Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Honor 70 and Honor 90. As a tech journalist, I always look beyond the spec sheets to understand how these numbers translate into real-world user experiences. Here's my breakdown:
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these two phones stack up, with a focus on what these specs mean for you:
| Feature | Honor 70 | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.4 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm | 161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm | Very similar sizes, Honor 90 is slightly taller and wider but thinner, so it would be hard to notice a difference. |
| Weight | 178g | 183g | Honor 70 is a touch lighter, which might make a difference during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Both provide a large screen experience, virtually identical. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1200x2664 | Honor 90's higher resolution means sharper text and visuals. |
| PPI | 395 | 435 | Honor 90's screen will have a noticeable increase in detail and sharpness. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both are excellent; vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both devices. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | Honor 90 will be much more viewable in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Honor 90 has a more recent and efficient chipset, meaning better overall performance and less battery usage during gaming and heavy tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 701,227 | Honor 90 offers better day to day performance and better gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 644 | Honor 90's GPU will handle graphics-intensive tasks and gaming better. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | Honor 90 should provide slightly longer battery life due to slightly larger capacity. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging (Li-Polymer) | 66W Fast Charging (Li-Ion) | Both phones charge quickly, differences in tech are negligible in daily use. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | None | Honor 70 can share charge with other devices which is very useful when other devices are low. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 54MP, f/1.9 (Sony IMX800) | 200MP, f/1.9 (Samsung HP3) | Honor 90's higher resolution can capture more detail and allow for more cropping after taking a photo. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.4 (OV32C) | 50MP, f/2.4 | Honor 90's front camera captures better detailed selfies |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2 | None | Honor 70 can shoot wide-angle photos, which is useful for landscapes or group shots. |
| Portrait Mode | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Honor 90 can take portrait photos with depth effect. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Honor 70 can capture detail close-up photos with macro lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 12MP, f/2.2 | Honor 90 has a dedicated sensor to handle both wide and macro shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS | 4K@30fps with EIS | Both are very similar. |
| DxOMark Score | 115 Mobile, 115 Photo, 129 Video | 122 Mobile, 128 Photo, 126 Video | Honor 90 has better camera performance overall. |
| Features | Ultra stable video, Panorama | PDAF, Front Flash | Feature wise, both are very similar with key differences, which one you prefer will be dependent on use case. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13 | Honor 90 comes with a more up to date operating system. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support the latest WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Both have very similar Bluetooth capability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Honor 90 will have slightly better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones support two SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512GB | 256/512GB | Both phones have large storage options. |
| RAM | 6/8/12GB | 8/12/16GB | Honor 90 has more RAM and higher option which allows for improved multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Noise cancellation microphone | Honor 70 excels in audio playback, while Honor 90 focuses on call clarity. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones have a standard fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both are similar |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, RGB | Honor 70 additionally includes: Gyroscope sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Honor 90's Strengths:
- Display: The higher resolution and much higher brightness screen is a major step up and will make a huge difference for readability and detail.
- Performance: Newer chipset and higher RAM options, so you get better performance and multitasking capabilities.
- Camera: The 200MP main camera is impressive and the improved DxOMark scores show better photo results.
- Software: Comes with Android 13 out of the box.
Honor 70's Strengths:
- Design: Marginally lighter and features a macro lens and wide angle lens.
- Battery: Features reverse charging.
- Audio: Offers Hi-Res Audio and stereo speakers for better audio experience.
Trade-offs:
- Honor 70 sacrifices overall performance and display quality for a marginally lighter design with additional cameras.
- Honor 90 sacrifices reverse charging and superior audio experience but provides a major boost in display quality and performance.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Honor 70 is ideal for:
- Users who value a lighter and slightly more compact design.
- Those who prioritize reverse charging and a better audio experience.
- Users who want a wide angle and macro lens.
Honor 90 is best for:
- Users who want a brighter and sharper display.
- Gamers and power users who need strong performance.
- Those who want the best photo and selfie quality.
- Users who are looking for the latest software.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How important is a top-tier display to you? If screen quality is crucial, the Honor 90 is the clear winner with its higher resolution and drastically brighter screen.
- Do you need excellent gaming performance and multitasking capability? If yes, the Honor 90's more powerful chipset and higher RAM options make it the better choice.
- Do you use your phone for music or video consumption? If yes, then the Honor 70’s Hi-Res Audio and stereo speakers might make the difference for you. If you prioritize taking photos and want the most detailed shots, the Honor 90 might be your best bet.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the casual user: If you just want a reliable, well-rounded phone for everyday tasks, the Honor 90 offers better overall performance with major upgrades in display and camera.
- For the multimedia enthusiast: If you enjoy content consumption and creating multimedia content, the Honor 90 will be the best overall.
- For the power user: The Honor 90 with its newer chipset and higher RAM options is the better choice for demanding tasks, ensuring smoother performance and multitasking.
My Choice:
If I were to pick between these two, I'd lean towards the Honor 90. The dramatically brighter display and significantly improved performance make it the more compelling option. While I appreciate the additional lenses and reverse charging of the Honor 70, the day-to-day benefits of the Honor 90's display and processing power are more impactful in my usage. The better camera and higher RAM option also make it the better long term option.
This comparison is meant to provide an informed perspective to guide your decision. Both are great devices, but they cater to different priorities and needs.
