After the success of the affordable HONOR 90 5G with 200MP camera last August, we are stoked to see whether its younger sibling can follow its footsteps in terms of affordability or at least catch up to its camera prowess. As we prepare for the HONOR 90 Lite 5G‘s official launch in the Philippines on September 26, here’s a quick peek at its main features, along with sample photos!

INSIDE THE BOX

Before we get into my first impressions, let’s unbox this beauty and see what’s inside. As for the price, it remains a well-guarded secret for now, but rest assured, all will be revealed during the launch event, where HONOR is set to unveil not one, but three exciting smartphones.

Inside the white minimalist box, you’ll find the unit — the one we got is in Cyan Lake color, a couple of documentation, a SIM ejector tool, a USB-A to USB-C cable, a 67W wall charger, a jelly case, and almost-hidden at the corner of the box is a USB-C to 3.5mm audio jack. While it comes with an audio jack for earphones, note that we didn’t find any inside the box. It’s a thoughtful addition, though, as not everyone is fully sold on the idea of shifting to TWS audio devices.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

As I held the HONOR 90 Lite 5G in my hands for the first time, the Cyan Lake color and the camera module’s unique shape immediately caught my attention. With its build and texture, this smartphone exudes sophistication that you wouldn’t normally equate to an entry-level device. It boasts a generous display that promises an immersive visual experience, and I couldn’t wait to further explore its features.

The device feels comfortably lightweight, making it easy to handle. The button placements are intuitive, and the fingerprint sensor is conveniently located on the right side for quick and secure access. The HONOR 90 Lite 5G certainly makes a strong first impression in the design and build department, but that’s not what we’re after, considering how well its sibling did in terms of camera performance.

With smartphones becoming our primary tool for capturing life’s moments, a powerful camera is essential. Although I’ve only had a brief encounter with this device and its 100MP camera, I managed to snap a few initial shots to gauge its photographic prowess:

Zoom samples — 0.6, 1x, and 2x:

Normal (left) vs night shot (right):

The initial camera samples are pretty decent, assuming that this would cost around or less than Php 15,000 (if my estimates are correct, basing it on the price of the HONOR 90 5G). The images are sharp and colors are vibrant, though there are automatic touch-ups applied even with the AI mode disabled. The camera app also offers a variety of shooting modes and features, allowing users to get creative with their photography.

SPECS:

• Display: 6.7″ LTPS LCD, FHD+ Display, 93.6% Screen-to-body Ratio, 90Hz Refresh Rate
• Resolution: 1080 x 2388
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6020 5G (7nm)
• Memory and Storage: 8GB + 256GB
• Rear Camera: 100MP main camera + 5MP wide/depth camera + 2MP macro camera
• Front Camera: 16MP Selfie Camera
• Battery: 4500mAh Super Battery
• OS: MagicOS 7.1 based on Android 13
• Network: Dual 5G SIM (Nano-SIM, dual standby)

OFFICIAL LAUNCH

The HONOR 90 Lite 5G will be officially available in the Philippines starting September 26, so mark your calendars and join the launch online via HONOR Philippines’ social media pages. As for the price, the suspense is building, and HONOR is keeping it under wraps until the grand unveiling during the launch event. Stay tuned for that exciting announcement, as well as details about the two other smartphones that will accompany the HONOR 90 Lite 5G.

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