Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A02s vs. Honor 90
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.2 × 75.9 × 9.1 mm | 161.9 × 74.1 × 7.8 mm | Honor 90 is slightly smaller and thinner, which may feel more comfortable and pocketable. Samsung is slightly larger, and might feel bulky to some. |
| Weight | 196g | 183g | Honor 90 is lighter, which can reduce fatigue during long use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Honor 90 has a slightly larger screen for a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1200x2664 | Honor 90's higher resolution means much sharper text and images, especially noticeable when viewing high-definition content and detailed graphics. |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 435 PPI | Honor 90 will have much sharper images with higher pixel density. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Honor 90's AMOLED offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors, leading to a richer visual experience and more efficient power usage with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Honor 90's 120Hz refresh rate provides much smoother scrolling and animations, making the phone feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | Honor 90 is significantly brighter, making it far easier to use outdoors in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Honor 90 has a much more powerful and efficient processor, resulting in significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking and gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 74,800 | 701,227 | Honor 90 performs significantly better for all tasks, especially for gaming and demanding applications. |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | Adreno 644 | Honor 90 has a more powerful GPU for better graphics and gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 13MP f/1.8 | 200MP f/1.9, 1/1.4" ISOCELL HP3 | Honor 90's much higher resolution sensor captures more detail and is more suited for high-quality photography. |
| Front Camera | 5MP f/2.2 | 50MP f/2.4 | Honor 90's higher resolution selfie camera captures sharper and more detailed selfies. |
| Portrait Camera | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both have a 2MP depth sensor; Honor 90 provides larger pixels, likely resulting in better low light. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | N/A | Samsung A02s has a dedicated macro lens for close up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 12MP f/2.2 | Honor 90 has an additional ultrawide lens for capturing expansive scenes, and doubles as a macro lens. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | Honor 90 supports higher resolution video recording with higher frame rate options and is more suitable for video recording. |
| Slow Motion Video | No | Yes, 960 fps | Honor 90 can record higher frame rate slow motion footage. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, ISO settings, Scene mode, Self-timer | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Front Flash, Night Mode | Honor 90 has more advanced video features such as 4K video recording, image stabilization, and RAW support for post processing. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacities, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Honor 90 charges much faster, reducing downtime significantly. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| Operating System | Android 10 (upgradeable to 12) | Android 13 | Honor 90 has a newer OS version with potential for more features and better security, also is more up to date. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | Honor 90 supports faster Wi-Fi standards for better performance, especially on modern networks. |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 LE | 5.2 LE, EDR, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Honor 90 supports more audio codecs for better wireless audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Honor 90 supports additional satellite systems, providing more accurate and reliable positioning. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32 GB or 64 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | Honor 90 has much more storage, allowing for more apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 3 GB or 4 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB or 16 GB | Honor 90 has considerably more RAM, which will offer smoother multitasking and overall performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers external storage capabilities. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Noise cancellation microphone | Honor 90 may provide clearer audio for calls and recordings. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Basic | Fingerprint | Honor 90 has a fingerprint sensor, offering better biometric security. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, RGB | Honor 90 has more sensors, which provide a range of functionality, from compass direction to improved biometric security |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A02s Advantages:
- Lower Price: Likely a much more affordable option, making it budget-friendly.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Offers a dedicated 2MP macro camera for close-up shots.
Practical Implications of Samsung Galaxy A02s Advantages:
- Good for very basic smartphone users who want a device for simple tasks and don't want to spend much money.
- The dedicated macro lens offers slightly better macro photography than the wide angle + macro of the Honor 90.
Honor 90 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset offers a much faster and smoother experience for all tasks.
- Much Better Display: The AMOLED display with higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness provides a much better visual experience.
- Superior Cameras: Higher resolution main and front cameras, and includes a useful wide-angle lens.
- Faster Charging: 66W fast charging is far more convenient than the 15W charging on the A02s.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers much more built-in storage and significantly more RAM, leading to better multitasking and app performance.
- Newer Software and Connectivity: It has a newer Android version, better Wi-Fi, better bluetooth, and better GPS than the A02s.
- Better Security: It features a fingerprint sensor for biometrics security.
Practical Implications of Honor 90 Advantages:
- Ideal for power users, photographers, and gamers who need a responsive and feature-rich device.
- The high quality display and superior performance, along with the extra storage and RAM, means that the Honor 90 is future-proof for years to come.
- The faster charging time is far better for people who need to use their phone all the time without having to wait long for it to charge.
Trade-offs:
- Price: The Honor 90 is likely to be considerably more expensive than the Samsung A02s.
- Macro Camera: The Samsung A02s has a dedicated macro lens while the Honor 90 uses its wide angle lens as a macro.
- No expandable storage: Neither phone offers expandable storage.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy A02s:
- Budget-Conscious Users: People who need a basic smartphone for calls, texts, and simple tasks with the lowest price possible.
- First-Time Smartphone Users: Individuals who are new to smartphones and just want the basics.
- Users With Limited Usage: People who don't use their phone heavily and need it just for light browsing and basic functionality.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A02s:
- Making basic calls and sending SMS messages.
- Light web browsing and checking emails.
- Using simple social media apps.
Ideal Users for Honor 90:
- Power Users: Individuals who use their phone heavily for multitasking, gaming, and content consumption.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize camera quality and want to capture high-quality photos and videos.
- Users Who Value Performance: Those who need a smooth and responsive device with a great display experience.
- Tech Enthusiasts: People who prefer the newest and most powerful technologies and care about performance.
- Users who prefer wireless audio: Users who prefer wireless audio with high quality codecs such as LDAC and aptX.
Use Cases for Honor 90:
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Shooting high-resolution photos and 4K videos.
- Consuming media such as movies and videos, and scrolling social media.
- Multitasking with various apps smoothly.
- Extended periods of use without having to recharge frequently, with extremely fast charge times when needed.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Samsung Galaxy A02s: Offers basic functionality at a very low cost, but sacrifices performance and features.
- Honor 90: Provides premium features and performance at a higher price point, delivering excellent value for users who need those capabilities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers to Consider:
- What is your budget? The Samsung A02s is likely much more affordable, while the Honor 90 will cost more.
- How important is performance and responsiveness? If you perform demanding tasks or value responsiveness, the Honor 90 is the better choice.
- What do you value most in a smartphone display? If screen quality and brightness are important, the Honor 90's AMOLED display is far superior.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic User on a Budget: If the user primarily needs a phone for basic communication and is on a very tight budget, the Samsung Galaxy A02s is suitable.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Camera Focused: If the user prioritizes performance, photography, and a high-quality display, the Honor 90 is a much better option.
- Scenario 3: Moderate User: If the user uses their phone for a wide variety of tasks, including some gaming and some photography, the Honor 90 is also a better option.
Personal Decision
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Honor 90 without hesitation. While the Samsung Galaxy A02s is likely much more affordable, the Honor 90 offers a vastly superior experience in almost every category that is important to me.
The Honor 90's much faster performance, coupled with the stunning AMOLED display and the vastly better camera system means that it will provide a seamless experience with much higher quality output. The faster charging is also a very useful feature to have, along with the larger storage and RAM for more apps, higher quality photos and videos, and smoother multitasking. The better software and connectivity options mean that the phone is also future-proof for years to come.
While the Samsung A02s has a dedicated macro lens, I would gladly give this up for the significantly better wide angle + macro lens of the Honor 90. Overall, the Honor 90 provides a significantly better experience in almost every way than the A02s for only a slight increase in cost. I personally value high quality and future-proofing, so the Honor 90 is the clear choice.
