Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Huawei nova Y70 Plus and the Motorola ThinkPhone. I've got my engineering hat on and will try to break down these specs into something we can all understand.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed comparison table, focusing on how each specification translates to real-world usage:
| Feature | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Motorola ThinkPhone | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-05-01 | 2023-01-29 | ThinkPhone is about 8 months newer, potentially benefiting from newer tech |
| Dimensions | 168.3 x 77.7 x 9 mm | 158.8 x 74.4 x 8.3 mm | Y70 Plus is bulkier, which might be noticeable in daily handling; ThinkPhone is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 199g | 188.5g | ThinkPhone is slightly lighter, which might be more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.75" | 6.6" | Y70 Plus offers a slightly larger screen; think of it as a slightly bigger canvas for content consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | ThinkPhone provides significantly sharper images and text due to its much higher resolution; expect clearer visuals. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 260 | 399 | ThinkPhone's higher PPI makes images crisper and text sharper—a noticeable difference, especially for reading. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | P-OLED | ThinkPhone's P-OLED delivers deeper blacks, higher contrast, and more vibrant colors compared to the IPS LCD on the Y70 Plus. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | ThinkPhone offers much smoother scrolling and animations. It's particularly advantageous for gamers. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | ThinkPhone is significantly better for outdoor use, as its brighter display remains visible in sunlight. The Y70 Plus display may struggle under bright conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | ThinkPhone's chipset is dramatically more powerful, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,500 | 1,232,700 | ThinkPhone's much higher score indicates far superior performance, making it more responsive and future-proof. |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 730 | The Adreno 730 is significantly more powerful and optimized for demanding games. ThinkPhone provides a better experience in gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP f/1.8 | 50MP f/1.8 | ThinkPhone has a slightly higher resolution and a larger sensor, potentially resulting in better image quality, particularly in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.0 | 32MP f/2.45 | ThinkPhone has a much higher resolution selfie camera, providing better detail and image quality. The Y70 has a wider aperture, potentially better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP f/2.2 | - | Huawei's Y70 Plus offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more of the scene, a feature missing from the ThinkPhone. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both offer a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode with similar apertures and resolution |
| Wide Angle + Macro | - | 13MP f/2.4 | ThinkPhone offers a wide-angle lens that also functions as a macro lens for close-up shots, providing additional versatility. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | ThinkPhone offers superior video recording capabilities, supporting much higher resolution (up to 8K), and better stabilization and slow-motion capabilities |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, PDAF, HDR | 4K/8K Video, OIS, RAW | ThinkPhone offers OIS for better image stability, RAW capture for more editing flexibility, and 8K recording for professional-grade video. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5000mAh | Y70 Plus has a larger battery, potentially providing longer battery life, though actual endurance depends on various factors. |
| Charging | 22.5W fast charging | 68W fast charging | ThinkPhone's faster charging means less time plugged into the wall. |
| Other Features | - | 15W Wireless charging | ThinkPhone supports convenient wireless charging, which is not available on the Y70 Plus. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | - | Android 13 | ThinkPhone has a more modern OS. |
| WiFi | 802.11 b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6) | ThinkPhone has superior WiFi connectivity supporting WiFi 6 for much faster wireless performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | ThinkPhone has newer version of Bluetooth |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Y70 Plus has QZSS support and Thinkphone has SUPL support |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Both phones have similar SIM management systems |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 256GB | ThinkPhone offers more internal storage space, a big plus for storing large files, apps, and media. Y70 Plus offers multiple options of internal storage. |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB | ThinkPhone's greater RAM provides a smoother multitasking experience. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage space. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | ThinkPhone provides a superior audio experience through stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos, as well as better voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint | basic fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint is slightly more advanced. Both feature biometrics for phone security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | ThinkPhone provides superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Proximity, Gyroscope | The gyroscope on ThinkPhone provides a more accurate experience for motion-based games and apps. |
2. Key Insights
- Huawei nova Y70 Plus Strengths:
- Battery Life: The Y70 Plus boasts a larger battery, potentially leading to longer usage times between charges.
- Wide-Angle Lens: Having a dedicated wide-angle lens offers versatility for landscape and group photography.
- Price: It's likely that this phone will have a more budget-friendly price point.
- Motorola ThinkPhone Strengths:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset is a powerhouse, providing blazing-fast performance for gaming, multitasking, and app usage.
- Display Quality: The P-OLED screen with a 144Hz refresh rate offers a stunning visual experience, making content look vibrant and smooth.
- Camera Capabilities: The ThinkPhone excels in video and photo quality, with its 8K recording, OIS, and high-resolution sensors.
- Charging Speed: The 68W fast charging and 15W wireless charging provide incredibly quick and convenient ways to recharge the device.
- Build Quality: The ThinkPhone has better build quality, with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for enhanced screen protection.
- Audio Quality: The dual stereo speaker with Dolby Atmos is a great plus for media consumption.
- Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Y70 Plus: The phone is hampered by a low-resolution display, a significantly slower processor, and an older operating system.
- ThinkPhone: The device has a smaller battery than the Y70 Plus and is likely to be more expensive.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious individuals who prioritize battery life and a larger screen for media consumption and are not demanding users.
- Use Cases: Casual browsing, social media, basic photography, and media playback for extended periods without frequent charging.
- Motorola ThinkPhone:
- Ideal User: Power users who value performance, excellent display quality, and advanced camera features, as well as great build quality.
- Use Cases: Gaming, professional photography and videography, demanding multitasking, and daily use with fast charging and wireless charging capabilities.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help you decide, here are three key questions to ask yourself:
- What is your budget? If you're on a tight budget, the Y70 Plus is likely to be more accessible. If you have a more flexible budget, the ThinkPhone offers a premium experience.
- What do you primarily use your phone for? If it's casual use, the Y70 Plus is okay. If it involves gaming, video creation, or heavy multitasking, the ThinkPhone is the better option.
- How important are display quality and camera capabilities? If these are critical to your needs, the ThinkPhone’s P-OLED display and advanced camera features make it a clear choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Long-lasting battery, casual usage
- Recommendation: Huawei nova Y70 Plus due to its larger battery and budget-friendly design.
- Scenario 2: Gaming, high performance, content creation
- Recommendation: Motorola ThinkPhone for its superior chipset, graphics processing, and advanced camera features.
- Scenario 3: Budget-conscious user needing an everyday phone
- Recommendation: Huawei nova Y70 Plus due to its more affordable price point and decent features.
What I Would Choose and Why:
If I were making this decision, I would choose the Motorola ThinkPhone. Here's why:
As a tech journalist, I often work on my phone, needing to multitask and move between heavy apps smoothly, which requires a powerful processor. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the ThinkPhone will perform substantially better than the Kirin 710A. As I am often reviewing photos and videos, the OLED display and high refresh rate are crucial for an accurate representation of media. While the battery is smaller than the Y70 Plus, the 68W fast charging and 15W wireless charging make it much less of an issue. I also highly value the more recent software, higher camera specs (including 8k video), and better build quality. For these reasons, the Motorola ThinkPhone would be my choice.
