Okay, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Nokia X30 and the Honor 90. I'll break down the specs, offer some real-world insights, and help you figure out which phone might be the best fit for you.
Nokia X30 vs. Honor 90: A Detailed Comparison
Alright, let’s get technical, but keep it grounded. Here’s a side-by-side look at how these two phones stack up, with a focus on what it means for you as a user:
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Nokia X30 | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158.9 x 73.9 x 8 mm, 185g | 161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm, 183g | The Honor 90 is slightly taller, and thinner, feeling more modern, while the Nokia is a tad more compact and slightly heavier. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus Screen | Unknown Screen | Nokia X30 offers superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.7" | Honor 90 provides a bit more screen real estate for media and multitasking; X30 is slightly easier for one-hand usage. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1200 x 2664 | Honor 90 boasts a sharper, more detailed display. |
| Pixel Density | 409 PPI | 435 PPI | Honor 90’s display looks slightly clearer, with sharper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Honor 90’s display will feel smoother and more responsive, particularly when scrolling or gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | Honor 90 has much better outdoor visibility, making it easier to use under bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (6nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm) | Honor 90 is significantly faster, offering snappier performance, better gaming, and more efficient multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 410,072 | 701,227 | Honor 90 is notably more powerful and efficient, resulting in a faster and smoother experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 644 | The Honor 90 has a more powerful GPU, providing better graphics for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1.00µm | 200MP, f/1.9, 0.56µm (1/1.4" sensor) | Honor 90 captures significantly more detailed photos in daylight, but the Nokia might perform slightly better in low light due to wider aperture. |
| Rear Wide Angle | 13MP, f/2.4 | None | The Nokia X30 offers an ultrawide perspective, useful for landscape and group shots. |
| Rear Portrait Mode | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 2.24 µm pixel size | Honor 90 has a dedicated depth sensor, creating better background blur in portraits. |
| Rear Wide+Macro | None | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Honor 90 offers wide and macro photography in a single camera. |
| Front Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1.00µm | 50MP, f/2.4 | Honor 90 captures selfies with much greater detail and a wider dynamic range. |
| Video | 1080p @ 30/60fps | 4K @ 30fps; 1080p @ 30/60fps | Honor 90 has 4K video recording capabilities, better for capturing high quality videos for vlogging. |
| Slow-mo | 120fps | 960fps | Honor 90 offers more dramatic slow-motion capabilities, capturing more detail and slowing down action more effectively. |
| Stabilization | Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) | Electronic Image Stabilisation (EIS) | OIS is usually better for low-light shots, EIS is good for video. |
| DXOMark Scores | Not Available | 122 (Mobile), 128 (Photo), 126 (Video) | Honor 90 scores well in camera quality and performance. Nokia X30 does not have data. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4200 mAh | 5000 mAh | Honor 90's larger battery will likely deliver longer battery life, easily getting you through a full day. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Honor 90 charges much faster, minimizing downtime while you are on the go. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 | Honor 90 comes with a newer version of Android out of the box, and with software updates, it will get even more advantages. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi MiMO | Both offer modern Wi-Fi standards; Honor 90 offers improved connection with MiMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 LE | Honor 90 has a slightly newer Bluetooth version for more stable connections. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | The Nokia X30 supports slightly more GPS satellite systems, while Honor 90 is very close with some differences. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | Honor 90 has much more storage available, excellent for those with big libraries of photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB | Honor 90 offers more RAM, especially when multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports microSD cards, so choose your storage carefully. |
| Audio | |||
| Features | Basic Audio Features | Noise Cancellation Microphone | Honor 90 offers clearer calls by reducing environmental noise during calls |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer similar basic fingerprint sensor technology for device unlock. |
2. Key Insights
Nokia X30 Strengths:
- More compact and premium build: It offers a more manageable size for one-handed use and superior screen protection.
- Wide-angle lens: Inclusion of a dedicated ultrawide lens adds versatility for photography.
- OIS (Optical Image Stabilization): It helps improve low-light shots and videos.
Honor 90 Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset delivers much faster performance and efficient multitasking.
- Stunning Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, and significantly better brightness make this display a joy to use.
- Better Battery Life & Charging: Larger battery combined with faster charging is a win for everyday use.
- Impressive Camera System: Higher resolution sensors on both front and back capture far more detail and offer a wide array of modes.
- More Storage Options: 512 GB is a considerable upgrade, great for storing lots of photos, videos and apps.
- Noise Cancelling Microphone: Clearer audio during calls.
Trade-offs:
- The Nokia X30 sacrifices performance and camera quality for its compact design and wide-angle lens.
- The Honor 90 is larger and lacks the OIS of the Nokia X30, and no wide-angle lens.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Nokia X30 is best for:
- Users who prioritize compact design and durability: If size and robustness are your main concerns, the X30 has an edge with its smaller footprint and the Gorilla Glass Victus screen.
- Photography enthusiasts on a budget: If you really value the ultrawide lens for photos, the X30 is a good choice, despite other drawbacks.
- Eco-conscious users: It includes recycled materials, appealing to people seeking sustainable devices.
Honor 90 is best for:
- Power users who demand top-tier performance: This is your pick for demanding applications, gaming, and smooth multitasking.
- Photography enthusiasts who want high resolution: The 200MP main camera will produce more detailed shots and a 50MP selfie camera will capture superior selfies.
- Media consumption lovers: The larger, sharper, and brighter display with a 120Hz refresh rate makes it ideal for enjoying videos, browsing and gaming.
- Anyone who wants all-day battery life: The combination of a 5000mAh battery and 66W fast charging ensures all-day usage with quick top-ups.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Performance or Portability? Do you need the absolute best performance for gaming and heavy apps (Honor 90), or do you prefer a more compact, durable device (Nokia X30)?
- Camera Quality or Versatility? Do you need high-resolution images with 4K Video (Honor 90), or do you value the ultrawide lens and OIS (Nokia X30)?
- Do you need all day battery life and fast charging? The Honor 90 wins hands down in this category!
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Gamer: The Honor 90 is a no-brainer with its superior chipset, GPU and 120Hz refresh rate.
- For the Photographer: The Honor 90's 200MP camera will capture the best photos with the highest level of detail, despite the lack of OIS or an ultrawide lens.
- For the Everyday User: The Honor 90 offers a more enjoyable, smooth experience with a brighter display, faster charging, and better performance.
- For the Eco Conscious User: The Nokia X30, with its more sustainable build, is an appealing option.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose, I would go with the Honor 90. While the Nokia X30 has its merits—I respect its sustainable build and the ultrawide camera— the Honor 90 simply offers a superior experience across the board in the areas that matter most to me: performance, display quality, battery life, and overall camera capabilities.
The significantly faster chipset and more powerful GPU in the Honor 90 mean that it will run smoother, and handle complex tasks without breaking a sweat, and not just on a daily basis, but also for years to come. The brighter, more detailed display is much better for outdoor use, and the battery life ensures I won't be reaching for a charger halfway through the day. While it doesn't have a dedicated ultrawide lens, the 200 MP main sensor and 50MP selfie camera means that all photos will come out at a higher quality and resolution, making it a much better option for those who really care about the camera. In addition, the Honor 90 has a noise cancellation microphone, which makes for better phone calls in noisy environments. For my use cases, the Honor 90's strengths easily outweigh its size trade-off and lack of OIS.
Ultimately, the "best" phone depends on your specific needs. I hope this breakdown has given you the information you need to make the best decision for you!
