Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison between the Huawei nova Y70 Plus and the Apple iPhone 14 Plus. I'll break down their specs, highlight key differences, and help you figure out which phone might be the right fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these two phones stack up, with a focus on real-world implications:
| Feature | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Apple iPhone 14 Plus | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| DESIGN | |||
| Dimensions | 168.3 × 77.7 × 9 mm | 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.8 mm | The Huawei is slightly taller and thicker, potentially feeling a bit bulkier in hand compared to the slimmer iPhone 14 Plus. |
| Weight | 199g | 203g | Both are similar in weight, neither will feel exceptionally lighter than the other. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, not foldable. |
| DISPLAY | |||
| Size | 6.75" | 6.7" | Very similar display sizes, negligible difference in practice. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1284x2778 | iPhone 14 Plus has a significantly sharper display with much more detail; text and images will appear clearer and less pixelated than on the Huawei. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 260 | 458 | The iPhone's higher pixel density makes it significantly clearer, with sharper visuals. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | iPhone's OLED delivers richer colors, deeper blacks, and higher contrast ratio, leading to a much more vibrant and immersive viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both offer standard 60Hz, good for everyday use but not as smooth as higher refresh rate screens on other phones. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | The iPhone 14 Plus offers dramatically better screen visibility in bright sunlight. The Huawei screen will be hard to read under direct sun exposure. |
| PERFORMANCE | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | Apple A15 offers substantially faster processing and better energy efficiency; expect noticeably smoother overall performance in apps, games, and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,500 | 1,330,312 | The iPhone has drastically superior performance, being much faster for gaming and demanding apps, this also makes the iPhone more future proof. |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 (PowerVR GE8320) | Apple GPU (5-core) | The iPhone's GPU is significantly more powerful, providing much better graphics rendering for gaming and graphic-intensive tasks. |
| CAMERA | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP (f/1.8) | 12MP (f/1.5, 1/1.66") | Huawei offers higher resolution but Apple has a wider aperture and larger sensor, offering better low light performance and dynamic range. |
| Front Camera | 8MP (f/2.0) | 12MP (f/1.9) | The iPhone's selfie camera provides more detailed photos with a wider aperture, capturing more light. |
| Rear Wide Angle | 5MP (f/2.2) | 12MP (f/2.4, 1/2.55") | iPhone has a much higher resolution and larger sensor, which should perform noticeably better for landscape photography. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP (f/2.4) | Not Available | Huawei offers an additional depth sensor, aiding in better portrait mode effects. |
| Video Quality | 1080p@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, Stereo Sound | The iPhone has superior video recording capabilities with up to 4K resolution, HDR, and stabilization. |
| DXoMark Mobile | Not Available | Main: 133, Photo: 135, Video: 146 | The iPhone 14 plus has a tested camera score indicating the quality of the main lens. |
| DXoMark Selfie | Not Available | Main: 144, Photo: 138, Video: 153 | The iPhone 14 plus has a tested front camera score indicating the quality of the selfie lens. |
| BATTERY LIFE | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 4325mAh | The Huawei has a larger battery, which may lead to longer battery life, although software optimisation also plays a key role in this. |
| Charging | 22.5W Fast Charging | MagSafe 15W, 7.5W Qi | Huawei offers fast charging with a standard wire, while the iPhone offers wireless charging options, and has no wired charging speeds specified. |
| OTHER | |||
| Software | No OS Specified | iOS 16 (upgradable to 18) | Apple offers a more refined, mature ecosystem with timely software updates. |
| WiFi | 802.11 b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax | iPhone offers newer Wi-Fi standards for faster speeds and better reliability. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | iPhone offers newer bluetooth version, offering better battery efficiency and connection stability. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | The iPhone gives you the option of using an eSIM, which might be useful if you are planning to switch between carriers. |
| Internal Storage | 64/128 GB | 128/256/512 GB | iPhone has more internal storage options, for those who need it. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB | iPhone's higher RAM allows for better multitasking and smoother operation of resource-intensive apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | Basic Audio Features | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS / DTS X, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo speakers | iPhone has significantly superior audio quality, providing better immersion while watching videos and listening to music. |
| Security | Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Security Features | Huawei has a fingerprint sensor for quick unlocking while the iPhone relies on face recognition or passcode. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer | iPhone has a better suite of sensors overall. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Strengths:
- Larger battery capacity for potentially longer battery life.
- Fast wired charging
- Dedicated fingerprint sensor for easy and quick unlocking.
- Has a dedicated depth sensor.
- Competitive Advantages:
- More affordable price point.
- Good battery life for daily tasks.
- Trade-offs:
- Substantially lower performance compared to the iPhone, resulting in slower app loading, choppy multitasking, and less graphics processing capability.
- Much lower screen resolution and brightness.
- Basic audio features.
- Less versatile camera setup, with less dynamic range.
Apple iPhone 14 Plus:
- Strengths:
- Significantly faster and more powerful performance.
- Superior display with higher resolution, brightness, and OLED technology.
- Much better video recording and camera quality.
- Better build quality and materials.
- Excellent audio quality with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers.
- More streamlined user experience with a longer software support lifespan.
- Supports wireless charging options.
- Competitive Advantages:
- Top-tier performance for demanding apps and gaming.
- High quality display technology and a superior viewing experience.
- Better camera system, providing clearer photos and videos.
- Overall more polished and future-proof device.
- Trade-offs:
- Significantly higher price point.
- Smaller battery compared to the Huawei.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Best Suited For: Budget-conscious users who need a smartphone for basic tasks such as browsing, social media, and calls, with long battery life.
- Ideal Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks like calls, texting, and social media.
- Users who prioritise battery life over display quality and performance.
- Users on a tight budget who need a reliable device.
Apple iPhone 14 Plus:
- Best Suited For: Users who prioritize performance, camera quality, and overall user experience with access to a refined ecosystem.
- Ideal Use Cases:
- Demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or running resource-intensive apps.
- Users who require high-quality photos and videos.
- Users who are more comfortable in the iOS ecosystem.
- Users who value future-proofing with consistent software updates.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
What's Your Primary Use Case?
- Basic Tasks + Battery Life: Huawei nova Y70 Plus is a good fit.
- Performance + Camera + Display: Apple iPhone 14 Plus is the way to go.
What's Your Budget?
- Price Conscious: Huawei nova Y70 Plus offers a more affordable option.
- Premium Experience: Apple iPhone 14 Plus justifies the extra cost with significant upgrades.
What Ecosystem Are You Comfortable With?
- Android Flexibility: Huawei (though OS details are lacking) might be more comfortable if you are familiar with the android world.
- iOS Ecosystem: Apple iPhone 14 Plus is ideal for users integrated in the Apple environment.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: "I need a reliable smartphone for daily use without breaking the bank."
- Recommendation: Huawei nova Y70 Plus. It offers good battery life, and its basic feature set is sufficient for daily tasks.
Scenario 2: "I want a top-tier smartphone for gaming, high-quality photos, and a premium display."
- Recommendation: Apple iPhone 14 Plus. It offers superior performance, better display quality, and a more advanced camera system.
Scenario 3: "I want a smooth experience with a polished operating system and good long-term support."
- Recommendation: Apple iPhone 14 Plus. It provides a streamlined user experience with consistent software updates.
My Choice and Why:
If I had to pick one, I would choose the Apple iPhone 14 Plus. While the Huawei nova Y70 Plus has a larger battery and is the budget option, the iPhone 14 Plus significantly outperforms it in almost every other aspect, particularly in display quality, processing power, and camera capabilities. The significantly higher AnTuTu score indicates a huge difference in performance, which also makes the phone much more future proof. The superior audio experience with Dolby Atmos, better connectivity with newer WiFi and Bluetooth versions, and the high quality OLED display would be a huge upgrade in my experience as well. As someone who values smooth performance, great media consumption, and reliable camera quality, the trade-off for a higher price tag and smaller battery is worth it. The refinement of the iOS ecosystem and the promise of longer software updates also make the iPhone 14 Plus a smarter long term investment.
