Alright, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Huawei nova Y70 Plus and the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. These two phones occupy very different segments of the market, and the spec sheet clearly illustrates that. I'll break down the key areas, explaining not just the numbers but what they mean for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed table, breaking down specs and their real-world implications:
| Feature | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-05-01 | 2024-01-18 | ROG Phone 8 Pro is significantly newer, potentially with more modern features and software. |
| Size | 168.3x77.7x9 mm | 163.8x76.8x8.9 mm | Huawei is taller but negligibly thicker and wider; ROG Phone 8 Pro is more compact. |
| Weight | 199g | 225g | Huawei is noticeably lighter, which may make it more comfortable for long sessions. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.75" | 6.78" | Almost identical display sizes, so viewing area is very similar. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | ROG Phone 8 Pro will provide a far sharper, more detailed image. |
| Pixel Density | 260 PPI | 388 PPI | ROG Phone 8 Pro has significantly higher pixel density, resulting in a noticeably sharper display. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | ROG Phone 8 Pro's AMOLED will have superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 8 Pro will have far smoother animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | ROG Phone 8 Pro will be much more visible outdoors and in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | ROG Phone 8 Pro's chipset is substantially more powerful and efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,500 | 2,020,000 | ROG Phone 8 Pro is dramatically faster in benchmarks, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, and more future proofing. |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 (PowerVR GE8320) | Adreno 750 | ROG Phone 8 Pro's GPU is far more powerful, better for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 48MP f/1.8 | 50MP f/1.9 (Sony IMX890) | ROG Phone 8 Pro likely takes sharper photos with better details; the aperture difference is negligible. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.0 | 32MP f/2.0 (Omnivision OV32C) | ROG Phone 8 Pro will produce vastly superior selfies with much more detail. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP f/2.4 (Omnivision OV32C) | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP f/2.2 | None | Huawei offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for landscape photography. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Huawei nova Y70 Plus has a dedicated depth sensor to simulate bokeh effects. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP f/2.2 (Omnivision OV31B) | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a versatile wide-angle lens with macro capabilities. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers superior video recording capabilities with 8K support and multiple frame rates. |
| Camera Features | PDAF | OIS, Gimbal, LAF | ROG Phone 8 Pro has advanced features like optical image stabilization and laser autofocus for superior image quality. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 6000 mAh | 5500 mAh | Huawei has a slightly larger battery, which may translate to longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 22.5W | 65W | ROG Phone 8 Pro charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 14 | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a more recent Android version. | |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11n | Wi-Fi 7 | ROG Phone 8 Pro supports the latest Wi-Fi standards for faster and more reliable wireless connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | ROG Phone 8 Pro uses a newer Bluetooth version, which may provide better performance. |
| GPS | GPS,A-GPS, etc | GPS (L1+L5), etc | ROG Phone 8 Pro has more advanced GPS technologies for better accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both support dual SIM usage. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128 GB | 512 GB/1024 GB | ROG Phone 8 Pro has massively more storage options for your data and files. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 16/24 GB | ROG Phone 8 Pro's RAM is far superior, making multitasking seamless. |
| Expandable Storage | None | None | Both lack expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic Audio | DTS/DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | ROG Phone 8 Pro provides a much better audio experience with advanced DTS support, stereo speakers, and microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both have fingerprint sensors, but it is worth noting that a side-mounted sensor might be more convenient. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | ROG Phone 8 Pro provides far better screen protection from scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a more comprehensive set of sensors useful for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Insights
- Huawei nova Y70 Plus: This phone focuses on battery life and affordability. Its large 6000 mAh battery is a clear advantage, making it suitable for users who need a device that lasts all day on a single charge. However, its performance lags far behind the ROG Phone, especially with a lower resolution display and less powerful chipset. The camera system, while including a wide-angle and a portrait lens, is basic compared to the ROG phone.
- Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro: This phone is a powerhouse of performance, designed for mobile gamers and users demanding the best. It shines with its cutting-edge processor, AMOLED display with a high refresh rate, and advanced camera features. The ROG Phone also wins in charging speed and overall build quality, with features like Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and a better set of sensors. However, this all comes at a price premium and slightly larger and heavier build.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Huawei nova Y70 Plus: Best suited for budget-conscious users who need a reliable smartphone for daily tasks, browsing, and media consumption without needing cutting edge features. Its key strength is its long battery life, making it a great choice for those who don’t want to constantly worry about charging. This is for those who prioritize longevity and affordability over high-end performance and features.
- Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro: Ideally suited for mobile gamers and tech enthusiasts who prioritize performance, display quality, and top-tier camera capabilities. If you are looking for a phone that can handle heavy gaming, video editing, or any other demanding tasks, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is the obvious choice, but be prepared to pay a hefty premium for the privilege.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
- What is your budget? The Huawei nova Y70 Plus is clearly the more affordable option. The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro comes with a significant premium, for all its performance capabilities.
- How important is battery life versus performance? If battery life is your top priority, the Huawei nova Y70 Plus is the winner. But if you desire top-tier speed and responsiveness, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is far superior.
- What do you plan to do with the phone? The Huawei phone is a good choice for everyday tasks and casual use, while the ROG phone is meant for power users and hardcore mobile gamers, those who need the best in performance and video capabilities.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For a student/budget user: If your budget is tight and you just need a reliable phone for daily tasks, the Huawei nova Y70 Plus is adequate.
- For a casual photographer: The ROG Phone is the far superior choice in terms of features, including optical image stabilization (OIS), a telephoto lens, and 8k video recording.
- For a mobile gamer: The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is the only real option here. It has the processor power, high refresh rate display, and thermal management necessary for optimal gaming.
- For someone who wants a long-lasting phone: The Huawei Nova is the superior phone here with a larger battery.
My Choice and Why
If I were personally choosing between these two phones, I would go with the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. While it is more expensive, its cutting-edge features, including the far superior chipset, the AMOLED display, the cameras, and the advanced connectivity make it the clear choice for me.
As a tech journalist, I regularly push my devices to their limits, running multiple apps, testing out different features, and running demanding games. The ROG Phone 8 Pro is a power user's phone, designed to do all this and more, and its screen protection and build quality mean it is more likely to endure the stresses I put it under on a daily basis. Although it is slightly heavier and more bulky, these are sacrifices I am willing to make for the significant gains in performance and screen quality. The Huawei is clearly a good phone for its target demographic, but my use case means the ROG phone is the superior choice by far.
