1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 76.4 × 9.3 mm | 161.9 × 74.1 × 7.8 mm | The Honor 90 is more compact and easier to handle, particularly for smaller hands. The Mi 10T 5G is noticeably thicker and wider. |
| Weight | 216g | 183g | The Honor 90 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and less tiring to hold. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Mi 10T 5G has a known durable screen, providing better protection against scratches and impacts. The Honor 90's screen durability is unknown, posing a risk. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Minimal difference in screen size; both offer immersive viewing experiences. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1200x2664 | The Honor 90 has a sharper and more detailed display, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 435 PPI | The higher pixel density of the Honor 90 translates to slightly crisper visuals. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | AMOLED displays (Honor 90) offer deeper blacks, higher contrast, and more vibrant colors compared to IPS LCDs (Mi 10T 5G). They also provide better power efficiency with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | The Mi 10T 5G's 144Hz refresh rate provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations, potentially beneficial for gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | Honor 90 will be much easier to see outdoors, especially in sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition (4 nm) | While the Snapdragon 865 is an older flagship chipset, it still offers strong performance. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 is newer but sits in the upper mid-range tier. |
| AnTuTu Score | 742,400 | 701,227 | The Mi 10T 5G shows a marginally higher score in benchmarks. In practice, both phones will handle most tasks smoothly, but the Mi 10T 5G might have a slight edge in demanding games. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 644 | The Adreno 650 in the Mi 10T 5G offers slightly better graphics performance, beneficial for gaming and graphically intensive applications. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB | Honor 90 offers more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and better handling of memory-intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.89, 1/1.7" sensor | 200MP, f/1.9, 1/1.4" sensor | The Honor 90's 200MP sensor allows for more detailed photos and greater flexibility for cropping and zooming. |
| Ultrawide Camera | 13MP | 12MP (Wide Angle + Macro) | Mi 10T 5G has a dedicated ultrawide camera. Honor 90 combines ultrawide and macro functionality into one lens. |
| Macro Camera | 5MP | N/A (Combined with Ultrawide) | Mi 10T 5G has a dedicated macro camera. Honor 90 has a dedicated ultrawide camera. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP | 50MP | The Honor 90's higher-resolution front camera captures more detailed selfies. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Mi 10T 5G has an 8K resolution. |
| DxOMark Score | N/A | 122 | Provides an objective measure of camera performance; higher scores indicate better image quality. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life can be expected from both. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Honor 90 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
Other
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 10 (upgradable to 11) | Android 13 | Honor 90 has a much newer OS, ensuring access to the latest features, security updates, and app compatibility. |
| Storage Options | 128GB | 256GB/512GB | Honor 90 gives more storage options, useful for users who store many photos, videos, or apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone can be expanded. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G Advantages:
- Slightly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 865 offers slightly better performance in some benchmarks and graphically intensive tasks.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 144Hz refresh rate provides slightly smoother visuals.
- 8K Video Recording: Capable of recording videos at up to 8K resolution.
- More GPS satelites: More satellite systems are available for better location accuracy
Honor 90 Advantages:
- Newer and More Refined Design: More compact and lightweight, offering better ergonomics.
- Superior Display Technology: AMOLED display provides richer colors, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency.
- Faster Charging: 66W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Significantly Higher Resolution Main Camera: 200MP camera captures more detailed photos and offers more flexibility for cropping.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 50MP front camera for clearer selfies.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 13, ensuring access to the latest features and security updates.
- Larger RAM Options: Available with up to 16GB of RAM for smoother multitasking.
- Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility
- More Storage Options: More storage options for users who store many photos, videos, or apps.
Trade-offs:
- The Mi 10T 5G prioritizes raw performance and higher refresh rate at the expense of display quality and camera resolution.
- The Honor 90 offers a more modern design, superior display, and better camera capabilities but might be slightly less powerful in certain tasks.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G Ideal Users:
- Gamers: Who prioritize high refresh rates and raw performance over display quality.
- Budget-conscious users: Seeking a powerful phone at a lower price point (assuming it is cheaper due to its age).
- Users who need 8K video: The only advantage to choose this phone over the other.
Honor 90 Ideal Users:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Who value high-resolution cameras and excellent image quality.
- Content Consumers: Who appreciate vibrant displays and immersive viewing experiences.
- Users Who Value Design: Who prefer a more compact, lightweight, and modern-looking phone.
- Social Media Users: Taking selfie pictures will look better thanks to the higher resolution selfie camera.
Use Cases:
- Mi 10T 5G: Playing graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact at higher frame rates.
- Honor 90: Taking detailed landscape photos, enjoying HDR movies on Netflix, or creating high-quality social media content.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? Price differences are not provided, but the Mi 10T 5G is older so should be cheaper.
- What is your primary use case? Photography, gaming, or general use?
- How important is display quality to you? AMOLED vs. IPS LCD is a significant difference.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming on a Budget: If you are on a tight budget and prioritize gaming, the Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G might be a viable option, if it is cheaper than the Honor 90.
- Scenario 2: Photography and Content Creation: If you value camera quality, display, and modern features, the Honor 90 is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Performance and Features: The Honor 90 is better as it has a slightly lower AnTuTu score but has a better display, camera and storage options.
What I would choose and why!
I would choose the Honor 90. While the Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G has some advantages in raw performance and refresh rate, the Honor 90 offers a more compelling overall package for my needs. The superior AMOLED display, significantly better camera system, faster charging, modern design, and newer software make it a more enjoyable and versatile device for everyday use. As someone who values photography and consumes a lot of content on my phone, the Honor 90's strengths align perfectly with my priorities.
