Alright, let's break down the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G and the Honor 90. I've always found that the devil is in the details, and a spec sheet doesn’t always tell the whole story. So, let's dive in and see what these phones bring to the table in real-world scenarios.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at the specs, along with what they mean for you, the user:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-02 | 2023-06-07 | Honor 90 is newer, with more recent tech |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are traditional smartphone designs |
| Dimensions (mm) | 165.4 x 76.9 x 8.4 | 161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8 | A23 is larger and thicker, Honor 90 is slimmer and more compact |
| Weight (g) | 197g | 183g | Honor 90 is lighter, potentially more comfortable for long use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | Honor 90 has a slightly larger display |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 1200x2664 | Honor 90's screen is significantly sharper |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 400 | 435 | Honor 90's display is noticeably crisper |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Honor 90 offers better contrast, richer colors, and deeper blacks |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both are smooth for scrolling and gaming |
| Brightness (nits) | 0 | 1600 | Honor 90's screen is much more visible in bright sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 695 5G | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 | Honor 90 offers higher performance and smoother experience |
| AnTuTu Score | 418,000 | 701,227 | Honor 90 is significantly faster for gaming and multitasking |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 644 | Honor 90 has better graphics capabilities |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery capacity |
| Charging | 25W | 66W | Honor 90 charges significantly faster |
| Features | Bypass Charging | None | A23 bypass charging for better heat management during gaming |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP (f/1.8) | 200MP (f/1.9) | Honor 90 captures more detail and higher-resolution photos |
| Main Sensor Size | 1/2.76" | 1/1.4" | Honor 90 has better low-light performance |
| Front Camera | 8MP (f/2.0) | 50MP (f/2.4) | Honor 90 takes much higher resolution selfies |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP | 12MP (Combined with Macro) | A23 has dedicated, Honor 90 uses a combo lens |
| Portrait/Depth Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | 2MP (f/2.4) | Both offer similar portrait capabilities |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | None | A23 has dedicated macro, Honor 90 does not |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080@60fps | Honor 90 captures significantly higher quality videos |
| Slow Motion | 120 fps | 960 fps | Honor 90 captures higher frame rate, enabling more detail slow-mo video |
| Stabilization | OIS (Optical) | EIS (Digital) | Both use different methods. |
| DxOMark Score | N/A | 122 (Mobile) | Honor 90's camera is better based on third-party test |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 (Up to 14) | Android 13 | Honor 90 has a more recent OS |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Honor 90 has faster and more efficient Wi-Fi |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Honor 90 has a slightly more recent Bluetooth version |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | Honor 90 allows for two SIMs simultaneously |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | Various | 256/512GB | Honor 90 offers significantly more storage options |
| RAM | Various | 8/12/16 GB | Honor 90 offers significantly more RAM |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards |
| Audio | |||
| Features | Basic | Noise Cancellation Mic | Honor 90 offers noise cancellation for clearer calls |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted on Samsung likely faster than Honor 90 under-display sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | A23 screen is more durable against scratches |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, RGB | A23 has more environmental and motion sensors |
2. Key Insights
- Honor 90's Strengths: The Honor 90 is a clear step up in several key areas. Its AMOLED display is significantly better than the A23's LCD, offering much more vibrant colors and deeper blacks, and the high brightness is great for outdoor use. Its Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset delivers much better performance for gaming and multitasking. The 200MP main camera and 50MP front camera are also massive improvements over the A23. Finally, the 66W charging is significantly faster.
- Samsung Galaxy A23 5G's Strengths: The A23 does hold its own by offering Bypass Charging, a feature gamers might appreciate, and has a dedicated macro lens for those who enjoy close-up photography. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner is likely to be faster than the under-display scanner, and Gorilla Glass 5 is a very durable screen protector.
- Trade-offs: The Honor 90 sacrifices the macro lens and Gorilla Glass for a higher-quality main camera, display and chipset. The A23 trades a better display and performance for durability and a longer-lasting battery while gaming.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Honor 90: This phone is ideal for users who prioritize a premium display experience, better performance and a much better camera experience. If you watch a lot of videos, play games, or take a lot of photos, the Honor 90 is the better pick.
- Samsung Galaxy A23 5G: This phone is better for users on a stricter budget who want a phone that will last longer while playing games due to its bypass charging, who like having a macro lens, and want a durable screen.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- How important is display quality to you? If you want vibrant colors, deep blacks, and great outdoor visibility, the Honor 90's AMOLED display is a must.
- Do you prioritize performance or budget? If you're looking for the best experience for gaming and multitasking, the Honor 90 is the clear winner. But if your budget is a big concern and you are happy with an average display and less powerful performance, the A23 might be your best bet.
- What kind of photography do you do? If you care more about detail and better-looking selfies, the Honor 90 is the clear choice. If you want a good macro camera, the A23 is better,
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- For the Media Buff: The Honor 90 is the clear winner with its superior AMOLED display, larger storage, and higher video recording capabilities, making it a media consumption powerhouse.
- For the Mobile Gamer: The Honor 90 offers a better gaming experience due to its more powerful Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset. If you play heavy graphic games, the Honor 90 is much better suited for the task.
- For the Casual User on a Budget: The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is a decent option, given its lower price, dedicated macro lens, and bypass charging, even if it compromises on other areas.
- For the Photography Enthusiast: The Honor 90 is the top choice with its high-resolution main and front cameras, offering more detailed photos.
My Choice
Personally, I'd choose the Honor 90. The improvements in the display, performance, and cameras are significant and, for me, outweigh the benefits of the A23's more durable screen, bypass charging and macro lens. I spend a good chunk of my day looking at my phone screen and taking photos, so the sharper display, brighter screen and better camera are very useful to me. Plus, the faster charging is a major convenience. For me, the Honor 90 represents a better overall user experience.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual needs and priorities. But hopefully, this breakdown has given you a clearer picture of what each of these phones offers.
