Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Moto G31 and the Honor 90. We'll break down the specs, discuss what they mean for you, and help you figure out which phone fits your needs.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Moto G31 | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.9 × 73.9 × 8.6 mm | 161.9 × 74.1 × 7.8 mm | Both are roughly the same size; Honor 90 is slightly thinner, more pocketable. |
| Weight | 181g | 183g | Negligible difference; both feel similar in hand. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Traditional smartphone build, no foldable or unique form factors |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | Honor 90 offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1200x2664 | Honor 90 is sharper; text and images appear noticeably clearer. |
| PPI | 411 | 435 | Honor 90 has a higher pixel density leading to more crisp visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks common to AMOLED displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Honor 90 provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | Honor 90 has much better visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G85 (12nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm) | Honor 90's chip is significantly faster; apps launch quicker, games run smoother. |
| AnTuTu Score | 225,154 | 701,227 | Honor 90 has vastly superior performance for demanding tasks and better future proofing. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 644 | Honor 90’s GPU handles graphics more effectively, especially in games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" | 200MP, f/1.9, 1/1.4" | Honor 90 has much higher resolution and a larger sensor, leading to better images, especially in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/2.4 | Honor 90 offers higher-resolution selfies with a wider field of view. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.0 | None | Moto G31 offers a dedicated ultrawide for group shots or landscapes. |
| Depth Camera | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Honor 90 has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Moto G31 offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 12MP, f/2.2 | Honor 90 offers a dual-purpose lens. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | Honor 90 can record in much higher resolution, with better stabilization in all modes. |
| Slow Motion | 120fps | 960fps | Honor 90 is capable of higher framerate slow-motion capture |
| DXOMark | N/A | 122 (Mobile) | Honor 90's camera has been benchmarked to be far more capable. |
| Camera Features | Optical Zoom, LAF | 4K Video, Front Flash, Night Mode | The Honor 90 has more advanced features and modern technologies. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer similar battery capacity, implying similar battery life. |
| Charging | 10W | 66W | Honor 90 charges much faster, a significant convenience. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | Honor 90 has a newer version of Android with enhanced features and security. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Honor 90 supports the newer and faster Wi-Fi 6 standard, along with Wi-Fi MiMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Honor 90 has a more recent Bluetooth version with better audio codec support. |
| GPS | Standard | Standard | Both are good, with minor differences in specific satellite systems supported. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 256GB/512GB | Honor 90 offers significantly more storage space for your apps, photos, and media. |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB | Honor 90 offers more RAM for smoother multitasking, especially with many apps open. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards for extra storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 mics | Noise Cancellation Mic | Motorola has a slightly better audio performance. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Side Mounted FP Sensor | Basic FP Sensor | Motorola has a more sophisticated fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Gyroscope | RGB | Motorola has a gyroscope, while Honor has a RGB sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G31: Strengths
- Affordable Option: The Moto G31 likely sits at a lower price point, making it accessible for budget-conscious buyers.
- Decent Display: It has a solid AMOLED display that delivers great colors, though it lacks the brightness and refresh rate of the Honor 90.
- Battery Life: With 5000mAh and a lower power chipset, it has good battery endurance.
- MicroSD slot Though not available according to these specs.
- More Audio Features: Dolby Atmos and 2 microphones.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint sensor: A more sophisticated sensor.
Motorola Moto G31: Limitations
- Performance: The Mediatek Helio G85 is quite old and underpowered, not suitable for heavy gaming or multitasking.
- Charging Speed: 10W is pretty slow nowadays, meaning a long wait to charge.
- Camera: The main camera is average.
Honor 90: Strengths
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chip offers a big leap in processing power.
- Stunning Display: High resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and super-bright display makes it a joy for media consumption.
- Camera Prowess: The 200MP main camera is a huge upgrade, as is the selfie camera, and video recording with 4K capability.
- Fast Charging: 66W charging is incredibly convenient for quicker top-ups.
- Future Proof: With the upgraded processor, better screen, and better camera, it is more future-proof.
Honor 90: Limitations
- Price: The advanced features come with a higher price tag.
- No expandable storage: Not having an option to expand the storage is a downside.
- Basic fingerprint sensor: Basic biometric security.
- No ultrawide or macro: Does not have dedicated lenses for ultrawide or macro.
- No audio features: Lacks advanced audio capabilities.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Moto G31 is best for:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who want a decent screen and reliable battery without breaking the bank.
- Casual Users: Those who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like calls, messages, social media, and light browsing.
- Those who need a Macro Lens: Users who need a dedicated Macro lens.
- Those who prefer Audio: Users who are more concerned with audio quality and features.
Honor 90 is best for:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who demand a fast and smooth experience for demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking.
- Photography Lovers: Those who need an excellent camera for capturing high-quality photos and videos, including low-light.
- Media Consumers: Those who value a vibrant, high-resolution display for watching videos and browsing content.
- Power Users: Users who are constantly on their phone.
- Those who want fast charging: Users who want quick charging.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How important is performance?
- If you need smooth multitasking and gaming, the Honor 90 is the clear winner. If you're a light user, the Moto G31 is fine.
- How much do you value camera quality?
- For high-quality photos and videos, the Honor 90 is significantly better. The Moto G31 is fine for basic snapshots.
- What's your budget?
- If budget is your primary concern, the Moto G31 is the more affordable option. The Honor 90 offers more advanced features but at a higher price.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: The Casual User
- Need: A reliable phone for basic tasks, good battery, and a budget-friendly price.
- Recommendation: Motorola Moto G31.
- Scenario 2: The Social Media Lover
- Need: A good selfie camera, decent display for content, and smooth performance for scrolling social media.
- Recommendation: Honor 90 due to its better selfie camera and smooth display.
- Scenario 3: The Gaming Enthusiast
- Need: Top-notch performance, a great display, and smooth graphics.
- Recommendation: Honor 90 due to its superior performance and display.
- Scenario 4: The Photography Buff
- Need: High-resolution photos, excellent low-light performance, and good video capabilities.
- Recommendation: Honor 90 for its advanced camera system.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I'd go for the Honor 90. While the Motorola Moto G31 has a good price point, the overall package provided by the Honor 90 is much better for my needs. I need a phone that can keep up with my daily usage, which includes a lot of multitasking, some gaming, and capturing pictures on the go, and the Honor 90 performs much better on all these fronts. The display is significantly better for both work and entertainment, and the faster charging is very convenient. I also prioritize camera quality, and the 200MP sensor and 4K video are a substantial upgrade. Although it comes at a higher price, the extra cost is worth it for the added performance, screen, camera capabilities and other features that the Honor 90 provides.
