Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Huawei nova Y70 Plus and the Honor Magic5 Lite. I'm approaching this as if we're chatting over coffee, trying to figure out which phone would be the better fit for you, rather than just listing specs. We'll break down the tech and, most importantly, how it plays out in real life.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed table that breaks down the key specifications, with a focus on how they translate to real-world usage:
| Feature | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Honor Magic5 Lite | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 168.3 x 77.7 x 9 mm | 161.6 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm | Huawei is larger and thicker, might feel bulkier; Honor is slimmer and more pocketable. |
| Weight | 199g | 175g | Honor is noticeably lighter and more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.75" | 6.67" | Very similar screen sizes; minimal difference in screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2400 | Honor has significantly sharper visuals with more detail. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 260 | 395 | Honor's screen will look much clearer and less grainy. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Honor offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Honor provides smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have the same brightness, not specified if it means peak brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Snapdragon 695 (6 nm) | Honor is significantly faster, with quicker app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,500 | 431,000 | Honor is much more responsive and future-proof. |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 619 | Honor has a more capable GPU for graphics-intensive tasks, like gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 48MP | 64MP | Honor's higher resolution means potentially more detailed photos. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.8 | Similar low-light performance for main camera. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 8MP | 16MP | Honor captures more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.45 | Huawei has slightly better low light performance for selfie. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP f/2.2 | 5MP f/2.2 | Both phones offer similar wide-angle capabilities. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP f/2.4 | N/A | Huawei has a depth sensor for better portrait effects. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP f/2.4 | Honor has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both record standard 1080p video. |
| DxoMark | N/A | Mobile: 74 | Honor has an official camera score with good video performance |
| Features | 4K Video | No 4K Video | Huawei provides the ability to record in 4K, Honor does not |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5100mAh | Huawei has a larger battery, potentially longer battery life, especially if not used heavily. |
| Charging | 22.5W Fast | 40W Fast | Honor charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Software | |||
| OS | N/A | Android 12 (upgradeable to 13) | Honor comes with a more up-to-date Android version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Honor supports faster WiFi standards, and 5Ghz bands for higher speed and better connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.1 | Both phones support Bluetooth 5.1 but Huawei has more options, such as LDAC and AAC |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Huawei has more GPS features including QZSS |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both support dual SIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | Honor offers more storage options, accommodating more apps, photos, and media. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 6/8 GB | Honor has much more RAM for smoother performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Dual mic | Honor has superior audio quality and voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Biometric | Side-Mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic Fingerprint sensor | Huawei has side-mounted fingerprint, not specified which sensor Honor has |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Honor has a more comprehensive sensor suite, useful for gaming and advanced features |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both use similar screen protection techniques |
| ### 2. Key Insights |
- Honor Magic5 Lite: The Clear Performer: The Honor Magic5 Lite is the better performer of the two, with a significantly better display, chipset, RAM and faster charging, offering an all-around faster and smoother experience. The higher refresh rate display also helps a lot for the general feel of the phone.
- Huawei nova Y70 Plus: Battery Champion: The Huawei nova Y70 Plus stands out for its larger battery, offering potentially longer usage between charges. It also has better GPS and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which is more ergonomic for many users. However, its performance falls short of the Honor's.
- Display is King: The AMOLED screen on the Honor is a major advantage, with much better contrast, colors, and brightness that makes a world of difference in daily use.
- Camera: Honor has higher MP cameras but lacks a depth sensor and 4K video recording. It is also the only one with an official DXOMark score.
- Software: The Honor runs a much newer version of Android and is likely to receive more updates than the Huawei device.
- Storage: The Honor has more storage and RAM than the base Huawei Y70 Plus.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Huawei nova Y70 Plus: Best for users who prioritize battery life above all else and are on a tight budget. Ideal for users who mostly browse the web, make calls, send texts, and rarely play intensive games or use demanding apps. The 4K video may also be very appealing to some.
- Honor Magic5 Lite: Best for users who value performance, display quality, and a smoother overall experience. Perfect for those who enjoy social media, gaming, and media consumption. The better audio and camera specs also make this a great option for many types of users.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to guide your choice:
- Do I prioritize battery life over everything else?
- If yes, the Huawei nova Y70 Plus might be a better fit.
- If no, the Honor Magic5 Lite’s better display and performance is likely a better choice.
- Do I want to play games or use demanding apps?
- If yes, go for the Honor Magic5 Lite.
- If no, either phone will do for light tasks, but the Honor is still better.
- Do I watch a lot of videos or browse a lot of social media?
- If yes, the Honor Magic5 Lite's superior display and performance will make a noticeable difference.
- If no, the Huawei can still get the job done, but the experience won't be as good.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I'd go for the Honor Magic5 Lite. While the Huawei has a larger battery, the sheer difference in performance, display quality, and software experience make the Honor a more appealing device. The smoother performance will result in an overall better experience in most use cases, and the faster charging will also reduce the time I need to be plugged in. The Honor’s AMOLED screen is a major step up from the LCD on the Huawei, and the better audio quality is just the cherry on top. The Huawei is cheaper but it also comes with many sacrifices that make it a much less versatile phone.
