Honor's mid-range lineup is heating up with the release of the Honor 300, positioned as a performance-focused upgrade to the already-capable Honor 90 Smart. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two devices, focusing on their chipsets, charging capabilities, and overall user experience to determine which one offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and faster charging, the Honor 300 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset delivers a noticeable performance boost over the Dimensity 6020 in the 90 Smart, and the 100W charging is significantly faster. However, the Honor 90 Smart remains a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers who value efficiency.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 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, December 02 | 2024, April 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, December 02 | Available. Released 2024, April 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161 x 74.2 x 7 mm (6.34 x 2.92 x 0.28 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 | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 2664 pixels (~436 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~389 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.5 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.3 cm2 (~87.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1200 nits (HBM), 4000 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 850 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 720 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 15, MagicOS 9 | Android 13, Magic OS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide), AF | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS, OIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 50 MP, f/2.1, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS (B1I+B1c) | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, ultrasound proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 100W wired, 53% in 15 min
5W reverse wired | 35W wired |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 5300 mAh | Li-Po 5330 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Green, Purple, Gray | Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | AMM-AN00 | CLK-NX1, CLK-NX3 |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 170 EUR |
Honor 300
- Significantly faster 100W charging
- More powerful Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset
- Improved thermal efficiency due to 4nm process
- Likely higher price point
- Potential for increased power consumption under heavy load
Honor 90 Smart
- More affordable price
- Good efficiency with Dimensity 6020
- Solid everyday performance for basic tasks
- Slower 35W charging
- Less powerful chipset for demanding applications
Display Comparison
While both devices likely feature LCD panels (data not provided), the focus here is on internal processing power. Display quality differences are assumed to be minimal based on the price points. The absence of LTPO technology in either device suggests standard refresh rate implementations, impacting smoothness during scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the chipset's image signal processor (ISP) plays a crucial role. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 likely boasts a more advanced ISP, enabling better image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range compared to the Dimensity 6020. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device would be a significant advantage, but this information is unavailable. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely a marketing feature with limited practical benefit.
Performance
The Honor 300's Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4nm) represents a significant leap in processing power compared to the Honor 90 Smart's MediaTek Dimensity 6020 (7nm). The 4nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon chip translates to improved thermal efficiency and power consumption, potentially leading to less throttling during sustained workloads. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3’s CPU configuration – 1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715, 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A715, and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510 – offers a more modern and efficient architecture than the Dimensity 6020’s 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55. This difference will be most noticeable in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, where the Honor 300 will provide a smoother and more responsive experience.
Battery Life
The Honor 300’s 100W wired charging is a game-changer, capable of charging the device to 53% in just 15 minutes. This is a substantial advantage over the Honor 90 Smart’s 35W charging. While battery capacity isn't specified, the faster charging speed of the 300 mitigates any potential disadvantage from a smaller battery size. The 5W reverse wired charging on the 300 adds a convenient feature for topping up accessories.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 300 if you need a phone capable of handling demanding games and applications with ease, and if minimizing charging time is a priority. Its more powerful processor and faster charging will appeal to power users. Buy the Honor 90 Smart if you prefer a more affordable device that still offers a solid everyday experience, prioritizing battery life and value over raw performance. It's ideal for casual users and those on a tighter budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 in the Honor 300 handle graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 is a capable chipset, but Genshin Impact at high settings may require some graphical compromises. Expect playable frame rates with medium to high settings, but sustained performance may be limited by thermal throttling. The 90 Smart's Dimensity 6020 will struggle to maintain consistent performance at even medium settings.
❓ How much faster is the 100W charging on the Honor 300 compared to the 35W charging on the Honor 90 Smart in real-world use?
The 100W charging on the Honor 300 is dramatically faster. While a full 0-100% charge time isn't specified, the stated 53% charge in 15 minutes is significantly quicker than the 90 Smart's 35W charging. Expect to gain several hours of usage with just a short 15-20 minute charge on the 300, whereas the 90 Smart will require considerably longer.
❓ Does the Honor 300 offer any improvements in video recording quality compared to the Honor 90 Smart?
The Honor 300 likely offers improved video recording quality due to the more advanced ISP within the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. This translates to better stabilization, dynamic range, and overall clarity, especially in challenging lighting conditions. However, without specific camera specs, a precise comparison is difficult.
