Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Huawei nova Y70 Plus and the Honor X7b. Buckle up, because we're going deep into the tech, but I promise to keep it relatable!
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Honor X7b | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 168.3 × 77.7 × 9 mm | 166.7 × 76.5 × 8.2 mm | The Honor X7b is slightly more compact and thinner, potentially making it feel more comfortable in hand. |
| Weight | 199g | 199g | Both phones are the same weight, meaning neither will feel particularly heavier than the other. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.75" | 6.8" | Both are large, but the Honor X7b has a tiny bit more screen real estate for immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2412 | The Honor X7b will provide significantly sharper visuals due to the higher resolution; text will look clearer, images crisper. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 260 | 389 | The Honor X7b has a much denser pixel count, making images and text noticeably clearer. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use IPS LCD panels, meaning colours will be good but not as vibrant as AMOLED, contrast is acceptable, and good for outdoor use |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The Honor X7b will offer smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | While both are rated the same 0 nits, the screens will likely differ in actual use, I cannot ascertain with the info I have |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | The Honor X7b with its newer 6nm chipset is expected to be more power-efficient and offer better performance compared to the older 14nm Kirin chip. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,500 | 249,150 | The Honor X7b has much better performance, making the user experience significantly smoother with less lag in daily use, and can also handle gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 (PowerVR GE8320) | Adreno 610 | The Honor X7b’s GPU will generally provide better graphics rendering for games and other graphically intense apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8 | 108MP, f/1.8 | The Honor X7b captures significantly more detail with its higher-resolution sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Similar selfie camera specs on both phones, expect similar image quality |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Similar wide-angle lens, good for capturing expansive scenes. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar depth sensor for portrait mode and background blur. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Honor X7b has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both phones are the same here. |
| Slow-motion | 120 fps | 30 fps | Huawei offers slow-mo at 120fps, which is better for smooth slow motion videos. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5330mAh | The Huawei nova Y70 Plus has a larger battery for potentially longer battery life; however, this is offset by the less efficient chipset. |
| Charging | 22.5W Fast Charging | 35W Fast Charging | The Honor X7b recharges faster due to its higher charging power. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android based | Android 13, upgradeable to 14 | Honor X7b will have a better more recent operating system. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | The Honor X7b offers higher storage options, which is great if you plan to take a lot of photos and videos. |
| RAM | 4GB | 6GB/8GB | The Honor X7b will handle multitasking smoother due to its higher RAM options. |
| Expandable Storage | No expandable storage | No expandable storage | Both phones are non-expandable, so pick the correct storage option you need. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | The Honor X7b supports newer Wi-Fi standards, resulting in faster speeds and better reliability on modern networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 with LDAC, SBC and AAC | 5.1 | Both offer Bluetooth 5.1 with A2DP, EDR and LE capabilities, but Huawei offers additional audio codecs for enhanced audio over Bluetooth connections |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | The Huawei has slightly better GPS compatibility. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Nano Standby | Dual SIM Nano Standby | Both phones support dual SIM cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic Audio features | Stereo Speakers | Honor provides a better audio experience with stereo speakers for richer and more immersive sound. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Both have side-mounted fingerprint sensors which is a very common and fast method of unlocking a device. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Proximity, Compass, Gyroscope | The Honor offers a more complete range of sensors for enhanced gaming and augmented reality experiences and is slightly more practical with compass for navigation |
2. Key Insights
Honor X7b Strengths:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and pixel density mean sharper images and text. The 90Hz refresh rate delivers smoother animations.
- Better Performance: The Snapdragon 680 chip is significantly faster than the Kirin 710A, translating to a smoother, more responsive user experience.
- Enhanced Camera: The 108MP main camera captures more detail, and the inclusion of a macro lens adds to its versatility.
- Faster Charging: The 35W fast charging replenishes the battery faster than the 22.5W charging on the Huawei.
- Up-to-date Software: Android 13 upgradable to 14 offers better software integration, performance, and features.
- Better Audio: The stereo speakers will provide a more immersive sound.
- More Complete Sensors: The Compass and Gyroscope allows for improved gaming and navigation experience.
- Better Wi-fi: The ability to connect to newer wifi standards is an advantage of newer technology.
Huawei nova Y70 Plus Strengths:
- Larger Battery: A larger 6000mAh battery may offer longer battery life (though offset by the older 14nm chipset).
- Slightly more accurate GPS: More satellite connectivity with QZSS provides slightly more accurate GPS.
- Bluetooth Audio: Has additional audio codecs for a better Bluetooth experience.
- Better Slow-mo: Slow-motion at 120fps is better than 30 fps, allowing for a better slow motion capture.
Trade-offs:
- The Huawei prioritizes a larger battery and slightly better slow-mo video recording at the cost of performance and display quality.
- The Honor provides a more well-rounded experience with a focus on performance and multimedia, sacrificing a bit of battery capacity.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Long-Battery Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize battery life over everything else and need a phone that can last for days.
- Basic Users: Individuals who use their phone primarily for calls, texts, and basic social media usage and are not performance intensive.
Honor X7b:
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who frequently watch videos, play games, and need a better display and audio experience.
- Social Media Users: People who want to capture high-quality photos and videos for social sharing.
- Everyday Power Users: Individuals who want a device that handles daily tasks, multitasking, and some light gaming smoothly.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Three Questions to Ask Yourself:
- How important is display quality and performance to me? If you want a crisp display with smooth operation, go for the Honor X7b. If you are fine with average display and performance, go for Huawei.
- Is having the latest OS important to me? If yes, the Honor X7b will provide that with Android 13 upgradable to 14. If you are ok with Android based system, go for Huawei.
- Which features matter the most to me? If you need the absolute maximum battery life and slightly better slow-mo video and do not mind worse performance and display, the Huawei is an option. If you want the best overall user experience, the Honor X7b is the obvious winner.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Watching Movies and Playing Games - Choose the Honor X7b for its sharper display, smooth 90Hz refresh rate, faster performance and better speakers.
- Scenario 2: All-Day Battery Life is a Must - The Huawei nova Y70 Plus may be suitable if you value long battery life, but be prepared for a drop in performance and display quality.
- Scenario 3: Social Media and Photography - Go with the Honor X7b, the better camera sensor will capture high-quality photos.
- Scenario 4: Basic User - The Huawei nova Y70 Plus can be an option to go for as it provides a basic smartphone with good battery life but may not be enjoyable to use due to the slower performance and low resolution display.
My Choice:
If I had to pick, I would choose the Honor X7b. The superior display, faster performance, better camera, faster charging, better audio, better operating system and better sensors make it a much more enjoyable experience than the Huawei nova Y70 Plus. While the Huawei does have a larger battery, the performance and overall user experience of the X7b make it the better choice for me. The slightly smaller battery is worth the compromise for the other significant improvements. It’s a more complete package that better aligns with my expectations of a modern smartphone.
