Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC vs. Honor 90
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm, 215g | 161.9 × 74.1 × 7.8 mm, 183g | Honor 90 is significantly lighter and thinner, making it more pocketable and comfortable for extended use. Poco X3 NFC is bulkier. |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Poco X3 NFC has known screen protection, potentially more resistant to scratches and minor impacts. Honor 90's screen durability is unknown. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Negligible difference in screen size; both offer a large viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1200x2664 | Honor 90 has a sharper, more detailed display, resulting in a clearer viewing experience for text, images, and videos. |
| PPI | 395 | 435 | Honor 90 has slightly sharper display, but the difference may not be noticeable to all users. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Honor 90's AMOLED offers deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors, and potentially better battery life with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | Honor 90 offers vastly superior outdoor visibility, crucial for use in bright sunlight. Poco X3 NFC's brightness is unknown, making it hard to evaluate. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SD732G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SD7 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Honor 90's chipset is significantly more powerful and efficient, offering faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 328,145 | 701,227 | Honor 90 demonstrates superior performance capabilities. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 644 | Honor 90's GPU provides significantly better graphics performance for gaming and other demanding tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.89, 1/1.7" | 200MP, f/1.9, 1/1.4" | Honor 90's 200MP camera potentially captures more detail and offers better dynamic range. Poco X3 NFC has wider aperture. Honor 90 has larger sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4", 1.60 µm | 50MP, f/2.4, µm | Honor 90 has higher resolution selfie camera. Poco X3 NFC has wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.2 (Wide Angle + Macro) | Poco X3 NFC has a dedicated wide-angle lens. Honor 90 has a combined wide-angle and macro lens. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 12MP, f/2.2 (Wide Angle + Macro) | Honor 90 has a combined wide-angle and macro lens. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps EIS | Up to 4K@30fps EIS, 1080p@60fps EIS | Honor 90 supports 1080p@60fps, offering smoother video recording at Full HD resolution. |
| DxOMark | N/A | 122 (Mobile) | Honor 90's camera performance is objectively rated as good. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery capacity; expect comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Honor 90 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 12) | Android 13 | Honor 90 has a more up-to-date Android version, offering the latest features and security patches. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Honor 90 supports faster and more efficient Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Honor 90 has slightly newer Bluetooth. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 256GB/512GB | Honor 90 offers significantly more internal storage, crucial for users who store many photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB | Honor 90 provides more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and better performance with demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion via microSD card. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Noise cancellation microphone | Poco X3 NFC has stereo speakers for more immersive audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer fingerprint security. Side mounted might be a more practical place. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Proximity, RGB | Poco X3 NFC has features more useful for gamers, like gyroscope. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC Advantages:
- Stereo Speakers: Provides a more immersive audio experience for media consumption and gaming.
- Gyroscope: Useful for advanced motion-sensing applications and gaming.
- Corning Gorilla Glass 5: Provides a higher degree of protection against screen damage.
- Wider Aperture (Main Camera): Although slightly, the main camera has a wider aperture.
Honor 90 Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Chipset: Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition offers superior performance for gaming, multitasking, and overall responsiveness.
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper and more detailed visuals due to higher pixel density.
- AMOLED Display: Offers superior contrast, color accuracy, and power efficiency compared to IPS LCD.
- Much Higher Brightness: Significantly better outdoor visibility.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 200MP sensor capable of capturing more detailed images.
- Significantly Faster Charging: 66W charging drastically reduces charging times.
- More RAM and Internal Storage: Provides more space for apps, media, and smoother multitasking.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with the latest software features and security updates.
- Wi-Fi 6 Support: Faster and more efficient Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Lighter and Thinner Design: More comfortable to hold and carry.
Trade-offs:
- The Honor 90 lacks stereo speakers, which the Poco X3 NFC has.
- The Honor 90's display screen protection is unknown, but the Poco X3 NFC has Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
- The Honor 90 does not have a gyroscope.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who prioritize stereo audio and screen protection.
- Gamers who benefit from a gyroscope.
Honor 90 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
- Users who need fast charging and ample storage.
- Users who value a modern design and lightweight build.
- Users who want the latest software features and security updates.
Use Cases:
- Poco X3 NFC: Gaming (due to gyroscope), Media Consumption (due to stereo speakers).
- Honor 90: Photography, Video Recording, Gaming, General Productivity, Outdoor Use (due to high brightness display), Traveling.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Poco X3 NFC is likely more affordable.
- How important are performance and display quality to you? The Honor 90 offers significant upgrades in these areas.
- What are your primary use cases? Gaming? Photography? General use?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget Gamer: If you need a phone primarily for gaming on a tight budget, the Poco X3 NFC with its gyroscope and stereo speakers might suffice, but be aware of its aging chipset.
- Photography Enthusiast: The Honor 90's 200MP camera and advanced features make it the better choice for capturing high-quality photos and videos.
- Power User: The Honor 90's superior performance, faster charging, and ample storage make it ideal for demanding users.
My Choice
I would choose the Honor 90.
Why?
While the Poco X3 NFC offers some advantages like stereo speakers and Gorilla Glass 5, the Honor 90 provides a vastly superior overall experience. The significantly better chipset, AMOLED display with high brightness, faster charging, and higher resolution camera make it a much more capable and enjoyable device to use daily. The performance gains alone justify the extra cost, as they will ensure smoother operation and longer usability. While the lack of stereo speakers is a downside, it is outweighed by the numerous other benefits of the Honor 90.
