HONOR 90 5G Unboxing, Hands-on

A new bang-for-the-buck upper mid-range challenger?

A new bang-for-the-buck upper mid-range challenger?

HONOR is officially launching the HONOR 90 5G, its newest AI camera-focused device, this August. We get our first look at the device.

Here’s the box we got from HONOR Philippines, which has the phone itself, a TPU case and a SIM ejector tool, then we have the 66-watt charging brick, and the USB charging and data cable. No documentation in the unit we got, but we’re sure that it’ll be included in the retail package.

The HONOR 90 5G boasts a sleek and modern design that is sure to turn heads. Its slim profile and lightweight construction make it comfortable to hold and easy to carry.

In terms of color options, HONOR offers a range of choices to suit different preferences. Our unit in a matte emerald green colorway is definitely an attention-turner, not to mention a good choice for those who like don’t like their fingerprint smudges to be that obvious.

At the back of the device are two camera modules with a chromatic accent that reminds us of the crescent moon. The two camera areas house three lenses – a whopping 200-megapixel flagship-grade camera, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 2MP lens for depth.

These cameras are surprisingly great to use. Here are some first shots taken on our first few days using this device:

Let’s check the sides, at the right is the power and lock buttons and the volume keys, protruding against the thin side profile of the phone.

The bottom part features the SIM card tray, the microphone, the USB-C port, and the loudspeaker grille.

The device features a quad-curved OLED display with minimal bezels, providing users with an immersive viewing experience. Add to that that this is literally one of the world’s best phones for viewing with a virtually flicker-free display thanks to its all-new 3840Hz PWM Dimming tech that doesn’t show any screen refreshes with the naked eye, thus keeping it protected in low light environments.

The 50-megapixel selfie camera sits atop the device, while the call speaker is tucked at the edge of the display.

This phone, like the rest of the HONOR devices launched in the Philippines, offer Google Mobile Services that lets you download your favorite apps from the Google Play Store, and enjoy Google-related services and apps wherever you are.

Not only does the HONOR 90 5G excel in aesthetics, but it also incorporates cutting-edge technology. The device is equipped with a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chip, 12GB of RAM (with additional via HONOR RAM Turbo), a whopping 512GB of RAM, and a 5000mAh battery capacity with 66W HONOR SuperCharge tech.

The First Take: The HONOR 90 5G showcases the brand’s commitment to delivering both style and substance in its smartphone designs. It’s surprisingly light despite having a 5000mAh battery, but we’d love to talk about that in our review.

We’re taking this phone for a full review in the coming days, and publish our review right as HONOR announces the official price for this phone on August 15 (We’re hearing, though, that this device will be priced under PHP 30K, similar to last year’s HONOR 70). Stay tuned.

Carl writes for WalasTech when he's not working full-time. Give him tips and/or leads at [email protected].