Okay, let's dive deep into the Honor 70 and Google Pixel 9, breaking down their specs and figuring out which phone might be the better fit for you. I'll put on my tech journalist hat and translate all that jargon into real-world impact.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how the Honor 70 and Google Pixel 9 stack up, with a focus on what these specs mean for day-to-day use:
| Feature | Honor 70 | Google Pixel 9 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Physical Size | 161.4 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm | 152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm | The Honor 70 is taller and slightly wider, while the Pixel 9 is a bit thicker. The Honor 70 might feel more substantial while the Pixel 9 is easier to hold one-handed. |
| Weight | 178g | 198g | The Honor 70 is noticeably lighter, which will make a difference for comfortable use over long periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.3" | Honor 70 offers more screen real estate, great for media consumption and multitasking. Pixel 9 is more compact and more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2424 | Both offer sharp, clear images. Minor difference won't be noticeable for the vast majority of use cases. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 395 | 422 | Pixel 9 will have a slightly sharper display due to the higher pixel density but both screens will appear crisp. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both use vibrant OLED panels that offer great contrast, deep blacks and saturated colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both screens will offer smooth scrolling and animations, a great quality of life improvement over 60hz. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Neither phones offer a brightness figure, this is an oversight but based on the display tech both would offer high brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G+ (6 nm) | Google Tensor G4 (4 nm) | The Pixel 9’s Tensor chip is significantly more powerful. Expect smoother app performance, better image processing and a more responsive overall feel on the Pixel 9. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 1,071,616 | Pixel 9's benchmark scores translate to a much faster experience in real-world use, particularly for resource-heavy tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G715 MC7 | Pixel 9's GPU should provide superior graphics performance, which will be noticeable in games and graphics-intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 54MP | 50MP | Honor 70 boasts higher megapixel count but the Pixel 9 has better image sensor and aperture. Pixel 9 has better sensor for better low light performance. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.9 | f/1.69 | Pixel 9's wider aperture lets in more light, resulting in better low-light photos. |
| Main Camera Sensor | 1/1.49" (Sony IMX800) | 1/1.3" (Samsung GNK) | Pixel 9 has a physically larger sensor which is a key component of better photo and video quality overall. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 1.00 µm pixel size | 1.20 µm pixel size | Pixel 9's larger pixels capture more light, further improving low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 32MP | 10.5MP | Honor 70 has a higher megapixel front camera for higher resolution selfies but the Pixel 9's front facing camera has a wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.4 | f/2.2 | Pixel 9's wider aperture will let more light in to the front facing sensor allowing for better low-light images. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP | N/A | Honor 70 includes a dedicated wide-angle lens for those wide shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | N/A | Honor 70 has a macro lens for close-up photos. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | N/A | 48MP | Pixel 9 includes a wide-angle and macro lens combination. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps, EIS | Up to 4K@60fps, OIS+EIS | Pixel 9 has both optical image stabilization (OIS) and electronic image stabilization (EIS), leading to smoother videos than the Honor 70's digital stabilization. |
| DXoMark Mobile Score | 115 | 154 | The Pixel 9 has a significantly better camera overall, in both photo and video quality according to the DxOMark scores. |
| Camera Features | Triple Camera | Dual Camera | Honor 70 has a dedicated triple camera. Pixel 9 has a dual-camera setup. Both have features like panorama and HDR. Google Pixel 9 also includes features like flicker sensor, noise reduction, Pro Video Mode, OIS, continuous autofocus, manual focus, PDAF and LAF. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4700mAh | Battery capacity is very similar between both devices, so expect similar daily battery life. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 27W Fast Charging | Honor 70's faster charging will significantly reduce the time spent plugged in. |
| Battery Features | Reverse charging | Reverse, 15W Wireless charging | Pixel 9 offers wireless charging for added convenience. |
2. Key Insights
Honor 70
Strengths:
- Larger Screen: Great for media consumption and multitasking.
- Lighter Build: More comfortable for long periods of use.
- Faster Charging: Gets you back up and running quickly.
- Triple Camera Versatility: Provides a wide-angle and macro lenses in addition to the standard lens.
- Competitive Storage Options: Up to 512 GB of onboard storage.
Trade-offs:
- Weaker Performance: Not as powerful as the Pixel 9 for demanding tasks.
- Inferior Camera Performance: Image quality and stabilization lag behind the Pixel 9.
- Older Android Version: Ships with Android 12.
Google Pixel 9
- Strengths:
- Powerful Performance: The Tensor G4 chipset handles demanding tasks with ease.
- Superior Camera: Delivers better photo and video quality, especially in low light with great stabilization.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 14, providing the latest features.
- Wireless Charging: Offers added convenience with 15W charging.
- Better Build Quality: Has added screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
- Better Location Accuracy: Supports more satellite systems like QZSS, GLONASS (L1), NavIC System, GNSS.
- Trade-offs:
- Smaller Screen: Might feel more cramped compared to the Honor 70.
- Heavier Build: Could be less comfortable for extended one handed use.
- Slower Charging: Takes longer to fully charge than the Honor 70.
- Storage: Max storage option only at 256GB, whereas the Honor 70 is at 512GB
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Honor 70:
- Ideal User: Someone who prioritizes a large screen for media consumption, a lighter feel, and very quick charging. It's suitable for everyday tasks, casual photography and light gaming.
- Use Case: Perfect for streaming, social media browsing, and a great general daily phone with good battery life and fast charging to make up for it.
Google Pixel 9:
- Ideal User: Those who want top-tier performance, excellent camera capabilities, and a focus on great photos and videos. Best suited for users looking for flagship level performance.
- Use Case: Great for enthusiasts who want the best possible photos and videos, heavy mobile gaming, and those that value a more refined, cutting-edge experience.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to consider:
How much do you value performance and camera quality? If these are your top priorities, the Pixel 9 is the clear winner. The Tensor G4 chipset and its camera are significantly more powerful.
Is screen size or portability more important? The Honor 70 offers a larger screen, but the Pixel 9 is more compact and easier to carry. This is a decision based on preference.
Do you prefer faster charging or wireless charging? The Honor 70 charges much faster with the 66W charger, but the Pixel 9 offers the convenience of wireless charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
For the Everyday User: If you just want a reliable device for browsing social media, watching videos, and taking the occasional picture, the Honor 70 is a good option with it's large display, light weight and extremely fast charging. The larger display will make content consumption more enjoyable.
For the Mobile Photographer/Videographer: The Pixel 9 is the better choice, offering superior image quality, better image processing and features like OIS and advanced stabilization. This will make sure you can capture the best photos and videos for the price.
For the Power User: The Pixel 9’s flagship level performance and improved performance will provide a much faster, more fluid experience and a better gaming experience. This will be the perfect daily device.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Google Pixel 9. While the Honor 70 is a solid phone with a nice screen and extremely fast charging, I value the Pixel's powerful performance, and significantly better camera. As a tech journalist I also value the latest and greatest features which the Pixel 9 provides.
The jump in benchmark scores is noticeable, and that translates into snappier performance which I greatly value in a mobile device. The camera, while having a few less sensors on paper, is leaps and bounds better in actual testing. The advanced video features, great image processing and better low-light performance make it a compelling choice for me. Yes, the Honor 70 charges faster, but the Pixel's wireless charging provides an added layer of convenience and the Google Tensor G4 chip will allow it to last for longer, especially with software updates.
Ultimately, both phones have their strengths, but the Pixel 9's combination of superior performance, camera capabilities and features make it the more appealing choice for me.
