Okay, let's dive deep into this comparison of the Huawei nova Y70 Plus and the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro. Buckle up, we're about to dissect these devices from a user's perspective.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed breakdown of the specifications, focusing on what they mean for you in the real world:
| Feature | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 168.3 x 77.7 x 9 mm | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm | The Huawei is slightly larger, which might feel less comfortable in smaller hands or pockets, while the ZTE is a bit more compact but heavier. |
| Weight | 199g | 229g | The Huawei is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are traditional slab-style phones, no folding here. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.75" | 6.8" | Both provide a large screen for immersive media consumption and gaming, with a negligable difference in size. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1116 x 2480 | The ZTE offers much sharper text, images, and videos due to its significantly higher resolution. |
| PPI | 260 | 400 | The ZTE's higher PPI means a visibly clearer and more detailed display compared to the more pixelated Huawei. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The ZTE boasts superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors thanks to its AMOLED panel. This is especially beneficial in HDR content. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The ZTE has a much smoother scrolling experience and gameplay, while the Huawei can feel choppy in comparison. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The ZTE's chipset is generations ahead, offering much faster processing, better app loading, and overall snappier performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,500 | 2,369,542 | The ZTE delivers an extremely superior performance in both daily tasks and heavy gaming situations. |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 750 | The ZTE's GPU is a major upgrade, allowing for significantly better gaming performance and graphics rendering. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 6500mAh | The ZTE has a slightly larger battery, suggesting longer runtime. |
| Charging | 22.5W fast charging | 80W fast charging | The ZTE charges at significantly faster rates, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both batteries are not user-replaceable. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP f/1.8 | 50MP f/1.88, 1/1.57" sensor | The ZTE has a slightly higher resolution main camera and superior sensor, potentially leading to better image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.0 | 16MP f/2.0, 1/3.06" sensor | The ZTE's selfie camera has higher resolution and a better sensor for better details and low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle lens | 5MP f/2.2 | 50MP f/2.0, 1/2.76" sensor | ZTE’s ultrawide is much more powerful with substantially better resolution and a wider aperture. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP f/2.4 | N/A | Huawei offers a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro lens | N/A | 2MP f/2.4, 1/5" sensor | ZTE has a dedicated macro lens for up close shots. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60, 1080p@30/60/120/240 | The ZTE is capable of much higher quality video recording, including 8K and high frame-rate options. |
| Camera Features | PDAF, Digital zoom | OIS, Gimbal, Laser AF, Under-display camera | ZTE has significantly more advanced camera features, enhancing stability, autofocus and quality. |
| Software | |||
| OS | N/A | Android 14 | ZTE's operating system is more up-to-date. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be | ZTE supports the latest Wi-Fi standards, offering much faster speeds and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 LE | ZTE has slightly newer Bluetooth with potential for slightly faster and more reliable connections. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | The ZTE supports a significantly wider range of satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both phones support two SIM cards simultaneously. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 256GB/512GB | The ZTE provides considerably more storage for apps, games, and media. |
| RAM | 4GB | 12GB/16GB | ZTE has much larger RAM capacities, making it much better at multitasking and handling memory-intensive tasks. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic features | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | The ZTE offers a superior audio experience with enhanced surround sound and better voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic Fingerprint sensor | Huawei offers a better side-mounted sensor over ZTE's basic fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | ZTE has a much better screen protection against damage, the Huawei's protection is unknown |
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Accelerometer | Biometric, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The ZTE has a more comprehensive suite of sensors, enabling more complex apps and games. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei nova Y70 Plus Strengths:
- Lightweight Design: Its lighter weight makes it comfortable for long periods of usage.
- Large Battery: Offers a large 6000mAh battery, potentially offering all-day battery life.
- Affordability: This phone is likely to be priced much more affordably.
Huawei nova Y70 Plus Limitations:
- Underpowered Chipset: The Kirin 710A is significantly weaker and will struggle with demanding tasks.
- Low-Resolution Display: The 720p display will lack sharpness and clarity.
- Basic Camera: The camera system, while adequate for basic use, cannot compete with high-end phones.
- Outdated Software: The unspecified software is likely older than the ZTE’s operating system.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro Strengths:
- Elite Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset ensures top-tier performance for any task.
- Stunning Display: The AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate provides a vibrant, smooth experience.
- Advanced Camera System: Delivers higher quality images and videos with many advanced features.
- Fast Charging: The 80W charging drastically reduces charge times.
- Superior Audio: Enhanced sound quality with DTS/X, Stereo speakers and 3 microphones.
- Modern Software: Comes with Android 14, offering the latest features and security.
- Superior Connectivity: Supports the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards for faster and more reliable connections.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro Limitations:
- Heavy Build: Its heavier weight might not appeal to all users.
- Price: Is likely to be more expensive.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei nova Y70 Plus is Best for:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals needing a basic smartphone for everyday tasks.
- Light Smartphone Users: Those who prioritize battery life over performance.
- Users With Simple Needs: Users who don't play demanding games or need high-quality media consumption.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro is Best for:
- Gamers: The top-tier performance and display are ideal for gaming.
- Power Users: Individuals who demand fast performance for complex apps and multitasking.
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who want a vibrant display for watching videos and movies.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users seeking high-quality photos and advanced video features.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who want the latest tech and features.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to guide the decision-making process:
- What is my budget? If your budget is tight, the Huawei is likely the more affordable option, but prepare for a significantly lower performance and features. If your budget is flexible, the ZTE provides a flagship-tier experience.
- What is my priority: performance or affordability? The Huawei focuses on affordability and provides basic functionality, the ZTE excels in performance, multimedia, and overall user experience.
- What do I mainly use my phone for? If you're mainly using your phone for simple tasks like web browsing and calls, the Huawei might be sufficient. If you do a lot of gaming, media consumption, or use complex apps, the ZTE is the superior choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget-Conscious): If your budget is extremely tight, the Huawei is the only realistic choice. But if you can afford a bit more, the value jump to the ZTE is huge.
- Scenario 2 (Gaming Focus): If gaming is a high priority, the ZTE is the clear winner with its superior performance, display and additional gaming-centric features.
- Scenario 3 (Daily Productivity): For tasks like email, document editing, and social media, the ZTE's superior performance will make the experience smoother.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro. Here's why:
As someone who deeply values a fast, smooth, and feature-rich smartphone experience, the ZTE is undeniably the better pick. While I acknowledge that the Huawei is more affordable, the compromises in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities are too substantial. For me, the extra cost of the ZTE is justified by the top-tier performance, superior display, excellent camera system, and a much more future-proof device overall. Its modern feature set makes it a device that would serve me well for years, while the Huawei may start to feel outdated much sooner. Although the Huawei's lightweight design is appealing, I'd gladly trade that for the enhanced power and premium features of the ZTE.
