Honor has been aggressively targeting the mid-range market with compelling devices. The Honor 70 Pro, released to critical acclaim, now faces a new challenger: the Honor 90 Smart. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two phones, focusing on their chipsets, charging capabilities, and overall user experience to determine which offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and faster charging, the Honor 70 Pro is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 8000 chipset provides a significant performance uplift over the Dimensity 6020 in the 90 Smart, and the 100W charging is substantially quicker. However, the 90 Smart presents a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 30 | 2024, April 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 13 | Available. Released 2024, April 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 74.6 x 8.2 mm (6.45 x 2.94 x 0.32 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 | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 2652 pixels (~429 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~389 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~91.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.3 cm2 (~87.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 850 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 8000 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G610 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, Magic UI 6.1 | Android 13, Magic OS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Triple | 54 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.49", PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
50 MP, f/2.2, 122˚ (ultrawide), AF | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 50 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 100W wired, 60% in 15 min
5W reverse wired | 35W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5330 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green, Gold, Silver | Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | SDY-AN00 | CLK-NX1, CLK-NX3 |
| Price | About 520 EUR | About 170 EUR |
Honor 70 Pro
- Significantly faster processor (Dimensity 8000)
- Ultra-fast 100W charging
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Likely higher price point
- May generate more heat under heavy load (though 5nm helps)
Honor 90 Smart
- More affordable price
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Sufficient 35W charging for casual users
- Slower processor (Dimensity 6020)
- Noticeably slower charging speed
- May struggle with demanding games
Display Comparison
While specific display details (resolution, refresh rate) are missing, the core difference lies in the processing power driving the visuals. Both likely utilize OLED panels, common in this price bracket. However, the Dimensity 8000 in the 70 Pro has a more powerful GPU, enabling smoother rendering of graphics-intensive content. The 70 Pro's chipset will likely handle higher refresh rates more consistently, if both phones support them.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the processing power of the Dimensity 8000 in the 70 Pro will likely result in faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The 70 Pro’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) benefits from the more powerful chipset, allowing for more complex algorithms and noise reduction. While both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, the 70 Pro’s chipset provides a computational advantage.
Performance
The heart of the difference is the chipset. The Honor 70 Pro’s Mediatek Dimensity 8000 (5nm) boasts a more advanced architecture than the 90 Smart’s Dimensity 6020 (7nm). The 8000’s Cortex-A78 cores, clocked at 2.75GHz, are significantly faster than the 90 Smart’s Cortex-A76 cores at 2.2GHz. The 5nm fabrication process also contributes to better power efficiency and thermal management, meaning the 70 Pro is less likely to throttle under sustained load. This translates to a noticeably smoother experience in demanding games and applications. The 90 Smart’s Dimensity 6020 is still capable for everyday tasks, but will struggle with more intensive workloads.
Battery Life
The Honor 70 Pro’s 100W wired charging is a game-changer. Honor claims 60% charge in just 15 minutes, drastically reducing downtime. The Honor 90 Smart’s 35W charging is respectable, but significantly slower. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the more efficient 5nm Dimensity 8000 in the 70 Pro may offset a potentially smaller battery size, offering comparable or even better real-world battery life despite the faster charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 70 Pro if you need a phone capable of handling demanding games and applications with ease, and if minimizing charging time is a priority. Its superior processing power and faster charging make it ideal for power users and mobile gamers. Buy the Honor 90 Smart if you prefer a more affordable option for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming, and are willing to trade performance for a lower price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Dimensity 6020 in the Honor 90 Smart struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Dimensity 6020 is likely to struggle with Genshin Impact and similar titles at higher settings. You'll likely need to reduce graphics settings significantly to achieve playable frame rates. The Dimensity 8000 in the 70 Pro offers a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the 100W charging on the Honor 70 Pro compared to the 35W charging on the Honor 90 Smart in a real-world scenario?
The 100W charging on the 70 Pro can take a phone from 0% to 60% in approximately 15 minutes, while the 35W charging on the 90 Smart will take considerably longer – likely over an hour to reach the same charge level. This difference is substantial for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Does the Honor 70 Pro's more powerful chipset translate to faster app loading times?
Absolutely. The Dimensity 8000's faster CPU and GPU will result in noticeably quicker app launch times, especially for larger and more complex applications. Multitasking will also be smoother on the 70 Pro.
