Okay, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Huawei nova Y70 Plus and the OnePlus Nord 4. I'm going to break this down, not just as a spec sheet battle, but as a guide to how these phones fit into real lives.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table highlighting the key technical differences and their practical implications:
| Feature | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | OnePlus Nord 4 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 168.3 × 77.7 × 9 mm | 162.6 × 75 × 8 mm | The OnePlus Nord 4 is more compact and thinner, making it easier to handle. The Huawei nova Y70 Plus is noticeably larger and thicker, which might be less comfortable for some users. |
| Weight | 199g | 199.5g | Virtually the same weight. Both phones are on the heavier side but similar in the hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.75" | 6.74" | Very similar screen sizes. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1240x2772 | The OnePlus Nord 4 offers significantly sharper images with its higher resolution. The Y70 Plus will look less crisp, especially with text and fine details. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 260 | 450 | The OnePlus Nord 4's display will be much sharper with noticeably finer details than the Y70 Plus. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | OnePlus Nord 4 boasts vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, plus improved battery life due to more efficient power consumption with dark themes, over the IPS LCD of the Y70 Plus. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The OnePlus Nord 4 will feel much smoother in everyday use, especially during scrolling and gaming. The Y70 Plus will feel less fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2200 nits | The OnePlus Nord 4 will be much easier to see in direct sunlight. The Y70 Plus likely has a much lower brightness, making outdoor viewing difficult. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) | The OnePlus Nord 4 is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The Y70 Plus will feel slower, particularly with resource-intensive tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,500 | 1,366,982 | The OnePlus Nord 4 is much faster and more capable, meaning it will handle most tasks without lagging. The Y70 Plus will struggle with demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 732 | The Adreno 732 in the OnePlus Nord 4 delivers superior graphics performance, making it much better for gaming and graphic-intensive applications. The Mali-G51 in the Y70 is not up to par. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 48MP | 50MP | Similar main sensor resolution, although the OnePlus Nord 4 has an edge with a higher quality Sony sensor. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.8 | Both have a similar aperture for good low-light performance, but the Nord 4's sensor is likely to perform better in practice. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 8MP | 16MP | OnePlus Nord 4 has a higher resolution selfie camera for more detailed photos and videos. |
| Wide Angle Camera Res | 5MP | 8MP | OnePlus Nord 4's wide-angle lens will be able to capture more detail. |
| Depth Camera | 2MP | None | The Huawei has an extra depth sensor, which might help with portrait mode shots. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps | The OnePlus Nord 4 supports much higher quality video recording, which is important for those who like to vlog and capture high-quality video. |
| Camera Features | Triple camera, digital image stabilization | Dual camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS) | Huawei has an additional depth sensor. The OIS on the Nord 4 will result in more stable footage, as well as sharper images and better low-light results. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5500mAh | The Huawei nova Y70 Plus has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering longer usage times, but with its lower resolution and less demanding chipset, it is also consuming less power. However, the display on the OnePlus is much more efficient due to its OLED nature. |
| Charging | 22.5W | 100W | The OnePlus Nord 4 charges much faster, allowing you to top up the battery quickly. The Y70 Plus has comparatively slow charging. |
| Software | Android 14 | OnePlus Nord 4 ships with Android 14. The Huawei operating system is unknown. | |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | OnePlus Nord 4 has faster Wi-Fi speeds, better range, and more efficient use of crowded networks, whilst the Y70 Plus is limited to Wi-Fi 4. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.4 | The OnePlus Nord 4 has a newer version for better range and battery efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5) | OnePlus Nord 4 supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128 GB | 128/256/512 GB | The OnePlus Nord 4 offers more storage options for your apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8/12/16 GB | The OnePlus Nord 4 offers much more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | Basic audio features | Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The OnePlus Nord 4 has better audio with stereo speakers and dual microphones. |
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Huawei has a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Strengths: The standout feature of the Y70 Plus is its large 6000mAh battery, promising extended battery life. It also includes an extra depth camera.
- Competitive Advantages: The large battery capacity is ideal for users who prioritize longevity over performance.
- Trade-offs: It sacrifices display quality, processing power, camera capabilities, and charging speed for its battery size. Its display is low resolution, uses older IPS LCD technology, has a 60Hz refresh rate and low brightness. The chipset is much slower and older as well. Its charging speed is also very low.
OnePlus Nord 4:
- Strengths: The Nord 4 shines with its superior display (high-resolution AMOLED with a 120Hz refresh rate and high brightness), powerful performance, faster charging, and better camera system.
- Competitive Advantages: It's designed for a smoother, more responsive user experience, especially when it comes to gaming and media consumption. The charging speeds and overall capabilities also far exceed that of the Y70.
- Trade-offs: Its battery, while still large at 5500mAh, is slightly smaller than the Y70 Plus.
Key Differences Summarized:
- Performance: The OnePlus Nord 4 has a considerably more powerful chipset, leading to much smoother and more responsive performance.
- Display: The OnePlus Nord 4 has a superior AMOLED screen with higher resolution, refresh rate and brightness.
- Camera: The OnePlus Nord 4 features a much higher quality camera setup, especially with video capabilities.
- Charging: The OnePlus Nord 4 has super-fast charging, whereas the Y70 Plus has much slower charging.
- Software: OnePlus ships with Android 14, whilst the operating system of the Y70 is unknown.
- Battery: Although the Y70 Plus has a bigger battery, the Nord 4 also has very long lasting power efficiency due to its AMOLED panel.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei nova Y70 Plus is best suited for:
- Users who prioritize battery life above all else: Ideal for people who need a phone that can last multiple days on a single charge and aren't overly concerned with performance or visual quality.
- Budget-conscious buyers: If price is a significant factor, and you're okay with slower performance and a lower-quality display, the Y70 Plus might be suitable.
- Basic smartphone users: It's suitable for users who primarily use their phones for calls, texts, and light browsing.
OnePlus Nord 4 is best suited for:
- Performance enthusiasts: Users who want a responsive device for gaming, multitasking, and heavy app usage.
- Media lovers: Ideal for those who consume a lot of videos and want a vibrant, high-quality display experience.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who take lots of pictures and want better quality, high-resolution videos.
- Users who value fast charging: People who want to charge their phone quickly.
- Tech-savvy individuals: This phone is ideal for users who want a more modern phone experience.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help you decide, ask yourself these questions:
- How much do I value display quality and performance? If you care about sharp visuals, smooth performance, and quick app loading, the Nord 4 is the better choice. The Y70 Plus, due to its chipset, is noticeably slower.
- Is battery life my top priority, or do I prefer faster charging? If you need a phone to last for days, the Y70 Plus might be appealing. If you prefer a phone that can quickly charge, even if the battery is smaller, the Nord 4 is better due to its charging speeds.
- How important are camera quality and video recording capabilities? If you care about photography and higher quality videos, the Nord 4's superior sensor and video capabilities are worth the upgrade.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The heavy-duty user. You need a phone to handle gaming, demanding apps, and multitasking all day long.
- Recommendation: OnePlus Nord 4 is the clear choice due to its powerful processor, ample RAM, superior display, and faster charging.
- Scenario 2: The budget-conscious user. Your goal is to get a phone that will last for a day or two at a cheap price.
- Recommendation: The Huawei nova Y70 Plus will provide more battery life and save money in the process. If you're willing to sacrifice performance and other premium features, this is a more affordable option.
- Scenario 3: The average Joe. You use your phone for social media, casual gaming and communication.
- Recommendation: While the Y70 Plus might seem suitable, the OnePlus Nord 4, even for regular use, offers a much more enjoyable experience with its higher quality display, fast performance, and enhanced audio.
Conclusion
Ultimately, while the Huawei nova Y70 Plus might appeal to those on a very tight budget with a need for an ultra long battery life, it pales in comparison to the OnePlus Nord 4 in most other aspects. The Nord 4 offers a much better display, camera system, charging speeds, and performance, as well as a smoother and more enjoyable experience.
My Choice:
If I were choosing between these two, I would pick the OnePlus Nord 4. The significantly better display, faster performance, more capable camera system, and quick charging outweigh the slightly smaller battery. While I appreciate long battery life, the Nord 4's battery is still excellent. Ultimately, I think the overall user experience provided by the Nord 4 would be worth the extra money. It offers a more future-proof and enjoyable daily experience.
