Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Huawei nova Y70 Plus and the nova Y90. These two phones, while sharing a similar design philosophy, offer some key differences under the hood that significantly impact the user experience. Let's get technical, but more importantly, let's see what this means for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a head-to-head comparison of the key specs, along with what they mean for your daily use:
| Feature | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Huawei nova Y90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 168.3 × 77.7 × 9 mm | 163.3 × 74.7 × 8.4 mm | Y70 Plus is larger and thicker; Y90 is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 199g | 195g | Both are similarly weighted; neither feels significantly lighter or heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.75" | 6.7" | Very similar screen size; negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2388 | Y90 has a much sharper display, better for reading, browsing, and watching videos. |
| PPI | 260 | 391 | Y90 has a significantly clearer display with higher pixel density. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both offer similar color reproduction and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Y90 offers smoother scrolling and animations, making the interface feel more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Y90's chipset is more efficient and provides much better overall performance, including gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,500 | 249,000 | Y90 has a significantly faster processor. Y90 will load apps quicker and offer better multitasking capabilities. |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 (PowerVR GE8320) | Adreno 610 | Y90's Adreno 610 GPU is more powerful and offers better graphics processing for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP f/1.8 | 50MP f/1.8 | Y90 has slightly higher resolution, but both perform similarly in daylight conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.0 | 8MP f/2.0 | Both phones offer comparable selfie camera quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP f/2.2 | None | Y70 Plus has a wide-angle lens which allows for more versatile shots, such as landscape. |
| Portrait (Depth) Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Y70 Plus allows you to add a depth of field effect to photos. |
| Secondary Lens | None | 2MP f/2.4 | Y90 offers an additional 2MP camera for depth mapping or macro shots |
| Tertiary Lens | None | 2MP f/2.4 | Y90 offers an additional 2MP camera for depth mapping or macro shots |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both phones record video at the same resolution but Y70 Plus offers a slow motion at 120fps compared to Y90 that offers a slow motion recording at 30fps. Y70 Plus has 4K recording option, which Y90 does not have. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5000mAh | Y70 Plus has a larger battery that should offer longer battery life. |
| Charging | 22.5W Fast Charging | 40W Fast Charging | Y90 offers significantly faster charging capabilities. |
| Other | |||
| Software | Android | Android | Both phones share the same software version ( ) |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Y90 has a newer wifi standard, offering faster and more efficient connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | Y70 Plus has a slightly newer Bluetooth version with support for LDAC, SBC, and AAC codecs. |
| Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB | Both phones have the same maximum storage. Y70 Plus comes in 2 variants, 64 GB and 128 GB. While Y90 only has one variant - 128 GB. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB, 6 GB or 8 GB | Y90 has more RAM options. The variant with 8 GB is better for intensive tasks and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, so your selection depends on the amount of storage available on the phone itself |
2. Key Insights
Huawei nova Y70 Plus Strengths:
- Bigger Battery: The 6000mAh battery is a clear win for users who prioritize battery life, easily lasting through a full day of heavy usage.
- Wide-Angle Lens: Offers more versatile shots thanks to the additional wide angle lens.
Huawei nova Y90 Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 680 chipset blows the Kirin 710A out of the water, offering a much smoother experience for everything from browsing to gaming.
- Sharper Display: The higher resolution and pixel density make the display significantly better for media consumption.
- Faster Charging: 40W charging gets you back up to full much quicker.
- More RAM options: Having more RAM means that the phone handles multitasking better and offers a smoother experience.
- Newer Wi-Fi Standard: Faster and more reliable wifi connectivity.
Trade-offs:
- The Y70 Plus trades performance for battery life and a wide-angle lens. It's great if you need endurance and value a wide-angle lens more than speed.
- The Y90, while offering better performance, sacrifices a bit on the battery life and is not offering wide-angle or depth sensors. It's the better choice for a balanced experience with a priority on speed.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Ideal User: Someone who prioritizes battery life above all else and enjoys using the wide-angle lens.
- Use Cases: Long days away from a charger, travel, and photography where capturing wide scenes is needed.
- Huawei nova Y90:
- Ideal User: Someone who wants a balance of performance, a great display, and fast charging.
- Use Cases: Everyday usage, social media, gaming, watching videos, and those who value speed.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How important is battery life to you? If you need a phone that lasts more than a day, the Y70 Plus is a better choice.
- Do you prefer a faster and sharper phone, or a wider-angled lens? If you do not use wide-angle that much, the Y90 is a better option due to its superior performance. If you value capturing wide scenes, you are better off choosing the Y70 Plus.
- What's your priority: raw power or a bigger battery? If raw power matters, and fast charging is enough for you, go for the Y90. If you value a long-lasting battery, go for the Y70 Plus.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "The Heavy User" If you're a power user who wants to stay off the charger for as long as possible, the Huawei nova Y70 Plus, with its massive battery, is the more suitable option.
- Scenario 2: "The Mobile Gamer/Media Junkie" For those who love gaming, the Huawei nova Y90 is the clear winner with its significantly more powerful processor and smoother display.
- Scenario 3: "The Everyday User" For most everyday users who enjoy taking pictures in their day-to-day life, the Huawei nova Y90 is the better all-around choice that offers a smooth, fast, and premium experience.
- Scenario 4: "The Casual Photographer" If you are looking for versatility, especially in taking landscape shots, the Huawei nova Y70 Plus is a great choice.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose, I'd go with the Huawei nova Y90. While the larger battery on the Y70 Plus is tempting, the performance boost from the Snapdragon 680 is just too significant to ignore. The sharper display makes media consumption so much more enjoyable, and the faster charging is a real convenience. As someone who enjoys using the phone for various tasks, the overall experience on the Y90 will be significantly better, and that to me is the most important aspect in a smartphone. I can live without a wide-angle lens, but I won't compromise on a laggy experience. Therefore, the Huawei nova Y90 is the better all-around smartphone.
