Alright, let's break down the Honor 70 and TCL 40 SE. As a tech journalist and smartphone analyst, I'm not just interested in specs; I'm looking at how these devices fit into your life. Here’s a detailed comparison with a focus on real-world implications:
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Honor 70 | TCL 40 SE | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.4 × 73.3 × 7.9 mm | 167.9 × 76.5 × 8.5 mm | The Honor 70 is more compact and thinner, making it potentially easier to handle with one hand. The TCL is noticeably larger and bulkier. |
| Weight | 178g | 190g | The Honor 70 is lighter, which can improve comfort during prolonged use. The TCL is heavier by 12g. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.75" | Both have large screens for immersive viewing, with a negligible 0.08" difference. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 720 x 1600 | The Honor 70 has a much sharper display, meaning crisper text and more detailed images. The TCL's lower resolution will result in a less sharp picture. |
| PPI | 395 | 260 | The Honor 70's higher pixel density means images and text will look significantly clearer. The difference is quite visible. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | The Honor 70's OLED screen offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. TCL's IPS screen will have shallower contrast and colors |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The Honor 70's 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations look smoother, providing a more fluid user experience. The TCL 40 SE screen is not as smooth. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 900 nits | The TCL 40 SE is much brighter, making it much easier to see under direct sunlight. The Honor 70 will be hard to view outside. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Mediatek Helio G37 (12 nm) | The Honor 70's chipset is vastly more powerful, providing smoother multitasking, faster app loading and better gaming performance. The TCL will lag when performing intensive tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 160,000 | The Honor 70 is significantly faster in real-world use, easily handling demanding tasks. The TCL 40 SE is better suited for basic everyday tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | PowerVR GE8320 | The Honor 70 has a more powerful GPU, which translates to a better gaming experience with higher frame rates and smoother graphics. The TCL is less capable at gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 54MP, f/1.9, 1/1.49" Sony IMX800 | 50MP, f/1.85 | The Honor 70's primary camera has a larger sensor, which typically results in better low-light performance, and has a better quality sensor with bigger pixels. The TCL 40 SE has an aperture that slightly lets more light in. |
| Front Camera | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2" Omnivision OV32C | 8MP, f/2.0 | The Honor 70’s selfie camera is much higher resolution and more advanced. The TCL 40 SE has slightly wider aperture for better low light. |
| Wide Angle lens | 50MP, f/2.2 | None | The Honor 70 can capture wider shots, great for landscapes and group photos. The TCL 40 SE does not have this feature. |
| Portrait Camera (depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The TCL 40 SE has a dedicated depth sensor that can improve portrait photos with blurred backgrounds. The Honor 70 lacks a dedicated depth sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both phones have similar macro capabilities. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps | 1080p@30fps | The Honor 70 can record higher-quality 4K videos, with much better stabilization at all resolutions. The TCL is limited to 1080p30fps |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Digital Image Stabilization, Ultra Stable Video, RAW, Night Mode, etc. | Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), etc | The Honor 70 offers a broader range of advanced camera features for more creative photography. The TCL lacks some of the more advanced features of the Honor 70. |
| DxoMark | Overall: 115, Photo: 115, Video: 129 | Not tested | The Honor 70 is a tested and proven camera performer in its class, making it good for high quality photography. The TCL camera performance isn't known. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800 mAh | 5010 mAh | The TCL has a slightly bigger battery, potentially providing longer battery life by a small margin. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | The Honor 70 charges much faster, allowing quick top-ups. The TCL 40 SE will take a longer time to fully charge. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | None | The Honor 70 can act as a power bank for other devices. The TCL 40 SE lacks reverse charging. |
| Software and Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13 | The TCL 40 SE has a slightly newer OS, which means it is more up to date. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | The Honor 70 supports faster Wi-Fi with the latest standard. The TCL 40 SE has older wifi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, APT-x, LDAC | 5.1, EDR | The Honor 70 has a newer version of bluetooth with support for more codecs, resulting in higher quality audio wirelessly. |
| Storage and RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256 GB | The Honor 70 offers more maximum storage space. |
| RAM | 6/8/12 GB | 4/6 GB | The Honor 70 can be configured with up to 12GB of RAM for better multitasking and performance. |
| Expandable Storage | None | None | Neither phone allows you to expand storage. |
| Audio & Security | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Stereo Speakers | The Honor 70 has better quality audio with support for Hi-Res audio. Both phones have stereo speakers. |
| Security | Fingerprint | Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor | The TCL 40 SE has a more convenient side mounted fingerprint sensor. The Honor 70 has a less advanced fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality and Sensors | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both screen protection technologies are unknown. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Proximity, Gravity, Fingerprint | The Honor 70 is more comprehensive with a gyroscope and compass. The TCL 40 SE lacks these but has a gravity sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Honor 70 Strengths:
- Superior Display: The OLED panel, higher resolution, and smoother 120Hz refresh rate make the viewing experience significantly better.
- Powerful Performance: The Snapdragon 778G+ chipset offers far superior processing and gaming capabilities.
- Enhanced Camera System: The higher-resolution sensors, 4K video recording, and advanced features like digital image stabilization give a clear advantage.
- Fast Charging: 66W fast charging drastically reduces downtime and offers reverse charging.
- Premium Audio: Hi-Res Audio support makes for a more immersive sound experience.
TCL 40 SE Strengths:
- Brighter Display: The 900 nits peak brightness is a huge advantage in outdoor visibility.
- Larger Battery: The slightly bigger battery offers a bit more battery life.
- Newer OS: Runs on Android 13 out of the box.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Scanner: Easier to reach than the basic sensor on the Honor 70.
- Affordability: The TCL 40 SE is likely to be more budget-friendly.
Trade-offs:
- Honor 70: Its main trade-off is the lower brightness of its display, which makes it difficult to use under bright sunlight. The basic fingerprint sensor also provides less convenient biometric unlocking.
- TCL 40 SE: The big trade-offs are its lower display resolution, less capable chipset, and weaker camera performance. Its bulk and slower charging might make it less convenient to use.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Honor 70:
- Ideal For: Users who prioritize a premium display experience, high performance, and advanced camera capabilities. Perfect for those who stream videos, play games, and take lots of pictures.
- Use Cases: Social media creators, mobile gamers, and anyone who values visual fidelity and fast performance.
- Value Proposition: Justifies a higher price with superior overall experience.
TCL 40 SE:
- Ideal For: Budget-conscious users who need a big screen for media consumption and a device that will be mainly used indoors.
- Use Cases: Basic communication, web browsing, and some casual media consumption.
- Value Proposition: Excellent value for its price, offering essential features at a lower cost with a brighter screen.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Three Key Questions to Ask Yourself:
- How important is display quality to you? (Sharpness, color accuracy, brightness)
- What types of tasks do you perform the most on your phone? (Gaming, photography, basic use)
- What's your budget? (Are you looking for the best value or willing to pay for premium features?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "The Gamer/Content Creator": If you're a heavy gamer or create a lot of social media content, the Honor 70 is the clear choice with its superior performance, camera, and display.
- Scenario 2: "The Budget-Conscious User": If you need a device for essential tasks and prioritize a budget-friendly price, the TCL 40 SE is a solid choice, offering great value.
- Scenario 3: "The Outdoorsy Media Viewer": If you watch a lot of media on your phone outside in bright sunlight, the TCL 40 SE is a better fit because of its bright display.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing between these two devices, I would choose the Honor 70. While the TCL 40 SE has a brighter screen which is useful for outdoor viewing, the rest of the experience falls drastically behind the Honor 70.
As someone who appreciates high quality visuals, fluid performance, and advanced camera capabilities, the Honor 70’s superior display, significantly more powerful processor, and a vastly better camera system make it a clear winner. The fast charging is also a game changer.
The trade off is having a slightly harder to use fingerprint sensor, and a lack of bright display outdoors, but that isn't a deal breaker for my personal use.
