Alright, let's dive deep into this comparison of the Honor 70 and the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. Buckle up, because we're going to dissect these devices with an engineer's eye and a user's heart.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a side-by-side look at the key specifications, along with real-world implications:
| Feature | Honor 70 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-06-02 | 2024-01-18 | ROG Phone 8 Pro is significantly newer, benefiting from more recent advancements. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are traditional smartphones, no foldable features. |
| Dimensions | 161.4 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm | 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm | Honor 70 is more compact and easier to handle; ROG Phone 8 Pro is bulkier, likely for better cooling and components. |
| Weight | 178g | 225g | Honor 70 is significantly lighter, improving comfort for longer use; ROG Phone 8 Pro is heavier, may feel substantial and less portable. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.78" | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers a slightly larger screen, better for immersive media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have identical Full HD+ resolutions, meaning similar sharpness for everyday tasks. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 395 | 388 | Similar pixel density, both displays will look sharp to the human eye. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Similar display tech with excellent contrast and vibrant colors, AMOLED often means slightly better energy efficiency. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a smoother display, ideal for gaming and scrolling through social media with less motion blur. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | ROG Phone 8 Pro has drastically higher peak brightness, making it significantly more usable under bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers much higher performance and efficiency due to a flagship-level chip; Honor 70’s chip is mid-range. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 2,020,000 | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a much faster processor, leading to better performance in demanding apps and games, also it is significantly more future-proof. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 750 | ROG Phone 8 Pro's GPU is far more powerful, resulting in smoother and higher fidelity graphics for gamers and content creators. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 54MP, f/1.9, 1/1.49" IMX800 | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56" IMX890 | Honor 70 boasts a larger sensor, potentially better low-light performance; ROG Phone 8 Pro offers a newer main sensor with improved processing. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2" OV32C | 32MP, 1/3.2" OV32C | Both offer similar selfie cameras, expect comparable image quality. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2" OV32C | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a dedicated zoom lens, allowing for closer shots without digital cropping. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2 | None | Honor 70 has a dedicated wide angle lens allowing for landscape shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Honor 70 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide + Macro Lens | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3" OV31B | ROG Phone 8 Pro has an all in one lens for wide and macro images. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, EIS | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, EIS | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers significantly better video capabilities, including 8K recording and higher frame rates at 4K. |
| DXOMARK | 115 | N/A | Only Honor 70 has been tested, meaning that the ROG Phone 8 Pro's camera quality cannot be directly compared |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5500mAh | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a larger battery, likely offering longer battery life for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| Charging Speed | 66W | 65W | Both support fast charging; Honor 70 has a slightly faster charging speed, but the difference is negligible. |
| Charging Features | Reverse charging | None | Honor 70 can act as a power bank for other devices. |
| Other | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 | Android 14 | ROG Phone 8 Pro benefits from a newer OS, with more up-to-date features and security patches, also supports more OS upgrades. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a newer Wi-Fi standard that will offer faster speeds with compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version with some extra features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS... | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou... | ROG Phone 8 Pro has more comprehensive support for satellite systems, offering better location accuracy in various environments. |
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 512/1024 GB | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers larger storage options, important for storing games, high-resolution photos, and 4K/8K videos. |
| RAM | 6/8/12 GB | 16/24 GB | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a significantly larger RAM capacity, allowing for smooth multitasking even with several memory-intensive apps and games. |
| Audio | Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio | Stereo Speakers, DTS/DTS X | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers better surround sound and voice quality, Honor 70 features Hi-Res Audio. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a much better screen protection, which makes it more durable. |
| Sensors | Basic | Advanced | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers a more comprehensive sensor suite for gaming and advanced features. |
2. Key Insights
Honor 70:
- Strengths:
- Lighter and more compact: Easier to handle and carry around.
- Good Display: Excellent vibrant colors and a 120Hz refresh rate which makes the user experience smooth.
- Solid Camera System: Good main camera with a large sensor for its price range, plus a good wide and macro lens.
- Reverse Charging: The ability to charge other devices is an added bonus.
- Competitive Advantage: It excels as a stylish, everyday smartphone for users who want a lightweight device with a capable camera and a smooth display without breaking the bank.
- Trade-offs: Mid-range performance, lower video quality, basic features, and no water/dust resistance.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro:
- Strengths:
- Flagship Performance: Top-tier chipset, resulting in unparalleled speed and smoothness.
- Superior Display: Higher refresh rate, and much better brightness, for a superior visual experience.
- Advanced Camera System: Excellent video recording, a telephoto lens, and high-quality wide + macro lens.
- Gaming Focused Features: Better cooling, extensive sensor suite, and larger battery.
- Superior Screen protection High quality glass for better durability.
- Competitive Advantage: It is a premium device designed for power users and gamers, with cutting-edge performance, advanced multimedia capabilities, and high end features.
- Trade-offs: Bulkier, heavier and much more expensive than the Honor 70.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Honor 70 is best for:
- Casual Users: Those who want a stylish and reliable smartphone for daily tasks like browsing, social media, and photography.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those who seek a balance of performance and features without the flagship price tag.
- Users who value a lighter, compact design: Preferring a smaller device that is easy to use and carry around.
- Everyday Photography: Good camera for taking photos and videos for social media, and other day to day use.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is best for:
- Gamers: Those who want top-tier performance, high refresh rates, and gaming-centric features.
- Power Users: Those who demand the fastest performance for multitasking, demanding apps, and content creation.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Those who appreciate high-quality video recording and consumption.
- Tech Aficionados: Those who want the latest and greatest tech, with cutting-edge features and performance.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
Performance Requirements: Do you need top-tier performance for gaming and demanding apps, or is a smooth, mid-range experience sufficient?
- ROG Phone 8 Pro: If you need the most powerful performance.
- Honor 70: If your needs are more casual or budget-oriented.
Display Priorities: Do you prioritize a brighter, smoother display for gaming and outdoor use or is a good display enough?
- ROG Phone 8 Pro: If you want a higher refresh rate, much better brightness and the best display.
- Honor 70: If you are OK with a good screen, you do not use your phone often outdoors, and you don't need a top end display.
Form Factor and Budget: Do you prefer a light, compact device or are you comfortable with a bulkier device for added features? What is your budget?
- ROG Phone 8 Pro: If the budget is not an issue and you want the highest performance at all costs.
- Honor 70: If you need a good daily device with a lighter, more compact design at a more affordable price.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming on the go: Choose the ROG Phone 8 Pro for the best gaming performance, a 165Hz display, and robust cooling features.
- Scenario 2: Daily Usage with good camera: The Honor 70 strikes a balance between everyday usability, a good camera system, and design at a more budget friendly price.
- Scenario 3: Content Creation: If you're doing a lot of video recording, content creation and editing, the ROG Phone 8 Pro offers 8K recording, higher frame rates, optical zoom, and OIS stabilization.
My Choice
If I were in the market right now, I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. Here is why:
As an enthusiast and tech journalist, I appreciate the cutting-edge performance and all the advanced features. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, paired with a 165Hz display and better camera features, is exactly what I want in my daily driver. The better display, battery life and screen protection are major advantages for me. While it's heavier and bulkier, the advantages for me are worth it. For my use case, the ROG Phone 8 Pro would enhance all the aspects of my life both for work and for play.
The Honor 70 is a good mid range device that should suit a lot of users. However, for me, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is the best choice.
