Okay, let's break down the Honor 70 and the Samsung Galaxy M35. I'll put my tech journalist hat on and dive deep, giving you the practical insights you need.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Honor 70 | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-06-02 | 2024-05-24 | The M35 is a much newer phone, meaning potentially better software support and newer features |
| Dimensions | 161.4 × 73.3 × 7.9 mm, 178g | 162.3 × 78.6 × 9.1 mm, 222g | Honor 70 is significantly lighter and thinner, making it more pocketable and comfortable for extended use. M35 is bulkier and heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.6" | Both offer large screens; the difference is negligible in real-world use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both are Full HD, with slight differences; very difficult to discern with naked eye. |
| PPI | 395 | 390 | Excellent sharpness, equally difficult to distinguish the difference. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both use great quality panel technology, meaning vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both, ideal for gaming and daily use. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness data is missing here, limiting our understanding of sunlight visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | Both are capable mid-range chipsets; the Exynos is a bit newer and should have slightly more power efficiency |
| Antutu Score | 600,525 | 578,500 | Both offer comparable real-world performance, handling most tasks with ease; Honor 70 is slightly faster in synthetic benchmarks |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G68 MP5 | Both are capable GPUs, suitable for gaming and graphic-intensive tasks; differences won’t be that much perceptible |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 6000mAh | M35 has a significantly larger battery, likely leading to longer battery life. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging (Li-Polymer) | 25W Fast Charging (Li-Ion) | Honor 70 charges much faster, while M35’s longer battery will require more charging time. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Non-removable | Honor 70 can share its charge, while M35 cannot. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 54MP f/1.9 (1/1.49" Sony IMX800) | 50MP f/1.8 (1/2" Sony LYT-600) | Honor 70 has a larger sensor and slightly higher resolution, potentially leading to better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.4 | 13MP f/2.2 | Honor 70 has significantly higher resolution, which should mean more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP f/2.2 | 8MP f/2.2 | Honor 70 has much higher resolution, meaning far more detailed wide-angle shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Macro lenses are equivalent. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, EIS, 1080p@60fps; No; 960fps slow-mo | 4K@30fps, EIS, 1080p@60fps; Yes; 480fps slow-mo | Both have capable video recording; M35 offers video stabilization and lower slow-motion recording |
| DXOMark Score | 115 (Photo: 115, Video: 129) | N/A | Honor 70's camera performance is good, according to the DXOMark scores, but M35 has not been tested by DXOMark. |
| Features | RAW, other usual features | OIS, AutoFraming, All Pixel Omni- Directional PDAF, RAW 12 bits, DOL HDR, other usual features | M35 has significant OIS and other video recording enhancements, while Honor 70 also supports RAW format. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 14 | Samsung Galaxy M35 offers a more recent OS out of the box with likely longer update support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, Dual Band, MIMO | Wi-Fi 6, Dual Band, MIMO | Both support fast Wi-Fi speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | M35 has a newer Bluetooth version with more features |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | M35 is slightly more accurate in location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both support dual SIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256 GB | Honor 70 has a 512 GB option for users needing more storage. |
| RAM | 6/8/12 GB | 6/8 GB | Honor 70 offers up to 12 GB of RAM, beneficial for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | M35 includes Dolby Atmos for enhanced spatial audio, while both offer Hi-Res Audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | M35 offers a more convenient fingerprint sensor placement. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | M35 offers much better screen protection. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity, Compass, Gyroscope, Accelerometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity, Hall, Geomagnetic | Both have useful sets of sensors, but M35 has more advanced sensors overall |
2. Key Insights
Honor 70 Strengths:
- Lighter & Thinner Design: More comfortable for prolonged use and easier to carry.
- Faster Charging: 66W charging is a game-changer for quickly topping up your battery.
- Camera Prowess: Boasts a higher resolution main camera and wide angle lens, which will be very useful for those who use the wide angle a lot. The DXOMark scores highlight its video recording capability, and the RAW format is a plus for advanced photographers.
- More Storage and RAM Options: Offers a 512GB storage and 12GB RAM variant, catering to power users.
- Reverse Charging: The option to charge other devices is a handy extra.
Samsung Galaxy M35 Strengths:
- Newer Device: Launched more recently, which might mean longer software support.
- Larger Battery: 6000mAh battery capacity promises longer battery life, which is great for users who want to use the phone all day without worry.
- Better Display Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus is more scratch and shatter-resistant.
- Better Video Recording: The Samsung M35 offers OIS and other video recording enhancements.
- More Advanced Bluetooth: The new Bluetooth version with more features like aptX Adaptive.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos provides a superior audio experience.
- Advanced Sensors: Inclusion of hall, geomagnetic, and ultrasonic sensors for advanced features.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Weight and Size: The Samsung Galaxy M35 is heavier and bulkier, affecting comfort for some users.
- Charging Speed: M35 charges much slower than Honor 70, meaning more time plugged in.
- Selfie Camera The Samsung Galaxy M35 has a considerably lower resolution on the selfie camera, which can affect the detail of the shots.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Honor 70 is best for:
- Style-conscious users: Appreciates the thinner, lighter design.
- Photography enthusiasts: Wants better camera resolution and a RAW option.
- Users needing quick charge: Prioritize fast charging above all else.
- Users with many files: Those wanting large storage and RAM options.
Use Case: A content creator who is often on the go and needs a reliable device for creating high-quality photos and videos. The Honor 70 is a perfect fit because it has great video quality and a light build.
Samsung Galaxy M35 is best for:
- Users with longer battery requirements: Prioritizes battery life.
- Users prone to drops: Wants a phone with more robust screen protection.
- Audio enthusiasts: Enjoys music and movies with a better audio experience.
- Users wanting the latest software: Those wanting a more recent Android version.
- Users who heavily rely on video: The OIS and video features are an excellent addition.
Use Case: A professional who travels often, uses the phone all day for calls, emails, and navigation, and wants the phone to withstand any scratches or damages. The Samsung M35 with its large battery, robust screen, and enhanced Bluetooth is ideal.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help users decide, here are three practical questions to consider:
What do I value more: portability and speed, or battery life and durability? If you prefer a lightweight and fast-charging phone, the Honor 70 is a better choice, but if battery life is the main priority, the Samsung M35 is better.
How important is the camera to me? If you value the main camera, wide-angle and selfies more, the Honor 70 is great, but if you're after more stable video with OIS and other features, then the Samsung M35 is better.
Do I need the latest software and advanced sensor features, or is a quick and light phone more important? If the latest software and sensor features are a must-have, then the Samsung M35 is a better fit.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: The Casual User:
- Needs: A good balance of features, ease of use, and reliable performance.
- Recommendation: The Samsung Galaxy M35 is better due to its larger battery and robust screen.
Scenario 2: The Power User:
- Needs: Top-tier performance, large storage, quick charging and good camera performance.
- Recommendation: The Honor 70 due to its larger storage and better camera, while also having fast charging.
Scenario 3: The Multimedia Fanatic:
- Needs: Great display, good audio and robust battery life.
- Recommendation: The Samsung Galaxy M35 due to the Dolby Atmos support, enhanced Bluetooth, battery life, and durability.
My Choice:
If I were choosing between the two, I would personally opt for the Samsung Galaxy M35. While I appreciate the Honor 70's fast charging and lighter build, the M35's larger battery is a game changer for me. As a tech journalist, I use my phone throughout the day for research, note-taking, and content creation. The M35's enhanced audio and video features are also a big draw for me, coupled with better protection for the screen. Also, the newer operating system means software updates will be supported for a longer period of time.
The decision depends on personal needs, but if I was making the call, the Samsung Galaxy M35 wins due to its better battery, video recording capabilities, build quality, and newer technology.
