Okay, let's break down the Honor 70 and Realme 11 Pro. I've got my engineering hat on, and I'm ready to dig into the details, translating specs into real-world experiences for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table to highlight the key differences:
| Feature | Honor 70 | Realme 11 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.4 × 73.3 × 7.9 mm, 178g | 161.7 × 73.9 × 8.2 mm, 183g | The Honor 70 is slightly lighter and thinner, which might feel a bit more comfortable for long usage; however the difference is very marginal. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both phones have standard design; no foldable mechanism |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Both have near-identical display sizes; the 0.03" difference is negligible. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2412 | Very similar resolution; both will provide a crisp and clear viewing experience. |
| PPI | 395 | 394 | Pixel density is essentially the same; both screens will look equally sharp. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer great colors and deep blacks; AMOLED often has slightly better power efficiency. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations, great for gaming and daily use. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | Realme 11 Pro is significantly brighter, offering much better visibility under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | Different chips, but both are in the mid-range performance category. The Snapdragon often edges out in raw performance, particularly gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 540,800 | The Honor 70's score indicates slightly better general performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G68 MC4 | The Adreno GPU is generally preferred for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 54MP f/1.9, 1/1.49" Sony IMX800, 1.0µm | 100MP f/1.75, 1/1.8" Omnivision OVA0B40, 0.61µm | The Realme has a higher megapixel count, but the Honor 70 has a larger sensor. Larger sensors generally capture more light and better quality images particularly in low-light conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.4, 1/3.2" Omnivision OV32C, 0.70µm | 16MP f/2.45, 1/3.1" Samsung S5K3P9, 1.0µm | The Honor 70 has a higher megapixel count, but the Realme 11 Pro has a larger sensor on the selfie cam and therefore a better performing sensor when light is limited. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP f/2.2 | None | Honor 70 has a dedicated wide-angle lens while the Realme 11 Pro does not. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4, 1/5" GalaxyCore GC02M1, 1.75µm | Both phones have similar Macro lens capabilities. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, EIS | 4K@30fps, EIS, 1080p@120fps and 480fps | Both record in 4K, but the Realme 11 Pro offers higher frame rate options for slow motion and more video stabilizations options. |
| DXOMark (Honor 70) | Overall: 115, Photo: 115, Video: 129 | Not Available | Honor 70's DXOMark scores provide a good baseline; the absence of Realme 11 Pro results indicates an unknown quality level. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800 mAh | 5000 mAh | Realme 11 Pro has a slightly larger battery which might give it a bit more endurance. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Both offer very fast charging; the difference is very minor, making them equally capable of quick recharges. |
| Battery Features | Reverse charging | None | Honor 70 can act as a power bank, while the Realme 11 Pro cannot. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13, upgradable to 15 | Realme 11 Pro comes with a newer version of Android, implying a longer software support cycle. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support modern Wi-Fi standards; Honor 70 has MIMO which may provide better speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Realme 11 Pro has a newer version of Bluetooth, offering potentially better efficiency and stability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), QZSS (L1 + L5) | The Realme 11 Pro has a better GPS system, this will result in a more reliable and accurate location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB/512GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Both have identical storage options. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB/12GB | 8GB/12GB | Both provide good RAM options. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion via SD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Features | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both phones have stereo speakers, while the Honor 70 offers Hi-Res Audio, the Realme offers Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer a basic fingerprint sensor for biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have an unknown layer of screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | The Honor 70 has a compass sensor whereas the Realme 11 Pro has a geomagnetic sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Honor 70 Strengths:
- Performance: Slightly better processing power (Snapdragon) and GPU which translates to better gaming and overall snappiness.
- Camera: Larger main sensor, dedicated wide-angle lens and better selfie camera in terms of megapixels; the video recording quality is well tested as indicated by the DXO Mark results.
- Battery Features: Reverse charging capabilities to power other devices.
- Audio: Hi-Res audio to have a more immersive audio experience.
Realme 11 Pro Strengths:
- Display: Significantly higher brightness makes it better in direct sunlight.
- Battery: Slightly larger battery and faster charging might offer better battery life.
- Software: Newer Android version with a more extended update lifecycle.
- Connectivity: Newer version of Bluetooth and a more advanced GPS system.
- Video: A larger variety of video stabilization options and slow motion capabilities.
Trade-offs:
- The Honor 70 misses out on the Realme 11 Pro's higher brightness and longer software support.
- The Realme 11 Pro lacks a dedicated wide-angle lens and has a smaller main camera sensor.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Honor 70 Users:
- Gamers: The Snapdragon chipset and Adreno GPU will deliver better gaming performance.
- Photography Enthusiasts: The larger main sensor, dedicated wide-angle lens and a well-tested video camera will be preferable.
- Tech Savvy: Reverse charging is a very useful feature that can be used for charging other smaller devices when you are on the go.
- Audio Lovers: The Hi-Res audio will provide a better listening experience.
Realme 11 Pro Users:
- Outdoor Users: The much brighter display is essential in sunny environments.
- Long-Term Users: The promise of an extended software support cycle is very important for people looking for a phone that will last them many years.
- Video Content Creators: The Realme 11 Pro will be better for video creators because it has more video stabilization options and slow motion recording frame rates.
- Travelers: Better GPS and Bluetooth connectivity is vital for travelers.
- Casual Users: Dolby Atmos and the more intuitive user interface make this phone great for casual users.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are some questions to help you decide:
- How important is outdoor screen visibility to you? If you’re often in direct sunlight, the Realme 11 Pro's brighter display is crucial.
- What do you value more, raw performance or software updates? If you need a solid performance now, go for Honor. If you prefer having the newest Android version for longer, the Realme is a better fit.
- Do you take a lot of wide-angle photos or need reverse charging? The Honor 70 is better if you prefer more flexibility in your camera or need the extra battery feature.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Gamer on a Budget: Go for the Honor 70 because of the better performance it offers at this price range.
- For the Outdoorsy Person: The Realme 11 Pro, with its better screen visibility, will be the right pick.
- For the Photography Lover: The Honor 70 is the better choice thanks to the larger main sensor, dedicated wide-angle lens, and tested video performance.
- For the Long-Term User: The Realme 11 Pro's longer software support will serve you well.
Final thoughts
Both of these phones are fantastic mid-range offerings, and the best choice depends entirely on your needs. The Honor 70 is slightly better for performance, camera quality, and reverse charging. But, the Realme 11 Pro shines in display brightness, software updates, video recording flexibility, and better connectivity options.
Which would I choose? Personally, I'd lean towards the Realme 11 Pro. As a tech journalist, I prioritize seeing the screen outdoors, getting the latest Android updates, and value the better connectivity. That said, if I needed a phone that can deliver on gaming or need the reverse charging feature, the Honor 70 would definitely be a great choice.
