With midrange smartphones becoming more powerful, many people are opting for cheaper alternatives to premium and flagship devices. That’s why brands like HONOR are bringing more affordable options for Filipinos.
Fresh off the success of the HONOR 90 5G, the HONOR 90 Lite 5G is built using the same formula but on more economical parts. And since not everyone needs the best hardware, this one’s for those who are on a tighter budget.
In the past, midrange devices struggled with mediocre cameras, limited storage, and performance issues when it came to heavy tasks and triple-A games. But in recent years, it’s no longer the case. The same goes for the new HONOR 90 Lite 5G. Is it worth the asking price of Php12,990? Find out in our full review.
HONOR 90 Lite 5G Specs
- Android 13, MagicOS 7.1
- Dual SIM, Dual standby
- 6.7-inch FHD+ IPS display, 2388 x 1080 pixel resolution, 391ppi
- 90Hz refresh rate
- 2.2GHz MediaTek Dimensity 6020 octa-core processor
- Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB internal storage, non-expandable
- 16-megapixel front camera
- 100-megapixel (f/1.9) + 5-megapixel (ultra-wide) + 2-megapixel (macro) rear cameras, LED flash
- Side-munted fingerprint scanner
- Single loudspeaker
- Hi-Res audio
- HSPA+, 4G LTE, 5G
- WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
- Bluetooth 5.3
- GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
- USB-Type-C
- Dimensions: 162.9 x 74.5 x 7.48mm
- Weight: 179g
- Colors: Cyan Lake, Titanium Silver, Midnight Black
- 4,500mAh non-removable battery, 22.5W fast charging
Design
At first glance, the HONOR 90 Lite 5G may appear relatively generic from the front, especially with its flat sides and large screen — with one of the thinnest bezels we’ve seen on an IPS screen, by the way. However, when you turn it around, its shimmery back panel and unique cropped-circle camera bumps make it stand out. It’s available in Midnight Black, Titanium Silver, and Cyan Lake.
The HONOR 90 Lite 5G Cyan Lake we have here features a distinct diffused shine, giving the plastic back a glass-like appearance. It may seem boring initially, but we grew to appreciate its unique aesthetic.
While a curved screen and sides look more elegant, the flat frame is expected for a device at this price point.
The SIM tray with dual SIM support is located on the left side, while the fingerprint scanner and power button are on the other side.
Even though it lacks storage expansion, it’s not a problem because it comes with loads of onboard storage. As usual, the USB-C port can be found at the bottom.
The good thing about the flat sides is it makes it easier to grip, even without using a case. It’s also very thin and light, measuring only 7.48mm and 179g, respectively.
All in all, the HONOR 90 Lite 5G feels like a well-built phone with an interesting look, comfortable layout, and really thin bezels.
Display and Audio
Upon powering on the HONOR 90 Lite 5G, the slim screen bezels on three sides immediately catch the eye. However, there is a notable chin below the screen, which may bother some people, but it’s really not a huge deal. Despite that, the 6.7-inch Full HD+ LTPS LCD display still provides an immersive experience.
Although it lacks the deep colors and inky blacks of OLED panels, the HONOR 90 Lite 5G compensates with a decent 90Hz refresh rate, respectable viewing angles, and a wide 19.9:9 aspect ratio.
Even if it’s not as bright as high-end devices or other mid-range models, we did not have any issues with visibility even on sunny days.
Movies and games look fantastic on the large, nearly bezel-less display. However, the mono speaker located next to the USB-C port is easily covered and muffled when playing games.
In addition, there’s no 3.5mm headphone jack for external audio. We can’t really complain about the loudness of the speaker as it’s mostly sufficient, but it’s clear that audio quality is one of the weaker aspects of the HONOR 90 Lite 5G.
Hardware, Performance, Software
The HONOR 90 Lite 5G runs on MagicOS 7.1 based on the Android 13 operating system. Unlike HUAWEI phones, HONOR devices have full access to Google’s services, ensuring excellent app and game support.
Since it runs on the same software as the more expensive HONOR Magic 5 Pro and HONOR 90 5G, some features like the YoYo widget and large folders are also here.
Third-party apps like Facebook, Netflix, and other useless games are also included. But not all of HONOR’s extra features and customizations are useful.
The presence of several pre-installed apps that only duplicate functionality with Google’s tools, like an email client and app store, can be an overwhelming clutter for the average user. Fortunately, most of the bloatware can be disabled or uninstalled, so consumers have the option to clean it up.
The HONOR 90 Lite 5G delivers smooth performance, thanks to its fairly powerful MediaTek Dimensity 6020 processor. Paired with Mali-G57 MC2 GPU and 8GB of RAM, the phone handles casual apps and games with relative ease.
While intensive triple-A games like Genshin Impact may experience occasional frame drops, this does not significantly impact gameplay to the point of being unusable. Less demanding titles like Farlight 84 and esports titles such as Mobile Legends, Call of Duty: Mobile, and PUBG Mobile, perform exceptionally well on the HONOR 90 Lite 5G.
If you want the smoothest gaming experience possible, keep the settings to either low or medium for the best performance.
HONOR 90 Lite 5G benchmark scores
These results are not surprising, given the Geekbench 6 score of 730 for single-core and 1911 for multi-core performance. While not the best scores in its class, they are competitive enough considering the phone’s price tag.
With 256GB storage, there’s plenty of room to store thousands of photos and videos, in addition to the large games and apps. Take note that there’s no microSD support, so make sure to back things up to the cloud or your PC every once in a while.
Cameras
The HONOR 90 Lite 5G boasts a high-resolution 100-megapixel main camera with an f/1.9 aperture, accompanied by a 5-megapixel ultra-wide, 2-megapixel depth, and 2-megapixel macro. While the 2-megapixel lenses have limited value, the ultra-wide camera does not offer exceptional results either.
Fortunately, the main 100-megapixel shooter is very capable on its own. By default, photos from the main camera are captured at 25-megapixels, with HONOR merging four on-sensor pixels to produce the final image.
Photos taken with the HONOR 90 Lite 5G’s camera are usually around 5MB to 8MB in size, but the full resolution clocks in at around 18MB to 20MB. No issues though, because it has adequate storage.
The main camera excels in bright and well-lit environments, producing photos packed with detail and clarity. Enabling Hi-Res mode to switch to the 100-megapixel sensor further improves the quality of the shots. Moreover, HONOR’s software processing also enhances the sensor’s performance, bringing out more details from the shadows, colors, and subjects.
The HONOR 90 Lite 5G’s camera also produces impressive shallow depth-of-field effects. This is useful for portrait photography or when shooting nearby subjects. If you need more punchy colors, you may also enable AI mode for automatic optimization.
Unfortunately, the lack of optical image stabilization hampers low-light photography. Night modes help take better photos, but it’s only effective if you have steady hands or the phone is placed on a stable surface. Otherwise, images can get even more grainy and blurry.
The 5-megapixel ultra-wide camera is only suitable for casual shots, as it lacks detail and produces washed-out photos more often than not.
The 2-megapixel macro camera is best avoided, as cropping into a photo taken with the main camera often yields much better results.
HONOR 90 Lite 5G’s 16-megapixel front camera performs well, capturing decent photos with a touch of beautification. The effects and filters can be turned off in the settings, but it still leaves a little bit even if everything is deactivated. Video recording in all cameras is limited to only 1080p and 30fps, with support for digital stabilization.
Battery
The HONOR 90 Lite is equipped with a 4,500mAh battery, providing a full day of moderate use with ease. That’s with hours of social media use, some calls and texts, music streaming, and a little bit of gaming.
Although it lacks wireless charging support, the global version comes with a decent 22.5W fast charging to top the battery up quickly. It’s not as fast as we’d like, especially when the European version supports 35W, but it’s good enough.
A short 10-minute charge brings the battery to around 8-10%. For 0 to 100%, it usually takes about 85 to 95 minutes.
Verdict
The new HONOR 90 Lite 5G has successfully covered the basics, which makes it a pretty decent midrange smartphone.
There’s nothing the HONOR 90 Lite 5G excels at, but it does everything well. While it’s not without its flaws, its decent cameras, good display, adequate performance, and long battery life are more than enough for most casual users.
But if performance and gaming are your top priority, it’s definitely not the best midranger out there. If that’s the case, you should look at alternatives from Xiaomi, Infinix, OnePlus, and other brands.
HONOR 90 Lite 5G pricing and availability
The HONOR 90 Lite 5G is priced at Php12,990 in the Philippines. Pre-orders will be available starting from September XX, and it will include FREE HONOR Gift Buds. You may purchase it in all HONOR authorized stores nationwide, as well as Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop.
Pros
- Stylish design
- Good cameras
- Huge 256GB storage
Cons
- Not AMOLED
- Mono speaker
- Slow fast charging