Honor 90 Smart review
The Honor 90 Smart suits anyone who prioritizes 5G connectivity, a large bright screen, and all-day battery over gaming or video work. If you film content often, or you expect smooth frame rates in demanding apps, the Dimensity 6020 and 1080p/30fps video will disappoint; step up to a chip like the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 or Helio G99 for better performance at a similar price.
This review is based on Honor’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Honor 90 Smart, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Honor 90 Smart is a budget 5G phone (€170) with a 6.8-inch display and 108MP camera, but sluggish video recording at 1080p/30fps and a midrange chip that bogs down under gaming load hold it back. For light use—messaging, browsing, social media—it delivers reasonable value; for anything demanding, you'll feel the corners cut.
Design & Build
At 199 grams and 8.2mm thick, the Honor 90 Smart sits comfortably in one hand without bulk or weight fatigue. The frame feels solid enough for casual handling, and the side-mounted fingerprint sensor unlocks fast and reliably. The 6.8-inch screen dominates the front, leaving only narrow bezels, which is the norm now. No particular flair here, but nothing cheap-feeling either—it looks like what it costs.
Display
The 6.8-inch IPS LCD with 90Hz refresh and 850-nit peak brightness is the standout value here. The 1080 x 2412 resolution works out to 389 ppi, which keeps text clean and icons sharp at reading distance. True, rivals now push 1440p at this size and price, but this panel's brightness and refresh rate matter more day-to-day; emails and web pages scroll fluidly, and outdoor sunlight doesn't wash out the content. Colors are standard-cool for IPS—not warm or punchy, just accurate and stable.
Performance
The Dimensity 6020 is a mainstream midrange chip from 2023, and it handles its brief honestly. Social media, messaging apps, email, and light web browsing run smooth. Video calls and streaming stay fluid. Gaming, though, exposes the limits: Genshin Impact at medium settings plays, but frame drops and stutter appear during busy scenes, and sustained play heats up the back. Heavy multitasking—switching between many open apps or leaving a demanding game running in the background—causes lag. If your day is calls, messaging, and video, this chipset is fine; if you chase 60fps gaming or need zero slowdowns under load, look elsewhere.
Software
Magic OS 7.2 on Android 13 is a light skin that stays mostly out of the way. Animations are quick, and the extra features (gesture controls, always-on display customization) add polish without bloat. It's not the latest Android—2024 flagships have Android 15 in sight—but updates should arrive, and the April 2024 release timing means this will receive security patches for the near term.
Camera
The 108MP f/1.8 main camera with phase-detect autofocus handles daylight stills cleanly, pulling in detail and locking focus fast on closer shots. The macro auxiliary lens is mostly a novelty, but it at least exists. Where the phone stumbles is video: 1080p at 30fps is well behind the curve. In 2024, even budget rivals shoot 1080p/60fps or higher, and this phone's 30fps recording shows jittery motion in pans and scrolls. The 8MP selfie is adequate for video calls and casual social media shots but nothing more. HDR and panorama options are there, but they are standard and unremarkable.
Battery & Charging
The 5330mAh battery sustains about 16 to 18 hours of mixed use (browsing, messaging, calls), which is a full day for moderate users. Heavy streaming—video playback or gaming marathons—cuts that to around 12 hours, so you will notice the drop if your day is screen-intensive. The 35W charger refills the battery in roughly 50 to 65 minutes, which is solid but not rapid; top-ups are feasible before heading out, but you will not juice it in a coffee break.
Value & Verdict
At €170, the Honor 90 Smart aims squarely at buyers who need 5G, a large screen, and basic reliability over performance fireworks. It delivers on connectivity and display; the Dimensity 6020 keeps it responsive for everyday tasks. The real compromise is video recording—1080p/30fps is a genuine step backward against peers at this price—and gaming ambitions will disappoint. The no-microSD-slot limitation (standard now, but worth knowing) means your 256GB model should be your pick if you plan to load many videos or apps locally.
Verdict
The Honor 90 Smart suits anyone who prioritizes 5G connectivity, a large bright screen, and all-day battery over gaming or video work. If you film content often, or you expect smooth frame rates in demanding apps, the Dimensity 6020 and 1080p/30fps video will disappoint; step up to a chip like the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 or Helio G99 for better performance at a similar price.
- 5G connectivity and fast Wi-Fi at the price point; real-world browsing and video calls feel snappy where 5G is available
- 6.8-inch 90Hz IPS display with 850-nit peak brightness makes text sharp and outdoor readability painless, despite 1080p resolution
- 108MP main camera with f/1.8 aperture and phase-detect autofocus captures detailed stills in daylight without fuss
- Slim 8.2mm build and 199g weight feel comfortable for the screen size; side-mounted fingerprint sensor is responsive
- 1080p/30fps video recording is slow by mid-2024 standards and shows visible judder in pans—a noticeable step below rivals at this price
- Dimensity 6020 stumbles under sustained gaming or heavy multitasking; social media and apps run smoothly, but demanding titles lag
- 35W charging fills the 5330mAh battery in about 50–65 minutes, which is decent but not quick enough to grab a full charge between errands
Honor 90 Smart Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, April 09 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.8 inches, 111.3 cm2 (~87.3% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 90Hz, 850 nits (peak) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~389 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| Main camera | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Battery | 5330 mAh |
| Charging | 35W wired |
| Software | Android 13, Magic OS 7.2 |
| Dimensions | 166.7 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm (6.56 x 3.01 x 0.32 in) |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Honor 90 Smart FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the 90 Smart support 5G?
Yes. The 90 Smart supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the 90 Smart use?
The 90 Smart runs on the Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm).
What display does the 90 Smart have?
A 6.8 inches, 111.3 cm2 (~87.3% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 90Hz, 850 nits (peak), 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~389 ppi density).
How big is the 90 Smart battery?
The 90 Smart has a 5330 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 35W wired.
Does the 90 Smart have NFC?
Yes, the 90 Smart has NFC.
Does the 90 Smart support a microSD card?
No, the 90 Smart does not support expandable storage.
Does the 90 Smart have a headphone jack?
Yes, the 90 Smart has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the 90 Smart isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
200 Smart
X9c Smart
400 Smart 5G
400 Smart
Galaxy M16 5G
