HONOR 90 Lite 5G Price, Specs, Unboxing, and Initial Review

These days, when smartphones have practically become a commodity and with so many options available in the market, finding a daily driver that strikes the perfect balance between features and affordability can be a challenging endeavor. 

Enter the HONOR 90 Lite 5G, a budget-friendly powerhouse that aims to set new standards for mid-range smartphones in the Philippines. With its sleek design, stunning display, powerful camera system, and, most notably, 5G connectivity, this smartphone promises to deliver an exceptional user experience.

In this initial review, we will dive deep into the HONOR 90 Lite 5G, exploring its design, display, performance, camera capabilities, and more.

Unboxing and Package Contents

HONOR 90 Lite 5G ships in this plain white box with just the name of the model printed on the cover. For me, this reflects the brand's no none-sense approach in crafting this handset. Focusing on key features and ensuring accessibility for a huge number of consumers.

The official retail package includes the unit itself, the USB Type C charging cable, the travel charger, the user manual, the metal pin for ejecting the SIM card tray, and the free soft silicone case.

Design and Build

The HONOR 90 Lite 5G makes a striking first impression with its sleek and slim design. Measuring 162.9 x 74.5 x 7.5 mm and weighing a mere 179 grams, it feels incredibly light and comfortable in the hand. 

The smartphone is available in three captivating color options: Titanium Silver, Cyan Lake, and Midnight Black. Whether you prefer a classic or bold look, the HONOR 90 Lite 5G offers something for everyone.

Here are the actual unit photos of HONOR 90 Lite 5G:

What I have here is the Cyan Lake colorway and as you can see, it has a gorgeous iridescent finish on the back panel that changes hues depending on how light hits it. Personally, this is my recommended color for this smartphone model.

Display

One of the standout features of the HONOR 90 Lite 5G is its impressive display. The smartphone boasts a 6.7-inch IPS LCD screen with a 90Hz refresh rate. The 1080 x 2388-pixel resolution delivers crisp and vibrant visuals, with a pixel density of approximately 391 ppi. The 89.6% screen-to-body ratio provides an immersive viewing experience, making it a joy to consume multimedia content, play games, or browse the web.

The device also incorporates dynamic dimming and Circadian Night Display technology, which adjusts screen brightness and color temperature based on your surroundings, ensuring comfortable viewing in various lighting conditions. Moreover, the TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light certification offers excellent eye protection during extended usage.

Camera Capabilities

The HONOR 90 Lite 5G shines in the camera department, offering a versatile and capable setup. The rear camera system comprises a 100 MP wide lens with an f/1.9 aperture, a 5 MP ultrawide lens, and a 2 MP macro lens. This combination allows you to capture stunning photos with rich details, from expansive landscapes to intricate close-ups. Features like LED flash, HDR, and panorama mode enhance your photography experience.

On the front, there's a 16 MP selfie camera with an f/2.5 aperture, perfect for capturing clear and vibrant self-portraits or participating in video calls.

Performance

Under the hood, the HONOR 90 Lite 5G is powered by the 7nm Mediatek Dimensity 6020 chipset. This octa-core processor, consisting of 2 Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz and 6 Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz, delivers robust performance for multitasking and demanding applications. The Mali-G57 MC2 GPU ensures smooth graphics performance, making gaming a delightful experience.

With 8GB of RAM and a generous 256GB of internal storage, you have ample memory for all your apps, games, and media. The absence of a microSD card slot might be a minor drawback for some users, but the substantial internal storage should suffice for most needs.

Software and User Experience

The HONOR 90 Lite 5G runs on Android 13 with the Magic UI 7.1 skin. This interface offers a user-friendly experience with customizable options, allowing you to tailor your smartphone to your preferences.

Connectivity

One of the standout features of the HONOR 90 Lite 5G is its 5G connectivity. This capability ensures lightning-fast data speeds, making it a future-proof choice for users who want to stay ahead in the world of mobile connectivity. In addition to 5G, the device also supports 4G LTE-A, offering flexibility in network connectivity.

The smartphone supports dual SIM cards, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, and Wi-Fi Direct for fast and reliable wireless connections. Bluetooth 5.1, A2DP, and LE enable seamless pairing with other devices, while NFC adds convenience for mobile payments and data transfers. The inclusion of a USB Type-C 2.0 port with OTG support ensures fast data transfer and charging.

Security

The device features a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for convenient and secure access to your phone. Additionally, facial recognition technology provides an alternative unlocking method, adding an extra layer of security.

Battery Life and Charging Speed

The HONOR 90 Lite 5G is equipped with a 4,500 mAh non-removable Li-Po battery, providing ample power to last throughout the day. What's more, the device offers rapid charging options with a 35W wired charger that can deliver up to 55% charge in just 30 minutes (European version) or a 22.5W wired charger (Global version).

Price and Availability

HONOR has made an impressive move by offering the HONOR 90 Lite 5G at an enticing price of PHP 12,990. This affordability factor, combined with its robust features, positions it as a compelling choice in the competitive mid-range smartphone segment. The official launch in the Philippines on September 26, 2023, is expected to generate significant interest among consumers, especially with the included freebie, the HONOR Gift Buds.

Recommendation

The HONOR 90 Lite 5G emerges as a remarkable addition to the mid-range smartphone market in the Philippines. With its sleek design, stunning display, powerful camera system, and 5G connectivity, it checks all the right boxes for users seeking an exceptional mobile experience without breaking the bank. While it may not be the most feature-rich device on the market, its affordability combined with its impressive capabilities makes it a worthy contender. If you're in search of a budget-friendly smartphone that doesn't compromise on essential features and future-proof connectivity, the HONOR 90 Lite 5G is certainly worth considering.

HONOR 90 Lite 5G Specs

Dimensions: 162.9 x 74.5 x 7.5 mm

Weight: 179 grams

Colorways: Titanium Silver, Cyan Lake, Midnight Black

Model Number: CRT-NX1

DISPLAY:

Size: 6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)

Resolution: 1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density)

Type: IPS LCD, 90Hz

Value-Added Features:

Dynamic Dimming, Circadian Night Display Technology

TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certified Eye Protection

MAIN CAMERA:

Triple:

100 MP, f/1.9, Wide, PDAF

5 MP, f/2.2, Ultrawide

2 MP, f/2.4, Macro

Features: LED flash, HDR, panorama

Video: 1080p 30fps

SELFIE CAMERA:

Single: 16 MP, f/2.5, Wide

Video: 1080p 30fps

PLATFORM:

OS: Android 13, Magic UI 7.1

Chipset: 7nm Mediatek Dimensity 6020

CPU: Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76, 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)

GPU: Mali-G57 MC2

MEMORY:

microSD Card Slot: No

RAM: 8GB RAM + RAM Expansion

Internal: 256GB 

SOUND:

Loudspeaker: Yes

3.5mm jack: No (24-bit/192kHz audio)

SECURITY:

Fingerprint Scanner: Yes, Side-Mounted

Facial Recognition: Yes

COMMUNICATIONS:

5G: Yes

4G LTE-A: Yes

SIM: Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, Dual Standby)

WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Bluetooth: 5.1, A2DP, LE

NFC: Yes

USB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

BATTERY:

Type: Li-Po 4,500 mAh, Non-Removable

Fast Charging:

35W Wired, 55% in 30 min, Europe)

22.5W Wired, Global

HONOR 90 Lite 5G Price

Official SRP in the Philippines - PHP 12,990

Official Launch in PH - September 26, 2023

Freebie: HONOR Gift Buds