Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison between the Apple iPhone 13 Pro and the Huawei nova Y70 Plus. On paper, these two phones are worlds apart, catering to different user needs and priorities. It's not so much about which one is “better,” but rather which one fits your life best. Let’s break it down.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Apple iPhone 13 Pro | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.7 mm | 168.3 × 77.7 × 9 mm | The Huawei is noticeably larger and thicker, potentially less comfortable for small hands. |
| Weight | 204g | 199g | Negligible difference in weight, both feel solid in hand. |
| Build Material | Stainless Steel, Glass | Plastic Frame | iPhone 13 Pro feels more premium in hand with its build. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.75" | Huawei offers a larger viewing area, great for media consumption, while the iPhone is more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 720x1600 | iPhone 13 Pro has a much sharper display; text and images look clearer, making everything more detailed. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 460 | 260 | iPhone 13 Pro has a noticeably sharper display |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | OLED of iPhone 13 Pro delivers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | iPhone 13 Pro has smoother animations, a more fluid user experience, especially in gaming and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone 13 Pro has drastically better outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | The A15 Bionic is significantly more powerful, resulting in much faster app loading and better overall performance. |
| Antutu Score | 1,325,768 | 103,500 | iPhone 13 Pro has much better performance for demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Mali-G51 MP4 | iPhone 13 Pro has much better graphical capabilities, especially for gaming. |
| RAM | 6 GB | 4 GB | iPhone has more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP (f/1.5) | 48MP (f/1.8) | Huawei has higher resolution, but the iPhone's sensor and aperture may result in better low-light and overall image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP (f/2.2) | 8MP (f/2.0) | iPhone’s selfie camera has higher resolution. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP (f/2.8) | None | iPhone 13 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities for higher-quality zoomed shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP (f/1.8) | 5MP (f/2.2) | iPhone offers wider and detailed shots than Huawei wide angle. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | Yes | None | iPhone offers better portrait mode and AR capabilities. |
| Portrait Lens | None | 2MP (f/2.4) | Huawei offers portrait mode shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps HDR | 1080p@30fps | iPhone can shoot high-quality, detailed videos. |
| DxOMark Score | Mobile: 141, Selfie: 134 | Not Available | iPhone 13 Pro has been thoroughly tested and scored by DxOMark, confirming its excellent camera. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 3125 mAh | 6000 mAh | Huawei has much larger battery, potentially providing much longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 22.5W Fast Charging | Huawei has slightly faster charging, though the difference is minimal. |
| Wireless Charging | MagSafe, Qi | None | iPhone offers the convenience of wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 15 (upgradable) | Unknown | iOS is known for its user-friendliness, regular updates, and tight ecosystem. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11n | iPhone 13 Pro supports newer Wi-Fi standard for faster, more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 | Huawei has slightly newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | Yes | Yes | Both phones support GPS; Huawei offers more satellite options. |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | iPhone 13 Pro offers eSIM, which can be convenient for traveling. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB-1TB | 64GB/128GB | iPhone has more storage options. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo | Basic | iPhone has better audio output quality with Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers and 3 microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Basic features | Fingerprint Sensor | Huawei has a fingerprint sensor, which is convenient for unlocking. |
| Sensors | Gyro, Barometer,Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer,Proximity | iPhone has additional environmental sensors while Huawei has additional biometric sensors |
2. Key Insights
Apple iPhone 13 Pro
- Strengths:
- Top-Tier Performance: The A15 Bionic chip is leagues ahead, providing unparalleled speed and responsiveness for any task.
- Stunning Display: The OLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate offers a visually superior and smoother experience.
- Exceptional Cameras: The triple-lens system delivers outstanding photo and video quality, especially in low light. It also provides the user with a telephoto lens, enabling high-quality zoom photos and a LiDAR sensor that enhances portrait mode and AR.
- Premium Build: The stainless steel and glass construction make the iPhone feel like a flagship device.
- Ecosystem: If you’re invested in the Apple ecosystem, integration is seamless and advantageous.
- Competitive Advantages:
- Superior performance, display, and camera system.
- Faster Wi-Fi, wireless charging.
- Trade-offs:
- Higher price point.
- Smaller battery capacity.
Huawei nova Y70 Plus
- Strengths:
- Large Battery: Its massive 6000 mAh battery can easily last you through a day, or even two, with moderate use.
- Bigger Display: The large screen is excellent for media consumption, web browsing and gaming.
- Affordable Price: Much more budget-friendly than the iPhone 13 Pro.
- Competitive Advantages:
- Longer battery life, larger screen.
- More affordable price for basic phone functionality.
- Trade-offs:
- Significantly slower performance.
- Lower-resolution display with an inferior LCD panel.
- Basic camera system compared to the iPhone 13 Pro.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- iPhone 13 Pro Users:
- Professionals: Need a reliable, high-performance device for work and creativity.
- Content Creators: Value top-tier video and photo quality.
- Gamers: Require a smooth, responsive experience for graphically intensive games.
- Apple Ecosystem Users: Desire seamless integration with their other Apple products.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Appreciate the latest technologies and innovations.
- Huawei nova Y70 Plus Users:
- Budget-Conscious Shoppers: Look for a phone that does the basics well without breaking the bank.
- Casual Users: Use their phones primarily for browsing, social media, and light gaming.
- Travelers: Need a long-lasting battery for extended periods without charging.
- First Time Smartphone Users: A simple smartphone with basic features.
- Specific Use Cases:
- iPhone 13 Pro: Professional photography, video editing, mobile gaming, fast multitasking, high-definition streaming.
- Huawei nova Y70 Plus: Casual browsing, social media, light gaming, long calls, media consumption, long battery needs.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you make the right choice:
- What is your budget?
- If budget is a primary concern, the Huawei is the more economical choice.
- If you're willing to invest in a premium experience, the iPhone 13 Pro is worth the price.
- What do you value most in a phone?
- If you prioritize speed, display quality, and camera performance, go for the iPhone.
- If battery life and screen size are key, the Huawei is a good fit.
- How do you typically use your phone?
- For power users, content creators, and gamers, the iPhone 13 Pro is a must.
- For basic, everyday usage, the Huawei nova Y70 Plus will serve you well.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: A tech enthusiast who does a lot of media creation
- Recommendation: iPhone 13 Pro. Its performance, top-tier camera system, 4K HDR video capture, and ecosystem integration will be perfect for your needs.
- Scenario 2: A student on a budget who just wants to browse and connect on social media
- Recommendation: Huawei nova Y70 Plus. Its low price and huge battery capacity make it a great option for everyday use and social media.
- Scenario 3: A busy professional who travels a lot
- Recommendation: This depends on the work. If they need to perform a lot of intensive work on the smartphone, then the iPhone 13 Pro will provide the best and most versatile support. If basic tasks are the only concern, the Huawei nova Y70 Plus will last longer through the day.
What I would choose and why:
Given my background as a tech journalist and smartphone analyst, I would absolutely choose the Apple iPhone 13 Pro. While the Huawei nova Y70 Plus certainly has its merits with that massive battery and affordability, the iPhone 13 Pro stands out for several critical reasons that align with my needs and values:
- Unmatched Performance: The A15 Bionic chip is simply in a different league, enabling me to test, evaluate, and multitask with demanding apps, and ensuring it remains future-proof for quite a while.
- Superior Display Quality: As someone who spends a lot of time looking at my phone, the OLED display with ProMotion and high brightness is crucial for reviewing high-quality images and video content.
- Exceptional Camera System: The camera system is not just about megapixels; it’s the low-light performance, image processing, stabilization, and the ecosystem that makes the iPhone my go-to.
- Seamless Ecosystem: I am heavily invested in Apple's ecosystem with other devices. That seamless and tight integration is critical for my workflow.
While the Huawei's long battery life and larger screen are appealing, the difference in overall performance, display quality, and camera capabilities is too great to ignore. My work also requires a high-performing device that has a superior camera system and software. The iPhone 13 Pro would be a great tool for this, therefore it would be my choice.
