In the ever-shifting landscape of the Indian smartphone market, a familiar name is making a bold return. Six years ago, Honor, a standout Gen Z brand under Huawei, faced setbacks due to geopolitical challenges. Fast forward to today, Honor has risen from the ashes as an independent entity with the launch of Honor 90 under the banner of HTech, led by a seasoned industry expert formerly at the helm of Realme India. As the brand reenters the Indian market, there’s a buzz of excitement around whether Honor can once again capture the attention with its signature blend of style and performance. The challenge is apparent, as Honor navigates a highly competitive field dominated by other Chinese manufacturers. Can Honor not only reclaim its position but potentially set new benchmarks? That’s the question that adds an intriguing layer to its comeback story.
Honor 90 Impressive Design
The newly launched Honor 90 offers a sleek design and the first one you can think of after unboxing the phone will be ‘mesmerizing’ at least that is what I thought of when I unboxed the device. This device is a true embodiment of elegance, radiating a premium aura that’s impossible to ignore. Personally, I find the emerald green colour to be exceptionally refreshing, aligning perfectly with my inclination towards green shades. Of course, individual preferences vary, and if green isn’t your ideal choice, fear not. The device offers equally appealing alternatives in Diamond Silver and Midnight Black, ensuring there’s a style to suit every taste.
In the crafting of this device, Honor has chosen a plastic chassis as its foundation, enhancing its resilience by incorporating durable glass on both the front and rear panels. It’s noteworthy that the glass used is not Corning Gorilla Glass, showcasing a distinct choice in material composition.
Display Features
While talking about the display the Honor 90 arrives with a gigantic 6.7-inch display with a curved bezel-less display. Paired with a 120Hz refresh rate screen, this device guarantees seamless navigation and excellent sunlight legibility, boasting an impressive peak brightness of 1600 nits. Honor has gone a step further by incorporating 3840Hz ultra-high-frequency PWM dimming, a feature aimed at reducing screen flicker to enhance overall eye comfort. While the intent is clear, my personal experience did not reveal a noticeable difference in this aspect.
Hardware and Software
Under the hood, the Honor 90 is fueled by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition, seamlessly integrated with Android 14 running on MagicOS 7.1. Diverging significantly from stock Android, the user interface presents a distinctive layout – apps sprawled across home screens, notifications accessed by a swipe down from the top left, and the control centre unveiled with a swipe from the top right. For those accustomed to Xiaomi smartphones, this interface will feel like a familiar territory. Despite not featuring the latest-generation chipset, the Honor 90 impressively holds its ground.
Performance
During the entire review period, I haven’t faced any issues with the performance. Engaging in extensive activities like web browsing, content streaming, gaming, and document editing on the Honor 90 unfolds seamlessly, devoid of any noticeable lag. It’s a proficient performer across various tasks. However, it’s essential to note that prolonged gaming sessions may lead to the device warming up. Enthusiastic gamers might want to consider this factor before making a decision.`
Out of the box, the Honor 90 comes preloaded with bloatware, and SwiftKey takes the reins as the default keyboard. However, for those with a preference for Gboard, the option to install it is readily available, allowing users to tailor their device to their preferred keyboard experience.
The HONOR 90 Lite 5G, comes with a 100MP Ultra camera! Pixel Perfect Memories Await! Upgrade Now! Visit https://t.co/wrcCCMCYwV for more info. pic.twitter.com/xQKcTvrwK3
— HONOR South Africa (@HonorAfrica) November 17, 2023
The overall experience of the device is impressive apart from gaming I have used the Honor 90 for watching content on OTT platforms, social media, and more. I must say that the handset performed well and I didn’t encounter any lag or unexpected shutting down of apps while using multiple apps at a time.
Camera Performance
The Honor 90 steps up to the plate with a commendable triple camera setup, featuring a 200MP main camera with a 1/1.4-inch sensor, a 12MP Ultra Wide camera, and a 2MP depth camera. The default setting captures images at a respectable 12MP resolution, but the device also offers the intriguing option to switch to a whopping 200MP.
#HONOR90 Day light 📸 Camera Samples!
(6/6) pic.twitter.com/XU6G8kcTab
— Ishan Agarwal (@ishanagarwal24) September 4, 2023
In favourable lighting conditions, the default camera showcases undeniable prowess, delivering shots that could seamlessly grace Instagram feeds. However, the camera’s performance takes a different trajectory in low-light settings and nighttime photography. Here, colours tend to become overly saturated, finer details soften, and in some instances, visible noise becomes apparent. The absence of optical image stabilization (OIS) further poses a challenge in achieving steady and clear images in dimly lit environments.
Take breathtaking photos with the 200MP Flagship Camera of the HONOR 90 5G! Sample shots from Jhundel Baldonaza Asunan.
SHOPEE: https://t.co/yDIbhrtihG
LAZADA: https://t.co/XcWO3Qslz8
TIKTOK: https://t.co/GuX5chIBvE#HONOR905G#200MPFlagshipCamera#RevolutionaryEyeProtection pic.twitter.com/D1vmc22YtJ
— HONOR Philippines (@HONORPHL) October 25, 2023
Ultimately, the Honor 90’s camera system holds its ground in well-lit images, offering an Instagram-worthy performance, but it does grapple with some limitations in challenging lighting conditions.
Our Thoughts About Honor 90
Priced at a starting point of Rs 37,999, the Honor 90 stands out with its sleek design and commendable overall performance. However, it faces formidable competition in its price category, particularly from competitors like OnePlus, Vivo, and Reno smartphones. For those prioritizing design and performance, the Honor 90 could be an attractive option. The company has tried ticking all the boxes to satisfy the user and it’s a great product for comeback in India. Having said that we can assure you that it’s a great deal at this price point, but it’s always good to keep your options open and compare it with other competitions.