Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Huawei nova Y70 Plus and the Xiaomi Poco F4. I’ll be putting on my tech journalist hat, combining my engineering background with a focus on what really matters: how these phones perform in your hands, day in and day out.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table breaking down the key specs, along with what they mean for you:
| Feature | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions (mm) | 168.3 x 77.7 x 9 | 163.2 x 76 x 7.7 | Y70 Plus is noticeably larger and thicker; F4 is more pocketable & feels sleeker |
| Weight (g) | 199 | 195 | Both feel similar in hand, relatively lightweight |
| Build Material | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 Front | Poco F4 offers better screen protection against scratches |
| Display | |||
| Size (inches) | 6.75 | 6.67 | Both offer large displays; Y70 Plus is marginally larger |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2400 | Poco F4 has a significantly sharper and clearer display, much better for detailed visuals and text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 260 | 395 | Poco F4 display appears much sharper; images will look smoother |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Poco F4 offers more vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency for dark mode usage |
| Refresh Rate (Hz) | 60 | 120 | Poco F4 provides noticeably smoother scrolling and animations; better for gaming and overall user experience |
| Brightness (nits) | 0 | 1300 | Poco F4 is much more visible in bright sunlight, making it perfect for outdoor use. Y70 Plus may struggle outdoors in sunny conditions |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Poco F4 is significantly faster and more responsive; better for heavy apps and gaming |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,500 | 861,200 | Poco F4 handles demanding apps and multitasking smoothly; Y70 Plus might struggle with heavy usage, less future proof |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 (PowerVR GE8320) | Adreno 650 | Poco F4 has better graphics performance; ideal for smooth gaming |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera (MP) | 48 | 64 | Poco F4 can capture more detail in photos |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.79 | Both are good for low light, with Poco F4 performing marginally better |
| Selfie Camera (MP) | 8 | 20 | Poco F4 captures higher quality selfies; also may perform better in low-light settings |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.4 | Huawei nova Y70 Plus may capture brighter selfies in low light, but less detailed |
| Wide Angle Camera (MP) | 5 | 8 | Poco F4 captures higher resolution ultrawide shots |
| Depth Camera | 2 | None | Huawei nova Y70 Plus offers a depth camera |
| Macro Camera | None | 2 | Poco F4 offers a dedicated macro camera |
| Video (Max) | 1080p@30fps | 4K@60fps | Poco F4 captures much higher quality videos, suitable for vlogging; Y70 Plus is limited to 1080p recording |
| Video Stabilisation | No | Yes | Poco F4 captures smoother videos, especially when moving |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity (mAh) | 6000 | 4500 | Y70 Plus has a larger battery, potentially offering a longer battery life but will depend on software optimization |
| Charging (W) | 22.5 | 67 | Poco F4 charges much faster; can fill up battery in minutes; Y70 Plus takes longer to charge |
| Other | |||
| OS | Android 12/13 | Poco F4 offers a more up-to-date Android experience | |
| WiFi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | Poco F4 supports faster and more reliable WiFi; Y70 Plus has older standard |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Poco F4 has a newer standard; both offer good wireless audio |
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | Poco F4 offers more storage space for files, photos, and apps; Y70 Plus has less capacity options |
| RAM | 4GB | 6GB/8GB/12GB | Poco F4 can handle more apps running simultaneously, smoother multitasking |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage; this may be a limitation for some users |
| Audio | Basic Audio features | Stereo Speakers, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res | Poco F4 provides an overall much better audio experience compared to basic audio on the Y70 Plus |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Poco F4 offers much better screen protection for everyday wear and tear |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Poco F4 has a more comprehensive sensor package, beneficial for gaming and advanced app features |
2. Key Insights
Huawei nova Y70 Plus: Strengths
- Battery Champ: The Y70 Plus boasts a massive 6000mAh battery. This is a huge plus for users who prioritize long battery life and hate being tethered to a power outlet.
- Affordable: Usually, the Y70 Plus is a budget-friendly option, ideal for those on a tighter budget.
Huawei nova Y70 Plus: Limitations
- Display Disappointment: The 720p IPS LCD screen is a major letdown. It’s not as sharp, vibrant, or bright as its competitors, especially when compared to AMOLED displays. The lack of brightness also makes it hard to see outdoors in sunny conditions.
- Underpowered: The Kirin 710A is showing its age. It struggles with demanding apps and multitasking.
- Basic Camera System: Though the cameras capture decent images in good light, they are not as advanced as competitors and are missing out on video features such as stabilization and higher resolutions.
- Missing Essential Features: Missing features like screen protection and expandable storage could be a deal-breaker for some.
Xiaomi Poco F4: Strengths
- Stunning Display: The 120Hz AMOLED screen is a showstopper. It’s crisp, vibrant, and incredibly smooth – perfect for media consumption and gaming.
- Performance Powerhouse: The Snapdragon 870 chipset delivers top-notch performance, smoothly handling anything you throw at it.
- Fast Charging: The 67W fast charging is a game-changer, quickly getting you back up to a full battery when you need it.
- Versatile Camera System: The Poco F4 has a more advanced camera system with better resolution, OIS, and 4K video recording, allowing you to capture high-quality images and videos.
- Premium Features: Features like Gorilla Glass screen protection and Dolby Atmos Audio make the user experience more polished.
Xiaomi Poco F4: Limitations
- Battery Life: While the battery life is adequate, it’s smaller than the Y70 Plus and may require more frequent charging, especially with heavy usage.
- No Expandable Storage: For heavy content creators or downloaders, this may be a limitation.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei nova Y70 Plus is best for:
- Budget-conscious users: Ideal for those seeking a basic smartphone at a lower price, with a huge battery.
- Light users: Suited for individuals who primarily use their phones for calls, messages, and light social media browsing.
- Battery life priority: A great option for users who need a phone that can last for one or two days, even with moderate use.
Xiaomi Poco F4 is best for:
- Performance enthusiasts: Ideal for gamers and power users who need a snappy and responsive phone.
- Media Lovers: Perfect for users who watch a lot of videos and value a great display.
- Photography enthusiasts: Great for users who like to capture high-quality photos and videos.
- Users who prioritize smoothness: If you want a smooth and premium feeling phone, then the 120 Hz refresh rate display will satisfy your requirements.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- What is your budget? The Y70 Plus is typically more affordable, while the Poco F4 is usually pricier, but the better device for the money.
- What do you prioritize most? Is it a long-lasting battery, or a high-performance phone with a great display and camera?
- What are your primary use cases? Do you mainly browse and call, or do you heavily game and watch videos?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You want a phone that can last all day (or two) without needing to charge.
- Recommendation: The Huawei nova Y70 Plus offers significantly better battery life.
- Scenario 2: You’re a gamer or media enthusiast who wants top performance and a great display.
- Recommendation: The Xiaomi Poco F4 is the clear winner, with its powerful chipset and vibrant 120Hz AMOLED display.
- Scenario 3: You are on a tight budget and just need a reliable phone for daily tasks.
- Recommendation: The Huawei nova Y70 Plus will be a better fit.
- Scenario 4: You are a content creator that would like to capture high quality photos and videos.
- Recommendation: The Xiaomi Poco F4 will provide better image and video quality thanks to OIS and 4K capabilities.
My Pick
If I had to pick one phone, I’d go with the Xiaomi Poco F4. While the larger battery of the Huawei nova Y70 Plus is tempting, the Poco F4’s overall package is just too good to pass up. The vastly superior display, incredibly smooth performance, much faster charging, and significantly better camera make it a device that delivers on almost all fronts. It's a more future-proof phone that I’d be happy to use day in and day out. For me, the slightly smaller battery and the need to charge more frequently are worth the trade-off for a substantially better overall experience. The Poco F4 is simply a more enjoyable, capable, and versatile phone.
