Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Honor 70 and the Motorola ThinkPhone. Both are compelling devices, but they target slightly different needs and preferences. I'll break down the specs, offer my insights, and help you figure out which one might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at the specs, with a focus on what they mean for you in everyday use:
| Feature | Honor 70 | Motorola ThinkPhone | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.4 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm | 158.8 x 74.4 x 8.3 mm | Honor 70 is taller and thinner; Motorola is slightly wider and thicker. ThinkPhone's build may feel more robust. |
| Weight | 178g | 188.5g | Honor 70 is noticeably lighter, which can be beneficial for longer use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.6" | Very similar display sizes; negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical resolution; both offer sharp visuals. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 399 PPI | Practically indistinguishable in terms of sharpness. |
| Technology | OLED | P-OLED | Both offer excellent color and contrast; P-OLED often implies slightly better flexibility. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Motorola ThinkPhone will feel smoother in animations and scrolling, especially during fast-paced gaming and social feeds. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | Motorola ThinkPhone has significantly better outdoor visibility due to its much higher peak brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G+ (6nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) | Motorola ThinkPhone has a much more powerful and energy-efficient chipset, leading to better performance across the board. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 1,232,700 | Motorola ThinkPhone is significantly faster, capable of handling demanding tasks and games with ease. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 730 | Motorola ThinkPhone has a much more capable GPU, which results in superior graphics performance. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | Motorola ThinkPhone's battery is slightly larger, which might translate into marginally longer usage. |
| Charging | 66W | 68W | Both charge fast, with a negligible advantage to Motorola ThinkPhone. |
| Features | Reverse charging | 15W Wireless Charging | Honor 70 can reverse charge other devices, while Motorola ThinkPhone has wireless charging capabilities. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 54MP | 50MP | Honor 70 has a slight edge in resolution, but both are high-quality. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.9 | f/1.8 | Motorola ThinkPhone's wider aperture allows more light, potentially better performance in low light. |
| Main Sensor Size | 1/1.49" | 1/1.55" | Honor 70 has a slightly larger sensor, which helps with better light capture. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 32MP | 32MP | Identical resolution, equally good selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP | No | Honor 70 has a dedicated wide angle lens, for ultra wide shots. |
| Portrait Mode | No | 2MP Depth | Motorola ThinkPhone has a depth sensor for better portrait mode shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | No | Honor 70 has a dedicated macro lens, for close up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | No | 13MP | Motorola ThinkPhone combines wide-angle and macro, for versatile shooting. |
| Video Resolution | 4K@30fps | 8K@30fps | Motorola ThinkPhone has an edge here, for higher resolution videos. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | Yes | Motorola ThinkPhone has better video stabilization compared to Honor 70. |
| Video Slow-motion | 960 fps | 120 fps | Honor 70 has a higher framerate slow-motion recording. |
| DXOMark Score | 115(Mobile), 115(Photo), 129(Video) | N/A | Honor 70 has better camera metrics. |
| Camera Features | Ultra stable video, Night Mode | 8K Video, Optical zoom, OIS, PDAF | Motorola ThinkPhone provides more features and technologies. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13 | Motorola ThinkPhone offers a more updated version of Android out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support similar high-speed Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 + APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.2 | Honor 70 offers more codecs support. |
| GPS | Standard + GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Standard + GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Motorola ThinkPhone has wider support for GPS. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 256 GB | Honor 70 offers more flexibility in terms of storage variants. |
| RAM | 6/8/12 GB | 8 GB | Honor 70 offers more options for RAM configurations. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Motorola ThinkPhone has enhanced audio processing. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both use basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass Victus | Motorola ThinkPhone uses superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Honor 70 has an extra compass sensor. |
2. Key Insights
- Motorola ThinkPhone's Strengths: The ThinkPhone clearly wins in raw performance and display quality, driven by its superior Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, higher refresh rate and brightness. It also offers more advanced video capabilities, wireless charging, and Dolby Atmos audio. The Gorilla Glass Victus is a clear advantage for longevity.
- Honor 70's Strengths: The Honor 70 stands out with its versatile storage and RAM options. It also has a larger main camera sensor and a dedicated wide-angle lens, and a dedicated macro camera. While slightly less performant overall, it has reverse charging, and its DxOMark scores indicate strong camera capabilities.
- Trade-offs: The Honor 70 trades raw power for some camera versatility and slightly lower performance. The Motorola ThinkPhone has better performance, display, and build quality.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Motorola ThinkPhone is best for:
- Power Users: Those who need the fastest performance, for gaming, video editing, or demanding apps.
- Content Creators: Users who need the best video quality and want to utilize 8K video recording.
- Outdoor Users: Those who need a display that is clearly visible under bright sunlight.
- Professionals: Users who benefit from a robust phone with advanced features like wireless charging, a premium build, and strong processing power for productivity.
- Honor 70 is best for:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value camera versatility, especially with a wide angle and macro lenses.
- Users with Variable Storage Needs: Those who may want the option of either more or less storage.
- Everyday Users: Those seeking a well-rounded device, with a focus on good camera features.
- Users who want to reverse charge: If you are around other devices that may need a boost, the reverse charging capability might be for you.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to ask yourself to help decide:
- Performance Needs: How important is top-tier performance to your daily use? If you need the best available, the ThinkPhone is a clear winner.
- Camera Preferences: Do you prefer a wider range of lenses (wide angle + macro) and want a high score in DXOMARK camera benchmarks or do you prioritize advanced video quality and features (8K, OIS, PDAF)?
- Display requirements: Do you spend a lot of time outdoors where brightness is critical, or do you have no issue with the brightness of a more standard display?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Performance Gamer/Content Creator:
- Recommendation: Motorola ThinkPhone. It will provide the smoothest gameplay, the fastest rendering times, and the best video recording capabilities.
- Scenario 2: Photography and Social Media Enthusiast:
- Recommendation: Honor 70. While the processing power may not be as high, the Honor 70 will provide more camera versatility with different lenses.
- Scenario 3: Everyday User with Balanced Needs:
- Recommendation: This depends on your preference. If your day involves watching videos in direct sunlight, the Motorola ThinkPhone would be better. However, if you would like to have the option of different lenses and would use reverse charging, then the Honor 70 is the best choice.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Motorola ThinkPhone. The combination of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, the brighter display, advanced video capabilities (8K, OIS, PDAF), and wireless charging is just too compelling. As someone who uses their phone for a variety of demanding tasks, and often enjoys high quality mobile video, the performance and quality of the ThinkPhone is worth the extra price. The significantly enhanced video capabilities and higher display brightness make it a more forward-looking choice for me personally.
While the Honor 70 has some great strengths, such as its wide angle and macro lenses, my preference always leans towards the device with the best performance and modern features. If it wasn't for the Thinkphone's superior performance, build quality, and brighter display, I might have chosen the Honor 70.
