Review: Honor 90 holds its ground in the premium segment, but rivals loom large

Many of you may not recall Honor, but approximately six years ago, it stood as a prominent Gen Z brand in India under the Huawei umbrella. It boasted a stylish design and a performance-oriented approach, but it encountered a significant setback in India due to the United States imposing restrictions on its parent company, Huawei. However, Honor soon transformed into an independent entity and has sustained robust sales in various Asian markets. If you are wondering why I am sharing this history about the brand, well Honor smartphones are back in India. The erstwhile Realme India head has started a new company – HTech – resurrect the Honor brand in India. The burning question is whether Honor can once again reach or even surpass the benchmarks it had previously set in India, especially in the face of stiff competition from other Chinese manufacturers.

Design: If I were to summarize the design of the Honor 90 in a single word, it would be “stunning.” This is an elegantly crafted device with a distinct premium feel, and the emerald green colour is undeniably refreshing. It’s worth noting that my personal bias leans towards green shades. However, if you’re not particularly fond of this colour, there are alternative options available, such as Diamond Silver and Midnight Black.

Honor has integrated a spacious 6.7-inch screen while preserving a remarkably slim profile, measuring a mere 7.8mm in thickness. The device’s ergonomic design features curved edges on both the front and rear, enhancing its comfort for prolonged use. Notably, in a departure from the common practice of many smartphones flaunting a metallic chassis, Honor has opted for a plastic chassis, while reinforcing it with durable glass on both the front and rear panels and not Corning Gorilla Glass. This doesn’t translate into a subpar or fragile feel; the device maintains a robust and substantial quality.

However, a notable drawback lies in the absence of an IP rating, which could have granted it water and dust resistance capabilities. This missing feature is a noteworthy consideration for potential buyers who prioritize device durability and protection in adverse conditions.

Display: Smartphones with curved displays…