1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Honor 90 | Realme 12+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions (mm) | 161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8 | 163 x 75.5 x 7.9 | Realme 12+ is slightly larger and thicker. Negligible difference in everyday use. |
| Weight (g) | 183 | 190 | Honor 90 is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size (inches) | 6.7 | 6.67 | Virtually identical screen sizes. |
| Resolution (pixels) | 1200 x 2664 | 1080 x 2400 | Honor 90 has a significantly sharper display (435 ppi vs 395 ppi), resulting in crisper text and images. |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate (Hz) | 120 | 120 | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Peak Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 2000 | Realme 12+ has a higher peak brightness, improving outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated | Dimensity 7050 | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated generally offers better performance, especially in graphics-intensive tasks. |
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | While both are octa-core, architectural differences exist. Realme 12+ utilizes older Cortex-A78 cores, while Honor 90 uses newer Cortex-A710 cores. Practical performance differences may vary depending on optimization. |
| GPU | Adreno 644 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Adreno 644 generally provides better gaming performance. |
| RAM (GB) | 8/12 | 8/12 | Both offer configurations with ample RAM for multitasking. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera (MP) | 200 | 50 | Honor 90 boasts a significantly higher resolution main sensor. Higher resolution doesn't always equate to better image quality, but it allows for more detailed photos and larger prints. |
| Other Cameras | 12MP ultrawide, 2MP depth | 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro | Both have similar auxiliary camera setups. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity (mAh) | 5000 | 5000 | Identical battery capacities, expected similar battery life depending on usage. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 13 | Android 14 | Realme 12+ ships with a newer Android version, offering potential features and security updates not available on Honor 90. Realme also promises updates to Android 16. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Honor 90 Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution for clearer visuals.
- Potentially Better Performance: Snapdragon chip and Adreno GPU generally outperform MediaTek counterparts.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: More detail in photos.
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use.
Realme 12+ Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Better visibility outdoors.
- Newer Android Version: Latest features and longer software support.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Honor 90: Users prioritizing display sharpness, performance (especially for gaming), and camera resolution. Suitable for:
- Mobile gamers
- Photography enthusiasts
- Users consuming media on their phones
Realme 12+: Users who value a bright display, latest software features, and longer-term software updates. Suitable for:
- Users primarily using their phones for social media, browsing, and communication.
- Users who prioritize having the latest software.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What are your primary smartphone uses? (Gaming, photography, social media, etc.)
- How important is display quality to you? (Sharpness vs. brightness)
- How much do you value having the latest software features and updates?
My Choice: Honor 90
While the Realme 12+ offers a brighter display and newer Android version, the Honor 90's superior performance, sharper display, and higher-resolution main camera are more compelling to me. I prioritize a smooth user experience for gaming and other demanding tasks, and I appreciate the crisper visuals offered by the higher resolution display. Although the Realme 12+ has a newer OS at launch, Android 13 on the Honor 90 is still relatively recent and will likely receive updates for a reasonable period. The difference in peak brightness, while noticeable, is less critical for my typical usage. Ultimately, the Honor 90 offers a more well-rounded package for my needs.
