The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo S17 and Honor 90 Smart represent compelling options for users seeking a balance of features and affordability. The S17 leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 778G+ 5G, while the Honor 90 Smart opts for MediaTek’s Dimensity 6020. This comparison dissects these key differences, focusing on performance, charging speed, and overall user experience to determine which device offers the most value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the vivo S17 emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 778G+ offers a noticeable edge in processing power, and the 80W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the Honor 90 Smart provides a solid experience at a potentially lower price point, 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) / 1900 / 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, 38, 40, 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 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 31 | 2024, April 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, June 08 | Available. Released 2024, April 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 74.4 x 7.5 mm (6.46 x 2.93 x 0.30 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 | 1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~389 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.3 cm2 (~87.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 850 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325-AE Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13, OriginOS 3 | 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 |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | Color spectrum sensor, Ring-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 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/2.0, 22mm (wide), AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) | 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 | 80W wired, 70% in 30 min | 35W wired |
| Type | 4600 mAh | Li-Po 5330 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Pink | Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | V2283A | CLK-NX1, CLK-NX3 |
| Price | About 330 EUR | About 170 EUR |
vivo S17
- Faster Snapdragon 778G+ processor for smoother performance
- 80W fast charging for significantly reduced downtime
- Potentially better image processing due to superior ISP
- May be more expensive than the Honor 90 Smart
- Potentially higher power consumption under heavy load
Honor 90 Smart
- Potentially more affordable price point
- More power-efficient Dimensity 6020 chipset for longer battery life during light use
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Slower 35W charging
- Less powerful processor for demanding applications and gaming
Display Comparison
While display specifications aren't provided, both phones likely feature AMOLED panels common in this price bracket. However, the core difference lies beneath the surface. The Snapdragon 778G+’s ISP is more capable of handling display processing, potentially leading to slightly more accurate color reproduction on the S17. Bezels are likely comparable, but the S17’s processing power could enable features like smoother scrolling and faster refresh rate management if supported by the panel.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Snapdragon 778G+’s superior ISP (Image Signal Processor) gives the vivo S17 an edge in image processing capabilities. It can handle more complex algorithms for noise reduction, dynamic range optimization, and detail enhancement. While the Honor 90 Smart’s Dimensity 6020 is capable, it lacks the processing power to match the S17’s potential. We can assume both phones will feature standard camera setups for this price range, but the S17 is likely to produce more refined images, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The vivo S17’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6nm) is the clear performance leader. Its octa-core configuration, featuring a prime Cortex-A78 core clocked at 2.5 GHz, provides a significant advantage over the Honor 90 Smart’s MediaTek Dimensity 6020 (7nm). The Dimensity 6020, with its Cortex-A76 cores peaking at 2.2 GHz, is geared towards efficiency rather than outright speed. The 6nm process of the Snapdragon also contributes to better thermal management, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive gaming experience on the S17.
Battery Life
The Honor 90 Smart’s 35W charging is significantly slower than the vivo S17’s 80W wired charging. The S17 can reach 70% charge in just 30 minutes, a substantial time saving. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 778G+’s 6nm process is more power-efficient than the Dimensity 6020’s 7nm node. This means the S17 could potentially offer comparable or even better battery life despite a potentially smaller battery capacity, thanks to its superior efficiency and faster charging capabilities.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo S17 if you need a phone capable of handling demanding applications and games with greater ease, and if minimizing charging time is a priority. The Snapdragon 778G+ and 80W charging cater to power users. Buy the Honor 90 Smart if you prefer a more efficient chipset for everyday tasks and value a potentially lower price tag. It’s ideal for users who prioritize battery life and aren’t heavily reliant on intensive mobile gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 778G+ in the vivo S17 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
The Snapdragon 778G+ is capable of running Genshin Impact, but you'll likely need to balance graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. Expect playable frame rates at medium to high settings, but sustained performance at the highest settings may result in some frame drops. The 6nm process helps mitigate thermal throttling, but it's not a flagship-level chip.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to fully charge the vivo S17 with the 80W charger?
While vivo claims 70% in 30 minutes, a full 0-100% charge with the 80W charger typically takes around 45-50 minutes. This is still significantly faster than the Honor 90 Smart’s 35W charging, which will likely take well over an hour to reach full capacity.
❓ Is the Dimensity 6020 in the Honor 90 Smart sufficient for everyday social media and streaming?
Absolutely. The Dimensity 6020 is more than capable of handling everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and video streaming. Its focus on efficiency means it will provide good battery life for these use cases. It's when pushing the phone with demanding games or apps that its limitations become apparent.
