Alright, let's break down these two budget contenders, the Huawei nova Y70 Plus and the Xiaomi Redmi A2+. We'll look past the spec sheets and see how these phones would fit into your daily life.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Xiaomi Redmi A2+ | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 168.3 × 77.7 × 9 mm | 164.9 × 76.8 × 9.1 mm | Huawei is slightly taller and a hair thinner. Both are comparable in hand-feel. |
| Weight | 199g | 192g | Xiaomi is a touch lighter, might feel less fatiguing for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.75" | 6.52" | Huawei provides slightly more screen real estate for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1600 | Both are the same; standard HD resolution, suitable for everyday tasks. |
| Pixel Density | 260 PPI | 269 PPI | Very similar, differences won't be noticeable to most users. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use similar display tech; expect decent colors and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Standard 60Hz experience; expect smooth scrolling for basic use. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | This data is incorrect and should be discarded. These phones are typically expected to have brightness levels around 400-500 nits. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) | Xiaomi has a slightly more efficient chip on paper, which will lead to more power-efficient performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,500 | 127,000 | Xiaomi should feel faster in everyday tasks, app loading and navigation. |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 (PowerVR GE8320) | PowerVR GE8320 | Xiaomi edges out here, offering slightly better graphic processing capabilities. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Huawei should offer more detailed and better low-light images due to better sensor, higher resolution, and wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Huawei's selfie camera should capture more detailed and brighter images. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | N/A | Huawei has a ultrawide lens for more versatile photography. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Huawei can take more convincing portrait photos with blurred backgrounds. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, Slow-motion 120fps | 1080p@30fps, Slow-motion 30fps | Both record at 1080p, Huawei offers a better slow-motion capabilities |
| Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Digital zoom, Dual camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Huawei has a wider range of features including 4K video recording, better image stabilization, and phase detection autofocus (PDAF) for faster focusing. Xiaomi does offer manual focus control. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5000mAh | Huawei packs a larger battery, which should last longer per charge. |
| Charging | 22.5W Fast Charging | 10W Fast Charging | Huawei's faster charging will get you back up and running much faster. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Xiaomi wins here. While Huawei doesn't specify their OS, it is likely an older version of Android, maybe with their own skin on top | |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display | 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Huawei has more comprehensive Wi-Fi features. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.0 LE | Huawei offers the newer standard, with potentially better audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | Huawei supports more satellite systems for more accurate navigation. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 or 128 GB | Huawei provides options for storage while Xiaomi provides none | |
| RAM | 4GB | Huawei provides RAM while Xiaomi provides none | |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone can expand their storage |
| Other | |||
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint | Rear-mounted fingerprint | Huawei's side-mounted fingerprint scanner may be slightly easier to reach for some users. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Ultrasonic Proximity Virtual | Huawei has more standard Proximity sensor. Xiaomi has a virtual proximity sensor which might have some issues. |
2. Key Insights
- Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Strengths: Larger battery, better main and selfie cameras, additional lenses (ultrawide and depth), faster charging, more robust Wi-Fi, more accurate GPS, more RAM, more storage and advanced security with a side-mounted fingerprint reader.
- Competitive Advantages: Focuses on delivering a great media experience with a larger display and battery, backed by better camera.
- Trade-offs/Limitations: Slightly larger and heavier, its chipset is less efficient and has lower benchmark score.
- Xiaomi Redmi A2+:
- Strengths: Newer chip which makes for better performance scores and is more efficient, lighter design.
- Competitive Advantages: Great budget option.
- Trade-offs/Limitations: Basic camera capabilities with fewer lenses, smaller battery, slower charging, lacks the latest connectivity features and has less storage.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Ideal User: Someone who prioritizes a long-lasting battery, enjoying multimedia content, and taking decent photos, including wide-angle and portrait shots. Also for users who are looking for a fast and easily accesible fingerprint sensor. Good for users who don't do a lot of intensive gaming.
- Use Cases: Watching movies, frequent travel, outdoor photography, social media enthusiasts.
- Xiaomi Redmi A2+:
- Ideal User: Someone who has a basic phone, uses it for essential communication, web browsing, and isn't too concerned with high performance features. Users who prioritize a more budget-friendly option.
- Use Cases: Basic calling, texting, casual browsing, and apps for everyday tasks.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How important is battery life to you? If you need a phone that can last a day or two without needing a charge, the Huawei is a clear winner with its 6000mAh capacity. If you are ok with charging your phone daily, the Xiaomi is a great option.
- Do you take a lot of photos, or need a better camera? The Huawei's 48MP main camera, the extra wide-angle and depth lenses, and its overall advanced photo capabilities mean it's better for photography, while the Xiaomi has a basic camera for quick snaps. If photos are important, go for Huawei.
- How much performance do you need? If you require a more smoother performance for web browsing and applications loading and navigation, go for the Xiaomi.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Traveler/Outdoor Enthusiast: Choose the Huawei. Its large battery, better GPS, and ultrawide camera make it perfect for taking pictures on the go.
- Budget-Conscious User: The Xiaomi is the better value for a basic, functional smartphone.
- Multimedia Consumer: The larger display, larger battery, and better camera on the Huawei is a win.
- Basic User: The Xiaomi is better for users who do very basic tasks, need a cheap option, and not very demanding.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would lean towards the Huawei nova Y70 Plus. The slightly larger display is more immersive, the camera is significantly better, and the huge battery with fast charging is invaluable for daily use. While the Xiaomi offers a slightly more efficient chip, the practical benefits of the Huawei’s larger battery and camera system outweigh this in my book. For an all around experience, the Huawei is the clear winner, especially if you want something a step above the bare minimum, and are willing to pay a bit more for it.
