The vivo S16 and Honor 90 Smart represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving it. The vivo S16 leverages the older, but still potent, Snapdragon 870 5G, while the Honor 90 Smart opts for the newer, more efficiency-focused MediaTek Dimensity 6020. This comparison will dissect the implications of these chipset choices and highlight which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing sustained performance and faster charging, the vivo S16 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 870 offers a significant performance advantage, particularly in demanding tasks like gaming. However, the Honor 90 Smart provides a respectable experience for everyday use and boasts a more modern chipset architecture, making it a viable 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) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 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, December 22 | 2024, April 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 30 | Available. Released 2024, April 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 74.8 x 7.4 mm (6.46 x 2.94 x 0.29 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 | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~389 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.3 cm2 (~87.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 850 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13, OriginOS 3 | Android 13, Magic OS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Color spectrum sensor, Ring-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/2.5, (wide), AF | - |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | - |
| Single | 50 MP, f/2.5, (wide), AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, 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 | 66W wired, 50% in 19 min | 35W wired |
| Type | 4600 mAh | Li-Po 5330 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Mint, Gold | Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | V2244A | CLK-NX1, CLK-NX3 |
| Price | About 340 EUR | About 170 EUR |
vivo S16
- Significantly faster performance with Snapdragon 870
- Much faster 66W wired charging
- Potentially superior camera image processing
- Older chipset architecture
- May generate more heat under sustained load
Honor 90 Smart
- More modern chipset architecture (Dimensity 6020)
- Potentially better power efficiency
- More affordable price point
- Noticeably slower performance compared to Snapdragon 870
- Slower 35W wired charging
Display Comparison
Context data lacks display specifics, but given the market positioning, both likely feature AMOLED panels. The Honor 90 Smart, being newer, *may* benefit from slightly improved color calibration and peak brightness. However, without concrete data, it's difficult to definitively state a display advantage. Bezels are likely comparable, and both will likely target FHD+ resolutions. The absence of high refresh rate information suggests neither prioritizes a buttery-smooth scrolling experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Snapdragon 870’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally more capable than the Dimensity 6020’s, potentially resulting in better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. The S16 may also benefit from more advanced computational photography features. The presence of a larger main sensor (likely, given the S16's positioning) would further solidify its camera advantage. We can assume both phones will include standard features like HDR and portrait modes, but the S16 is likely to deliver more refined results.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo S16’s Snapdragon 870 (7nm) boasts a more powerful CPU configuration – an octa-core setup with a prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz – compared to the Honor 90 Smart’s Dimensity 6020 (7nm) which tops out at 2.2 GHz. This translates to significantly faster processing speeds for the S16, especially in CPU-intensive tasks. While the Dimensity 6020 utilizes newer Cortex-A76 cores, the Snapdragon 870’s Kryo 585 cores, combined with its higher clock speeds, provide a clear performance edge. The Snapdragon 870 also benefits from a more mature Adreno GPU, offering superior graphics performance for gaming. The Honor 90 Smart's Dimensity 6020 prioritizes efficiency, potentially leading to better battery life during less demanding tasks.
Battery Life
The vivo S16’s 66W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Honor 90 Smart’s 35W charging. The S16 can reach 50% charge in just 19 minutes, offering a much faster top-up time. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed mitigates any potential disadvantage if the S16 has a slightly smaller battery. The Dimensity 6020’s efficiency *could* offset the slower charging, providing comparable overall battery life, but the S16’s rapid charging is a clear convenience benefit.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo S16 if you need a phone capable of handling demanding games and applications without significant throttling, and if fast charging is a priority. Its Snapdragon 870 provides a noticeable performance boost over the Dimensity 6020. Buy the Honor 90 Smart if you prioritize a more modern chipset architecture for potentially better long-term software support and are primarily focused on everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light multimedia consumption. It's the better choice for those seeking a balance between affordability and functionality.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 870 in the vivo S16 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 870 is known to throttle under sustained heavy load, but the vivo S16 likely incorporates thermal management solutions to mitigate this. While it may get warm, it shouldn't reach critically high temperatures, and performance will likely remain acceptable for extended gaming, unlike some more powerful, but thermally challenged, chipsets.
❓ Is the Dimensity 6020 in the Honor 90 Smart capable of running popular games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile?
Yes, the Dimensity 6020 is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. It's not a gaming powerhouse like the Snapdragon 870, but it can provide a playable experience for casual gamers.
❓ How much faster is the 66W charging on the vivo S16 compared to the 35W charging on the Honor 90 Smart in real-world use?
The 66W charging on the vivo S16 will significantly reduce your charging time. While exact times depend on battery level, you can expect a full charge in under an hour, compared to potentially over 90 minutes with the Honor 90 Smart's 35W charging. The 50% in 19 minutes claim for the S16 is a substantial advantage.
