Google Pixel 4 XL vs Honor 90
The Verdict
Pixel 4 XL and Honor 90 target different priorities at vastly different prices. The Pixel 4 XL ($899) offers superior computational photography through its Snapdragon 855 and dedicated AI processing, delivering exceptional low-light performance and night mode despite its modest 12.2 MP main sensor. Its 90Hz P-OLED display is brilliant at 600 nits with excellent color accuracy. However, the 3700 mAh battery struggles with heavy use, and it lacks 5G connectivity. The Honor 90 ($449) flips the script entirely. Its 200 MP main camera captures stunning detail, while the 5000 mAh battery provides two-day endurance and faster 66W charging. The 120Hz AMOLED screen is dramatically brighter at 1600 nits, and 5G connectivity future-proofs it significantly. More RAM (8-12 GB) and storage (256-512 GB) come standard. Drawbacks include the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1's performance lag versus the 855, no wireless charging, and lack of IP rating. For everyday users prioritizing battery life and value, the Honor 90 is clearly superior. Professional photographers and those needing peak performance should choose the Pixel 4 XL, though at double the price.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Google Pixel 4 XL if…
- →Astrophotography mode was groundbreaking
- →90Hz smooth display
- →Soli radar for Motion Sense gestures
Buy the Honor 90 if…
- →200 MP main sensor captures incredibly detailed photos in daylight
- →1.5K AMOLED display with 1600-nit brightness is vibrant and sharp
- →66W fast charging fills the battery in about 45 minutes
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Google Pixel 4 XL
Pros
- Astrophotography mode was groundbreaking
- 90Hz smooth display
- Soli radar for Motion Sense gestures
- Excellent telephoto camera for portraits
- Face unlock with 3D face recognition
Cons
- No ultrawide camera
- Large forehead bezel for Soli radar
- No fingerprint scanner at all
- Motion Sense was gimmicky and limited
- Battery life was mediocre
Honor 90
Pros
- 200 MP main sensor captures incredibly detailed photos in daylight
- 1.5K AMOLED display with 1600-nit brightness is vibrant and sharp
- 66W fast charging fills the battery in about 45 minutes
- Slim and lightweight at 7.8 mm and 183 g
- 50 MP front camera delivers excellent selfies
Cons
- No water or dust resistance rating
- 200 MP mode produces huge files with limited low-light gains
- No telephoto camera for zoom photography
- MagicOS software can feel bloated
- No wireless charging at any price tier
Full Specifications
| Spec | Google Pixel 4 XL | Honor 90 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 10 | Android 13 (MagicOS 7.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 193 g | 183 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 | Aluminum frame, glass front and back |
| IP rating | IP68 | None |
| Dimensions | 160.4 x 75.1 x 8.2 mm | 161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, OIS | 200 MP, f/1.9, OIS, PDAF |
| Front camera | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 50 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Telephoto | 16 MP, f/2.4, 2x optical zoom | — |
| Ultrawide | — | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB / 12 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3700 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired | 66W wired |
| Wireless charging | 11W wireless | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.3 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | P-OLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 3040 x 1440 | 2664 x 1200 |
| Refresh rate | 90Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 600 | 1600 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.78 GHz) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz + 3x2.36 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 644 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.1 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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