Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Huawei nova Y70 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy A05. These two budget-friendly contenders each have their own set of strengths and quirks, so let's break down what they offer in a real-world context.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed table outlining the key specs, coupled with their implications for you, the user:
| Feature | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 168.3 × 77.7 × 9 mm | 168.8 × 78.2 × 8.8 mm | Very similar size; slight difference in thickness, but not noticeable in hand. |
| Weight | 199g | 195g | Practically identical weights; both feel reasonably substantial. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.75" | 6.7" | Very similar screen sizes; minimal difference in practical use. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1600 | Both offer the same HD+ resolution; expect similar image sharpness for daily tasks. |
| PPI | 260 | 262 | Pixel density is similar, meaning no noticeable difference in clarity. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | PLS LCD | IPS LCD on the Huawei generally offers better viewing angles and colour accuracy compared to PLS LCD; potentially offering a slightly better viewing experience |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both have standard 60Hz refresh rate; suitable for everyday use, but not as smooth as higher refresh rates. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have identical peak brightness, which means these screens may struggle under direct sunlight, but will work fine for general indoor usage. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) | Helio G85 is noticeably more powerful, resulting in snappier app loading, better multitasking, and more enjoyable gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,500 | 225,154 | Samsung’s significantly higher score means better overall performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 (PowerVR GE8320) | Mali-G52 MC2 (Arm Mali-G52 MC2) | The Mali-G52 MC2 offers improved graphics processing, useful for gaming and graphic intensive applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Similar main camera specs, but the Samsung, with 50MP sensor should capture slightly more detailed photos. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Both devices offer comparable selfie cameras, suitable for video calls and social media selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | None | Huawei has a dedicated wide-angle lens; great for landscape shots. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both have depth sensors for portrait shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps, Slow-mo 120fps | 1080p@30/60fps, Slow-mo: No | Samsung A05 can record 1080p at 60fps and gives you more flexibility in terms of video recording quality. Huawei provides slow-motion video support at 120fps, while Samsung does not. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5000mAh | Huawei’s larger battery should provide longer battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 22.5W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Samsung’s slighty faster charging should get you up and running quicker, but Huawei’s bigger battery will likely last longer. |
| Other | |||
| OS | N/A | Android 13 | The Samsung offers a more up-to-date Android experience. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Samsung supports faster Wi-Fi standard with 802.11ac for better speeds and range. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | Samsung offers better connection reliability with newer Bluetooth technology. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Huawei offers a broader range of satellite systems; this means potentially more accurate location tracking. |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB or 6GB | Samsung has an advantage with the 6 GB variant; this will provide better multitasking performance. |
| Storage | 64GB or 128GB | 64GB or 128GB | Both come in similar storage configurations. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither offers expandable storage; limited to onboard storage capacity. |
| Security | Side-mounted Fingerprint sensor | Basic | Huawei’s inclusion of a physical fingerprint scanner gives a superior security and user experience. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Proximity | Accelerometer, Proximity | Huawei provides more features like a fingerprint sensor. |
2. Key Insights
- Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Strengths: Its massive 6000mAh battery provides excellent longevity and has a dedicated wide-angle camera lens for diverse photography options.
- Competitive Advantage: Offers a fingerprint sensor for added security and convenience, better GPS capabilities, and potentially better color accuracy with an IPS LCD.
- Trade-offs: The older Kirin 710A chipset can lead to noticeable performance lags when multitasking and gaming; 1080p 30 fps video recording, and lacks expandable storage.
- Samsung Galaxy A05:
- Strengths: Its superior Helio G85 chipset offers significantly better performance for gaming and multitasking, comes with newer android version, and faster charging speed with 25W charging support.
- Competitive Advantage: Supports newer Bluetooth and Wi-Fi standards, offering enhanced connectivity, and slightly better video recording.
- Trade-offs: Smaller battery and lower quality display technology means potential for shorter battery life and not as good display quality; also lacks a wide angle camera lens.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Huawei nova Y70 Plus is best for:
- Users who prioritize battery life above all else.
- Casual users who enjoy taking landscape photos.
- Users who prefer a physical fingerprint sensor over software based alternatives
- Budget-conscious users who still want good cameras.
- Samsung Galaxy A05 is best for:
- Users who value performance and responsiveness.
- Users who want a more up-to-date software experience with Android 13.
- Users who want a phone with faster connectivity.
- Users who would like to capture video at 60 fps.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What’s more important: Battery life or performance?
- If battery life is key, the Huawei is your pick.
- If you need smooth performance for gaming or multitasking, choose the Samsung.
- Do I take a lot of wide-angle photos?
- If yes, go with the Huawei for the dedicated wide-angle lens.
- If no, this shouldn’t be a deciding factor.
- Do I prioritize security or better connectivity features?
- If yes, choose the Huawei.
- If no, the Samsung is better for faster Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Casual User: If you’re mainly browsing social media, making calls, and taking the occasional photo, the Huawei will do just fine, providing good battery life.
- For the Power User on a Budget: The Samsung is a better pick because it offers a smoother experience overall due to the better performance, though you might need to charge it more often.
- For the Photographer: While both have decent main cameras, the Huawei’s wide-angle lens is a plus if you take lots of landscape photos; if not, the better performance of the Samsung might be more useful.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the two, I would go with the Samsung Galaxy A05.
While the Huawei’s battery life is enticing, the more modern chipset of the Samsung makes a big difference in the real world. A phone that can multitask smoothly and load apps quickly is a more compelling overall package for me. The newer Android version and slightly better video recording also nudge me towards the Galaxy A05. The lack of expandable storage on both devices is a downside, but I would be willing to compromise for better performance and connectivity. The improved Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards on the A05 make it a better investment for future proofing and overall user experience.
