Alright, let's dive deep into the Honor 70 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. These two phones, while both aiming for the upper-mid-range market, offer very different experiences. Here's a breakdown designed to cut through the jargon and get to the heart of what matters to you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Honor 70 | Samsung Galaxy S24 FE | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.4 × 73.3 × 7.9 mm | 162 × 77.3 × 8 mm | The Galaxy S24 FE is slightly larger and wider, which might affect one-handed use. |
| Weight | 178g | 213g | The Honor 70 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ screen | The Galaxy S24 FE offers better protection against scratches and drops. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Both have very similar screen sizes, meaning similar screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Almost identical clarity for sharp text and images. |
| PPI | 395 | 385 | Very similar pixel density; images will appear equally sharp. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; a great viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations, making for a fluid experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1900 nits | The Galaxy S24 FE offers superior screen visibility under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325-AE Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Exynos 2400e (4 nm) | The Exynos chip in the S24 FE is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 1,600,000 | The S24 FE dominates here, indicating much better overall system performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Xclipse 940 | The S24 FE has a superior GPU for smoother, more realistic graphics during gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 54MP | 50MP | Honor 70 has a slightly higher resolution, but the difference is unlikely to be noticeable in typical use. |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/1.9 | f/1.8 | The Galaxy S24 FE's wider aperture allows for slightly better low-light performance |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.49" | 1/1.57" | Larger sensors usually capture more light and detail. Here, the Honor 70's sensor is slightly larger. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP | 10.8MP | The Honor 70's selfie camera has a much higher resolution. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.2" | 1/2.65" | The Galaxy S24 FE has a larger sensor here for selfies, despite lower MP |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 8MP | The S24 FE offers an additional telephoto lens for zoomed photography |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP | 13MP | The Honor 70 boasts a much higher-resolution wide-angle lens. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | None | The Honor 70 includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording (Max) | 4K@30fps | 8K@30fps | The S24 FE offers far higher video recording capabilities with up to 8K. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | OIS | The S24 FE uses the more effective optical image stabilization for smoother video recording. |
| DXOMARK Score | Main: 115 Photo: 115 Video: 129 | Main: 133 Photo: 136 Video: 125 | The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE provides better photo capabilities, while Honor 70 provides better video capabilities. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4700mAh | Both have similar battery capacities, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 66W fast charging | 25W fast charging | The Honor 70 charges much faster, reducing wait times. |
| Charging Features | Reverse | Bypass, Reverse, 15W Wireless | S24 FE gives more charging features |
| Other | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 | Android 14 | Galaxy S24 FE will have more up to date features |
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6E | Galaxy S24 FE supports better WiFi connectivity |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Newer version in Galaxy S24 FE may improve connectivity |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | The S24 FE has improved GPS capabilities |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM / eSIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | Galaxy S24 FE also includes eSIM functionality |
| Storage Options | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Both offer the same storage capacity options |
| RAM | 6/8/12 GB | 8 GB | The Honor 70 can have up to 12 GB of RAM, for improved multitasking |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device supports memory expansion |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Both devices have stereo speakers |
| Security | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both provide similar fingerprint security |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | The Galaxy S24 FE offers more environmental sensors for extra functionality |
2. Key Insights
Honor 70
- Strengths: The Honor 70 shines with its lightweight design, faster charging, and higher-resolution wide-angle and selfie cameras. It's a good choice for users who value a comfortable, easy-to-handle phone with a focus on fast charging.
- Competitive Advantages: Its main advantage is the 66W fast charging and higher resolution cameras, especially for selfies, making it a great option for content creators.
- Trade-offs: The Honor 70's biggest trade-off is its processor performance, significantly trailing the S24 FE. The lack of advanced features such as optical image stabilization and 8k video in the camera department and its older Android OS are also noticeable drawbacks.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
- Strengths: The Galaxy S24 FE excels in performance, display brightness, and camera capabilities (especially telephoto zoom and video). It's a powerhouse, offering a premium experience with an advanced chipset and versatile camera features.
- Competitive Advantages: It offers a more robust chipset, 8K video recording, superior screen brightness, and additional camera features. This is the device for users who demand peak performance.
- Trade-offs: It is heavier and bulkier than the Honor 70 and charges much slower. The lower resolution selfie camera, though with a larger sensor, may also be a drawback for some users.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Honor 70
- Best Suited For: Users who prioritize a lightweight, comfortable phone with a focus on fast charging and good selfie capabilities. Great for social media enthusiasts, content creators focusing on selfies and wide-angle shots, or anyone who needs a phone that charges quickly on the go.
- Use Cases: Casual photography, social media, everyday use, and situations where fast charging is crucial.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
- Best Suited For: Power users who demand top-tier performance, better display visibility, and professional-grade camera features, with an emphasis on video recording and telephoto zoom. Also well-suited for gamers and those who frequently watch videos.
- Use Cases: Gaming, professional photography and video creation, tasks requiring fast processing, users wanting the latest Android OS and connectivity features.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
- Do you prioritize performance or a lightweight design? If you value peak performance and advanced camera features, the S24 FE is the clear winner. If you prefer a light, easy-to-handle phone, then the Honor 70 will serve you better.
- How much do you value charging speed versus advanced camera features? If fast charging is a must-have, the Honor 70 shines. If you're more interested in an advanced telephoto camera with optical stabilization and better video capabilities, the S24 FE is a better choice.
- How important is screen brightness for you? If you live in a sunny environment, the S24 FE's significantly brighter display may be a must-have feature.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Content Creator: If you're primarily shooting selfies and wide-angle photos for social media, and need a fast-charging phone, the Honor 70 could be a good fit. For high-quality video and zoom capabilities, the S24 FE is the superior choice.
- The Mobile Gamer: The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is the better choice, thanks to its superior chipset and GPU.
- The Everyday User: If you value convenience and fast charging for your daily driver, the Honor 70 will be comfortable and efficient. If you want a more premium feel with a brighter display and better all-around performance, consider the S24 FE.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE.
While the Honor 70's fast charging is enticing, the overall package of the S24 FE is hard to ignore. As a tech journalist and enthusiast, I appreciate the superior performance, enhanced camera capabilities (especially the optical zoom and stabilization), and much brighter display. I frequently find myself in situations where I need a phone that can handle demanding tasks, capture great videos, and be easy to view outdoors. The extra weight and slower charging are a trade-off I'm willing to make for the overall capabilities and future-proofing that the S24 FE provides. Ultimately, the power of the chipset, paired with the 8K video and better display visibility, makes it the more compelling device for my needs.
