Honor 90 vs Nokia G42 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Honor 90
Honor 90
Honor
Nokia G42
Nokia G42
Nokia

General

Launch Date June 7, 2023 June 28, 2023
Release Year 2023 2023

Physical

Volume 93.57 cm³ 107.56 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.66 "/g 3.38 "/g
Weight 183 g 193.8 g
Height 161.9 mm 165 mm
Width 74.1 mm 75.8 mm
Thickness 7.8 mm 8.6 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Midnight Black
  • Emerald Green
  • Diamond Silver
  • Peacock Blue
  • Red
  • Purple
  • Gray

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.56 "
Resolution 1200 x 2664 720 x 1612
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 90.4 % 82.7 %
Pixel Density 435 PPI 269 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A 450 nits
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness 1600 nits 560 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 111.38 mAh/in² 116.19 mAh/in²
Battery Density 53.43 mAh/cm³ 46.49 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition (4 nm) Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
GPU Adreno 644 Adreno 619

Connectivity

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

Software

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

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureHonor 90Nokia G42Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8165 x 75.8 x 8.6Nokia G42 is slightly larger and thicker.
Weight (g)183193.8Nokia G42 is noticeably heavier.
BuildNot specifiedNot specifiedBuild quality and materials cannot be compared.
Display
Display TypeAMOLEDIPS LCDHonor 90 offers deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency.
Display Size (inches)6.76.56Negligible size difference.
Resolution1200 x 2664720 x 1612Honor 90 has a significantly sharper display (435 ppi vs 269 ppi), resulting in clearer text and images.
Refresh Rate (Hz)12090Honor 90 provides smoother scrolling and animations.
Peak Brightness (nits)1600560 (peak)Honor 90 will be much more readable in direct sunlight.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 7 Gen 1 AcceleratedSnapdragon 480+ 5GHonor 90 boasts a significantly more powerful processor, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
CPUOcta-core (1x2.5 GHz A710 & 3x2.36 GHz A710 & 4x1.8 GHz A510)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)Honor 90 has a more modern and powerful CPU architecture.
GPUAdreno 644Adreno 619Honor 90 offers significantly better graphics performance for demanding games and applications.
RAM8GB/12GB4GB/6GBHonor 90 offers more RAM, enabling better multitasking and preventing app closures in the background.
Camera
Main Camera (MP)20050Honor 90 has a much higher resolution main camera sensor, potentially capturing more detail. However, megapixels alone don't guarantee image quality.
Other Cameras12MP Wide + 2MP Depth2MP Depth + 2MP MacroBoth have supplementary cameras, but their practical usefulness depends on implementation and software processing, which can't be assessed from the specs.
Video RecordingUp to 4K@30fps with EISUp to 1080p@30fpsHonor 90 offers higher resolution video recording and Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS).
Battery
Capacity (mAh)50005000Both phones have the same battery capacity, but real-world battery life depends on software optimization and hardware efficiency.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Honor 90 Advantages:

  • Significantly superior display: Higher resolution, AMOLED technology, higher refresh rate, and peak brightness result in a drastically better viewing experience.
  • Much more powerful performance: The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition and higher RAM offer a substantial performance advantage for demanding tasks and gaming.
  • Higher resolution main camera and better video recording capabilities: Potentially better image and video quality, but real-world performance needs further review.

Nokia G42 Advantages:

  • Potentially lower price: Specific pricing needs confirmation, but the Snapdragon 480+ generally indicates a more budget-friendly device.
  • Confirmed OS updates: Guaranteed upgrade to Android 14.

Trade-offs:

  • The Nokia G42 sacrifices performance and display quality for potential affordability.
  • The Honor 90 may be more expensive, but offers a premium experience in terms of visuals and performance.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Honor 90: Users who prioritize display quality, performance, and camera capabilities. Suitable for gaming, media consumption, and demanding applications.

Nokia G42: Users on a tighter budget who prioritize basic functionality, 5G connectivity, and guaranteed OS updates. Suitable for everyday tasks like calling, texting, browsing, and light social media usage.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions:

  1. What is your budget?
  2. What are your primary smartphone usage patterns?
  3. How important are display quality and performance to you?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Tight Budget, Basic Usage: Nokia G42
  • Moderate Budget, Balanced Needs: Requires price comparison, but potentially the Honor 90 if the price difference isn't substantial.
  • Performance and Display Enthusiast: Honor 90

My Choice: Honor 90

Reasoning: The Honor 90 offers a significantly superior user experience due to its vastly better display, much more powerful processor, and enhanced camera capabilities. While pricing is a factor, the difference in everyday usability and long-term performance offered by the Honor 90 outweighs the potential price premium for me. The smoother display, faster app loading, superior multitasking, and better gaming experience would make a noticeable difference in my daily usage. The lack of confirmed future OS updates for the Honor 90 is a concern, but not a deal breaker compared to the significant performance and display advantages.

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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