Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Honor 90 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Honor 90
Honor 90
Honor

General

Launch Date February 17, 2023 June 7, 2023
Release Year 2023 2023

Physical

Volume 113.58 cm³ 93.57 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 2.91 "/g 3.66 "/g
Weight 234 g 183 g
Height 163.4 mm 161.9 mm
Width 78.1 mm 74.1 mm
Thickness 8.9 mm 7.8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Red
  • Green
  • Graphite
  • Phantom Black
  • Lavender
  • Cream
  • Sky Blue
  • Lime
  • BMW M Edition
  • Midnight Black
  • Emerald Green
  • Diamond Silver
  • Peacock Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.8 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1440 x 3088 1200 x 2664
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 89.5 % 90.4 %
Pixel Density 500 PPI 435 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 1200 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1750 nits 1600 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 108.13 mAh/in² 111.38 mAh/in²
Battery Density 44.02 mAh/cm³ 53.43 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) Octa-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU Adreno 740 Adreno 644

Connectivity

USB Version 3.2 2.0
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.2, OTG USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 13 13
Maximum OS Version 17

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S23 UltraHonor 90Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8S23 Ultra slightly larger, might feel less comfortable for some hands. Honor 90 is thinner and lighter, enhancing one-handed usability.
Weight (g)234183Noticeable weight difference; Honor 90 significantly lighter and less fatiguing for extended use.
Display
Display Size (inches)6.86.7Negligible difference in screen real estate.
Resolution (px)1440 x 30881200 x 2664S23 Ultra boasts significantly sharper display (500 ppi vs 435 ppi), resulting in crisper text and images.
Display TypeDynamic AMOLED 2XAMOLEDBoth offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. S23 Ultra's Dynamic AMOLED 2X likely offers better HDR performance and potentially higher peak brightness (1750 nits vs 1600 nits).
Refresh Rate (Hz)120120Both offer smooth scrolling and animations.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 2Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated EditionS23 Ultra utilizes a flagship processor, providing significantly better performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and multitasking.
CPUOcta-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & ...)Octa-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & ...)S23 Ultra's CPU has higher clock speeds and a more powerful core architecture, translating to faster app loading, smoother performance, and better sustained performance under heavy load.
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 644S23 Ultra's GPU offers a substantial performance advantage for gaming and graphically intensive applications.
RAM (GB)8/128/12/16RAM options comparable in this comparison, though higher RAM options exist for the Honor 90 in some regions. More RAM improves multitasking.
Camera
Main Camera (MP)200200Both have high-resolution main sensors. Practical image quality will depend on processing and sensor size. S23 Ultra uses a larger 1/1.3" sensor compared to Honor 90's 1/1.4", potentially offering better low-light performance.
Zoom3x & 10x OpticalDigital Zoom OnlyS23 Ultra offers superior zoom capabilities with dedicated telephoto lenses for lossless zoom, while Honor 90 relies on digital zoom, which results in quality degradation.
Video RecordingUp to 8K@30fpsUp to 4K@30fpsS23 Ultra offers higher resolution video recording.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)50005000Similar battery capacities. Real-world battery life will depend on software optimization and usage patterns.
Fast Charging (W)4566Honor 90 offers faster charging speeds, reducing downtime.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: Significantly more powerful processor and GPU for demanding tasks and gaming.
  • Sharper Display: Higher resolution and potentially brighter display with better HDR.
  • Advanced Camera System: Dedicated telephoto lenses for superior zoom capabilities, larger main sensor.
  • More Premium Build: Though subjective, generally considered a more premium device.

Honor 90 Advantages:

  • Lighter and Thinner: More comfortable for one-handed use and extended periods.
  • Faster Charging: Significantly faster charging speed.
  • Lower Price: Generally more affordable than the S23 Ultra.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Ideal for power users, gamers, photographers, and content creators who demand top-tier performance, a stunning display, and a versatile camera system.

Honor 90: Suitable for users who prioritize a lightweight and comfortable design, fast charging, and affordability, and whose usage consists primarily of everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and casual photography. Good value proposition.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The S23 Ultra is significantly more expensive.
  2. What are your primary use cases? (Gaming, photography, everyday tasks)
  3. Do you prioritize performance, camera quality, or portability and charging speed?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Heavy gamer: S23 Ultra
  • Budget-conscious social media user: Honor 90
  • Professional photographer: S23 Ultra

My Choice: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

While the Honor 90 offers excellent value, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. The superior performance, significantly better camera system with optical zoom, and sharper display are crucial for my usage. I prioritize a smooth and responsive experience for demanding tasks and value high-quality photography. I am willing to pay the premium for the S23 Ultra's flagship features and build quality, and while faster charging is appealing, the overall performance and camera capabilities of the S23 Ultra are more important to me.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.