Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Huawei nova Y70 Plus and the TCL 50 SE. I'll break down the specs, highlight the real-world implications, and help you figure out which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these two phones stack up against each other, focusing on what matters most to the user:
| Feature | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | TCL 50 SE | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 168.3 x 77.7 x 9 mm | 168.2 x 75.5 x 8.1 mm | The TCL is a touch narrower and thinner, making it potentially slightly more comfortable to hold, especially for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 199g | 195g | Both phones feel quite similar in hand, with a negligible weight difference. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.75" | 6.78" | Both provide large screens for content consumption, with a tiny size difference. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2460 | The TCL 50 SE has a significantly sharper and more detailed display due to its higher resolution. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 260 | 396 | The higher PPI of the TCL means text and images appear much clearer, which can impact the overall viewing experience. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use standard LCD tech, so color accuracy and viewing angles will be similar. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The TCL offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations with its higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 900 nits | The TCL will be much better for use outdoors in bright sunlight due to the much higher peak brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm) | The Helio G88 in the TCL offers better overall performance, leading to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,500 | 250,000 | The TCL 50 SE has a much higher benchmark score, indicating noticeably better performance in everyday usage and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 (PowerVR GE8320) | Mali-G52 MC2 (Arm Mali-G52 MC2) | The TCL’s GPU offers enhanced graphical performance, potentially giving better gaming experience. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP (f/1.8) | 50MP (f/1.8) | The TCL has a slightly higher resolution sensor, which could result in slightly more detailed photos in good lighting. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP (f/2.0) | 8MP (f/2.0) | Both phones offer similar selfie camera performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP (f/2.2) | None | The Huawei includes a wide-angle lens, which is useful for group photos and landscape shots. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 2MP (f/2.4) | None | The Huawei has a dedicated depth sensor that is useful for better portrait shots with blurred background. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP (f/2.4) | The TCL includes a macro lens, allowing for close-up shots of small objects and fine details. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps, Slow-mo 120fps | 1080p@30fps, Slow-mo 30fps | Both record 1080p, but the Huawei supports 120fps slow-motion, while TCL only does 30fps. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5010mAh | The Huawei boasts a larger battery, which likely translates to longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 22.5W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | The TCL charges faster, reducing the time you'll spend plugged in, even though it has a smaller battery. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 14 | The TCL is running on a more recent Android version, which should mean better software support for longer. | |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | The TCL supports the faster 802.11ac WiFi standard for faster internet speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE + LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.1 LE | The Huawei has additional high-quality audio codecs, benefiting users with Bluetooth headphones with these codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | The Huawei offers more satellite positioning options for more precise and reliable location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | The TCL offers more storage options, especially for users with lots of files, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB/6GB | The TCL has an option for 6GB of RAM, which can benefit heavier multi-tasking users. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage; this might be a limitation for those with large media libraries. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic Features | Stereo Speakers | The TCL provides a more immersive audio experience with stereo speakers. |
| Other | |||
| Security | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones offer good biometric security. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Strengths: Larger battery for extended usage, additional camera lenses like Wide Angle and Depth, and better Bluetooth audio codecs (LDAC, SBC, AAC).
- Competitive Advantages: It has better GPS and more precise location tracking.
- Trade-offs: Lower resolution display, less powerful chipset, and slower charging.
- Limitations: No expandable storage, which can be a significant limitation for some.
TCL 50 SE:
- Strengths: Higher resolution display with 90Hz refresh rate, much brighter screen, more powerful chipset, and faster charging.
- Competitive Advantages: Its display is significantly sharper and better for outdoor visibility, along with a more recent Android version, better performance and it offers stereo speakers for better audio.
- Trade-offs: Smaller battery capacity, lacks a Wide Angle and Portrait (depth) lens, and lacks high-quality Bluetooth audio codecs like LDAC, SBC and AAC.
- Limitations: No expandable storage, making the 256GB version a strong option if storage is a concern.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Ideal User: Those who prioritize long battery life and need a phone that can reliably last through a full day (or even two) of heavy usage. It's also good for users who like to capture a variety of photo perspectives with the extra lenses included (wide-angle and depth).
- Use Cases: Ideal for travel, outdoor activities, or users who do not have easy access to charging during the day. Suitable for users who listen to music using LDAC, AAC, and SBC compatible headphones.
TCL 50 SE:
- Ideal User: Those who prioritize screen quality and smoother performance, and those who want a phone suitable for gaming and media consumption. Also good for users who want a brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
- Use Cases: Ideal for watching videos, playing games, browsing social media, and all general purpose daily activities, with the added benefit of Stereo Speakers for more immersive audio.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide which phone is right for you:
- Do you value battery life above all else? If so, the Huawei might be a better option.
- Do you prioritize a sharper, smoother display and overall performance? If so, the TCL is the clear winner.
- Do you need expandable storage? If yes, both of these devices are not for you, since neither of them support external memory.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The "Power User": If you are constantly on your phone, streaming videos, and playing games on the go, the TCL is the winner due to its superior performance and bright display.
- The "Casual User": If you mostly browse social media, send emails, and take occasional photos, both phones will serve you well. However, the TCL’s smoother UI experience and superior display would tip the scales in favor of it.
- The "Traveler": If you need long battery life and use GPS often, the Huawei is a solid pick, but the TCL is also good if you can charge it at night.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I'd go with the TCL 50 SE. While the larger battery on the Huawei is tempting, the overall experience on the TCL is significantly better. The brighter, sharper, and smoother display combined with the more powerful chipset make everyday use much more enjoyable. Plus, the faster charging and stereo speakers are great additions for daily use. As someone who does a lot of media consumption and occasional gaming, the TCL’s advantages in performance and display quality make it a much better overall pick. The lack of expandable storage is a shame, but the 256GB option should be enough for most users.
