Xiaomi Poco F4 vs. Honor 90: A Tech Journalist's Deep Dive
Let's cut through the marketing fluff and dissect the Xiaomi Poco F4 and Honor 90, focusing on what truly matters: how these phones perform in the real world.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions (mm) | 163.2 x 76 x 7.7 | 161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8 | Honor 90 is slightly more compact and lighter. |
| Weight (g) | 195 | 183 | Noticeable difference in hand; Honor 90 feels less bulky. |
| Display | |||
| Size (inches) | 6.67 | 6.7 | Negligible size difference. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1200 x 2664 | Honor 90 boasts sharper visuals due to higher resolution. |
| Panel Type | AMOLED, 120Hz | AMOLED, 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and vibrant colors. Honor 90's 1 Billion colors provide smoother color gradients. |
| Peak Brightness | 1300 nits | 1600 nits | Honor 90 should be more visible in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 5G | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated | Poco F4 boasts significantly better CPU performance due to its flagship-grade processor from a previous generation; Honor 90 offers better power efficiency. |
| CPU | Octa-core (3.2 GHz Kryo 585...) | Octa-core (2.5 GHz Cortex-A710...) | Poco F4 handles demanding tasks and multitasking more effectively. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 644 | Poco F4 likely offers a slight edge in gaming performance, although both are competent for most mobile games. |
| RAM | 6/8/12GB | 8/12/16GB | Honor 90 offers higher RAM options for smoother multitasking with more apps open in the background. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Sensor | 64MP OmniVision | 200MP Samsung | Honor 90 has a significantly higher resolution main sensor, potentially capturing more detail. However, megapixel count doesn't guarantee image quality. |
| Ultrawide | 8MP | 12MP | Honor 90 likely offers a wider field of view and higher resolution ultrawide shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP | 50MP | Honor 90 boasts a much higher resolution front-facing camera for detailed selfies. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 5000 mAh | Honor 90 likely provides longer battery life due to its larger capacity and more power-efficient chipset. |
| Fast Charging | 67W | 66W | Negligible difference in charging speeds; both charge very quickly. |
2. Key Insights
Performance: The Poco F4, with its Snapdragon 870, delivers superior processing power compared to the Honor 90's Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated. This translates to smoother performance in demanding games and applications. The Honor 90 focuses on power efficiency, potentially leading to longer battery life.
Display: Both phones offer excellent AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rates. However, the Honor 90 pulls ahead with its higher resolution and peak brightness, resulting in crisper visuals and better outdoor visibility. Its 1 Billion colors also enable a smoother transition between colors compared to the Poco F4.
Camera: The Honor 90 boasts a massive 200MP main sensor and a high-resolution 50MP selfie camera, at least on paper outclassing the Poco F4 in terms of pure megapixel count. Real-world image quality will depend on factors beyond resolution, including image processing and sensor size. Poco F4 features optical image stabilization (OIS), potentially leading to steadier videos and better low-light performance.
Battery: The Honor 90's 5000 mAh battery is likely to provide longer usage time compared to the Poco F4's 4500 mAh battery. However, both phones support fast charging, minimizing downtime.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Poco F4: Ideal for gamers, power users, and those who prioritize raw performance. It's a great choice for demanding tasks and multitasking.
Honor 90: Best suited for users who value battery life, a vibrant display, and a high-resolution camera for social media. It's an excellent option for everyday use, content consumption, and capturing photos and videos.
4. Buying Decision Framework
What are your primary smartphone needs? Gaming and heavy multitasking? Choose the Poco F4. All-day battery, beautiful display, and social media photography? Choose the Honor 90.
What's your budget? While both are mid-range, slight price differences may exist depending on storage configurations.
Which features matter most? Prioritize raw performance and a slightly lower price? Poco F4. Value a better screen, longer battery life, and higher resolution cameras? Honor 90.
My Choice: I would personally lean towards the Honor 90. While I appreciate the raw power of the Poco F4, the Honor 90's combination of a stunning display, superior battery life, and potentially excellent camera system (pending real-world reviews) aligns more closely with my daily usage patterns. The slightly more compact form factor is also a plus. As a tech journalist, I prioritize a great screen for consuming content, long battery life for staying connected, and a capable camera for documenting events. The Honor 90 seems to offer a better balance of these features for my needs.
