Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs. Huawei nova Y90
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature Category | Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Dimensions | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm | 163.3 × 74.7 × 8.4 mm | iPhone 12 Pro is more compact and pocketable. Nova Y90 may be harder to use one-handed. |
| Weight | 189g | 195g | Negligible weight difference. | |
| Display | Size | 6.1" | 6.7" | Nova Y90 offers a larger viewing area for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 1080x2388 | iPhone 12 Pro has a sharper display, resulting in crisper images and text. | |
| Pixel Density | 460 PPI | 391 PPI | The higher PPI on the iPhone 12 Pro results in a noticeably sharper and more detailed image. | |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | iPhone 12 Pro's OLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. | |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Nova Y90 provides smoother scrolling and animations, but the iPhone 12 Pro has a better-quality display overall | |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone 12 Pro is much easier to view outdoors in bright sunlight (specification unclear for Huawei). | |
| Performance | Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | iPhone 12 Pro delivers significantly faster performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking. It is also more future-proof. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,082,644 | 249,000 | Confirms significantly superior performance of iPhone 12 Pro. | |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 610 | iPhone 12 Pro handles graphically intensive tasks like gaming far better. | |
| Camera | Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | Nova Y90 captures more detail in bright light, but iPhone 12 Pro likely has better image processing and low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.6 | f/1.8 | iPhone 12 Pro gathers slightly more light for better low-light photos. | |
| Telephoto Lens | Yes | No | iPhone 12 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities. | |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes | No | iPhone 12 Pro allows for ultrawide shots. | |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | iPhone 12 Pro records significantly higher quality video. | |
| Stabilization | OIS, Ultra stable video | No | iPhone 12 Pro has more video stability features | |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | 127 | N/A | Indicates significantly better camera performance on the iPhone 12 Pro (no data for Nova Y90). | |
| Battery | Capacity | 2815mAh | 5000mAh | Nova Y90 is expected to provide much longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W | 40W | Nova Y90 charges faster. | |
| Wireless Charging | Yes (MagSafe, Qi) | No | iPhone 12 Pro offers wireless charging convenience. | |
| Software | Operating System | iOS 14.1 (upgradeable to iOS 18) | Unknown | iOS offers a polished user experience, strong app ecosystem, and timely updates (OS details for Huawei unclear). |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | iPhone 12 Pro supports newer Wi-Fi standard for faster speeds and better performance on modern networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | Minor advantage for iPhone 12 Pro. | |
| Storage | Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 128 GB | iPhone 12 Pro offers more storage options. |
| Expandable | No | No | No expandable storage for either device. | |
| Security | Biometrics | Face ID | Fingerprint (side-mounted) | iPhone 12 Pro uses Face ID for secure authentication. Huawei uses fingerprint. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides a significantly faster and smoother experience for all tasks.
- Better Display: The OLED display offers vibrant colors, excellent contrast, and higher brightness, making it better for media consumption and outdoor use.
- Advanced Camera System: Triple-lens camera with telephoto and ultrawide lenses, better video recording capabilities (4K), and superior image quality.
- Premium Build and Features: Wireless charging, advanced connectivity (Wi-Fi 6), and access to the iOS ecosystem.
- Higher Quality Audio: iPhone 12 Pro offers better audio features
Practical Implications: The iPhone 12 Pro is ideal for users who prioritize performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and a premium user experience.
Huawei nova Y90 Advantages:
- Larger Display: Offers a more immersive viewing experience for media and gaming.
- Longer Battery Life: The larger battery capacity provides significantly longer usage between charges.
- Faster Charging: 40W fast charging replenishes the battery quicker.
- Potentially Lower Price: The Nova Y90 is likely to be a more budget-friendly option.
Practical Implications: The Nova Y90 is better suited for users who prioritize battery life, a large screen, and affordability over raw performance and advanced features.
Significant Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 Pro: Shorter battery life and potentially higher price.
- Huawei nova Y90: Significantly lower performance, inferior display quality, and a less versatile camera system.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Pro:
- Ideal User: Professionals, content creators, gamers, and users who demand top-tier performance, camera quality, and a seamless user experience.
- Use Cases:
- Shooting high-quality videos and photos for professional or personal use.
- Playing graphically intensive games without lag or stuttering.
- Multitasking between demanding apps.
- Enjoying media with vibrant colors and excellent contrast.
Huawei nova Y90:
- Ideal User: Students, budget-conscious users, and individuals who prioritize battery life and a large screen for media consumption.
- Use Cases:
- Binge-watching videos or playing casual games for extended periods.
- Everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and communication.
- Users who need a phone that lasts all day without needing to be charged.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The iPhone 12 Pro offers a better value for users who prioritize performance, camera quality, and a premium user experience, even at a higher price point.
- The Nova Y90 offers good value for users who prioritize battery life and a large screen and are willing to compromise on performance and camera quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Nova Y90 is likely significantly cheaper.
- How important is performance? If you need to run demanding apps or play graphically intensive games, the iPhone 12 Pro is the clear choice.
- What is your priority: Camera or Battery? If you want better photos and videos, choose the iPhone. If you need all-day battery, go with the Nova Y90.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Photography Enthusiast: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro for its superior camera system, 4K video recording, and advanced features.
- Scenario 2: On-the-Go Student: Choose the Nova Y90 for its long battery life and large screen for studying and entertainment.
- Scenario 3: Power User Requiring Top Performance: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro for its faster processor, smoother multitasking, and superior overall performance.
My Choice
I would choose the Apple iPhone 12 Pro. While the Huawei nova Y90 offers a larger battery and potentially lower price, the iPhone 12 Pro's superior performance, significantly better display quality, and far more capable camera system are more important to me. I often take photos and videos, and I appreciate having a smooth and responsive user experience. The iPhone's ecosystem and access to iOS updates are also significant factors in my decision. Although battery life is a consideration, I am willing to manage it with charging throughout the day to benefit from the iPhone 12 Pro's other advantages.
