In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, finding a device that strikes a perfect balance between performance, affordability, and innovation can be a challenging endeavor. Enter the Honor 90 5G, a smartphone that aims to redefine what you can expect from a mid-range device. Released in March 2023, this sleek and feature-packed phone has been making waves in the market. In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive deep into every aspect of the Honor 90 5G, exploring its design, display, camera capabilities, performance, software, and much more. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of whether this smartphone is the right fit for your needs.
Design and Build Quality
The Honor 90 5G exudes a sense of sophistication with its sleek design. It features a minimalist yet eye-catching look that is bound to appeal to a wide range of users. The phone’s frame is made of durable aluminum, providing both sturdiness and a premium feel. The back panel has a glossy finish, giving it a touch of elegance.
One notable design element is the placement of the camera module. The triple rear camera system, consisting of a 200MP main sensor, a 50MP ultrawide sensor, and a 2MP macro sensor, is housed within a vertical rectangular module, subtly protruding from the rear. While this design choice may not be to everyone’s taste, it adds a distinctive character to the device.
The Honor 90 5G is available in a range of attractive colors, allowing you to choose a finish that suits your personal style.
Display That Captivates
One of the standout features of the Honor 90 5G is its display. The phone boasts a 6.78-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1200 x 2664 pixels and a rapid 120Hz refresh rate. This combination of factors makes for a truly captivating visual experience. Whether you’re binge-watching your favorite series, scrolling through social media, or engaged in intense gaming sessions, the display doesn’t disappoint.
The high resolution ensures crisp and clear visuals, while the 120Hz refresh rate makes for smoother scrolling and animations. It’s a display that truly comes to life, offering vibrant colors and excellent contrast. Moreover, the wide viewing angles further enhance your viewing pleasure.
Camera Capabilities
The Honor 90 5G’s camera system is where it shines brightly. The 200MP main sensor is a standout feature, boasting the highest resolution ever seen in a smartphone. This sensor is engineered to capture an incredible level of detail, even when you zoom in on your photos. Thanks to its large pixel size, low-light photography is also significantly improved.
The ultrawide sensor, with its 50MP resolution and a wide 120-degree field of view, is perfect for capturing stunning wide-angle shots. Whether it’s landscapes, group photos, or architectural marvels, this sensor delivers impressive results.
For those who love capturing the finer details, the 2MP macro sensor with a close focusing distance of just 4cm comes in handy. It’s excellent for taking close-up shots of small objects, revealing intricate features that may go unnoticed with the naked eye.
Night mode and HDR are additional features that contribute to the camera’s versatility. Night mode excels in low-light conditions by capturing more light, resulting in clear and detailed photos. HDR ensures that your photos have vivid colors and well-balanced exposure.
But the camera prowess doesn’t stop with the rear cameras. The Honor 90 5G’s front-facing camera boasts a remarkable 50MP resolution, making it perfect for selfies and video calls. Portrait mode and AI beauty features enhance your selfies by providing background blurring and cosmetic enhancements. Moreover, this front camera supports 4K video recording, allowing you to capture high-quality selfie videos.
Battery Life and Charging
A smartphone’s battery life is a crucial consideration, and the Honor 90 5G doesn’t disappoint in this department. With its 5000mAh battery, it offers one of the most substantial battery capacities in the smartphone market. This translates to impressive battery life, even with moderate to heavy usage.
In our testing, the Honor 90 5G consistently delivered over two days of battery life with moderate use, which included social media usage, web browsing, and music streaming. Even with more demanding tasks, such as gaming and video streaming, the phone comfortably lasted through a full day.
When it’s time to recharge, the 66W fast charging support comes to the rescue. Charging the battery from empty to full takes approximately 45 minutes, ensuring you’re not tethered to the charger for extended periods.
To maximize your battery life, consider implementing some best practices:
- Turn off features you’re not actively using, like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
- Adjust the screen brightness to an appropriate level.
- Enable dark mode to reduce power consumption on OLED screens.
- Close background apps when they’re not needed.
- Utilize sleep mode when the phone is idle.
- Keep the phone’s software up to date to benefit from optimizations
Software Experience
The Honor 90 5G runs on Android 13 with MagicUI 7.1, offering a modern and user-friendly experience. MagicUI 7.1 introduces a new design language characterized by a more minimalist approach. It also revamps the notification system, making it more intuitive and user-friendly. A privacy dashboard provides users with enhanced control over their data.
One notable feature is the new gaming mode, which optimizes the phone’s performance for gaming. It’s a boon for mobile gamers, ensuring a smooth and immersive gaming experience.
Despite its many merits, it’s important to note that the Honor 90 5G does not come pre-installed with all Google apps, such as the Play Store. This is due to Honor’s separation from Huawei, which led to certain restrictions. However, the phone includes essential Google apps like Gmail, Maps, and YouTube.
To address the absence of some Google apps, the phone is equipped with the AppGallery, Honor’s proprietary app store. Additionally, users can explore third-party app stores like APKPure and Aptoide for app downloads. While these alternatives provide access to many apps, users should exercise caution and ensure the legitimacy and safety of the apps they download.
Performance and Benchmarks
Under the hood, the Honor 90 5G houses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition processor. Combined with the phone’s RAM options of 8GB or 16GB and storage capacities of 256GB or 512GB, this device delivers a powerful performance that can handle demanding tasks with ease.
Benchmark results demonstrate the phone’s capability, with the Honor 90 5G scoring 792 points in the single-core test and 2864 points in the multi-core test of Geekbench 5. These scores align with the performance of other smartphones equipped with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor, such as the OnePlus 10 Pro and Xiaomi 12.
In real-world usage, the Honor 90 5G proves its mettle, effortlessly managing multiple apps simultaneously and handling gaming sessions without any noticeable lag or stuttering.
Here are some benchmark scores for reference:
Geekbench 5: 792 (single-core) / 2864 (multi-core)
AnTuTu V9: 550,948
3DMark Wild Life: 4960 (Extreme)
PCMark Work 3.0: 11,847
Frequently Ask Question (FAQs)
- Is Honor as good as Huawei?Honor is a subsidiary brand of Huawei, and the quality of their devices can be similar in some aspects. However, it ultimately depends on the specific models and their features.
- Does Honor 90 5G have Google?As of my last update in September 2021, Huawei and its subsidiary, Honor, faced restrictions that affected their ability to offer Google services on new devices. You would need to check the latest information to see if this situation has changed for the Honor 90 5G.
- Is Samsung camera better than Huawei?The camera quality comparison between Samsung and Huawei can vary depending on the specific models and individual preferences. Both brands have produced smartphones with excellent camera capabilities, and the “better” camera ultimately depends on the specific features and performance you prioritize.
- Is the Honor 90 5G waterproof?You would need to refer to the device’s official specifications or consult the manufacturer to determine if the Honor 90 5G has any waterproof or water-resistant capabilities.
- Which Honor phone has the best camera?The specific Honor phone with the best camera can change over time as new models are released. It’s best to check the latest reviews and specifications to find the current Honor phone with the best camera.
- Is Honor better than Redmi?Whether Honor is better than Redmi depends on individual preferences and the specific models being compared. Both brands offer a range of smartphones with different features and price points.
- Which Huawei phone takes good pictures?Huawei has released several smartphones known for their impressive camera capabilities, such as the P series and Mate series. However, the specific model that takes good pictures may vary based on your needs and budget.
- What are the disadvantages of Honor phones?The disadvantages of Honor phones can vary depending on the specific model, but some common drawbacks may include limited access to Google services (depending on region and model), software updates, and app compatibility.
- Which mobile is the best in the Honor brand?The best Honor mobile phone can change over time as new models are released. It’s essential to consider your specific needs, budget, and the latest models available when determining which Honor phone is the best for you.
- Which is better, Samsung, or Honor?The choice between Samsung and Honor depends on your preferences, needs, and budget. Both brands offer a range of smartphones, and the “better” one will vary from person to person.
- Is Honor 90 5G a good phone?Whether the Honor 90 5G is a good phone depends on your specific requirements and preferences. You should read reviews, consider its features, and compare it to other available options to make an informed decision.
- Which Huawei phone is best for general use?The best Huawei phone for general use can change over time. It depends on your specific needs and budget. As of my last update in September 2021, some popular choices included the Huawei P and Mate series.
- Why is Huawei’s camera so good?Huawei’s cameras are known for their quality due to advanced camera hardware, image processing software, and collaboration with renowned camera companies like Leica. These factors contribute to their ability to capture high-quality photos and videos.
- Does Honor 90 Pro have Google?As of my last update in September 2021, Honor and Huawei devices were affected by restrictions that limited their ability to offer Google services on new devices. You should check the latest information to determine if the Honor 90 Pro has access to Google services.
- What Honor phone is waterproof?Honor has released water-resistant or waterproof phones in the past, but the specific models and their level of water resistance can vary. You should check the official specifications of the specific Honor phone you’re interested in to determine if it has any waterproof features.
- What is Honor 90?As of my last update in September 2021, I do not have information about an Honor 90 model. It’s possible that this model was released after my knowledge cutoff date.
- What is the quality of Honor phones?The quality of Honor phones can vary depending on the specific model and its price range. Some Honor phones offer good build quality, performance, and features for their respective price points. It’s advisable to read reviews and consider your specific needs when evaluating the quality of an Honor phone.
- Is Honor a good brand?Honor is generally considered a reputable brand known for offering smartphones with competitive features and pricing. However, like any brand, the quality and performance of individual models can vary, so it’s essential to research and read reviews before making a purchase decision.
Conclusion
The Honor 90 5G has emerged as a strong contender in the mid-range smartphone segment, offering an enticing package of design, display, camera capabilities, performance, and software features. With its competitive pricing, it’s poised to attract users looking for a reliable and affordable device. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast, a mobile gamer, or a multitasker, the Honor 90 5G has the potential to meet your expectations. It’s a testament to how far mid-range smartphones have come, bridging the gap between affordability and cutting-edge technology.
