Honor's budget lineup is heating up with the release of the 200 Lite, challenging the established 90 Smart. Both devices aim for the sweet spot of affordability and functionality, but key differences in their chipsets and manufacturing processes dictate distinct performance characteristics. This comparison dissects these nuances to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor 200 Lite emerges as the slightly better choice. Its newer Dimensity 6080, built on a 6nm process, offers a marginal performance advantage and potentially better efficiency compared to the 90 Smart’s 7nm Dimensity 6020. While both charge at 35W, the 200 Lite’s newer chipset gives it a slight edge in everyday tasks and light gaming.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, April 25 | 2024, April 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, May 03 | Available. Released 2024, April 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161.1 x 74.6 x 6.8 mm (6.34 x 2.94 x 0.27 in) | 166.7 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm (6.56 x 3.01 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 166 g (5.86 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~389 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.3 cm2 (~87.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, 3240Hz PWM | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 850 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6080 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 14, MagicOS 8 | Android 13, Magic OS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 50 MP, f/2.1, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 35W wired | 35W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5330 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Blue, Cyan Lake, Black | Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | LLY-NX1 | CLK-NX1, CLK-NX3 |
| Price | $ 169.00 / £ 144.99 / € 164.21 | About 170 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.84 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) | - |
Honor 200 Lite
- Newer Dimensity 6080 chipset offers a performance edge.
- 6nm process potentially improves power efficiency.
- Likely benefits from incremental architectural improvements.
- Detailed camera specs are unknown.
- Display specifications are not available.
Honor 90 Smart
- Potentially lower price point.
- Reliable Mediatek Dimensity 6020 chipset.
- 35W fast charging for quick top-ups.
- Older 7nm process may result in slightly lower efficiency.
- Slightly slower CPU clock speeds compared to the 200 Lite.
Display Comparison
Neither Honor provides display specifications beyond resolution, making a direct comparison difficult. However, given their price points, both likely utilize LCD panels. The 7nm Dimensity 6020 in the 90 Smart *could* translate to slightly better image processing for color accuracy, but this is speculative. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of this segment. Without knowing peak brightness or color gamut coverage, it's difficult to declare a clear winner.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor, but the resolution and sensor size are unknown. The aperture of the main lens will be a key determinant of low-light performance. It’s reasonable to assume both will include a depth sensor and potentially a macro lens, but these are often of limited utility. Image processing algorithms will play a significant role, and Honor’s software tuning could differentiate the final image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor 200 Lite’s Mediatek Dimensity 6080 (6nm) boasts a slightly higher clock speed on its primary Cortex-A76 cores (2.4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz on the 90 Smart’s Dimensity 6020, 7nm). The 6nm process node of the 6080 is more efficient, potentially leading to better thermal management and sustained performance during prolonged use. While both use the same Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, the 6080’s architecture benefits from incremental improvements. This translates to a smoother experience in demanding apps and games for the 200 Lite.
Battery Life
Both the Honor 200 Lite and 90 Smart support 35W wired charging, suggesting similar 0-100% charge times – likely around 60-75 minutes. Battery capacity is not specified, but given the similar form factors and target price points, they are likely in the 4500-5000 mAh range. The Dimensity 6080’s 6nm process *could* offer slightly better power efficiency, potentially translating to marginally longer battery life for the 200 Lite, but real-world usage will be the ultimate deciding factor.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 200 Lite if you prioritize slightly faster performance for multitasking and app loading, and want a device built on a more modern fabrication process. Buy the Honor 90 Smart if you find it at a significantly lower price point and are primarily focused on basic smartphone functions like calling, texting, and social media browsing, where the performance difference will be less noticeable.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Dimensity 6080 in the Honor 200 Lite handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Dimensity 6080 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at medium settings for a consistently smooth experience. The 6nm process should help mitigate throttling during extended gaming sessions, but it's not a flagship-level gaming chip.
❓ Does the Honor 90 Smart support widevine L1 certification for HD streaming on platforms like Netflix?
While not explicitly stated, Honor devices in this price range typically *do* include Widevine L1 certification, allowing for HD streaming on popular platforms. However, it's always best to verify this information with Honor's official documentation or customer support.
❓ How does the 6nm process of the Dimensity 6080 impact real-world battery life compared to the 7nm Dimensity 6020?
The 6nm process is more efficient, meaning the Dimensity 6080 consumes less power for the same level of performance. This *could* translate to a 5-10% improvement in battery life for the Honor 200 Lite, but usage patterns will have a greater impact.
