Okay, let's break down the Huawei nova Y70 Plus and the Nothing CMF Phone 1. I'll be putting on my tech journalist hat, focusing on the real-world impact of these specs, as if I were talking to a friend curious about these devices.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at how these phones stack up, with a focus on what these numbers mean for you.
| Feature | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Nothing CMF Phone 1 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-05-01 | 2024-07-09 | Nothing CMF Phone 1 is a much newer phone, benefiting from more recent tech. |
| Dimensions | 168.3 x 77.7 x 9 mm | 164 x 77 x 8.2 mm | Huawei is slightly taller and thicker, Nothing is a bit more pocketable. |
| Weight | 199g | 197g | Both are pretty similar in weight, not a huge difference when holding. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.75" | 6.67" | Both have large screens, but the difference is minor. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2400 | CMF Phone 1's display will look much sharper and clearer, with significantly more detail. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 260 | 395 | Text and images are noticeably sharper on the CMF Phone 1. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | AMOLED on the CMF Phone 1 offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | CMF Phone 1's display will appear smoother, especially when scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | The CMF Phone 1 will be much easier to see in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4nm) | CMF Phone 1 has a much more modern and efficient processor, leading to a more responsive phone. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,500 | 673,000 | CMF Phone 1 is significantly faster, better for gaming, multitasking and app loading. |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Mali-G615 MC2 | CMF Phone 1 has a much more powerful GPU, better for graphics-intensive tasks and gaming. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5000mAh | Huawei has a larger battery, potentially giving it longer battery life, but depends on software optimization. |
| Charging | 22.5W | 33W | CMF Phone 1 charges faster with 33W, getting you back up and running more quickly. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res. | 48MP | 50MP | Marginal difference in resolution, but sensor details matter more in real-world performance. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.79 | Slightly wider aperture on the CMF Phone 1 potentially better in low light. |
| Main Sensor | - | Sony IMX882 | The Sony sensor on the CMF Phone 1 is a good sensor, which is a plus over no spec for the Huawei. |
| Selfie Camera Res. | 8MP | 16MP | CMF Phone 1 has much higher-resolution front-facing camera, better for sharper selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor | - | GalaxyCore GC16B3C | The GalaxyCore sensor on the CMF Phone 1 provides a spec we didn't have for the Huawei. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP | None | Huawei has a wide-angle camera for more flexible shots. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP | 2MP | Both have depth sensors for portrait mode photos. |
| Video Resolution | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps | CMF Phone 1 shoots much sharper video, great for capturing higher-quality memories. |
| Video Slow-Motion | 120fps | 240fps | CMF Phone 1 can capture more slow-motion detail, better for creative videos. |
| Other | |||
| OS | - | Android 14 | The CMF Phone 1 ships with a much newer version of Android. |
| WiFi | 802.11n | WiFi 6 | CMF Phone 1 supports newer, faster WiFi standards for better connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | CMF Phone 1 has a newer, more efficient Bluetooth version. |
| Internal Storage | 64/128GB | 128/256GB | CMF Phone 1 offers more storage, especially if you get the 256 GB version. |
| RAM | 4GB | 6/8GB | CMF Phone 1 has more RAM, improving multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Basic | Huawei features a side mounted sensor. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gravity | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | CMF Phone 1 has a more robust sensor suite, especially for gaming and advanced apps. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei nova Y70 Plus Strengths:
- Large Battery: The 6000mAh battery is the clear standout, potentially offering extended battery life for users who need it.
- Wide Angle Lens: Having a dedicated wide angle lens can be very useful for travelers or for group shots.
Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: A side mounted sensor is more premium than a standard one.
Nothing CMF Phone 1 Strengths:
Superior Display: The AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and high brightness is a significant advantage, providing a much better viewing experience with sharper, smoother and more vibrant visuals.
- Massively Faster Performance: The newer Dimensity 7300 chipset and higher AnTuTu score make the CMF Phone 1 dramatically faster in everyday use and gaming.
- Better Camera System: The CMF Phone 1’s 50MP main camera with a Sony sensor, combined with a higher-resolution selfie camera, offers better image and video quality, especially in low light. Additionally, it offers 4k Video recording capability.
- More Modern Connectivity: WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 provide faster and more efficient connections.
- Better Storage: The larger base storage options, and additional RAM, are very useful if you are storing a lot of files on your phone.
Trade-offs:
- Huawei’s Battery vs. CMF’s Performance: The Huawei prioritizes battery life, while the CMF Phone 1 emphasizes overall performance.
- CMF Lacks a Wide-Angle Camera: The CMF does not have a wide-angle camera, making it less versatile for group photos or travel photography.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei nova Y70 Plus
- Best For: Users who prioritize extremely long battery life and want a large screen on a budget.
- Use Cases: Watching videos, browsing the web, basic social media, individuals who don't require intensive mobile gaming or a very powerful camera and often travel and are in areas without power to charge their phone.
Nothing CMF Phone 1
- Best For: Users who want a smooth, fast, and visually impressive smartphone experience.
- Use Cases: Gaming, streaming media, photography, social media, anyone who values a fluid user experience, fast charging and a very high quality display.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
- How much do you value performance vs battery life? If speed and responsiveness are crucial, the CMF Phone 1 is the clear winner. If you primarily want a phone that lasts and you are not a gamer, then the Huawei might be fine.
- How important is display quality for you? If you spend a lot of time watching videos or viewing content, the CMF Phone 1’s AMOLED display is a must. The Huawei display is only 720p, which is quite low in 2024.
- Are you a heavy gamer or photographer? The CMF Phone 1 is better for gaming due to its powerful chipset. While its camera is excellent, if you really want a wide angle lens, you may need to look elsewhere.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: Huawei nova Y70 Plus, if your needs are very basic and you just need the most battery possible.
- Power User: Nothing CMF Phone 1, for the faster performance, great display, better camera, faster charging and the higher storage options.
- Multimedia Enthusiast: Nothing CMF Phone 1, for superior display quality and 4K video recording.
- The Gamer: Nothing CMF Phone 1, hands down, for better performance and display.
- Traveler: Depends on the use case. If you want the most battery life then the Huawei may be better. If you want better photography, the CMF is better, but you may miss the wide angle lens.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two, I would pick the Nothing CMF Phone 1, without hesitation. Yes, the Huawei has a bigger battery. However, the user experience of a smartphone is about more than just battery life. The CMF Phone 1 offers a vastly superior display, a more fluid user experience due to the better chip, a much better camera, fast charging and better connectivity. These benefits significantly outweigh the Huawei's slightly longer battery life in my day to day life. As a tech journalist and someone who uses their phone a lot, I prioritize speed, a great display, and camera quality, and the CMF Phone 1 delivers on all of those fronts. It's a much more complete and modern device.
