Honor 90 vs Google Pixel 8a - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Honor 90
Honor 90
Honor

General

Launch Date June 7, 2023 May 14, 2024
Release Year 2023 2024

Physical

Volume 93.57 cm³ 98.41 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.66 "/g 3.24 "/g
Weight 183 g 188 g
Height 161.9 mm 152.1 mm
Width 74.1 mm 72.7 mm
Thickness 7.8 mm 8.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Midnight Black
  • Emerald Green
  • Diamond Silver
  • Peacock Blue
  • Obsidian
  • Porcelain
  • Bay
  • Aloe

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.1 "
Resolution 1200 x 2664 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 90.4 % 81.2 %
Pixel Density 435 PPI 430 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness 1600 nits 2000 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 111.38 mAh/in² 120.72 mAh/in²
Battery Density 53.43 mAh/cm³ 45.64 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 4492 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition (4 nm) Google Tensor G3 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU Adreno 644 Immortalis-G715s MC10

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 3.2
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 3.2

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 13 14
Maximum OS Version 21

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureHonor 90Google Pixel 8aPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9Pixel 8a is noticeably smaller and slightly thicker. Honor 90 might feel more premium due to slimmer profile.
Weight (g)183188Negligible weight difference in practical usage.
Build MaterialNot specifiedNot specifiedCannot compare build quality and durability without material information.
Display
Display TypeAMOLEDOLEDBoth offer excellent contrast and vibrant colors.
Display Size (inches)6.76.1Honor 90 provides a larger screen for media consumption and multitasking, while Pixel 8a is more pocketable.
Resolution (px)1200 x 26641080 x 2400Honor 90 has a sharper display (435 ppi vs 430 ppi), but the difference is minimal in real-world use.
Refresh Rate (Hz)120120Both offer smooth scrolling and animations.
Peak Brightness (nits)16002000 (peak)Pixel 8a likely offers better outdoor visibility with higher peak brightness. Missing typical brightness for Pixel makes comprehensive comparison difficult.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 7 Gen 1 AcceleratedGoogle Tensor G3Tensor G3, being a newer generation chip, is expected to offer better overall performance and AI capabilities.
CPUOcta-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510)Tensor G3's more powerful core architecture suggests superior performance in demanding tasks.
GPUAdreno 644Immortalis-G715s MC10Immortalis-G715s MC10 is likely more powerful, leading to better gaming performance.
RAM (GB)8/12/168Honor 90 offers configurations with more RAM, potentially benefiting multitasking and demanding applications.
Camera
Main Camera (MP)20064Honor 90 boasts higher resolution, but megapixels alone don't determine image quality. Pixel's computational photography prowess could outperform despite lower resolution.
Ultrawide (MP)1213Similar ultrawide capabilities.
Selfie Camera (MP)5013Honor 90 has a much higher resolution selfie camera.
DxOMark Score122136Pixel 8a scores significantly higher in DxOMark, suggesting superior overall camera performance.
Video Capabilities4K@30fpsUp to 4K@60fps with OISPixel 8a offers more advanced video recording capabilities with higher resolution and frame rates, including Optical Image Stabilization (OIS).
Battery
Capacity (mAh)50004492Honor 90 has a larger battery capacity, potentially offering longer battery life. Real-world usage will vary.
Charging SpeedNot specifiedNot specifiedCannot compare charging speeds without specific data.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Honor 90 Advantages:

  • Larger Display: Better for media consumption and multitasking.
  • Higher Resolution Display: Slightly sharper visuals.
  • Larger Battery: Potentially longer battery life.
  • Higher Resolution Main and Selfie Cameras: Potential for more detailed images, depending on processing.
  • More RAM Options: Configurations available with up to 16GB RAM for power users.

Google Pixel 8a Advantages:

  • More Powerful Chipset & GPU: Better overall performance and gaming experience.
  • Superior Camera Performance: Higher DxOMark score and more advanced video capabilities with OIS.
  • More Recent and Longer Software Support: Newer Android version with guaranteed updates for longer.
  • Smaller Form Factor: More pocketable for some users.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Honor 90: Users prioritizing a large, vibrant display, long battery life, and high-resolution cameras, particularly for selfies. Suitable for media consumption, casual gaming, and general use.

Google Pixel 8a: Users who value performance, camera quality (especially video), and the latest software with guaranteed updates. Ideal for demanding tasks, mobile gaming, photography enthusiasts, and those who prioritize a smooth user experience.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What screen size do you prefer? Larger screen (Honor 90) or more pocketable (Pixel 8a)?
  2. What is your priority: Performance or Battery Life? Pixel 8a for performance; Honor 90 for potentially longer battery life.
  3. How important is camera quality, especially video recording? Pixel 8a generally excels in this area.

My Choice: Google Pixel 8a

While the Honor 90 boasts a larger display and battery, the Pixel 8a offers a superior overall package for my needs. The Tensor G3 chip promises significantly better performance, crucial for demanding tasks and gaming. The Pixel's consistently excellent camera performance, particularly in video recording with OIS, is a major deciding factor. Additionally, the longer software support ensures a longer lifespan with the latest features and security updates. While the Honor 90's larger battery is tempting, I prioritize the smoother user experience and future-proof nature of the Pixel 8a. The slightly smaller form factor is also preferable for my personal preference.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.