Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison between the Honor 70 and the Samsung Galaxy S24. We'll cut through the marketing fluff and focus on what these specs mean for your day-to-day life.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a deep dive into the specs, presented in a way that's both technically accurate and easy to understand:
| Feature | Honor 70 | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-06-02 | 2024-01-24 | The S24 is significantly newer (about 1.5 years), implying access to more recent advancements. |
| Dimensions | 161.4 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm | 147 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm | Honor 70 is larger and slightly thicker, which may feel less comfortable in small hands or pockets compared to the smaller S24. |
| Weight | 178g | 167g | S24 is a touch lighter, making it slightly more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.2" | Honor 70 offers a bigger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking; S24 more compact and pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both offer sharp visuals, with the S24 having slightly higher pixel density. |
| PPI | 395 | 416 | S24 will appear a tad sharper, with slightly crisper details. |
| Technology | OLED | Honor 70 has superior display tech offering vibrant colors and deep blacks; S24 is unstated here. | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2600 nits | S24 boasts significantly better outdoor visibility in bright conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) | S24 has a much more powerful processor, leading to noticeably better performance in games and resource-intensive apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 1,639,695 | S24 scores dramatically higher, translating to smoother multitasking and faster app loading times. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) / Xclipse 940 | S24 has significantly better graphics processing, resulting in higher frame rates and smoother gaming experiences. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4000mAh | Honor 70 likely offers better battery endurance due to its higher battery capacity. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Honor 70 charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | Bypass, Reverse Charging | S24 can bypass charging for battery health while gaming, while both offer reverse charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard Camera | 54MP, f/1.9, 1/1.49" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57" | Honor 70 has slightly higher resolution and larger sensor, which means better image quality, while the S24 has a wider aperture for better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2" | 12MP, f/2.2 | Honor 70 has a higher-resolution front camera, but S24 has a wider aperture for improved low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.4 | S24 has a dedicated telephoto lens, enabling better zoomed-in photos. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2 | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | Honor 70 has much higher resolution for wide-angle shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Honor 70 includes a dedicated macro lens, useful for extreme close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps w/EIS | 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS | S24 offers significantly higher quality video recording capabilities. |
| DxOMark Camera Score | 115 (Mobile), 129 (Video) | Not Provided | Honor 70 achieved decent scores while S24 does not have a listed score. |
| Additional Features | Ultra Stable Video, Night Mode | Night Mode 2.0, Optical Zoom | S24 features OIS and optical zoom, while Honor 70 offers Ultra stable video. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 14 | S24 comes with a much newer OS version, ensuring better security and access to the latest features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E | S24 supports the newer Wi-Fi 6E standard offering faster speeds and lower latency, and access to the 6GHz band. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | S24 features a newer version of Bluetooth with additional profiles for connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, etc | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, etc, QZSS | S24 supports more satellite navigation systems, improving location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM/eSIM | S24 supports eSIM, which allows for digital SIM card management. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB/512GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Both offer the same storage capacities. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB/12GB | 8GB/12GB | Both offer sufficient RAM for smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device supports expandable storage, consider your needs when buying. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | Noise Cancelling Mic, Stereo Speakers | Both offer stereo speakers, while Honor 70 offers Hi-Res audio and S24 has noise cancelling mic. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer basic fingerprint authentication for added security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Samsung S24 features robust screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, etc | Proximity, etc, Barometer | S24 has more environmental sensors (like a barometer), while Honor 70 has biometric fingerprint scanner. |
2. Key Insights
Honor 70 Strengths:
- Larger Display: Great for media consumption and multitasking.
- Larger Battery: Expect longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: 66W charging is significantly faster than the 25W on the S24.
- High-Resolution Front Camera: Great for selfie lovers.
- Macro Lens: Useful for niche close-up photography.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Strengths:
- Newer Chipset: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a powerhouse, making the S24 much faster.
- Brighter Display: Much better visibility in bright, outdoor conditions.
- Telephoto Lens: Better zoom capabilities.
- Superior Video: Higher video recording capabilities (8K with HDR).
- eSIM Support: Greater flexibility with mobile carriers.
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 14 out of the box.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
- Additional Sensors: Barometer sensor can be useful for certain scenarios.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Honor 70
- Older chipset with significantly less performance.
- Less versatile camera setup (lacks a telephoto lens).
- Less screen brightness and protection.
- Older version of Android.
- Samsung Galaxy S24
- Smaller battery compared to the Honor 70.
- Slower charging speed.
- Lacks a dedicated Macro lens.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Honor 70 is best suited for:
- Budget-conscious users: Those looking for a large screen and good battery life without breaking the bank.
- Media Consumers: People who watch a lot of videos and prefer a larger display.
- Casual Photographers: Users who primarily take selfies and general photos.
Samsung Galaxy S24 is best suited for:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Gamers and power users who need top-tier processing power.
- Serious Photographers: People who value image versatility with telephoto capabilities and high-quality video.
- Outdoor Users: Those who need a bright display for visibility in sunny conditions.
- Tech Savvy Users: Individuals who appreciate the latest software and connectivity features.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
How important is processing power and gaming performance to you?
- If critical, choose the Galaxy S24.
- If moderate, the Honor 70 can still be a viable option.
Do you value a larger display and battery over top-tier camera features?
- If yes, consider the Honor 70.
- If no, the Samsung S24 with a more versatile camera setup is a better pick.
How often will you use the phone outdoors in bright sunlight, and how important is video quality?
- If frequently or very important, the S24 with its brighter screen and video capabilities are ideal.
- If less often or not as important, the Honor 70 may suffice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: The Student
- Honor 70: Prioritizing battery life for long study sessions.
Scenario 2: The Creative Professional
- Samsung Galaxy S24: High-quality video and camera options.
Scenario 3: The Casual User
- Honor 70: Big screen, good battery life, without breaking the bank.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would go with the Samsung Galaxy S24. Here's why:
While the Honor 70 has its appeal, especially with the larger screen, faster charging, and potentially better battery life, the generational leap in performance with the S24's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is too significant to ignore. I value a device that can handle demanding tasks without breaking a sweat, provide a great camera experience, and give a seamless experience over a longer time, as it is a newer phone with a better updated software. The better display visibility in bright sunlight is also a factor for me as I am often working in varying light conditions. The trade-off in battery size is something that I'm willing to accept for the enhanced performance and better camera capabilities, given I charge my device daily. The Samsung Galaxy S24 offers a more well-rounded and premium experience, that aligns more closely to my needs.
