Okay, let's break down the Huawei nova Y70 Plus and the nova 12i. I'll get into the nitty-gritty, but I'll also translate it into what it means for your daily life. I'm going to approach this like I'm talking to a friend who wants the best bang for their buck but also needs to understand the tech specs.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Huawei nova 12i | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 168.3 x 77.7 x 9 mm | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm | Y70 Plus is a bit larger overall, potentially less pocketable. 12i is more compact, potentially more comfortable for single-hand use. |
| Weight | 199g | 199g | Both feel the same in hand, neither feels particularly light or heavy. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.75" | 6.7" | Very similar screen sizes; negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2388 | 12i has a much sharper, clearer display; expect crisper text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 260 | 391 | 12i has a noticeably sharper display; details will be more defined. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both have similar color quality and viewing angles, but nothing exceptional. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | 12i offers smoother scrolling and animations, making it feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both are going to be hard to read in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14nm) | Snapdragon 680 (6nm) | 12i's chip is newer and more efficient; it'll handle apps and games better with less battery drain. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,500 | 289,000 | 12i is significantly faster overall, better for demanding apps and multitasking. Y70 is okay for basic tasks, might show lag with more demanding apps. |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 610 | 12i is better for gaming and graphically intense applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP f/1.8 | 108MP f/1.9 | 12i captures much more detailed photos with its higher-res sensor and better sensor size. Y70 is okay in good light, but nothing special. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.0 | 8MP f/2.0 | Both are adequate for selfies and video calls. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP f/2.2 | None | Y70 Plus gives you a wider perspective, useful for group photos and landscapes. The 12i lacks a wide angle option. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both are good for bokeh, background blur effect for portrait. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 120fps slow-mo | 1080p@30fps, no slow-mo | Y70 Plus has slightly better slow-motion capability but both record at the same resolution. |
| Features | 4k video, triple camera | Dual camera | Y70 is capable of 4k recording but 12i lacks this, and 12i lacks a triple camera setup |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5000mAh | Y70 Plus has larger capacity which should translate to longer battery life on a full charge. |
| Charging | 22.5W fast charging | 40W fast charging | 12i charges significantly faster. Less time plugged in, more time using your phone. |
| Removable | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both batteries are not designed to be swapped out by the user. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Both devices are running the same version of software. | ||
| Connectivity | |||
| Wifi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 12i supports newer WiFi standards, potentially faster speeds and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | Y70 Plus has newer Bluetooth offering more efficiency |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | 12i offers more storage space, better for people with large photo/video libraries |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB | 12i is much better for multitasking; expect smoother transitions between apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both do not have expandable storage options. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Strengths:
- Massive Battery: Its 6000mAh battery is the star of the show, promising very long battery life for users who are often away from power outlets.
- Wide Angle Lens: The inclusion of a wide-angle lens adds versatility to the camera system, great for group shots or landscapes.
- Limitations:
- Lower Performance: Its older Kirin 710A chipset is significantly slower than the 12i, which will impact overall responsiveness and gaming performance.
- Lower Resolution Display: The display is not as sharp or vibrant as the 12i, making text and graphics look a bit less clear.
- No Expandable Storage Storage cannot be increased beyond the onboard memory.
Huawei nova 12i:
- Strengths:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 680 chipset provides much snappier performance, better for multitasking and gaming.
- Superior Display: The Full HD+ display offers a much crisper and more vibrant viewing experience.
- Faster Charging: 40W charging speeds will get you back to 100% much faster than the Y70 Plus.
- Higher Main Camera: The 108MP main camera offers higher detailed photos than the 48MP of the Y70 Plus.
- Limitations:
- Smaller Battery: While 5000mAh is still a respectable size, it's less than the Y70 Plus, so you may need to charge a little more often.
- No Wide Angle Camera: Missing a wide angle camera is limiting for more versatile shooting.
- No Expandable Storage: There is no option to expand the storage beyond what is on the phone.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Ideal For: Users who prioritize long battery life above all else, or who simply need a phone that will last through very heavy use.
- Use Cases: Great for travelers, field workers, or those who just don't like charging their phones very often. It's also a good option for people who want a wide-angle camera and are not too worried about display quality or fast processing.
- Huawei nova 12i:
- Ideal For: Users who need a responsive and reliable phone that performs well in day to day operations. Great for multi-tasking and gaming.
- Use Cases: Great for social media users, students, or anyone who wants a smooth and sharp user experience and does not need a wide angle camera.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
Is battery life your top priority, or do you need the phone to be speedy and have a sharp display? If you need all-day battery, pick the Y70 Plus, otherwise if performance and screen quality are important, the 12i is better.
Do you need the versatility of a wide angle camera, or do you need more storage? The Y70 Plus has the wide angle lens, the 12i does not but has more on board storage space.
How important is fast charging? The 12i will get you back to 100% much faster than the Y70 Plus.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
The "Marathon User": If you need a phone that can truly go the distance, choose the Huawei nova Y70 Plus. The significantly larger battery capacity outweighs the performance hit.
The "Everyday Multitasker": If you frequently switch between apps, use social media, play casual games, or need sharp visuals, the Huawei nova 12i is the better option. Its faster performance, higher resolution display, and quicker charging will make your life much easier.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I'd go with the Huawei nova 12i. While the Y70 Plus's larger battery is enticing, the overall improvement in performance, display quality, and charging speed of the 12i is hard to ignore. As someone who uses my phone for everything, I'd rather have a smoother, more responsive experience with faster charging, even if it means charging slightly more often. For me, the 12i would be the better all-rounder and fit better in my daily use case. The lack of a wide angle camera is a drawback, but the higher-resolution main camera, higher refresh rate screen, faster performance and faster charging more than makes up for the lack of a wide angle lens.
