Alright, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Huawei nova Y70 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy A04s. I'll break down the tech specs, translate them into real-world scenarios, and give you my take on which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at how these two phones stack up across key categories:
| Feature | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 168.3 x 77.7 x 9 mm | 164.7 x 76.7 x 9.1 mm | Huawei is slightly taller; Both are similarly wide and thick. |
| Weight | 199g | 195g | Virtually identical weight, both are on the heavier side. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.75" | 6.5" | Huawei offers a bit more screen real estate for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1600 | Both have the same resolution; sharpness will be similar. |
| Pixel Density | 260 ppi | 270 ppi | Slightly sharper display on the Samsung, but the difference is minimal. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | PLS LCD | IPS LCD on Huawei usually has better viewing angles and color accuracy. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Samsung provides smoother scrolling, ideal for gaming and quick navigation. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits, which is concerning. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Samsung's 8nm chip is more efficient, providing better performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,500 | 117,300 | Samsung scores higher, indicating better overall speed and responsiveness. |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Mali-G52 | Samsung’s GPU is slightly more powerful for gaming and graphic-intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Marginally higher resolution on the Samsung, but photo quality depends on many factors. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Huawei has a higher resolution and a wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 5MP, f/2.2 | None | Huawei offers extra versatility with a wide-angle lens. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar depth sensors for portrait mode on both. |
| Macro | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung includes a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps; 120 fps SloMo | 1080p@30fps; 34 fps SloMo | Standard 1080p recording, and both have slow motion capabilities. Huawei offers better slow motion |
| Features | 4K, Digital zoom, DIS, | Digital zoom, | Huawei offers more advanced camera features than Samsung |
| Continuous, Panorama, ... | Autofocus, ... | ||
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5000mAh | Huawei has a larger battery, potentially offering longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 22.5W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | Huawei has faster charging, minimizing downtime. |
| Battery type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer is generally considered safer and more durable |
| Software | |||
| OS | (unspecified) | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | Samsung provides a newer version of Android and is guaranteed to be upgradable |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Samsung supports newer WiFi standard, offering better speed. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.0 LE | Huawei has a newer Bluetooth version with more features. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 32GB/64GB/128GB | Both phones have the same maximum storage capacity of 128GB. |
| RAM | 4GB | 3GB/4GB | Both phones offer sufficient RAM for basic usage. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Other | |||
| Security | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Both offer similar fingerprint sensor tech. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Gravity, Accelerometer | Accelerometer, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both have similar sensors with small differences. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
Strengths:
- Larger Display: The 6.75-inch screen is a big win for media consumption and general use.
- Superior Display Technology: IPS LCD usually offers better viewing angles and color accuracy.
- Bigger Battery: The 6000mAh battery coupled with 22.5W fast charging should mean long battery life and minimal downtime.
- Better Selfie Camera: The 8MP front camera with a wider aperture should offer clearer selfies in various lighting conditions.
- Versatile Rear Cameras: The inclusion of a dedicated wide angle camera gives more shooting options.
- More Camera features: 4k video, digital image stabilization, continuous shooting, panorama
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1 with additional audio codecs
Trade-offs:
- Older Chipset: The Kirin 710A is less powerful than the Samsung's Exynos, meaning slower overall performance and game play.
- No Operating System specified: This means it may not support Android or have the latest version.
- Heavier and slightly bulkier: The phone is slightly taller.
Samsung Galaxy A04s:
Strengths:
- Smoother Display: The 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel more fluid.
- Better Performance: The Exynos 850 chipset offers better performance and efficiency.
- Macro Camera: A dedicated macro lens opens up options for detailed close-up photography.
- Newer Wi-Fi standard: The phone offers faster download speeds with the latest wifi standard.
- Newer Operating System: The phone comes with Android 12 that is upgradable to Android 14, ensuring better software compatibility.
Trade-offs:
- Smaller Battery: The 5000mAh battery, while still decent, may not last as long as the Huawei under heavy use.
- Slower Charging: At 15W, it'll take a bit longer to juice up the battery.
- Lower Resolution Selfie Camera: The 5MP front camera might not capture selfies with as much detail as the Huawei.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Best for: Users who prioritize battery life, media consumption, and versatility.
- Use Cases: Long commutes, binge-watching videos, capturing a range of photos, and people who like a bigger screen.
- Ideal User: Students, travellers, or anyone who needs a phone that lasts all day.
Samsung Galaxy A04s:
- Best for: Users who want a smooth display experience, and slightly better performance, and the latest android version.
- Use Cases: Casual gaming, social media browsing, and close-up photography.
- Ideal User: General smartphone users who want a reliable and capable device.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to ask yourself when deciding:
- How important is battery life to you? If you need a phone that can easily last through a full day of heavy usage, the Huawei is the clear choice due to its larger battery.
- Do you value a smoother display over a slightly larger screen? If so, the Samsung’s 90Hz display may be more appealing.
- What kind of photography do you do most often? For selfies and wide shots, the Huawei takes the lead. But if you like close up shots, the Samsung may be a better choice.
My Choice
If I had to pick, I'd lean towards the Huawei nova Y70 Plus. While the Samsung offers a smoother display and slightly better performance, the superior battery life, larger screen, and better selfie camera of the Huawei tip the scales for me. The inclusion of a dedicated wide-angle lens and the fact that it generally offers more features and capabilities, makes the Huawei the more versatile phone.
While the lack of an operating system is a concern, the user experience of the Samsung A04s would be more difficult to recommend when the Huawei provides many more features that are useful for the user.
Remember, this is a personal choice, and your priorities might be different. Think about how you use your phone every day, and that should guide your decision.
