1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Motorola Moto G 5G and the Honor 90, focusing on the practical implications of each specification:
Design
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm | 161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm | Honor 90 is noticeably more compact and pocketable, Moto G 5G is bulkier. |
| Weight | 212g | 183g | Honor 90 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use, Moto G 5G feels heavier in hand. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, no difference. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both have the same screen size; no difference in size. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1200 x 2664 | Honor 90 has a sharper display; noticeable difference in clarity and detail, especially for reading and viewing images. |
| Pixel Density | 393 PPI | 435 PPI | Honor 90 has slightly better sharpness, making text and images look clearer. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Honor 90 provides deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better viewing angles, as well as better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Honor 90 provides smoother animations and scrolling, making the user experience feel more fluid, while Moto G 5G can feel less responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | Honor 90 offers vastly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight, making it easier to use outdoors; Moto G 5G will struggle in daylight. |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition (4nm) | Honor 90 has a newer, more powerful processor, leading to better app performance, multitasking, and smoother gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 390,000 | 701,227 | Honor 90 demonstrates significantly better performance, resulting in snappier responsiveness and gaming experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 644 | Honor 90 has a superior GPU for better graphics and gaming performance; Moto G 5G will struggle with demanding games. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80µm | 200MP, f/1.9, 1/1.4", 0.56µm | Honor 90 has significantly higher resolution for more detailed photos; Moto G 5G has a slightly wider aperture, which can help with low-light, but is not enough to overcome the resolution difference. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.00µm | 50MP, f/2.4 | Honor 90 has a much higher resolution front camera; Moto G 5G has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | None | Moto G 5G has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing broader scenes; Honor 90 lacks this feature. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 2.24µm | Honor 90 has a dedicated portrait depth sensor for better bokeh effect; Moto G 5G doesn't. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | None | Moto G 5G has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography; Honor 90 lacks this feature. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Honor 90 has a combined wide angle + macro lens; Moto G 5G doesn't. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; EIS, Slow-motion: 60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; EIS, Slow-motion: 960fps | Both have similar 4K and 1080p recording but Honor 90 has a much higher slow-motion rate for better capture of fast-paced action. |
| DxOMark Score | N/A | Mobile: 122, Photo: 128, Video: 126 | Honor 90's camera has been tested and scores well, while the Moto G 5G has no available data. |
| Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Front Flash, Night Mode | Honor 90 has additional 4K video, and a front-facing flash, Moto G 5G has Laser AF and Panorama |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery capacity, likely providing similar battery life for typical usage. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Honor 90 charges much faster, making it much more convenient for users in a hurry, while Moto G 5G charges slower. |
| Removable | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both batteries are not user-removable; no difference. |
Software
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 10 | Android 13 | Honor 90 has a much more up-to-date version of Android, likely with more features and security updates, Moto G 5G is much older. |
| Max version | N/A | N/A | No info available for max OS version for both phones. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6), Dual band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MiMO | Honor 90 supports newer WiFi standard for better performance, especially in crowded environments; also has Wi-Fi MiMO |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.2, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Honor 90 has a more up-to-date Bluetooth version and a wide range of codecs to support high-quality audio |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Honor 90 has more satellite systems for more accurate location tracking; Moto G 5G has SUPL, Honor 90 has Beidou support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Both support Dual SIM capabilities. |
Storage
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 64GB or 128GB | 256GB or 512GB | Honor 90 offers much more storage, which is great for storing more photos, videos, and apps; Moto G 5G has less. |
| RAM | 4GB or 6GB | 8GB or 12GB or 16GB | Honor 90 has considerably more RAM, making it better for multitasking and heavy apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
Audio
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | 2 microphones | Noise Cancellation Microphone | Honor 90 should have clearer calls due to noise cancellation; Moto G 5G has 2 mics |
Security
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint Sensor | rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic biometric security using fingerprint sensor. |
Build Quality
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | The type of screen protection is unknown for both phones. |
Sensors
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | Moto G 5G includes a gyroscope for better motion sensing in games; Honor 90 has RGB |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:
- Wide Angle and Macro Lenses: Dedicated sensors for wide-angle and macro photography, offering versatility in capturing different perspectives.
- Gyroscope sensor: Better motion tracking for games.
Practical Implications: The Moto G 5G provides some flexibility in terms of its camera system but will be lacking in display, performance and software.
Honor 90 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology, higher resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and significantly higher brightness offer a much better viewing experience, especially in bright conditions and for media consumption.
- Faster Performance: The newer Snapdragon processor and higher RAM provide snappier performance and smoother multitasking.
- Better Cameras: Higher resolution main and selfie cameras, improved video quality, and a depth sensor enhance image and video capture.
- Much Faster Charging: 66W charging allows for quick power top-ups, more convenient for busy users.
- More modern software: Comes with Android 13
- More Storage and RAM: Offers significantly more internal storage and RAM, better for heavy users and longevity.
- Better connectivity: Newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards.
- Noise cancellation microphone: Provides better audio for calls.
Practical Implications: The Honor 90 is a far more advanced device overall, delivering a superior user experience across various aspects, especially in display quality, performance, and camera capabilities.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Motorola Moto G 5G: The main trade-off is in overall performance and display quality. The cameras do offer a dedicated wide angle and macro lens, which could be valuable for some users but might not be as crucial as image quality.
- Honor 90: The primary trade-off here is the lack of a dedicated macro lens, and that it uses a combined macro and wide angle lens instead.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G 5G:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who need a 5G phone and are less concerned with having the very latest specs. Those who want a phone with a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens.
- Use Cases: Basic daily usage, some social media, occasional photography, and light gaming. Good for users who prefer a larger phone but who don't mind that it has a heavier feel and has a poorer display than the Honor 90.
- Price-to-Value: The phone is older and might offer a good price-to-value for a budget-conscious 5G option, but it may be starting to show its age.
Honor 90:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize display quality, camera performance, and overall speed. Also suitable for those who appreciate a modern design and fast charging.
- Use Cases: High-quality media consumption (streaming, gaming, etc), more demanding mobile gaming, photography enthusiasts, multitasking, and business use. This phone is better for those who prefer a lighter phone that is much easier to handle.
- Price-to-Value: While the Honor 90 likely costs more, it provides significantly more value in terms of features, performance, and overall user experience.
4. Decision Framework
Here are 3 key questions to help buyers decide:
How important is display quality and outdoor visibility?
- If display quality is paramount and you need good brightness, especially for outdoor use, the Honor 90 is the clear choice. The Moto G 5G will be hard to use in bright sunlight.
What is your budget and are you willing to sacrifice performance and software?
- If you have a very strict budget the Moto G 5G is cheaper but it has considerably less performance, worse software and a poorer display.
Which is more important, better image quality or having more camera options?
- If you prioritize overall image quality, the Honor 90 with its 200MP sensor is the way to go. However, the Moto G 5G has a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens for those who prefer those options instead.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If you need a 5G phone on a very tight budget, the Motorola Moto G 5G might be a viable option, but be aware of the significant trade-offs.
- Photography Enthusiast: The Honor 90 is the better choice due to its much higher resolution and more modern image processing capabilities.
- Power User: The Honor 90's faster processor, more RAM, and quick charging, coupled with its much superior display make it the ideal choice for a power user, despite lacking a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens.
- Casual User: If you are not a heavy user and do not mind the older Android and display of the Moto G 5G, then it may be fine for your needs but the Honor 90 will still provide a superior user experience overall.
My Choice
I would choose the Honor 90.
Reasoning:
While the Moto G 5G has some unique camera options, the overall package of the Honor 90 is significantly more compelling. The superior display (AMOLED, high refresh rate, high brightness) alone makes a huge difference in daily use. The faster processor and larger RAM, mean the device will remain usable for longer and will perform smoother. The significantly faster charging is also a major convenience for a modern smartphone. Furthermore, the camera, while lacking a macro lens, offers much more image quality due to its 200 MP sensor. These factors make the Honor 90 a more future-proof device that will offer a better experience for a wider range of use cases. While the price of the Moto G 5G may be tempting, it's not worth the trade-offs in display quality, performance, software and camera, therefore the Honor 90 is clearly the better device overall.
