG Phone 7 is the clear choice for those who take mobile gaming seriously. Its high refresh rate display, powerful processor, huge battery, and additional gaming-centric features make it the best gaming phone between these two.
- For the Tech Enthusiast: If you want the latest tech, an amazing display, and top tier performance, the ROG Phone 7 will provide all that.
- For the Photographer: The Honor 70 wins in this category, with a better wide angle lens, and good main lens quality.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would go with the Asus ROG Phone 7. While I appreciate the sleek design and good camera of the Honor 70, I value raw performance and the exceptional display quality that the ROG Phone 7 offers. As someone who frequently uses resource-intensive applications and enjoys mobile gaming, the ROG Phone 7's robust internals and additional features make it the more suitable option for my needs.
The brightness, higher refresh rate and additional gaming features of the ROG Phone 7 would improve my gaming experience drastically. I also prefer to be on the latest Android, and the ROG Phone 7 provides this as well. In my opinion the added weight and bulk of the phone are an acceptable tradeoff.
