Alright, let's break down these two contenders, the Honor 70 and the Xiaomi Poco M4 5G, and see how they stack up in the real world. I'm going to put on my engineering hat and try to give you a sense of what these numbers mean when you're actually using the phone day-to-day.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table, focusing on practical impacts for users:
| Feature | Honor 70 | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-06-02 | 2022-10-07 | Poco M4 5G is newer by a few months. |
| Dimensions | 161.4 × 73.3 × 7.9 mm | 164 × 76.1 × 8.9 mm | Honor 70 is slimmer and more compact; Poco M4 5G is slightly bulkier. |
| Weight | 178g | 200g | Honor 70 is noticeably lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.58" | Honor 70's slightly larger screen offers more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2408 | Both offer sharp visuals. Minor difference is negligible. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 401 PPI | Both have very crisp display, minor difference |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | Honor 70 boasts vibrant colors, deeper blacks and superior contrast; better for media consumption |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Honor 70's display is smoother and more responsive, especially noticeable while scrolling |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Identical peak brightness, not ideal for outdoor visibility |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ 5G | Mediatek Dimensity 700 | Honor 70 offers significantly faster processing, better for gaming and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 381,300 | Honor 70 provides smoother, more responsive day-to-day performance |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G57 MC2 | Honor 70's GPU provides superior graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 54MP, f/1.9 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Honor 70 captures far more detailed and brighter images, especially in low light |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Honor 70 takes much sharper selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2 | Not present | Honor 70's wide-angle lens adds versatility for group shots and landscapes |
| Depth Sensor | Not present | 2MP, f/2.4 | Poco M4 5G has a dedicated depth sensor, likely for bokeh effect |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not present | Honor 70 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Honor 70 provides much higher resolution for video recording. |
| DXOMark | 115 | Not Tested | Honor 70 has a high score, indicating a great camera experience. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | Poco M4 5G has a slightly bigger battery. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Honor 70 charges significantly faster, convenient for quick top-ups. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | Reverse Charging | Both phones can reverse charge, useful for charging accessories. |
| Other Features | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 | Android 12 | Both ship with the same OS, although skins and feature sets differ. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 5 | Honor 70 supports faster and more reliable Wi-Fi speeds |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.1 | Honor 70 supports more advanced codecs and protocols |
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB/512GB | 64GB/128GB | Honor 70 offers more storage options. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB/12GB | 4GB/6GB | Honor 70 provides more RAM, offering better multitasking and overall performance |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows memory expansion. |
| Audio | Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio | Basic | Honor 70 offers a better audio experience. |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G has a more convinient and secure fingerprint sensor. |
| Screen Protection | Not specified | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G offers better screen protection. |
2. Key Insights
Honor 70: The Performance and Media Powerhouse
- Strengths: The Honor 70 clearly stands out with its superior display tech (OLED with 120Hz refresh), powerful processor, excellent camera, and blazing-fast charging. It's designed for users who prioritize performance, media consumption, and photography.
- Competitive Advantage: The OLED display combined with the Snapdragon 778G+ chipset and impressive camera system sets it apart, offering a more premium experience.
- Trade-offs: The battery is slightly smaller than the Poco M4 5G, and it doesn't have expandable storage. It also uses a less practical basic fingerprint sensor
Xiaomi Poco M4 5G: The Budget-Friendly Performer
- Strengths: The Poco M4 5G is a solid, more affordable device with a larger battery and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. Its display is good enough for daily use.
- Competitive Advantage: It offers a lower price point while still providing a decent 5G experience, more convinient fingerprint sensor and a more rugged screen.
- Trade-offs: The Poco M4 5G falls short of the Honor 70 in display quality, processing power, and camera capabilities. Its charging is considerably slower.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Honor 70 is ideal for:
- Content creators and consumers: The vibrant OLED display and high-resolution camera make it perfect for watching videos, playing games, and capturing photos.
- Power users: The faster processor and more RAM handle multitasking and demanding apps seamlessly.
- Users who value fast charging: The 66W charging is a game-changer for topping up quickly.
Xiaomi Poco M4 5G is ideal for:
- Budget-conscious buyers: It's a great option for those who want a capable 5G phone without breaking the bank.
- Everyday users: Suitable for daily tasks like browsing, social media, and communication.
- Users who prioritize battery life: The slightly larger battery offers a bit more runtime.
- Users who value practicality: More secure fingerprint sensor and more rugged screen for those accident-prone.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you choose:
- How much do you value display quality and performance? If you watch a lot of videos, play games, and want snappy app performance, the Honor 70 is the way to go. If you're on a tight budget and don't need the best display the Poco M4 5G will suffice.
- How important is camera quality to you? If you love taking pictures and videos, the Honor 70's camera is far superior. If you are just looking for something simple then the Poco M4 5G is enough.
- What’s your budget? The Poco M4 5G is considerably more affordable. However, remember you usually get what you pay for!
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The Media Lover: If you prioritize media consumption and gaming, the Honor 70 is the clear winner thanks to its OLED display, powerful performance, and great audio.
- Scenario 2: The Budget-Conscious User: If you’re on a tight budget and need a reliable 5G phone, the Xiaomi Poco M4 5G offers a good balance of features and price.
- Scenario 3: The Photography Enthusiast: The Honor 70 will provide a significantly superior camera experience, making it the better choice if you love taking photos and videos.
- Scenario 4: The Practical User: For users who value a practical, reliable daily driver, the Poco M4 5G's more secure fingerprint sensor and more rugged screen makes it a better choice
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I'd go with the Honor 70. While the Xiaomi Poco M4 5G is certainly a solid budget phone, the Honor 70 offers a much more compelling experience that justifies its higher price tag. The superior OLED screen, significantly better camera, faster performance and quick charging makes it a far better all-around package. For me, the enhanced daily experience is worth the investment, even if it means a slightly smaller battery capacity. The Honor 70 is the better choice if you're looking for a device that can handle almost any task you throw at it and offer a premium experience.
