Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Huawei nova Y70 Plus and the Apple iPhone 15 Plus. I'll break down the specs, analyze the real-world implications, and guide you through the decision-making process.
Smartphone Showdown: Huawei nova Y70 Plus vs. Apple iPhone 15 Plus
Here’s a structured analysis covering the key aspects:
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 168.3 × 77.7 × 9 mm | 160.9 × 77.8 × 7.8 mm | The Huawei is taller and thicker, making it bulkier. The iPhone is slimmer and more compact, potentially more comfortable in hand and pocket. |
| Weight | 199g | 201g | Virtually identical weights, so both feel similar in hand. |
| Build | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown material and durability for both phones. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.75" | 6.7" | Both have large screens, great for media consumption. Minimal size difference. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1290x2796 | The iPhone's display will appear dramatically sharper with much higher pixel density. The Huawei’s screen won't look as crisp. |
| PPI | 260 | 460 | Significant difference in sharpness. The iPhone's display will be visibly clearer. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | OLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and richer colors than IPS LCD. The iPhone has a much better display tech. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both have a standard refresh rate, which will feel smooth for typical use, but not as smooth as 90Hz or 120Hz displays. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | iPhone will be much more visible outdoors in bright sunlight. The Huawei's display may be hard to see outdoors. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) | The iPhone's chip is far more powerful. Apps will open faster, multitasking will be smoother, and games will run better than on the Huawei. The iPhone is significantly more future proof. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,500 | 1,470,000 | The iPhone has dramatically better performance across the board. The Huawei score indicates its struggles with heavy apps and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Apple GPU (5-core) | The iPhone's GPU provides significantly better gaming and graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP f/1.8 | 48MP f/1.6, 1/1.5" Sensor | The iPhone's wider aperture and larger sensor size should offer better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.0 | 12MP f/1.9 | The iPhone has higher resolution and a wider aperture for sharper, brighter selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP f/2.2 | 12MP f/2.4 (Wide Angle + Macro) | The Huawei has dedicated wide angle, whereas the iPhone includes a wide angle + macro lens, offering more flexibility with photography. |
| Portrait (Depth) lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | The Huawei has dedicated depth sensor while the iPhone relies on software for portrait mode. The iPhone does offer portrait mode, however, and has superior image quality. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR | The iPhone supports significantly higher quality video recording, better suited for vloggers and high-quality video capture. The iPhone also offers stereo sound in video. |
| Video Stabilization | None | Yes | The iPhone will provide superior stabilized video, avoiding shakiness. |
| Slow-motion | Yes, 120 fps | Yes, 240fps | The iPhone can capture slow-motion videos with higher frame rate than the Huawei. |
| DXOMark | Not Tested | Mobile Score: 145 | iPhone has very strong scores from DXOMark, which means it should have very high quality photos and videos. |
| Features | Multiple | Multiple | Both have similar features, but iPhone includes more advanced capabilities like Cinematic Mode, RAW and Optical Stabilization. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 4383mAh | The Huawei has a larger battery, which could lead to better battery life, however real-world battery use will depend on optimization. |
| Charging | 22.5W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging, 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi Charging | The Huawei has slightly faster wired charging. The iPhone has wireless charging options, which are an added convenience. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | No real difference in practical use. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android (AOSP) | iOS 17 | iPhone has iOS which is known for strong security and user-friendly interface. The Huawei offers Android with a Huawei skin and might have limited access to Google Services. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | iPhone supports faster and more modern Wi-Fi standards (WiFi 6) for faster download speeds, lower latency, and improved network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | iPhone has the latest Bluetooth standard, which offers better speed, efficiency, and stability for accessories. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | Huawei has an extra GPS system over the iPhone, which should increase location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | iPhone uses eSIM for digital carrier switching and still supports one physical sim. Huawei supports 2 physical sim cards simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB | iPhone offers more storage options. If you are planning to take lots of photos/videos the iPhone is the better option. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB | iPhone has more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | The iPhone offers much more advanced audio capture and play back features than the Huawei phone. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Face Unlock | The Huawei has a convenient and reliable fingerprint sensor, while iPhone has face unlock. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Proximity | The iPhone has a more robust set of sensors. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei nova Y70 Plus Strengths:
- Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery could translate to longer battery life for heavy users.
- Wider Range of GPS Satellites: Beidou support provides improved GPS accuracy.
- Wider Range of Bluetooth codecs: Supports more codecs than the iPhone which offers more flexibilty with different audio gear.
- Dual Physical SIM Support: Supports two physical sim cards simultaneously.
- Dedicated Wide Angle and Depth Cameras: Offers more flexibility in photography.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Convenient biometric authentication.
- Lower Price: Should come in at a much lower price point than the iPhone.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus Strengths:
- Superior Display: OLED technology and high pixel density result in vibrant, sharp visuals.
- Far Superior Performance: The A16 Bionic chip is significantly more powerful than the Kirin 710A chip.
- Better Camera System: The main camera with a wider aperture, better selfie camera, and more advanced video recording capabilities.
- Enhanced Video Quality: 4K@60fps video recording with HDR and stereo sound and superior stabilization.
- More Internal Storage Options: 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB options which is great for heavy photo/video users.
- Wireless Charging: Offers flexibility with charging options.
- Premium Build Quality: Though unknown materials, iPhones are known for their build quality.
- More advanced Audio Features: Includes noise cancellation microphone, stereo speakers and 3 microphones.
- More Robust Set of Sensors: Great for various apps which need this.
- iOS Ecosystem: Access to a closed, well-optimized ecosystem with consistent software updates.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Huawei: Lower performance, low-resolution display, and limited camera capabilities. It appears to lack a lot of features you'd find in modern smartphones.
- iPhone: Higher price point, no expandable storage, smaller battery capacity, and no physical sim card support for 2 sim cards simultaneously.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Ideal for users who prioritize a large battery and a lower price.
- Basic Smartphone Needs: Best for users who primarily use their phone for calls, social media, and light web browsing.
- Users Who Prefer Physical Sim Support: Ideal for users who want dual sim support from physical sim cards.
- Users Who Don't Need Highest Performance: This is not a phone for power users, however, its fine for basic use.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Suited for gamers and power users who require top-tier processing and graphics performance.
- Photography and Videography Buffs: Great for users who want the best camera quality with video recording features.
- Users in the Apple Ecosystem: Ideal for those who appreciate the seamless integration with other Apple devices.
- Users that Need a Great Display: Great if you consume media often on your phone.
- Users Who Need a Future-Proof Phone: Its processing power means that it will be usable for years to come.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help users decide:
- Budget: Are you on a tight budget or willing to invest in high-end features?
- Performance: How important is top-tier performance for apps, gaming, and multitasking?
- Camera Quality: How crucial is camera quality for photos and videos?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Mobile Gamer - iPhone 15 Plus: Its superior processor, GPU, and high refresh rate screen will ensure the smoothest gaming experience.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User - Huawei nova Y70 Plus: It's a solid, cost-effective choice for basic use.
- Scenario 3: Photography/Videography Enthusiast - iPhone 15 Plus: Its high-quality camera system, especially with advanced video recording, makes it the better choice.
- Scenario 4: Heavy User Who Needs Battery - Huawei nova Y70 Plus: Its massive battery should provide a day of use, if not more.
- Scenario 5: A person who is heavily invested in the Apple Ecosystem - iPhone 15 Plus: Seamlessly integrate and use the iPhone with other apple products.
My Choice
Given my emphasis on both technical capabilities and user experience, I would choose the Apple iPhone 15 Plus. While the Huawei offers a large battery and a lower price, the iPhone wins in almost every aspect which would be key for most users such as processing power, display technology, camera quality, software ecosystem, video recording capabilities and build quality (assumed). The iPhone is significantly more future proof which means it will stay relevant for years to come which justifies the higher price point. As a tech journalist, I need to have a device that does not have any glaring flaws. The limitations of the Huawei would not suit my daily needs. The iPhone offers a more polished and complete smartphone experience.
