Alright, let's get into a deep dive on the OnePlus Nord 2T and Honor 90. These two phones represent the mid-range segment, each with its unique strengths and approaches. As always, I'm looking past the spec sheets to understand how these devices actually perform in day-to-day use.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table, breaking down each aspect and translating it into real-world implications:
| Feature | OnePlus Nord 2T | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.1 x 73.2 x 8.2 mm | 161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm | The Honor 90 is slightly taller and thinner, while the Nord 2T is a touch more compact and thicker. Difference is marginal but might feel different in hand. |
| Weight | 190g | 183g | The Honor 90 is lighter by 7g, which is noticeable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.7" | The Honor 90 offers a larger screen, making it better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1200x2664 | The Honor 90 has a sharper display, resulting in better detail and clarity. |
| PPI | 409 | 435 | The Honor 90 has slightly higher pixel density, leading to sharper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use vibrant AMOLED panels, offering deep blacks and rich colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Honor 90 has a smoother screen, making scrolling and animations more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | The Honor 90 is significantly brighter, making it easier to use in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 1300 (6 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition (4 nm) | The Honor 90 uses a newer and more power-efficient chipset, potentially resulting in slightly better performance and battery life. |
| AnTuTu Score | 699,576 | 701,227 | Both offer similar performance for everyday tasks and most games. |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MC9 | Adreno 644 | Different GPUs, but both handle gaming and graphics-intensive tasks well. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP (f/1.8, 1/1.56") | 200MP (f/1.9, 1/1.4") | Honor 90's main camera captures more detail due to the higher megapixel count. Nord 2T's larger aperture and pixel size could mean better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP (f/2.4) | 50MP (f/2.4) | Honor 90 has higher-resolution selfie camera for detailed self-portraits. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP (f/2.2) | Not Present | OnePlus Nord 2T offers a wide-angle lens which is good for wider shots or group photos |
| Portrait (Depth) Lens | Not Present | 2MP (f/2.4) | Honor 90 includes a depth sensor to create more realistic bokeh in portrait shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | Not Present | 12MP (f/2.2) | Honor 90's lens allows for macro shots and wider angles (though the wide-angle is less wide). |
| Black & White lens | 2MP (f/2.2) | Not Present | OnePlus Nord 2T allows for B&W shots which gives a different type of output. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, EIS | 4K@30fps, EIS | Both can record 4K video at 30fps with EIS, delivering detailed footage |
| DxOMark Score | Main 114, Photo 119, Video 123 | Main 122, Photo 128, Video 126 | Honor 90 is better in general camera performance according to DxOMark testing. |
| Additional Camera Features | OIS | RAW, Front Flash | Nord 2T includes Optical Image Stabilization; Honor 90 provides the option for RAW and includes front flash for selfies. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | The Honor 90 has a larger battery, which translates to a longer battery life. |
| Charging | 80W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | The OnePlus Nord 2T charges faster, but the Honor 90 could last longer on a single charge. |
| Battery Tech | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Both Non-removable |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13 | The Honor 90 ships with a newer version of Android, with potential for longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Both have Bluetooth 5.2 with same profiles supported. |
| GPS | L1+L5, NavIC | B1 | OnePlus Nord 2T has better GPS performance |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both allow use of dual SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB | 256/512GB | The Honor 90 offers more storage capacity. |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 8/12/16GB | The Honor 90 has more RAM options. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Stereo Speakers | Noise cancellation microphone | OnePlus Nord 2T has a better audio experience with stereo speakers.. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint sensor | Basic | Basic | Both have standard fingerprint sensor for biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus Nord 2T has a better screen protection compared to Honor 90, which has unknown specifications for screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Gyroscope | RGB | OnePlus Nord 2T additionally offers Gyroscope functionality for more accurate motion sensing. The Honor 90 comes with RGB functionality |
2. Key Insights
OnePlus Nord 2T Strengths:
- Faster Charging: The 80W fast charging is a significant advantage, getting you back up and running quickly.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): The OIS can noticeably improve the clarity of photos and videos, reducing blur and shake.
- GPS with L1+L5 and NavIC: Superior GPS capabilities due to the support of additional satellite systems.
- Stereo Speakers: Enhance the audio experience with better audio separation and immersion.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides a better protection compared to Honor 90.
- Wide Angle Lens: Allows for wide angle shots, group photos, or unique perspectives.
- Gyroscope: For more accurate motion sensing.
Honor 90 Strengths:
- Larger and Sharper Display: The 6.7" screen with higher resolution (2664 x 1200 pixels) makes viewing content a treat, plus the 120Hz refresh rate makes it smoother.
- Brighter Display: The 1600 nits max brightness ensures great outdoor visibility under bright sunlight, a definite plus for users who are out and about.
- Better Camera: The main camera with 200MP provides much more detail. Honor 90 is better than OnePlus Nord 2T according to the DXOMark score.
- Larger Battery: With a 5000 mAh battery, the Honor 90 will likely last you longer.
- More RAM: Available with up to 16GB of RAM, making multitasking and running heavier applications a breeze.
- Portrait Mode (Depth) & Wide Angle + Macro lens: For better portrait shots with bokeh and for wider angle macro shots.
- RAW Support, Front Flash: Gives more flexibility in editing photos.
- Newer Android Version: The Honor 90 ships with Android 13, providing access to newer features and updates.
- Larger Storage options: Up to 512GB of internal storage.
Competitive Advantages:
- The OnePlus Nord 2T excels in speed, with its superior fast charging and better GPS capabilities. It would be ideal for those who need a device that’s always ready, especially for those who want a good camera and value faster charging speeds and great audio.
- The Honor 90 is a better fit for those who prioritize content consumption and photography, with its larger, brighter display and higher-resolution camera. The larger battery is excellent for users who need long-lasting power.
Significant Trade-offs:
- OnePlus Nord 2T: lacks the display quality and camera versatility of the Honor 90.
- Honor 90: lags in charging speed compared to OnePlus, it lacks an Optical Image Stabilization, stereo speakers, wide angle lens, and Gyroscope.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- OnePlus Nord 2T:
- The "On-the-Go" User: Those who are always out and need a quick top-up due to its excellent fast charging and great GPS performance.
- The Audio Enthusiast: The stereo speakers provide better audio experience.
- The User Looking for more stable camera: OIS provides sharper photos and videos.
- The All-rounder: Good for day to day use and will perform all the tasks with good speed.
- Honor 90:
- The Media Lover: If you spend hours watching videos, browsing, or gaming on your phone, the large, high-resolution display and bigger battery are huge benefits.
- The Photographer: The 200MP camera and multiple lenses provide a lot of versatility for creative photography and videography.
- The Multitasker: More RAM capacity gives smoother performance when using heavy apps and multitasking.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
- How often do I find myself in situations where I need a quick charge?
- If fast charging is paramount, the OnePlus Nord 2T is the better choice.
- If you need a phone to last the whole day, the Honor 90 should do that for you.
- Which matters more to me: Display or Camera Quality?
- If you watch a lot of videos and prefer a bigger and brighter display, go for the Honor 90.
- If you are looking for better camera performance, then the Honor 90 would be more suitable.
- What's my budget and what do I consider essential features?
- If fast charging, good audio performance and OIS is important, the OnePlus Nord 2T is an excellent option.
- If a long lasting battery, a larger and brighter display and great camera is essential, then the Honor 90 is the phone for you.
My Choice
If it were me, I would lean towards the Honor 90. The larger, sharper, and brighter display is a big draw for me since I consume a lot of media on my phone. While the fast charging on the OnePlus Nord 2T is impressive, the Honor 90's larger battery, better main camera and better RAM will be more useful in my day-to-day use, especially when I'm out and about. Additionally, the better camera experience is something I enjoy and the DxOMark scores are higher. I also find the additional lenses and the new OS to be more compelling.
It all comes down to what you prioritize: speed and all rounder performance vs. display, camera and battery life. If you have a different set of needs, you might well find the OnePlus Nord 2T better.
