Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Honor 70 and the Samsung Galaxy A54. As always, I'll cut through the marketing jargon and get straight to what these differences mean for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Honor 70 | Samsung Galaxy A54 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.4 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm | 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm | Honor 70 is taller and thinner; A54 is wider and slightly thicker. Honor 70 will feel more elongated, A54 might be better for wider palms. |
| Weight | 178g | 202g | Honor 70 is noticeably lighter, which can be a big plus for one-handed use and comfort over long periods. |
| Build | Unknown Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | A54 has a more robust screen, so its more likely to survive a fall or two. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.4" | Honor 70 offers more screen real estate, ideal for media consumption; A54 is more compact but very good. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both are Full HD+, meaning sharp text and images, slight difference won't be noticeable in everyday use. |
| PPI | 395 | 403 | Similar pixel density – both displays are very sharp. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both provide vibrant colors and deep blacks; negligible differences between the two here. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations. Both offer a fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | A bit odd that both have this listed as 0 nits, but in reality, these are bright displays, but i cannot quantify with the data provided. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G+ (6nm) | Exynos 1380 (5nm) | Different chips: Snapdragon in Honor 70 has strong all-round performance; Exynos in the A54 is a capable, modern chip and should offer similar real-world performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 578,600 | Both phones offer similar performance levels. The difference here is negligible for most users. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G68 MP5 | These GPUs are broadly similar in performance, but the Adreno has an edge. However in practice differences are small and are unlikely to be noticable. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 54MP f/1.9, 1/1.49" | 50MP f/1.8, 1/1.56" | Honor 70: larger sensor, may result in better low-light. A54: Slightly wider aperture. Honor may deliver better performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.4, 1/3.2" | 32MP f/2.2, 1/2.8" | A54 has wider aperture and a larger sensor, resulting in slightly better selfie quality, especially in low light, however its a tiny difference. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP f/2.2 | 13MP f/2.2, 1/3.1" | Honor 70 has higher resolution, potentially offering more detail in wide-angle shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | 5MP f/2.4 | Samsung A54 has more detail in macro shots |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, EIS | 4K@30fps, EIS, OIS | Both record sharp 4K video. A54 has optical image stabilization, offering smoother videos, A54 also has some additional video features not found on the Honor 70 |
| DxOMark Scores | Honor (115/115/129), A54 (107/106/115) | Honor performs better, especially for video, by a considerable amount. | |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | A54 has a slightly larger battery, should result in better battery life, but the difference wont be much. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Honor 70 charges much faster, very beneficial if you're always on the go. |
| Battery Features | Reverse charging | None | Honor can act as a power bank for other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13 | A54 has the newer software, A54 will receive more updates from google, and will be supported by its manufacturer longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support the newest Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 | A54 has the newest Bluetooth standard, but the differences are minor. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | A54 has more satellite networks for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Dual SIM, Dual Standby, eSIM | A54 has support for digital SIMs, beneficial when traveling. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512GB | 128/256GB | Honor has more storage options, and 512GB variant is perfect for those with lots of media and photos. |
| RAM | 6/8/12GB | 6/8GB | Honor offers more RAM in its top config, which is good for heavy multi-tasking, whereas the A54 is capped at 8GB. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phones support expandable storage, a negative for users with large media libraries. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | A54 has Dolby Atmos, giving better immersive spatial audio. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic in-display | Basic in-display | Both phones provide basic biometric security using a finger print sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both phones have the common sensors, with the A54 having a few additional ones for more features and enhanced accuracy. |
2. Key Insights
Honor 70:
- Strengths:
- Lighter and thinner design: Easier to handle and more comfortable for long-term use.
- Faster Charging: 66W charging is a significant advantage, very practical for busy users.
- Better Main Camera & Video: The larger sensor and slightly better video capabilities make it a good choice for photography enthusiasts.
- More Storage options: Users who need large ammounts of storage, or who want a middle storage option, are better suited by the Honor
- Trade-offs:
- No OIS for video.
- Screen protection is unknown and less reliable.
- Slightly older software.
Samsung Galaxy A54:
- Strengths:
- More Durable Build: Gorilla Glass 5 provides better screen protection.
- Better Video Stabilization: Optical image stabilization (OIS) makes for smoother videos.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 13 and is expected to receive more updates.
- Additional Sensors & Features More sensors mean better features and slightly more accuracy, also includes Dolby Atmos.
- Better Selfie Camera: Slightly wider aperture and a larger sensor means better selfies.
- eSIM support: Useful for travel.
- Trade-offs:
- Slower Charging.
- Heavier and thicker design, not as comfortable for one-handed use for extended periods.
- Slightly less powerful CPU and GPU.
- Main Camera is only slightly worse, but less well scoring in Video
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Honor 70:
- Best for:
- Users who prioritize a lightweight and sleek design.
- Those who need fast charging capabilities and a better camera with more control.
- Users who capture lots of photos and videos and want the largest storage available.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile content creators who value high-quality video and fast battery top-ups.
- Daily commuters who want a comfortable and light phone.
- Photography enthusiasts looking for good low light performance.
Samsung Galaxy A54:
- Best for:
- Users who prioritize durability and future software updates.
- People who rely on video recording and want better stabilization features.
- Users who want the best possible audio experience.
- Frequent travelers needing eSIM support.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday users who need a robust and reliable phone.
- Users who enjoy capturing and sharing videos.
- People who value software support.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
Do you value portability and fast charging above all else?
- Yes: Honor 70.
- No: Consider Samsung Galaxy A54.
Do you prioritize video recording stability and software longevity?
- Yes: Samsung Galaxy A54.
- No: Consider Honor 70.
Is a larger storage option a necessity for your digital life?
- Yes: Honor 70.
- No: Both are equally valid options.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The On-The-Go Creator
- Recommendation: Honor 70 for its fast charging, slightly better video quality, and lighter design.
- Scenario 2: The Everyday User
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A54 for its durability, slightly better camera, and newer software.
- Scenario 3: The Photo Buff
- Recommendation: Honor 70 for the higher resolution cameras, large sensor, and large storage options, and better DxOmark score.
My Pick
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally lean towards the Honor 70. The faster charging, lighter design, and larger sensor in the main camera align more closely with my needs. While the Samsung A54 offers some benefits in terms of durability and software, the Honor 70's strengths in the core areas I care about make it the better option for me. The better performance in most real-world scenarios also sways me, especially considering that storage is important to me, and I use the camera frequently, this makes it an easy choice.
