Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Honor 70 and the Huawei Pura 70. As always, we'll be looking past the spec sheets and focusing on what these numbers actually mean for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Honor 70 | Huawei Pura 70 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| DESIGN | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-06-02 | 2024-05-06 | Pura 70 is newer; expect more software updates and potentially newer features. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, no folding screens here. |
| Dimensions | 161.4 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm | 157.6 x 74.3 x 8 mm | Pura 70 is slightly shorter and thicker. Honor 70 feels a bit taller and slimmer. Both should feel very similar in hand. |
| Weight | 178g | 207g | Honor 70 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for long periods. Pura 70 has a more "dense" feel. |
| DISPLAY | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.6" | Negligible difference, both offer ample screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1256x2760 | Pura 70 has significantly higher resolution. Expect sharper text and images, with more detail. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 460 PPI | Pura 70’s display is noticeably sharper, especially for reading and detailed viewing. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both offer the deep blacks and vibrant colors of OLED, meaning great contrast and good viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer the smooth scrolling and responsive feel of 120Hz. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Pura 70's screen is dramatically brighter. Much better outdoor visibility and clarity in bright sunlight. |
| PERFORMANCE | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ (6nm) | Kirin 9000S1 | Different processors - Pura 70's Kirin offers a higher performance tier, and can handle heavier tasks slightly better. |
| Antutu Score | 600,525 | 768,000 | Pura 70 benchmarks significantly higher suggesting snappier performance and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Maleoon 910 | Different GPUs means performance differs in graphically intensive tasks, Pura 70 has the edge in this department. |
| BATTERY | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4900mAh | Both have similar battery capacities; expect comparable battery life under normal usage. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Similar charging speeds, very little practical difference here. |
| Charging Features | Reverse Charging | 50W Wireless, 7.5W Rev Wireless, Reverse | Pura 70 offers wireless charging and reverse wireless charging which the Honor 70 lacks, offering significantly more versatility. |
| CAMERA | |||
| Main Camera | 54MP, f/1.9, 1/1.49", 1.0µm | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.3", 1.2µm | Pura 70's wider aperture and bigger sensor should mean better low-light performance and shallower depth of field. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2", 0.7µm | 13MP, f/2.4 | Honor 70 has higher resolution front camera. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP, f/3.4 | Pura 70 includes a telephoto lens for enhanced zoom capabilities, a feature absent on the Honor 70. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Honor 70 offers a higher resolution ultrawide camera compared to the Pura 70. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Honor 70 includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, Pura 70 doesn't. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080@60fps | 4K with OIS | Pura 70's OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) will help with smoother videos, whilst the Honor 70 utilizes EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization). |
| DxOMark | 115 Mobile, 115 Photo, 129 Video | Not Listed | Honor 70 has established benchmark scores for its camera system, Pura 70 is yet to be tested. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, EIS, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, etc. | Optical zoom, Triple camera, OIS, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, etc. | Pura 70 has optical zoom, OIS, and additional autofocus technologies. |
| SOFTWARE | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 | Unknown | OS difference needs to be clarified, but Honor is older, the Pura 70 likely has the latest OS. |
| CONNECTIVITY | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support the latest WiFi standards, same wireless performance and range. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, LE, aptX | 5.2 | Both have similar Bluetooth, with Honor 70 also having low energy and aptX support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | More systems, more accuracy | Pura 70 offers superior GPS tracking capabilities and accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both handle dual sim cards, but also handle Dual Standby. |
| STORAGE | |||
| Internal Storage | Up to 512GB | Up to 1024GB | Pura 70 has double the storage potential, and a 1024 GB variant, great for media hoarders. |
| RAM | Up to 12 GB | 12 GB | Both have ample RAM for smooth performance, with the Pura 70 offering 12 GB. |
| Expandable Storage | None | None | Neither phone offers expandable storage, something to keep in mind before choosing which storage capacity suits your needs. |
| AUDIO | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo speakers | Both have stereo speakers but use different enhancements; Honor with Hi-Res Audio, and the Pura 70 with Dolby Atmos. |
| SECURITY | |||
| Biometric Auth | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both have basic fingerprint scanners. |
| BUILD QUALITY | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both have unknown screen protections. |
| SENSORS | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity, Gravity, Hall, RGB | Huawei Pura 70 has additional sensors compared to Honor 70. |
2. Key Insights
Honor 70 Strengths:
- Lighter Design: More comfortable for extended use due to a 29g weight difference.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Caters to those who prioritize front-facing camera quality.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Allows for very close-up detailed photography.
- Established Camera Scores: Offers real world examples of the camera system, with the DxO score.
Huawei Pura 70 Strengths:
- Newer Technology: Launched nearly a year later; should receive more software updates, and offers more modern features.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density mean a significantly crisper visual experience.
- Brighter Display: The 2500 nits of brightness is a huge advantage for outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight.
- Better Performance: The Kirin chipset provides smoother, faster operation and better handling of demanding apps and games.
- Better Camera: Larger sensor, wider aperture and telephoto lens translates into better overall image quality, especially in low light and when zooming.
- Wireless Charging: Significantly enhances convenience with wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, something the Honor 70 does not offer.
- Double Internal Storage: Can be configured with double the internal storage.
- Better GPS: More accurate and reliable for navigation due to more satellite systems being used.
Trade-offs:
- The Honor 70 is a bit outdated, and lacks wireless charging, and an adequate telephoto camera.
- The Pura 70 is heavier, may be uncomfortable for some, and has a lower-resolution front camera.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Honor 70:
- Ideal For: Budget-conscious users, or those who prioritize a lighter phone and macro photography.
- Use Case: Casual daily use, social media, and photography where a front-facing camera is crucial.
- Recommendation: A solid mid-range phone for its price, but consider alternatives if you need cutting-edge features and performance.
Huawei Pura 70:
- Ideal For: Tech enthusiasts, power users, and those who demand top-tier performance and camera quality.
- Use Case: Photography, gaming, media consumption, outdoor use. A great daily driver for intensive users.
- Recommendation: The Pura 70 is significantly more powerful, with a better camera system and display, perfect for heavy and demanding users.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Consider these questions:
- How important is outdoor display visibility? If you frequently use your phone in bright sunlight, the Pura 70's much higher brightness is a game-changer.
- Do you prioritize wireless charging and telephoto camera capabilities? If so, the Pura 70 is the only choice here.
- Are you on a tight budget or do you prefer a lighter device? If price and weight are key factors, the Honor 70 offers a reasonable alternative.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Casual User: If you just need a phone for calls, social media, and some photography, the Honor 70 is adequate and a more budget-friendly.
- The Photography Lover: The Pura 70's superior main camera sensor, aperture, telephoto lens, and OIS make it the better choice.
- The Power User: The Pura 70 provides a better performance, higher storage, and more modern features, like wireless charging.
- The Outdoor Enthusiast: The brighter display and robust GPS of the Pura 70 make it ideal for users who spend a lot of time outdoors.
Which would I choose?
As a tech journalist and someone who appreciates the finer details, I'd personally lean towards the Huawei Pura 70. While the Honor 70 is a decent phone, the Pura 70 offers significant improvements that make a massive difference in day-to-day use. The higher resolution, brighter display, significantly better performance, superior main camera system, added telephoto lens, and wireless charging capabilities make it the superior phone.
As an enthusiast I appreciate the latest and greatest features, and for the better camera and performance I would prefer to carry a slightly heavier phone. The advantages that the Pura 70 offer will noticeably impact my enjoyment of using the phone, especially the screen, camera system and wireless charging. While the Honor 70 is a good phone at it's current price-point, the Pura 70 provides too many important benefits for me to justify choosing it's slightly older counterpart.
