Alright, let's dive deep into the Motorola Edge (2022) and the Honor 90. As a tech journalist with an engineering background, I'm always eager to break down the specs and see how they translate into real-world use. Let's get started!
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Edge (2022) | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-22 | 2023-06-07 | The Honor 90 is about 8 months newer, which usually means newer software and slightly updated features. |
| Size | 160.9 × 74.2 × 8 mm | 161.9 × 74.1 × 7.8 mm | Similar in size, but the Motorola is a touch thicker, while the Honor 90 is taller but thinner. This translates to a slightly more substantial feel in hand for the Motorola and a more streamlined, pocketable feel for the Honor. |
| Weight | 170g | 183g | The Motorola is lighter, which might be more comfortable for extended use. 13 grams might not seem like much, but it is noticeable. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | The Honor 90 has a slightly larger display, which is great for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1200x2664 | The Honor 90's higher resolution leads to a sharper, more detailed image, making text and images look crisper. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 399 | 435 | Higher pixel density means sharper text and images, and the difference will be noticeable, especially for those who use the phone for reading or viewing high-resolution content. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both are excellent display technologies, providing deep blacks and vibrant colors. AMOLED is a marketing term for OLED, so this difference is negligible. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | The Motorola's higher refresh rate provides slightly smoother animations during scrolling and gaming, which can contribute to a more fluid experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | The Honor 90 has a dramatically brighter display, making it significantly better for outdoor use and in bright conditions. The Motorola Edge's brightness spec seems to be missing, but the comparison highlights how much better the Honor 90 is. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 1050 (6 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition (4 nm) | The Honor 90 uses a newer 4 nm chip, which is more energy-efficient and powerful, typically providing better app performance and smoother multi-tasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 522,375 | 701,227 | Honor 90 outperforms Motorola by a large margin in benchmarks. This indicates better overall performance and responsiveness, which translates to snappier app loads, smoother animations, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Arm Mali-G610 MC3 | Adreno 644 | Honor 90's Adreno 644 GPU is generally more powerful, providing better graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, so both should offer good battery life, assuming similar power consumption (which is not always true). |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Honor 90 charges much faster, reducing time spent tethered to a charger. |
| Features | Reverse, Wireless | None | Motorola Edge offers convenient features like wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, which are missing on the Honor 90. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 50MP | 200MP | The Honor 90 boasts significantly higher resolution, theoretically capturing more detail in photos, although pixel size and processing also play a role. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.9 | Motorola's slightly wider aperture (f/1.8) will let in a bit more light, which is useful in low-light photography. The difference is marginal. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.55" | 1/1.4" | Honor 90 has larger sensor size, which can improve image quality, particularly in low light. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 1.00 µm | 0.56 µm | Motorola's larger pixel size allows it to capture more light per pixel. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP | 50MP | Honor 90 has a higher-resolution selfie camera, potentially leading to more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.4 | Honor 90 has wider aperture, potentially slightly better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/1.5 | None | Motorola has a dedicated wide-angle camera, which is useful for landscape photography. |
| Portrait (Depth) Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Honor 90 has a dedicated depth camera for portrait photography. |
| Macro Lens | 20MP, f/2.4 | None | Motorola has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 12MP, f/2.2 | Honor 90 has a combined wide-angle and macro camera. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS | 4K@30fps with EIS | Both offer similar video recording capabilities. |
| Slow-Motion | 120fps | 960fps | Honor 90 offers greater slow-motion capabilities, but this only matters if it is something you intend to use. |
| DxOMark | N/A | Mobile (122, Photo 128, Video 126) | Honor 90 has a respectable DxOMark score which indicates solid real-world camera performance. Motorola has not been rated. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Panorama | 4K Video, RAW, Front Flash, Night Mode | Motorola has an Optical Image Stabilisation feature, while the Honor 90 has Night Mode, RAW image capture for advanced editing, and the ability to record video in 4K. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (max 13) | Android 13 | Honor 90 comes with the latest Android OS out of the box, while Motorola has an older one, although both should be upgradeable. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, MiMO | Both have Wi-Fi 6. Honor 90 has Wi-Fi MiMO for enhanced speeds and range. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | Bluetooth 5.2 LE, EDR, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Honor 90 has enhanced Bluetooth with support for higher quality codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Both offer multiple satellite systems. The Honor has some additional systems which may be negligable, but potentially a slight benefit for more accurate location services. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | Motorola Edge offers an eSIM, which is convenient for digital carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 256/512GB | Honor 90 offers more storage options, which is great for those who have a large media library or plan to use the phone for long-term photography. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 8/12/16GB | Honor 90 has more RAM, leading to better multitasking performance, especially for intensive users. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, so choosing the right internal storage option is key. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Noise cancellation microphone | Motorola Edge offers superior audio features with Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and three microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both have standard fingerprint scanners. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Motorola Edge has a protection from Corning Gorilla Glass 3, while Honor does not specify what it uses. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge (2022) Strengths:
- Smoother Display: Its 144Hz refresh rate provides a slightly more fluid experience than the Honor 90.
- Wireless and Reverse Charging: Offers more flexibility for battery management and sharing, great for those on the go.
- Comprehensive Audio Features: It has great audio features for those who enjoy using speakers on their phones for music and videos.
Honor 90 Strengths:
- Superior Performance: Newer processor with better benchmark scores for faster app loading, smoother operation.
- Brighter, Sharper Display: Excellent for outdoor visibility and high-resolution viewing.
- Higher Resolution Main and Selfie Cameras: Captures more detail in photos.
- Faster Charging: Significantly quicker charging times, keeping you from being tethered to an outlet.
- Better Connectivity: Enhanced Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity options.
- More RAM and Storage: More options for intensive use and large media libraries.
- Enhanced Camera Features: Has a DxOMark rating and additional features like 4K Video, RAW, Front Flash, and Night Mode.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- The Motorola Edge (2022) falls behind the Honor 90 in performance, display quality, and camera quality.
- The Honor 90 lacks the convenience of wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging.
- Neither phone has expendable storage.
- The Motorola Edge does not have any published DxOMark results, which is usually something that is released.
- The Honor 90 has an unkown screen protection.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge (2022): Best suited for users who value a smooth display experience and the convenience of wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. Good for media consumption, casual gaming, and general productivity.
Honor 90: Ideal for power users and photography enthusiasts, those who need top-tier performance, a vibrant display, and a versatile camera system. This phone excels in media consumption, photography, demanding apps, and extended use.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you choose:
- How important is processing power and gaming performance?
- If it is crucial, then the Honor 90 is the better choice.
- Do you need wireless charging and reverse wireless charging?
- If yes, go for the Motorola Edge (2022).
- How important is camera quality and low light photography?
- If this is a key factor, Honor 90's superior camera array, including higher resolution, is the better pick.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Casual User: If you are a general user, not concerned with intensive tasks, the Motorola Edge (2022) is a solid phone, offering nice sound quality and convenient wireless charging.
- The Photographer/Media Creator: The Honor 90 is the clear choice with its superior camera quality, high-resolution display, and performance.
- The Power User/Gamer: The Honor 90 is the winner because of its more robust performance, bigger RAM, and a newer chipset.
- The Battery Conscious user: If you are always on the go and don't want to spend much time near an outlet, the faster charging on the Honor 90 is the clear winner.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would go with the Honor 90. While I appreciate the Motorola Edge (2022)'s wireless charging capabilities and smooth 144Hz display, the Honor 90 simply offers a more well-rounded package that aligns with my needs.
Here’s why:
- Performance: As someone who runs demanding apps and often switches between tasks, the faster processor and additional RAM on the Honor 90 make a significant difference in my daily workflow.
- Display Quality: I spend a lot of time reading and consuming media, so the brighter, higher-resolution display on the Honor 90 is much more enjoyable for me.
- Camera System: I often use my phone to take pictures, so a reliable camera system is a must for me. The Honor 90's higher-resolution and DxOMark rating make it more appealing.
- Charging Speed: I'm usually on the go, and fast charging is a huge time saver. The Honor 90's 66W charging is a lot faster than the 30W on the Motorola.
- Overall Value: Considering the superior features on the Honor 90, it seems to offer more value and longevity than the Motorola Edge (2022).
- Future Proof: Being a newer phone, the Honor 90 is likely to receive software updates and support for longer, which makes it a more future-proof choice.
While the Motorola Edge (2022) is a decent phone, the Honor 90 is a stronger contender with its superior display, performance, camera, and fast charging. As an engineer, these are the features I would personally use more frequently. If wireless charging is a must-have, the Motorola is still a solid option.
