1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 158.3 x 73.3 x 8.2 mm | 161.4 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm | Honor 70 is slightly taller but thinner. May affect one-handed use slightly. |
| Weight | 184g | 178g | Honor 70 is marginally lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus Nord offers better scratch and impact resistance for the display. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.44" | 6.67" | Honor 70 offers a slightly larger viewing area for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same level of detail and sharpness. |
| PPI | 408 | 395 | Nearly identical sharpness, difference is imperceptible to the human eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar color accuracy and deep blacks; negligible difference. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Honor 70 will have smoother scrolling and animations, making the user interface feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Brightness is identical, but the actual values are missing. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325-AE Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Honor 70 has a newer and more efficient chipset, leading to better performance and potentially improved battery life. |
| Antutu Score | 714,400 | 600,525 | OnePlus Nord scores higher in Antutu, but benchmarks don't always translate to real-world experience. The difference is also not very high and both will be able to do most tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 642L | Honor 70's GPU is more powerful, offering better graphics performance for gaming and graphically intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | 54MP, f/1.9, 1/1.49" Sony IMX800 | Honor 70's main camera has a slightly larger sensor, which may result in slightly better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25, 1/2.8" Sony IMX355 | 50MP, f/2.2, No sensor model, No pixel size | Honor 70 has a significantly higher resolution wide-angle lens, resulting in much sharper and more detailed wide-angle photos. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4, No sensor model, No pixel size | Honor 70 offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/2.74" Sony IMX615 | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2" Omnivision OV32C | OnePlus Nord has a larger sensor on the selfie camera, potentially resulting in better low-light selfies. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS, Yes | EIS, No | OnePlus Nord uses a generic Video Stabilization technology, while Honor 70 uses none. Honor 70 offers ultra stable video |
| DxOMark Score | N/A | 115 (Photo: 115, Video: 129) | Honor 70's camera performance is rated by DxOMark. |
| Features | OIS, PDAF, Continuous Autofocus | Ultra stable video, Night Mode | OnePlus Nord has OIS for steadier photos and videos. Honor 70 has Night Mode for better low light photos, and ultra stable video for better video stabilization |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4800mAh | Honor 70 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Similar fast charging capabilities, both phones can charge quickly. |
| Features | N/A | Reverse Charging | Honor 70 can be used to charge other devices wirelessly. |
Storage
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | Unknown | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Honor 70 offers more storage, especially the 512GB option for users with large media libraries. |
| RAM | Unknown | 6GB/8GB/12GB | Honor 70 offers options for more RAM, allowing for better multitasking and smoother performance with demanding applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus Nord Advantages:
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers more robust screen protection.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): OIS on the main camera for steadier photos and videos.
- Wider selfie sensor: Will result in better quality selfies in low light.
- GPS: Supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
- Better Antutu score: Marginally better performance
Honor 70 Advantages:
- Newer and More Efficient Chipset: Snapdragon 778G+ offers better performance and power efficiency.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: 120Hz display provides smoother animations and a more responsive user experience.
- Larger Battery: Offers slightly longer battery life.
- Higher Resolution Wide-Angle Lens: Significantly better quality wide-angle photos.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: For close-up photography.
- Reverse Charging: Can be used to charge other devices.
- Hi-Res Audio: High quality audio.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus Nord is an older phone.
- Honor 70 lacks OIS on the main camera but does have ultra stable video.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus Nord Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize screen protection and camera OIS.
- Users who want a better selfie camera.
- Users who want a phone with better GPS accuracy.
- Users who want slightly higher performance.
Use Cases:
- Outdoor photography and videography where stability is crucial.
- Users prone to dropping their phone.
- Users in areas with poor GPS connection.
Honor 70 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a smooth display and longer battery life.
- Users who value high-quality wide-angle photos and macro photography.
- Users who want reverse charging capability.
- Users who want a newer phone.
Use Cases:
- Gaming and media consumption.
- Travel photography.
- Users who need to charge other devices on the go.
- General everyday use with a focus on a smooth and responsive experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is screen protection to you? (OnePlus Nord has Gorilla Glass 5)
- Do you prioritize a smooth display and longer battery life, or OIS for the main camera? (Honor 70: 120Hz, larger battery; OnePlus Nord: OIS)
- How important is wide-angle photography? (Honor 70 has a significantly better wide-angle lens)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent Traveler/Outdoor Photographer: OnePlus Nord due to OIS and GPS support.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer/Media Consumer: Honor 70 due to 120Hz display, better GPU, and larger battery.
- Scenario 3: Casual User: Honor 70.
My Choice
I would choose the Honor 70.
Here's why:
- Newer Technology: The Snapdragon 778G+ is a more modern and efficient chipset, promising a better overall experience, particularly for gaming.
- Display: The 120Hz refresh rate makes a noticeable difference in daily use, resulting in a smoother and more responsive feel.
- Camera Versatility: The significantly improved wide-angle lens and the inclusion of a macro lens provide more creative options.
- Battery Life: A larger battery, though only slightly larger, is always a plus for peace of mind.
While the OnePlus Nord has a better Antutu score, in real world usage, the performance of the Honor 70 will feel better due to the newer and more efficient chip. The OIS on the OnePlus Nord is valuable, the other improvements on the Honor 70 outweigh it. The better and more versatile camera system, display, and battery life on the Honor 70 make it the better choice for me.
