Alright, let's break down the Huawei nova Y70 Plus and the Oppo Reno12 Pro. I'm going to be putting on my tech journalist hat and getting into the nitty-gritty, but I'll also explain what it all means for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table, keeping it practical and user-focused:
| Feature | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Oppo Reno12 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Size | 168.3 x 77.7 x 9 mm | 161.5 x 74.8 x 7.4 mm | Huawei is larger and bulkier; Oppo is more pocketable, feels slimmer, and lighter. |
| Weight | 199g | 180g | Oppo feels significantly lighter (19g), more comfortable for long holds. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.75" | 6.7" | Practically the same display size, very similar screen real estate, the slight difference wouldn't be noticeable in day to day use |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2412 | Oppo's screen is noticeably sharper; text and images look far clearer. |
| PPI (Pixel Density) | 260 | 394 | Oppo's display has significantly more detail and sharpness |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Oppo's display has deeper blacks, better contrast, and is more vibrant; also more energy efficient with dark themes |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Oppo's display feels noticeably smoother, especially when scrolling and gaming |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1400 nits | Oppo screen is much more visible in bright sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Dimensity 7300 Energy (4 nm) | Oppo is significantly faster; apps load quicker, multitasking is smoother, and handles gaming better. |
| Antutu Score | 103,500 | 702,140 | Oppo is roughly 7x more powerful, resulting in much better performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Mali-G615 MC2 | Oppo will perform better in graphics heavy tasks, such as games and video editing |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP f/1.8 | 50MP f/1.8 (Sony LYT-600) | Oppo has slightly higher resolution, larger sensor, leading to better image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.0 | 50MP f/2.0 (Samsung S5KJN5) | Oppo captures far more detailed selfies with a much higher resolution sensor. |
| Telephoto Camera | None | 50MP f/2.0 (Samsung S5KJN5) | Oppo offers optical zoom capabilities, which the Huawei doesn't have. |
| Wide-Angle Camera | 5MP f/2.2 | 8MP f/2.2 (Sony IMX355) | Oppo will have slightly better wide angle image quality |
| Portrait Camera | 2MP f/2.4 | None | The Huawei has a dedicated depth sensor, but the Oppo does not need it for good bokeh effect thanks to superior processing. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps, 1080p@480fps | Oppo records in higher resolution with better slow-motion options, and has better image stabilization capabilities |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, PDAF, etc | Optical zoom, OIS, etc | Oppo's additional features contribute to overall better images and videos |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5000mAh | Huawei's battery is larger, but real world battery life depends on how optimized the software and chipset are. |
| Charging | 22.5W | 80W | Oppo charges significantly faster, getting you back up and running in a very short time. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 14 | Oppo has a clear advantage with a modern operating system and potential long term support | |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | Oppo is capable of faster, more stable Wi-Fi |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.4 LE | Oppo has a newer Bluetooth version, offering better range and power efficiency |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | Oppo offers significantly more internal storage space, a big plus for storing media or apps. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 12 GB or 16 GB | Oppo has much more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and improved overall performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both phones lack expandable storage, so you're locked into what you choose. |
| Other | |||
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint | basic fingerprint | Huawei has a side mounted fingerprint, which is generally faster than in-screen ones. The Oppo has a basic one |
| Build Quality | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Oppo has much stronger screen protection. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei nova Y70 Plus Strengths:
- Large Battery: The 6000mAh battery is its main appeal, potentially lasting longer if optimized well, but the old chipset won't do it any favours here
- Basic Side Mounted Fingerprint sensor: The Side mounted fingerprint is usually faster than in-screen ones.
Huawei nova Y70 Plus Limitations:
- Outdated Tech: The Kirin 710A chipset is very weak compared to the Oppo.
- Low-Resolution Display: The display is not sharp, and will look blurry compared to most modern smartphones.
- Basic Camera System: The camera performance is a clear disadvantage when compared to the Oppo.
Oppo Reno12 Pro Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Dimensity 7300 Energy chipset is far more powerful, leading to a smooth user experience.
- Excellent Display: The 120Hz AMOLED display is incredibly sharp, vibrant, and smooth.
- Advanced Camera System: The cameras are a large upgrade over the Huawei in every department.
- Fast Charging: The 80W charging is incredibly convenient, providing a quick boost when you need it most.
- Stronger Screen Protection: The Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 will do a better job protecting the screen from impacts.
- Modern OS: The Android 14 support gives you an excellent software experience with future compatibility
Oppo Reno12 Pro Limitations:
- Smaller Battery: The battery may be smaller than the Huawei's, but due to the efficient processor and optimizations, it may provide the same battery life.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Ideal User: Someone on a very tight budget, that values battery life above all else, and is not bothered by having lower resolution videos, or slower performance.
- Use Cases: This phone is suitable for basic tasks, like social media browsing, calls, and basic app usage.
- Considerations: It may be suitable for someone who only uses a phone occasionally, or as a second device.
Oppo Reno12 Pro:
- Ideal User: Someone who values performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
- Use Cases: This device excels at heavy multitasking, gaming, capturing photos and videos, and anyone who wants a premium experience.
- Considerations: It is a better option for tech enthusiasts, content creators, and anyone who wants a smartphone that can keep up with their needs.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Ask Yourself:
- How much do you value performance? If your priority is speed and responsiveness, the Oppo is a clear choice.
- How important is display quality for you? If a sharp, vibrant, and smooth screen is a must-have, then the Oppo wins hands down.
- What is more important to you, battery life or fast charging? If you want a slightly longer battery, the Huawei may slightly win out, but it is offset by the slow charging speeds. The Oppo has much faster charging and is likely to provide comparable battery life due to a more efficient processor.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious & Basic Use: If you absolutely have to save every penny and just need a device for basic tasks, the Huawei can do the job, but with noticeable compromises.
- Performance and Features Prioritized: If you value a premium experience, you want a smooth, responsive phone with excellent cameras, and fast charging, the Oppo Reno12 Pro is the better option.
- Content Creator: The Oppo would be the clear choice thanks to its better camera and video capabilities, faster chipset, and brighter screen.
My Choice
Personally, I'd go with the Oppo Reno12 Pro, hands down. As a tech journalist, I need a device that can handle heavy multitasking, provide a great visual experience for consuming content, and capture quality photos and videos for my work. I value fast charging, and while a larger battery is nice, I don't want a slow and unresponsive device for just a marginal increase in battery life. The Oppo's modern chipset, superior display, vastly improved camera system, and faster charging far outweigh the slightly smaller battery for my use case. The user experience is a lot more refined and the phone is far more future-proof. The Huawei, while having a bigger battery, just has too many compromises.
