Alright, let's dive into this head-to-head comparison of the Huawei nova Y70 Plus and the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro. We have a classic David vs. Goliath scenario here, with the Huawei aiming for affordability and the Red Magic going all-in on performance. Let's see where they stand!
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed breakdown of the key specs, along with a look at their practical implications:
| Feature | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-05-01 | 2023-11-23 | The Red Magic is much newer, benefitting from more recent tech. |
| Dimensions | 168.3 x 77.7 x 9 mm | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm | The Huawei is slightly larger, but the difference is minimal. |
| Weight | 199g | 229g | The Huawei is noticeably lighter, which makes it more comfortable for extended use, especially one handed. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.75" | 6.8" | Similar display sizes. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1116 x 2480 | The Red Magic has a significantly sharper and more detailed display. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 260 | 400 | The Red Magic's display will look much clearer with more details and less pixelation. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The Red Magic offers far superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Red Magic has a smoother and more responsive display. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | The Red Magic will be much more visible in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Red Magic’s chip is generations ahead, providing substantially better performance and efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,500 | 2,020,000 | The Red Magic offers dramatically faster app loading, multitasking, and gaming. The Huawei scores terribly here. |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 750 | The Red Magic’s GPU will handle graphics-intensive tasks much more effectively. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.88 | Slightly better detail on Red Magic. |
| Front Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 16MP, f/2.0 | The Red Magic captures higher-resolution selfies. |
| Ultrawide Camera | 5MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/2.0 | Massive upgrade with the Red Magic that gives clear high quality wide angle shots. |
| Portrait Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The Huawei has a dedicated depth sensor, though its quality is likely limited. |
| Macro Camera | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Red Magic includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | The Red Magic has vastly superior video recording capabilities. |
| Camera Features | Basic | Gimbal, Laser AF, etc | The Red Magic offers professional-level features. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Battery Capacity | 6000mAh | 6500mAh | The Red Magic has a slightly larger battery, offering longer usage times. |
| Charging Speed | 22.5W | 80W | The Red Magic charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Charging Features | None | Bypass Charging | The Red Magic offers bypass charging to keep the battery safe while gaming. |
| Other | |||
| Operating System | Android (Version Unknown) | Android 14 | The Red Magic runs the latest Android version. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11n | Wi-Fi 7 | The Red Magic supports the latest Wi-Fi standard, enabling faster speeds and reduced latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | The Red Magic uses the latest standard. |
| Internal Storage | 64 GB / 128 GB | 256 GB / 512 GB | The Red Magic offers far more storage for apps and media. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB / 12 GB / 16 GB | The Red Magic has much more RAM for better performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device has expandable storage. |
| Audio | Basic | Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | The Red Magic has better audio performance for media consumption and gaming. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass 5 | The Red Magic has a screen protection from Corning. |
| Sensors | Basic | Compass, Gyroscope | The Red Magic has more comprehensive sensors that are useful for advanced games and features. |
| ## 2. Key Insights |
- Huawei nova Y70 Plus: This phone is all about affordability and a long-lasting battery. It's designed for users who need a basic, reliable smartphone for everyday tasks without breaking the bank. Its main selling point is the battery life. The large display is usable for media consumption, but it is not the highest quality.
- ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro: This is a high-performance gaming beast. It boasts a cutting-edge chipset, a stunning display, high-end cameras, and plenty of RAM and storage, optimized for a top-tier mobile gaming and multimedia experience. This is not a phone focused on affordability but on the best tech available. The advanced sensors, high refresh rate and amazing sound further enhance the experience.
User Experience Implications:
- The Huawei is more portable and comfortable to hold for longer periods, which is a plus. However, its performance is quite basic, lacking the smooth experience and responsiveness you find in higher-end devices. The screen is not high quality, and videos and pictures will appear muted and less detailed.
- The Red Magic is heavier, but it offers a premium experience in every aspect. The display is smooth, bright, and vibrant, ideal for enjoying high-resolution content. The performance is top-notch, handling demanding games and applications with ease. The camera is also of much higher quality, and can take some great pictures.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Huawei nova Y70 Plus: Best suited for budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and a large screen for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and watching videos. Ideal for those who want a reliable and affordable phone that lasts all day. Perfect for users who have basic requirements from their device, and value battery above all else.
- ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro: Aimed at gamers, power users, and tech enthusiasts who need the best performance. If you watch movies, take pictures or play games on your phone, this phone is for you. It’s ideal for those who want the ultimate mobile gaming and multimedia experience, as well as impressive camera capabilities. This phone is not for the faint of heart or for users looking for a basic device.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help users decide:
- What is your primary use for a smartphone?
- If primarily for basic communication, browsing, and watching videos, and cost is your priority, the Huawei is adequate.
- If you want a phone to perform all of those tasks well and be the best gaming device available, the Red Magic is the clear choice.
- How important is display quality and performance?
- If you need smooth animations and want a vivid and sharp screen for videos and games, the Red Magic is far superior.
- If you are fine with a basic screen quality and performance, the Huawei is acceptable.
- What is your budget?
- If you're on a tight budget, the Huawei is very affordable.
- If budget is not the most important consideration, and you want the best value for money, the Red Magic is the superior device.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "I need a secondary phone that will last the whole day, I don't game or watch many videos on it." The Huawei is the more economical and sensible choice due to its battery life.
- Scenario 2: "I want the best possible gaming and multimedia experience on a phone, and the money is not an important factor." The Red Magic is the only logical choice, as it is designed specifically for these use cases.
- Scenario 3: "I need a decent phone that doesn't cost a lot of money and has a big screen." The Huawei is the best choice here, as it prioritizes low cost and offers a large display, even if it's not top-tier quality.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two devices for myself, I would go with the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro without a second thought. As a tech journalist, I need a device that can handle multitasking, run all sorts of apps smoothly, take high quality pictures and videos and is great for gaming. The Red Magic 9 Pro excels in all of these areas, offering a powerful chipset, a fantastic display, and advanced features that make daily usage a breeze. While the Huawei is okay for basic tasks, I would personally pay the extra to have a premium phone experience and the latest technology. The vastly superior performance, screen quality, camera and sound makes this the winner by far for me. I need something fast, with a crisp display and excellent quality pictures and the Red Magic 9 Pro has that in spades.
