Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Realme C35 and the Honor 90. I'll break down the specs, provide some real-world context, and help you figure out which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed table comparing the key specifications of these two phones, focusing on what it all actually means for you as a user:
| Feature | Realme C35 | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 × 75.6 × 8.1 mm | 161.9 × 74.1 × 7.8 mm | The Honor 90 is slightly more compact and a tad thinner, making it feel more pocketable. |
| Weight | 189g | 183g | The Honor 90 is lighter, which could be preferable for long-term use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | The Honor 90 provides a slightly larger screen for more immersive content viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 1200x2664 | Honor 90 has noticeably sharper images, especially for text and detailed content. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 401 | 435 | The Honor 90's slightly higher pixel density adds to the sharpness of the display. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Honor 90's AMOLED offers much better contrast, deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Honor 90's display appears much smoother, making scrolling and animations feel more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | Honor 90 will be far more visible in bright sunlight, making it better for outdoor usage. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Honor 90 will perform significantly better in all tasks, from gaming to daily app use. |
| AnTuTu Score | 230,726 | 701,227 | Honor 90 scores much higher, showcasing its superior processing capabilities and smoother performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 644 | Honor 90's GPU is much more powerful, crucial for better graphics in gaming and apps. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should offer similar battery endurance, depending on usage patterns. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 66W fast charging, Li-Ion | Honor 90 charges much faster, taking less time to top up the battery. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 200MP, f/1.9, 1/1.4" | Honor 90's main camera will capture far more detailed and sharper images. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 50MP, f/2.4 | Honor 90's selfie camera will take higher resolution and more detailed selfies. |
| Portrait Mode | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Honor 90 has a depth sensor for better bokeh effect in portrait shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Realme C35 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 12MP, f/2.2 | Honor 90 provides a versatile wide-angle lens that can also be used for macro photography. |
| Black & white | 2MP, f/2.8 | N/A | Realme C35 has a dedicated black & white sensor for monochrome images. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS | Honor 90 allows for higher quality video recording, making it better for content creation. |
| Slow-motion | No, 30 fps | Yes, 960 fps | Honor 90 records slow motion in higher quality and faster fps for more cinematic scenes |
| DXOMark | N/A | Main Score: 122 | Honor 90 scored well in professional camera testing by DXOMark. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | Honor 90 uses a more up-to-date operating system with more features and performance improvements. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Honor 90 supports the latest WiFi standard, faster speeds and more reliable connection. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 LE | Honor 90 has a more advanced Bluetooth version with better audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Honor 90 has better GPS accuracy by using more satellite systems. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB or 128GB | 256GB or 512GB | Honor 90 offers much more storage space for photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB | Honor 90 has much more RAM to run many apps and tasks simultaneously without slowing down. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither has an SD Card Slot |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Noise cancellation microphone | Honor 90 provides clearer audio for calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Realme C35 offers faster fingerprint recognition because of its location on the side of the phone. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass | Honor 90 provides additional biometric sensors. |
2. Key Insights
Realme C35
Strengths:
- Affordable price point, making it a good entry-level phone.
- Decent battery life thanks to its large 5000mAh battery.
- Dedicated macro and black & white cameras for those who enjoy playing with different photo styles.
Limitations:
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the Honor 90.
- Basic display technology (IPS LCD) with lower resolution, brightness, and refresh rate.
- Older Android version (Android 11) means less security and fewer features.
- Slower charging speed means more waiting time.
Honor 90
Strengths:
- Exceptional performance thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chip and much more RAM.
- Stunning AMOLED display with high resolution, 120Hz refresh rate and great brightness.
- Fantastic 200MP main camera and 50MP selfie camera for high-quality photography.
- Much faster 66W charging.
- Newer Android version (Android 13) with more features and security updates.
- Better GPS accuracy for navigation.
Limitations:
- Lacks a dedicated macro lens, relying on its wide-angle lens for macro functionality
- More expensive, placing it at a higher price point compared to the Realme C35.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Realme C35 is best for:
- Budget-conscious users: Those looking for a functional phone without breaking the bank.
- Light users: Individuals who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, browsing, and social media.
- Users who appreciate dedicated macro and black & white cameras: People who enjoy these modes in photography.
Honor 90 is best for:
- Power users: People who require strong performance for multitasking, gaming, and demanding apps.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who want high-resolution, versatile cameras with exceptional image quality.
- Multimedia consumers: Individuals who watch a lot of videos and want a vibrant and smooth display.
- Users who value cutting-edge technology: People who want the latest features, a fast-charging battery, and better connectivity.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
How important is performance to you?
- If you need a phone that can handle demanding apps and games smoothly, go for the Honor 90. If you mainly use your phone for basic tasks, the Realme C35 might be enough.
How crucial is display quality?
- If you value a vibrant, high-resolution display with smooth animations, the Honor 90's AMOLED is the clear choice. If you are ok with less, the Realme C35 is acceptable.
What's your budget?
- If you have a strict budget, the Realme C35 is the more affordable option. If you're willing to pay more for premium features and performance, the Honor 90 is worth the investment.
Scenario-based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: The Casual User
- Needs: Basic browsing, social media, messaging, light photo capturing.
- Recommendation: Realme C35. It’s a good entry-level phone that will cover most basic needs, with the benefit of having a macro and black & white camera.
Scenario 2: The Mobile Photographer
- Needs: High-resolution, detailed images with a versatile camera system.
- Recommendation: Honor 90. The 200MP camera and 50MP selfie camera will provide the most exceptional photos.
Scenario 3: The Power User
- Needs: Smooth multitasking, gaming, resource-intensive apps.
- Recommendation: Honor 90. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chip and larger RAM are perfect for heavy use.
Scenario 4: The Budget-Conscious User
- Needs: A functional and affordable smartphone that works well without breaking the bank.
- Recommendation: Realme C35. Although not as powerful as the Honor 90, it is adequate for day-to-day use and saves money in the process.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two, I would pick the Honor 90. The difference in performance and the massive upgrade in display quality are just too significant to ignore. As someone who uses their phone for a variety of tasks including photo editing, mobile gaming, and a lot of content consumption, the smoother performance, vibrant screen, and exceptional camera on the Honor 90 would significantly improve my daily experience. I am happy to pay more for a vastly superior product. Even though I enjoy macro shots, the wide-angle macro of the Honor 90 is good enough for my needs.
In short, while the Realme C35 is a fine device for its price, the Honor 90 is a more powerful and versatile choice for anyone looking for a higher-tier smartphone experience.
