Honor 90 vs Motorola Edge 40 Neo: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Champions

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor 90 and Motorola Edge 40 Neo represent compelling options for users seeking premium features without the flagship price tag. This comparison dissects their key specifications, focusing on the architectural differences between the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 and Dimensity 7030 chipsets, display quality, and real-world battery performance to determine which device offers the best overall value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a brighter display, the Honor 90 emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition, built on a 4nm process, provides a noticeable edge in demanding tasks, while the 1176 nits peak brightness ensures excellent visibility outdoors. However, the Motorola Edge 40 Neo remains a strong contender with its fast charging.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor 90 Motorola Edge 40 Neo
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66
5G bands1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, May 292023, September 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, June 07Available. Released 2023, September 14
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm (6.37 x 2.92 x 0.31 in)159.6 x 72 x 7.9 mm (6.28 x 2.83 x 0.31 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight183 g (6.46 oz)170 g or 172 g (6.00 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1200 x 2664 pixels (~435 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (peak)P-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition (4 nm)MediaTek Dimensity 7030 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 644Mali-G610 MC3
OSAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 14, MagicOS 8Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual-50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple200 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, PDAF 12 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide), AF Auxiliary lens-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single50 MP, f/2.4, 100˚, (ultrawide)32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.0", 0.7µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.4, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, ultrasound proximityFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired 5W reverse wired68W wired, 50% in 15 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMidnight Black, Emerald Green, Diamond Silver, Peacock BlueBlack, Soothing Sea, Caneel Bay, Peach Fuzz
ModelsREA-AN00, REA-NX9XT2307-1
Price€ 204.71 / $ 449.99$ 299.00 / € 168.73 / ₹ 19,900

Honor 90

  • More powerful Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
  • Higher endurance rating suggests better overall efficiency

  • Charging speed is slightly slower than the Motorola
  • May be slightly heavier due to larger battery or cooling system (data not provided)

Motorola Edge 40 Neo

  • Faster 68W charging for quicker top-ups
  • Potentially lighter and more compact design (data not provided)
  • Competitive price point

  • Less powerful Dimensity 7030 chipset
  • Lower peak display brightness
  • Lower endurance rating

Display Comparison

The Honor 90 boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 1176 nits compared to the Motorola Edge 40 Neo’s 1073 nits. This 103-nit difference translates to significantly better outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight. While both utilize OLED panels, the Honor 90’s higher peak brightness and potentially superior color calibration (though not specified in the data) provide a more immersive viewing experience. The absence of LTPO technology in either device suggests both will rely on adaptive refresh rate switching to conserve battery, but the Honor 90’s brighter panel will likely consume more power at maximum brightness.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are equipped with photo and video capabilities, but the provided data doesn’t allow for a detailed comparison. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess image quality. However, the presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device would be a significant advantage for low-light photography and video recording. The focus should be on real-world image samples to determine which phone delivers more pleasing results in various conditions. Ignoring the likely inclusion of 2MP macro lenses on both devices, the primary camera performance will be the deciding factor.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Honor 90 features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition (4nm), while the Motorola Edge 40 Neo utilizes the MediaTek Dimensity 7030 (6nm). The Snapdragon’s 4nm fabrication process offers superior power efficiency compared to the Dimensity’s 6nm node, potentially leading to less thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. Architecturally, the Snapdragon employs a 1+3+4 core configuration with Cortex-A710 cores, while the Dimensity uses a 2+6 configuration with Cortex-A78 and A55 cores. The A710 cores in the Snapdragon generally offer higher single-core performance, beneficial for responsive app launches and smoother multitasking. The Edge 40 Neo's Dimensity 7030, however, is optimized for efficiency and may excel in less demanding tasks.

Battery Life

Interestingly, both devices achieve an active use score of 10:28h, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the Motorola Edge 40 Neo’s lower endurance rating of 80h versus the Honor 90’s 95h. This discrepancy likely stems from the Honor 90’s more efficient chipset. The Motorola Edge 40 Neo compensates with faster charging – 68W wired, claiming 50% charge in 15 minutes – while the Honor 90 offers 66W wired charging. The 5W reverse wired charging on both devices is a convenient feature for topping up accessories.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor 90 if you need a phone capable of handling demanding applications and games with consistent performance, and if a bright, vibrant display is a priority. Buy the Motorola Edge 40 Neo if you value rapid charging speeds and a sleek, lightweight design, and are less concerned with pushing the absolute limits of processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 in the Honor 90 get hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1's 4nm process and efficient architecture help mitigate thermal throttling. While some heat is inevitable during intensive gaming, the Honor 90 is likely to maintain stable performance for longer periods compared to devices with less efficient chipsets. However, sustained performance will still depend on the phone's cooling solution, which isn't detailed in the provided specs.
❓ How does the Dimensity 7030 in the Motorola Edge 40 Neo handle multitasking and everyday app usage?
The Dimensity 7030 is well-suited for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and video streaming. Its octa-core CPU and 6nm process provide a smooth and responsive experience for most users. While it may not match the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 in raw processing power, it offers a good balance of performance and efficiency for typical smartphone usage.
❓ Is the 68W charging on the Motorola Edge 40 Neo significantly faster in real-world use than the Honor 90's 66W charging?
The difference of 2W is unlikely to be noticeable in everyday charging. The Motorola Edge 40 Neo's claim of 50% charge in 15 minutes suggests a slightly optimized charging curve, but the actual charging time will depend on factors like battery temperature and the charger used. Both phones offer fast charging capabilities that will significantly reduce charging times compared to slower charging standards.