OnePlus Nord CE 5G vs. Honor 90: A Practical Comparison
1. Specifications Breakdown
Design & Build
| Feature | OnePlus Nord CE 5G | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159.2 × 73.5 × 7.9 mm | 161.9 × 74.1 × 7.8 mm | Honor 90 is slightly taller but negligibly thinner. Weight difference (170g vs. 183g) may be noticeable in prolonged use. |
| Display Brightness | 700 nits | 1600 nits | Honor 90 is far better outdoors—900 nits brighter, making it much more usable in sunlight. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus Nord CE 5G | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| Size | 6.43" AMOLED | 6.7" AMOLED | Honor 90 offers a larger screen, better for media and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 (410 PPI) | 1200x2664 (435 PPI) | Sharper visuals on Honor 90, though the difference may not be dramatic in daily use. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Smoother scrolling and animations on Honor 90—great for gaming and UI fluidity. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus Nord CE 5G | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G (8nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm) | Honor 90 is significantly faster—better for gaming, multitasking, and future-proofing. |
| Antutu Score | 385,000 | 701,227 | 82% higher benchmark score—Honor 90 handles demanding apps and games with ease. |
| RAM Options | 6/8/12GB | 8/12/16GB | More RAM options on Honor 90, with 16GB variant for heavy users. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus Nord CE 5G | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP (f/1.79, 1/2" sensor) | 200MP (f/1.9, 1/1.4" sensor) | Honor 90 wins in resolution and low-light performance due to larger sensor. |
| Ultrawide Lens | 8MP (f/2.25) | None | OnePlus Nord CE 5G has an ultrawide, Honor 90 skips it but has a 12MP macro+wide hybrid lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP (f/2.45) | 50MP (f/2.4) | Honor 90 has a much higher-resolution front camera—better for selfies and video calls. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps (240fps slow-mo) | 4K@30fps (960fps slow-mo) | Honor 90 supports super slow-mo, useful for creative videos. |
| DxOMark Score | 84 (Photo: 89, Video: 80) | 122 (Photo: 128, Video: 126) | Honor 90 is vastly superior in camera performance. |
Battery & Charging
| Feature | OnePlus Nord CE 5G | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| Battery Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Honor 90 lasts longer—11% more battery for extended use. |
| Charging Speed | 30W fast charging | 66W fast charging | Honor 90 charges twice as fast—great for quick top-ups. |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | OnePlus Nord CE 5G | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| OS Version | Android 11 (up to 13) | Android 13 | Honor 90 runs a newer OS out of the box. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Honor 90 has faster, more stable Wi-Fi—better for crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Slightly better power efficiency and range on Honor 90. |
| Storage Options | 128/256GB (non-expandable) | 256/512GB (non-expandable) | Honor 90 offers more storage—great for media hoarders. |
2. Key Insights
OnePlus Nord CE 5G Strengths
- Ultrawide camera (missing on Honor 90).
- Lighter and slightly more compact (better for one-handed use).
- More satellite positioning systems (better GPS accuracy).
Honor 90 Strengths
- Faster performance (Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 vs 750G).
- Superior display (120Hz, 1600 nits brightness).
- Much better camera system (200MP main, 50MP selfie, higher DxOMark score).
- Bigger battery & faster charging (5000mAh, 66W vs 4500mAh, 30W).
- Newer OS & connectivity (Wi-Fi 6, BT 5.2, Android 13).
Trade-Offs
- No ultrawide on Honor 90 (replaced by macro/wide hybrid).
- OnePlus Nord CE 5G is older (may miss out on future software updates).
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Choose OnePlus Nord CE 5G if:
✅ You prefer a lighter phone with an ultrawide lens.
✅ You don’t need top-tier performance and prioritize affordability.
✅ You like OxygenOS’s clean software experience.
Choose Honor 90 if:
✅ You want a flagship-level camera (200MP main, 50MP selfie).
✅ You demand faster performance and smoother display (120Hz, Snapdragon 7 Gen 1).
✅ You need longer battery life & ultra-fast charging (66W).
✅ You prefer a newer phone with better future-proofing (Wi-Fi 6, Android 13).
4. Buying Decision Framework
Ask Yourself:
- Do you care more about camera quality or battery life? → Honor 90 wins both.
- Do you need an ultrawide lens? → OnePlus Nord CE 5G has it, Honor 90 doesn’t.
- Is software longevity important? → Honor 90 has a newer OS and better chipset.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Photographers & Social Media Lovers: Honor 90 (200MP camera, 50MP selfie).
- Gamers & Power Users: Honor 90 (Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, 120Hz).
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: OnePlus Nord CE 5G (cheaper, still decent).
Final Verdict: Which Would I Choose?
I’d pick the Honor 90. The superior camera, faster performance, better display, and longer battery life make it a far more future-proof choice. The only downside is the lack of an ultrawide lens, but everything else (screen, speed, charging, software) justifies the upgrade.
If you find both available at a similar price, the Honor 90 is the clear winner—unless you really need an ultrawide camera or prefer OnePlus’s software. Otherwise, the Honor 90 is the better all-rounder. 🚀
