Honor 90 Assessment: how good is that this inexpensive smartphone?

Sitting in the course of Honor’s current-line up of smartphones, the Honor 90 is designed to supply a spread of options at a way more inexpensive worth than its flagship fashions.

That implies that whilst you get a headline-friendly 200MP fundamental digicam, there are different compromises available, resembling a scarcity of a telephoto digicam and so forth. Nonetheless, should you’re in search of one thing that doesn’t break the financial institution and supplies a great all-round expertise for almost all of conditions, it might be simply the ticket.

Honor 90 at a look:

• £449.99-£499.99
• 200MP large digicam, f/1.9 aperture, PDAF
• 12MP extremely large and macro digicam, f/2.2 aperture, AF
• 2MP depth digicam, f/2.4 aperture
• 6.7-inch AMOLED Quad-curved floating show, 120Hz
• 4K video at 30fps
• 1080p video at 60/30fps
• Android 13
• Processor: Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated
• hihonor.com

Honor 90 options:

At its present worth, it competes extraordinarily properly with different mid-range fashions such because the Google Pixel 7a, Samsung Galaxy A54, and coming in cheaper than the likes of the Xiaomi 12T Professional. It’s dearer than the Oppo Reno8 Professional, however that’s ridiculous low-cost for the time being.

So what do you get in your mid-range cash? There’s the aforementioned 200MP fundamental digicam, with an 1/1.4” inch sensor that’s bigger than the earlier mannequin’s model. It’s joined by an f/1.9, 27mm equal lens. An ultra-wide 12MP digicam module can also be included, with an f/2.2 16mm equal lens. A 3rd 2MP f/2.4 digicam is a “depth” digicam and can be utilized for helping with creating portraits and shallow depth-of-field results, however isn’t in essence selectable by itself.

There are 4K video choices, however you might be restricted to 30fps. Unsurprisingly, there’s no 8K obtainable right here, which is mostly reserved for top-level costly flagship fashions however most likely isn’t really vital for many customers anyway. Full HD at 60/30fps can also be obtainable.

Different helpful options to consider right here embody storage choices between 256GB / 512GB (at a small worth bump for the latter), the 6.7-inch AMOLED display screen and a 5000 mAh battery which has the flexibility for very fast charging with Honor “SuperCharge” which may see the battery powered as much as 45% in simply quarter-hour with a 66W charger (not supplied within the field as commonplace). Wi-fi charging is just not obtainable – a typical issue amongst mid-range smartphones.

Honor 90 dealing with and design:

Photograph credit score: Amy Davies.

NIKON Z 6_2 · f/8 · 1/125s · 59mm · ISO320

The 6.7” AMOLED display screen makes the Honor 90 somewhat on the big aspect, however that appears to be the favored development nowadays. It’s the identical dimension because the Oppo Reno 8 Professional 5G’s display screen, barely smaller than of the flagship fashions, such because the 6.8” Samsung S23 Extremely, and bigger than another mid-range choices such because the 6.1” Google Pixel 7a and the 6.4” Samsung Galaxy A54.

Whether or not you want a big smartphone display screen is as much as private desire – it may be somewhat awkward to make use of one-handed, however, it makes your movies, images and different leisure look good. Talking of which, with its excessive decision of 2664 x 1200 and 120Hz refresh price, it’s a wonderful display screen – particularly for the value, being way more detailed than different mid-range choices just like the Oppo Reno 8 Professional and Google Pixel 7a.

Photograph credit score: Amy Davies.

NIKON Z 6_2 · f/8 · 1/125s · 70mm · ISO400

Transferring away from the bodily dimension of the system, the design itself could be very glossy, with properly curved edges and an ultra-shiny end for the “Midnight Black” color manner we’ve been utilizing. Emerald Inexperienced, Peacock Inexperienced and Diamond Silver are additionally obtainable with a matte end.

The digicam models themselves are housed in two separate small spherical protruding models behind the cellphone. One comprises the primary and ultra-wide cameras, whereas the opposite comprises the depth digicam and the flash unit. It’s not a typical search for smartphones, however it’s fairly putting.

As this can be a mid-range cellphone, there’s no particular guarantees of toughness right here, so it’s most likely price investing in a case to guard the cellphone from unintentional drops and scratches. That mentioned, throughout our checks it was used case-free and appears to have stayed harm free.

Honor 90 native digicam app:

Photograph credit score: Amy Davies.

NIKON Z 6_2 · f/8 · 1/125s · 70mm · ISO360

You is likely to be forgiven for considering that since this can be a mid-range mannequin, the native digicam app is likely to be a bit restricted. Nonetheless, much like different Android gadgets, the Honor 90’s commonplace picture app could be very well-featured with plenty of alternative in terms of capturing modes and so forth.

At launch, it’s going to begin within the default Photograph mode, which is what most will most likely use for the overwhelming majority of their images. On this mode, you may entry the 0.6x and 1x lens, but in addition a 2x digital zoom possibility instantly by tapping on the numbers proven on the display screen. To zoom even additional digitally, you can too pinch on the display screen to a most of 10x.

Photograph credit score: Amy Davies.

NIKON Z 6_2 · f/5.6 · 1/200s · 70mm · ISO320

Different choices you may change right here embody switching on AI Pictures (the place settings are tweaked robotically to match the scene), enabling a flash, enabling totally different digital filters and switching on Transferring Images. A extra intensive group of settings will be discovered by tapping on a cog icon, supplying you with choices to alter issues like side ratio, change on a grid and a stage and so forth.

On this mode, you’ll discover that “Evening” is robotically activated ought to low gentle ranges be detected, whereas “Tremendous Macro” can even interact should you get near a topic (at which level, the app will change to utilizing the tremendous large digicam).

Photograph credit score: Amy Davies.

NIKON Z 6_2 · f/5.6 · 1/160s · 70mm · ISO320

Alongside the underside of the display screen, there’s a number of different capturing choices. This contains Portrait mode for photographing human topics with a shallow depth of subject, a selectable Evening mode, and an Aperture mode which supplies you the choice to create shallow depth of subject results with any topic.

There’s additionally a Video mode, plus a “Multi Video” mode which permits recording from each the rear and entrance cameras on the identical time. In case you faucet “Extra”, you’ll additionally discover a vary of further capturing choices together with HDR picture, Gradual-Mo, Panorama and so forth. Two which is likely to be of curiosity listed below are Professional mode and Excessive-Res mode.

Photograph credit score: Amy Davies.

NIKON Z 6_2 · f/5.6 · 1/250s · 63mm · ISO320

With Professional mode, you may management sure capturing parameters, resembling shutter velocity, ISO, publicity compensation, white stability and so forth. It’s additionally right here that you simply’ll discover the flexibility to shoot in uncooked format too. Excessive Res mode is pretty self-explanatory, however it lets you reap the benefits of the total 200MP of the sensor, relatively than the pixel-binned 12MP photos it produces as commonplace. It’s really useful that you simply use Excessive Res mode in good gentle for the very best outcomes.

The Video mode is pretty easy, with 4K obtainable at 30fps. You may also change on AI and have the cellphone robotically select the very best video mode for the aim too, with Portrait Video, HDR Video, Shut-Up, Multi-Video and Solo-cut obtainable for the machine to decide on between.

Photograph credit score: Amy Davies.

NIKON Z 6_2 · f/5.6 · 1/200s · 63mm · ISO320

Honor 90 picture high quality and efficiency:

As we frequently discover with smartphones, significantly in the course of the vary, the Honor 90 could be very able to producing some nice pictures in good situations. So, if gentle is nice, there’s not an excessive amount of distinction and so forth. The general impression of photos from the primary sensor is that they’re detailed, vibrant and look particularly good on the display screen of the Honor 90, but in addition get up fairly properly to nearer inspection on a pc.

The Honor 90’s fundamental lens places in the very best efficiency. Image credit score: Amy Davies

REA-NX9 · f/1.9 · 1/950s · 6.12mm · ISO50

Shot from the identical place, we are able to see the angle of view the ultrawide lens offers. Image credit score: Amy Davies

REA-NX9 · f/2.2 · 1/1700s · 1.96mm · ISO50

Unsurprisingly, the pictures from the ultrawide angle lens aren’t fairly nearly as good, significantly in decrease gentle, with some smudginess on show, however that is solely significantly apparent when zooming in fairly shut on photos – they’re completely good for social media and the like.

As there’s no telephoto zoom lens right here, you’re left with the digital zoom possibility. However, with 200MP obtainable from the primary sensor, a crop really produces first rate outcomes for the 2x possibility – once more significantly should you don’t intend to look at too intently. Additional digital zooming is mostly finest averted if attainable.

The 2x zoom is a digital crop, however with a 200MP sensor it produces very usable outcomes.

REA-NX9 · f/1.9 · 1/1000s · 6.12mm · ISO50

The 10x zoom is much less spectacular, so it’s finest averted the place attainable. Image credit score: Amy Davies

REA-NX9 · f/1.9 · 1/1000s · 6.12mm · ISO50

We’ve typically discovered earlier than than an AI mode can go a bit wild with colors, oversaturating blues and greens, however issues look like a bit extra managed right here, to the purpose the place it’s arduous to say precisely what the AI is doing most often.

Evening mode produces good outcomes – significantly from the primary (1x) lens. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies

REA-NX9 · f/1.9 · 1/14s · 6.12mm · ISO10000

The Evening mode copes fairly properly, with the very best outcomes seen from the primary lens. There’s a little bit of smudging in some areas of the body, however the total impression is fairly good. The ultrawide lens places in a fairly good efficiency, however it’s finest should you don’t study too intently. Portrait mode does a great job on the entire, with the Depth digicam coming in to assist create a sensible define. As long as the topic’s define isn’t too fussy, you get a fairly good outcome, with each the 1x and 2x choices each performing fairly properly.

This picture taken with the HighRes mode reveals a scarcity of element. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies

REA-NX9 · f/1.9 · 1/100s · 6.12mm · ISO800

This comparability shot taken within the cellphone’s commonplace mode is significantly better.

REA-NX9 · f/1.9 · 1/100s · 6.12mm · ISO500

Excessive-Res mode reveals off the total 200MP obtainable from the primary sensor, however the outcomes aren’t nice if gentle is something lower than tremendous vivid. Our picture taken in good gentle right here is sort of smudgy and lacking intimately – with the usual 12MP output file significantly better. It doesn’t look like a mode you’ll really need to use that always total.

Portrait mode offers you the selection of both a 1x or 2x standpoint. The outcomes are fairly pure. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies.

REA-NX9 · f/2.4 · 1/780s · 6.12mm · ISO50

The SuperMacro mode lets you get tremendous near a topic and whereas the outcomes look affordable on the cellphone display screen, as quickly as you get them on a bigger display screen, you may see some lack of element – once more should you’re solely ever wanting / sharing in your cellphone, that is much less of an issue. There are significantly better smartphones for macro in the marketplace – however they have an inclination to return with a a lot increased worth premium than the Honor 90 so it’s not so unhealthy for a mid-range system.

The commonplace video choices produce pretty clean, regular and well-detailed video when utilized in good gentle.

You need to use both lens and digital zoom when capturing in all resolutions. If maybe you’re a sophisticated vlogger or content material creator in search of a spread of various capturing modes and better resolutions, resembling 4K 60p and even 8K, this received’t be the cellphone for you, however for the common person who simply needs to seize video clips of sure moments, the Honor 90 is greater than ample.

Tremendous macro mode means you may get very near a topic. Outcomes look good on the cellphone display screen, however there’s some smudginess should you study extra intently. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies.

REA-NX9 · f/2.2 · 1/33s · 1.96mm · ISO250

Honor 90 worth for cash:

Nowadays, high-end smartphones can price a relative fortune. Fashions just like the Honor 90 which sit within the mid-range can prevent a tonne of cash should you’re keen to compromise on sure options.

For the value, the Honor 90 is a good performer for photographers – significantly should you’re comfortable to stay with the primary digicam and aren’t too frightened about telephoto efficiency, or don’t want one thing pretty area of interest resembling 8K video recording.

The usual lens produces properly detailed pictures. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies.

REA-NX9 · f/1.9 · 1/100s · 6.12mm · ISO1600

It compares extraordinarily properly with flagship fashions, even from Honor’s personal vary such because the Honor Magic 5 Professional, pricewise, and is a number of instances cheaper than bigger-name flagships from the likes of Samsung and Apple. By way of different mid-range rivals, it’s additionally good worth for cash, providing a great fundamental lens, a trendy system and a broad functioning native digicam app. Arguably solely the Oppo Reno8 Professional provides higher worth for cash proper now.

Honor 90 verdict:

Honor has been produced some nice smartphones for a while now, and the Honor 90 continues that legacy. In case you’re not bothered by the larger names, flagship fashions and excessive costs, then it’s at all times price what the corporate is as much as.

The Honor 90 takes good images in quite a lot of eventualities. Photograph credit score: Amy Davies.

REA-NX9 · f/1.9 · 1/910s · 6.12mm · ISO50

The Honor 90 is supreme should you’re in search of one thing that may deal with quite a lot of totally different capturing conditions fairly properly, however don’t want all the additional superior options that others convey. It’s honest to say that picture high quality from different fashions is healthier in sure circumstances, resembling macro, however should you’re pleased with most on a regular basis pictures being properly taken care of, it’s a fantastic purchase.

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