Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Honor 70 and Realme 10. I'll break down their specs, highlight the key differences, and offer some real-world insights to help you decide which one might be right for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed table comparing the key specifications, with a focus on their real-world implications:
| Feature | Honor 70 | Realme 10 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-06-02 | 2022-11-11 | Realme 10 is newer by about 5 months, possibly featuring updated design and software. |
| Dimensions | 161.4 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm | 159.9 x 73.3 x 8 mm | Both have similar width, the Honor 70 is slightly taller and thinner. |
| Weight | 178g | 178g | Both feel equally light in your hand, and therefore the weight will be a non-factor to the user. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.4" | Honor 70 offers a more immersive viewing experience due to its larger screen. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both offer crisp and detailed images. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 411 PPI | Very similar sharpness, negligible difference in real-world use. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Vibrant colors and deep blacks on both; minor differences, often indistinguishable to the user. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Honor 70 provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | Realme 10 will be much easier to view outdoors, especially in bright sunlight. Honor 70 could be difficult to see in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Honor 70 has a faster processor, better for gaming, multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 401,886 | Honor 70 will feel faster and more responsive in day-to-day use; smoother experience overall. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G57 MC2 | Honor 70’s GPU offers superior graphics performance, leading to a better gaming experience. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 54MP | 50MP | Both capture highly detailed photos; Honor 70 has slightly higher resolution. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.49" | 1/2.76" | Honor 70 captures more light, has better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.9 | f/1.8 | Realme 10’s slightly wider aperture allows more light intake. |
| Selfie Camera Res. | 32MP | 16MP | Honor 70 has higher selfie resolution for sharper images. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.2" | 1/3.06" | Realme 10 has slightly larger sensor, so may capture slightly more light. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.4 | f/2.45 | Similar light-gathering capability |
| Wide Angle Camera | 50MP (f/2.2) | None | Honor 70 has a versatile wide-angle lens for group shots and landscapes, missing in the Realme 10. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP (f/2.4) | None | Honor 70 has an additional lens for close-up photography, missing in Realme 10. |
| Black & white camera | None | 2MP (f/2.4) | Realme 10 has a secondary lens for monochrome shots, missing in Honor 70. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps | Honor 70 captures higher-resolution, smoother videos, more versatile video features and better quality video. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Triple camera, Digital zoom, Digital image stabilization, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Digital zoom, Dual camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Honor 70 has a lot more camera features, and overall is a far more capable photography-oriented device. |
| DxoMark Score | Overall 115, Photo 115, Video 129 | N/A | Honor 70 has been thoroughly tested and is great for high-quality photo/video, Realme 10 has no DxoMark rating. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800 mAh | 5000 mAh | Realme 10 has slightly better battery life, but the difference isn’t very significant. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Honor 70 charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Features | Reverse charging | None | Honor 70 can be used as a portable power bank for other devices. |
| Other | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 | Android 12 | Both feature the same base OS. |
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | Honor 70 supports Wi-Fi 6 for faster and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 | Realme 10 has a newer Bluetooth for improved connectivity and power efficiency |
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 64/128/256 GB | Honor 70 offers a larger 512 GB version for users with lots of files. |
| RAM | 6/8/12 GB | 4/8 GB | Honor 70 offers more RAM, suitable for demanding tasks and apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both don’t support external storage, so choose the storage variant carefully. |
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, 2 microphones | Honor 70 has enhanced audio quality thanks to the addition of Stereo speakers. Realme 10 has better sound capture with two mics. |
| Security | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Realme 10 features a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Realme 10 features screen protection, while Honor 70’s screen protection is unknown. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Comprehensive sensor suite suitable for advanced features and gaming |
| ### 2. Key Insights |
- Honor 70: This phone is a strong contender for users who prioritize performance, a larger immersive display, and camera versatility. The Snapdragon 778G+ chipset provides a robust performance edge, and 120Hz screen will provide a smooth user experience. It stands out with its high-resolution selfie camera, 4K video capabilities, and a wide range of photography features, including wide-angle and macro lenses. The fast charging is also a major plus.
- Realme 10: It shines with its vibrant AMOLED screen with very high brightness, slightly better battery life, and newer Bluetooth technology. Although not as powerful as the Honor 70, it's still capable of handling everyday tasks and gaming. The Realme 10 is excellent for users who value a great screen with outdoor visibility and long battery life. The lower price point can be a compelling factor too.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- For the Power User: The Honor 70 is your pick. Its superior performance, smoother screen, and versatile camera system will appeal to gamers, content creators, and anyone who pushes their phone to its limits. If you're someone who uses their phone for heavy tasks, multitasking and high quality photography, then the Honor 70 is definitely your pick.
- For the Casual User: The Realme 10 is a great option for most everyday users with very good battery life and decent everyday performance. If you primarily browse the web, use social media, or stream videos, it offers very good value at a lower price point. It's a reliable phone with a great screen, which is perfect for most day-to-day tasks. The brightness of the display is also extremely useful for bright sunlight usage.
- For the Photography Enthusiast: Again, the Honor 70 is a clear winner. The combination of its high-resolution main camera with great sensor size, wide-angle lens, and 4K video capability make it a great choice for anyone who wants to capture high-quality photos and videos.
- For the Budget Conscious: The Realme 10 provides a good balance of features at a lower price point, and is probably the pick if you care about value-for-money. If you are not too concerned about ultimate speed or photography quality, and want a bright, vibrant display with long battery life, this is a great pick for you.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to consider when choosing between these two phones:
- How important is performance and smooth user experience? If it’s a top priority, the Honor 70’s superior chipset and 120Hz screen are hard to beat.
- How important are versatile and high quality photography features? If you plan on doing photography on a regular basis, the Honor 70 is the superior device with a greater number of camera features and overall greater image quality.
- How important is outdoor visibility in bright sunlight? If you need your phone to be visible in bright sunlight then the Realme 10 is the significantly better option with its 1000 nits brightness.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You’re a gamer who wants the best possible graphics and performance.
- Recommendation: Honor 70 is the best option.
- Scenario 2: You are a social media user who primarily browses the web and wants good battery life and a great display for watching content.
- Recommendation: Realme 10 strikes the perfect balance of price and features.
- Scenario 3: You want the best quality mobile photography and videography features for content creation.
- Recommendation: Honor 70, with a more powerful camera system.
- Scenario 4: You mostly use your phone for basic communication, and want the most bang for your buck.
- Recommendation: Realme 10 provides the best value.
My Choice
Given my preference for performance and the ability to capture great photos and videos, I would choose the Honor 70. The powerful Snapdragon processor and versatile camera features make it a more compelling choice for my personal use. Although the lack of brightness and screen protection is slightly worrying, it is still the better choice in my opinion. The faster charging is also extremely useful to have, and the higher refresh rate will make for a very smooth user experience.
If however I needed the phone for basic usage, and my biggest priority was to have excellent visibility even in direct sunlight, then the Realme 10 would be the pick for me, as it has a dramatically brighter screen than the Honor 70. It is also more suitable for those on a tighter budget.
