Samsung Galaxy S23 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 78.83 cm³ 93.57 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.63 "/g 3.66 "/g
Weight 168 g 183 g
Height 146.3 mm 161.9 mm
Width 70.9 mm 74.1 mm
Thickness 7.6 mm 7.8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Green
  • Graphite
  • Phantom Black
  • Lavender
  • Cream
  • Lime
  • Midnight Black
  • Emerald Green
  • Diamond Silver
  • Peacock Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1080 x 2340 1200 x 2664
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 88.1 % 90.4 %
Pixel Density 425 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 104.81 mAh/in² 111.38 mAh/in²
Battery Density 49.47 mAh/cm³ 53.43 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 3900 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 S23Honor 90Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8S23 is significantly smaller and more pocketable. Honor 90 is larger, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use.
Weight (g)168183S23 is noticeably lighter, reducing hand fatigue during extended use.
Display
Size (inches)6.16.7Honor 90 offers a larger screen for more immersive media consumption and multitasking. S23 is more compact.
Resolution1080 x 23401200 x 2664Both offer sharp displays, but the Honor 90 has a slightly higher resolution. Difference is negligible in practice.
Refresh Rate (Hz)120120Both offer smooth scrolling and animations thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate.
Display TypeDynamic AMOLED 2XAMOLEDS23's Dynamic AMOLED 2X likely offers better contrast and color accuracy, potentially brighter outdoors.
Peak Brightness (nits)17501600S23's higher peak brightness improves outdoor visibility.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 2Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 AcceleratedS23 boasts a flagship chipset, offering significantly better performance for demanding tasks and gaming. Honor 90's mid-range chip handles everyday tasks well.
CPUOcta-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & ...)Octa-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & ...)S23's CPU has faster clock speeds and a more powerful core configuration, resulting in superior processing power.
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 644S23's GPU provides a significant advantage in gaming and graphics-intensive applications.
RAM (GB)88/12/16Both offer sufficient RAM for multitasking, though Honor 90 offers configurations with more RAM for potentially smoother performance with many open apps.
Camera
Main Camera (MP)50200Honor 90 has a much higher resolution main sensor. However, megapixel count doesn't solely determine image quality; sensor size and processing are crucial.
Ultrawide (MP)12.212Similar ultrawide capabilities.
Telephoto (MP)10 (3x optical)N/AS23 offers a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, missing in the Honor 90.
Selfie (MP)1250Honor 90 has a higher resolution selfie camera.
VideoUp to 8K@30fpsUp to 4K@30fpsS23 offers superior video recording capabilities with higher resolution and frame rate options.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)39005000Honor 90 has significantly larger battery capacity, likely resulting in longer battery life.
Fast Charging (W)2566Honor 90 supports much faster charging.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy S23 Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: Flagship chipset and powerful CPU/GPU for demanding tasks and gaming.
  • Compact Design: Smaller and lighter, more comfortable for one-handed use.
  • Brighter Display: Potentially better outdoor visibility.
  • Dedicated Telephoto Lens: Enables optical zoom for better image quality.
  • Higher Quality Video Recording: Supports up to 8K resolution.

Honor 90 Advantages:

  • Longer Battery Life: Significantly larger battery capacity.
  • Significantly Faster Charging: Charges much quicker with 66W fast charging.
  • Larger Display: More immersive media consumption and multitasking.
  • Higher Resolution Main Camera: Potential for more detailed photos in ideal conditions.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy S23: Ideal for users who prioritize performance, portability, a premium display, and a versatile camera system with optical zoom. Suitable for demanding tasks, mobile gaming, and content creation.

Honor 90: Ideal for users who prioritize battery life, a large display for media consumption, and fast charging. Suitable for everyday tasks, social media, and casual gaming. Price conscious buyers looking for a large screen experience.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget and how important is performance? The S23 is more expensive but significantly more powerful.
  2. Do you prioritize portability or a large screen? The S23 is compact, while the Honor 90 has a larger display.
  3. How important is battery life and charging speed? The Honor 90 excels in these areas.

My Choice: Samsung Galaxy S23

While the Honor 90 offers compelling features like a massive battery and incredibly fast charging, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S23. The superior performance of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a major deciding factor for me. I value a smooth and responsive user experience, especially for gaming and multitasking, and the S23 delivers that. The more compact form factor and the inclusion of a dedicated telephoto lens also align with my preferences. I am willing to compromise on battery life (though the S23's battery is still respectable) for the significant performance gains and overall more premium experience offered by the S23. The inclusion of 8K video recording, while not a daily need, offers future-proofing and creative possibilities. Ultimately, the S23 provides a more well-rounded flagship experience that better suits my needs.

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.

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