The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Oppo K12 and Honor 90 Smart represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. The K12 boasts a newer generation Snapdragon chipset and blazing-fast 100W charging, while the 90 Smart counters with a Mediatek Dimensity processor and a focus on overall usability. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device offers the best balance of performance, features, and price.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and rapid charging, the Oppo K12 emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, built on a 4nm process, provides a noticeable advantage in demanding tasks. However, the Honor 90 Smart remains a strong contender for those seeking a balanced experience with good efficiency.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 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 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, April 24 | 2024, April 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, April 29 | Available. Released 2024, April 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 162.5 x 75.3 x 8.4 mm (6.40 x 2.96 x 0.33 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 | 186 g (6.56 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 (~88.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.3 cm2 (~87.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (HBM), 1100 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 850 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3x1.8 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 14, ColorOS 14 | Android 13, Magic OS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS, OIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | 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, 100% in 27 min | 35W wired |
| Type | 5500 mAh | Li-Po 5330 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Celadon Marble, Dark Chrome | Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | PJR110 | CLK-NX1, CLK-NX3 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 170 EUR |
Oppo K12
- Significantly faster 100W charging
- More powerful Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset
- Superior GPU performance for gaming
- Potentially lower battery efficiency due to 4nm process
- May command a slightly higher price
Honor 90 Smart
- Good power efficiency with Dimensity 6020
- Potentially more refined software experience (Honor UI)
- Likely more affordable price point
- Slower 35W charging
- Less powerful chipset for demanding tasks
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the market positioning, we can infer both likely utilize AMOLED panels. The Honor brand historically emphasizes color accuracy, suggesting the 90 Smart may prioritize display calibration. The Oppo K12, targeting a slightly more performance-focused audience, might lean towards higher refresh rates (though unconfirmed). Bezels are likely comparable, and without specific nit ratings, it's difficult to assess brightness superiority.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a comprehensive comparison is challenging. However, the chipset difference hints at processing advantages for the Oppo K12. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is likely more advanced, enabling better noise reduction and dynamic range. While both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, the K12’s processing power could translate to superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. We can assume both will include standard wide and ultrawide lenses, but the K12’s ISP could offer more sophisticated computational photography features.
Performance
The Oppo K12’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the Honor 90 Smart’s MediaTek Dimensity 6020 (7nm). The 4nm fabrication process inherently offers better power efficiency and thermal performance, translating to sustained performance under load. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3’s CPU configuration – a 1x Cortex-A715 prime core alongside four additional A715 cores – suggests a focus on single-core performance, beneficial for everyday tasks. The Dimensity 6020, with its 2x Cortex-A76 and 6x Cortex-A55 cores, prioritizes efficiency and multi-core performance, but will likely fall behind in CPU-intensive applications. The K12’s newer architecture will also benefit from improved GPU performance, making it the better choice for mobile gaming.
Battery Life
The Oppo K12’s 100W wired charging is a standout feature, promising a full charge in just 27 minutes. This dramatically reduces downtime compared to the Honor 90 Smart’s 35W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the K12’s faster charging mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. The Dimensity 6020’s 7nm process contributes to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting the K12’s more powerful, but less efficient, chipset. However, for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly, the K12 is the clear winner.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo K12 if you need a phone capable of handling demanding games and applications with ease, and if minimizing charging downtime is a priority. Its 100W charging is a game-changer. Buy the Honor 90 Smart if you prefer a more balanced device with a focus on efficient power usage and a potentially more refined software experience, and aren't as concerned with pushing the absolute limits of performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 in the Oppo K12 get noticeably hotter during extended gaming sessions compared to the Dimensity 6020 in the Honor 90 Smart?
While the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 is more powerful, its 4nm process and optimized thermal design should mitigate excessive heat. The Dimensity 6020 will likely run cooler due to its lower performance ceiling and 7nm process. However, the K12’s superior cooling system (if present, based on Oppo’s history) should prevent significant throttling, allowing for sustained performance even under load.
❓ Is the 35W charging on the Honor 90 Smart slow enough to be a major inconvenience in daily use?
35W charging is respectable, but it pales in comparison to the Oppo K12’s 100W charging. Expect a full charge to take considerably longer on the 90 Smart – likely over an hour. If you frequently need to quickly top up your battery, the K12’s charging speed is a significant advantage. However, if you typically charge overnight, the difference may be less noticeable.
❓ How will the CPU core configuration differences (A715 vs A76/A55) impact real-world app loading times and multitasking?
The Oppo K12’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, with its newer Cortex-A715 cores, will generally exhibit faster single-core performance, leading to quicker app launch times and smoother responsiveness in everyday tasks. The Honor 90 Smart’s Dimensity 6020, while capable, will likely lag slightly in these scenarios. Multitasking performance will be good on both, but the K12’s architecture provides a slight edge.
