Honor 90 Shakes Up Midrange Market: A Bold Challenger Emerges
In a world where midrange smartphones are battling fiercely for supremacy, the Honor 90 has stepped into the ring to prove its mettle. With contenders like the Pixel 7a, Galaxy A series, and OnePlus Nord, it’s a daunting arena. But is the Honor 90 equipped to make a resounding impact? Let’s delve into its performance.
Impressive 4-Star Rating Skip to Our Expert Analysis
Upsides and Downsides
Pros:
- Impressive Camera
- Long-lasting Battery
- Robust Performance
- Stylish Design
- Affordable Price
Cons:
- MagicOS Has Room to Improve
- No Wireless Charging
Entering the Battle The midrange smartphone showdown is hotter than ever. Amidst the Pixel 7a, Galaxy A series, and OnePlus Nord, Honor’s audacious contender, the Honor 90, steps onto the stage.
While the road ahead for the Honor 90 is uphill, the company has a track record of impressing in recent years. But how does it fare in the bustling realm of midrange smartphones? Let’s explore its journey as I’ve spent time living with it.
A Glance at Honor 90 Specs
- Dimensions: 161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm
- IP Rating: None
- Display Resolution: 1200 x 2664 pixels
- Display Size: 6.7 inches
- Display Type: AMOLED
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz
- Brightness: 1600 nits (peak)
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1
- Memory: 8GB, 12GB, 16GB
- Storage: 256GB, 512GB
- Rear Cameras: 200MP Standard, 12MP Ultrawide, 2MP Depth
- Video: 4K at 30fps, 1080p at 30fps
- Front Camera: 50MP
- Ports: USB-C 2.0
- Battery: 5000mAh
- Charging: 66W wired
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2, WiFi 6, 5G
- Colors: Midnight Black, Emerald Green, Diamond Silver, Peacock Blue
- Price: £450
A Design That Holds Familiarity The Honor 90 doesn’t seek to redefine flagship design, and that’s expected. It features a 6.7-inch display with a hole-punch for the front camera and a fingerprint sensor at the base. The sensor does the job, though it could be a tad quicker.
The rear boasts two prominent camera modules – one at the top holding two cameras and another below with a third camera and flash. Standard fare, really.
The sides house the power button and volume rocker, while the bottom houses a USB-C port. It’s lightweight, which is a plus, though it might feel a bit economical at times. Nevertheless, the feel in hand is satisfying.
Display Delights The 6.7-inch display, boasting a 120Hz refresh rate and 1200 x 2664 resolution, adorns the phone’s front. While it lacks the adaptable refresh rate of premium phones, it switches between 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz – a solid start.
Colors pop, the display feels smooth, and it’s adequately sharp given the 1200p resolution. Sunlight visibility is a strong suit, making it more than suitable for outdoor use.
Power to Perform Under the hood, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor combined with 8GB, 12GB, or 16GB of RAM propels the Honor 90. Multi-tasking is a breeze, and gaming loads promptly. It might not rival the mightiest Snapdragon 8 chips, but for most users, it’s ample.
For prolonged usability, a higher-performance device is wiser. Benchmark scores are respectable – single-core: 1104, multi-core: 3185 on GeekBench 6, showcasing a capable device.
Battery Brilliance Fueling the Honor 90 is a 5000mAh battery, comfortably lasting a day and seeping into the next for moderate users. Charging is swift with 66W wired charging – an hour for a full charge. Regrettably, wireless charging hasn’t made the cut in 2023, a curious omission.
Camera Charm The triple camera setup includes a 200MP main, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 2MP depth camera. The main camera shines in well-lit conditions with vibrant, detailed shots, thanks in part to pixel binning. 2x zoom remains impressive, while low-light shots are passable for the price range.
The ultrawide holds its ground, capturing bright, vibrant images with minimal quality loss at the edges. Front-facing 40MP selfies boast good colors and detail but stutter in low light. Video quality is commendable, although stabilization could be better.
Diving into MagicOS MagicOS is the platform of choice, falling between love and dislike. It’s a departure from Google’s minimalistic Android, with an iOS-style control center. Customization is possible, though bloatware from both Honor and others can be a nuisance. The device ships with Android 13, promising two years of updates and three years of security patches.
Final Verdict The Honor 90 brings its A-game with impressive performance, capable camera, and enduring battery life – key factors in modern smartphones. For those seeking quality at an affordable price, the Honor 90 is a contender that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Facing Stiff Competition Nevertheless, the midrange scene is teeming with strong rivals. The Pixel 7a shines with its robust processor and stunning camera, while the Galaxy A series, including the high-performing Galaxy A54, adds another layer of competition.
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