Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. Huawei nova Y90
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 163.3 × 74.7 × 8.4 mm | The Moto G Power is slightly larger and thicker, which may feel less comfortable in hand or pocket compared to the slimmer nova Y90. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 195g | The nova Y90 is slightly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | The nova Y90 has a slightly larger screen, providing a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2388 | The nova Y90's higher resolution will result in sharper, clearer images and text, making it better for viewing detailed content and reading. |
| PPI | 266 | 391 | The nova Y90's higher pixel density means sharper text and images, with less pixelation. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use the same display technology, so color reproduction and viewing angles should be similar. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The 90Hz refresh rate on the nova Y90 will make scrolling and animations appear smoother and more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is identical, but actual brightness performance depends on individual panel quality. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | The Snapdragon 680 in the nova Y90 is newer and more efficient, leading to better performance and battery efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 249,000 | The nova Y90 scores significantly higher, indicating better performance for everyday tasks, multitasking, and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 | Both have the same GPU, but performance might differ slightly due to the chipset differences. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.7µm | The nova Y90 offers slightly higher resolution, while the Moto G Power has a wider aperture, which could result in better low-light performance. |
| Selfie | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.0, pixel size unavailable | Both have similar selfie camera specs; quality will depend on image processing. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | None | The Moto G Power has a dedicated depth sensor, which can create better background blur effects in portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | None | The Moto G Power has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photos. |
| Secondary | None | 2MP, f/2.4, pixel size unavailable | The nova Y90 has additional 2MP camera lens. |
| Tertiary | None | 2MP, f/2.4, pixel size unavailable | The nova Y90 has additional 2MP camera lens. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps with EIS, slow-motion | 1080p@30fps, no slow-motion | The Moto G Power offers more video recording options like 60fps and slow-motion, but the Nova Y90 offers Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS). |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, LAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | The Moto G Power includes LAF for faster focus. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 40W fast charging | The nova Y90 has significantly faster charging, allowing for quicker top-ups. |
| Charger in-box | 10W | Not specified | The Moto G Power includes a charger in-box |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Not specified | The Moto G Power runs on Android 10, but the OS for the Huawei nova Y90 is unspecified. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both phones support similar WiFi standards. |
| WiFi features | Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Display | Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display | The nova Y90 has added dual band and Wi-Fi direct. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.0 LE | Both have similar Bluetooth functionality. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The nova Y90 supports more satellite systems for potentially better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | The nova Y90 can use two SIM cards simultaneously, beneficial for users with separate work/personal numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64GB | 128GB | The nova Y90 has significantly more storage space. |
| RAM | 3/4GB | 4/6/8GB | The nova Y90 offers more RAM options, leading to better multitasking performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Basic audio features | Both have basic audio feature. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones have similar fingerprint sensors. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic Proximity | Both phones have a comprehensive sensor suite; the Moto G Power includes a gyroscope, and the Huawei nova Y90 includes Gravity and Ultrasonic Proximity. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Macro lens and dedicated depth sensor: Offers greater versatility in photography, with the ability to capture close-up and portrait shots.
- Laser Autofocus (LAF): May provide faster and more accurate focusing, improving photo quality.
- Gyroscope: Can provide more sensor data in applications like gaming and augmented reality.
- More video recording options: Offers 1080p recording at 60fps and slow-motion capability.
Huawei nova Y90 Advantages:
- Significantly better performance: The Snapdragon 680 chipset and higher AnTuTu score mean smoother, faster, and more responsive performance in everyday use and gaming.
- Higher resolution and refresh rate display: Provides a sharper, more fluid, and visually immersive experience.
- Faster 40W charging: Reduces charging time, which is very convenient for users.
- Dual SIM support: Allows users to use two SIM cards simultaneously.
- More internal storage and RAM options: Offers more space for apps, photos, and videos with the ability to handle more background processes.
- More satellite systems: Provides better accuracy in location tracking.
Trade-offs:
- The Moto G Power offers a macro lens, dedicated depth sensor, and LAF, which the nova Y90 lacks, trading off camera versatility for overall performance and display quality.
- The nova Y90 offers better performance and higher display resolution but doesn't have a macro camera, dedicated depth sensor, or laser autofocus.
- The Moto G Power includes a charger in the box, but the inclusion of a charger for the Nova Y90 is not specified.
- The operating system of the Nova Y90 is not specified.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is ideal for:
- Budget-conscious users who want a device with good camera features like macro lens and depth sensor, which allows versatility in photography.
- Users who prioritize battery life: The 5000mAh battery will provide a full day of usage with the lower resolution display and Snapdragon 662 chip, plus a charger in the box.
- Users that take advantage of video recording options: The 1080p 60fps and slow-motion capabilities are a nice plus.
Use cases:
- Capturing detailed close-up shots of nature and small objects.
- Taking photos with background blur.
- Basic gaming and everyday use cases where processing power isn't very demanding.
- Occasional video recording on-the-go.
Huawei nova Y90 is ideal for:
- Users who want a more responsive and faster device: Its faster Snapdragon 680 chipset, with more RAM, provides a better overall experience.
- Users that want a better display: Its higher resolution and refresh rate offers a premium display experience.
- Users who need dual SIM functionality and more storage: Its dual SIM capability and larger storage makes it better for work or personal use.
- Users who value fast charging: Its 40W fast charging is a significant advantage.
Use cases:
- Playing games that need more processing power.
- Multitasking between multiple apps.
- Watching videos and browsing content with a higher quality display.
- Frequent travelers or users with multiple phone numbers.
- Users who need to charge their phone quickly and often.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is positioned as a budget-friendly option with decent features for the price.
- The Huawei nova Y90 provides significantly better performance and display with a fast charge, potentially justifying a slightly higher price point.
4. Decision Framework
Here are 3 key questions for buyers to consider:
What is your primary use case? If photography and video versatility is key, the Moto G Power with its macro lens and slow-motion capabilities could be a better choice. If overall performance and display quality are more important, then the nova Y90 is superior.
What is your budget? The Moto G Power (2021) offers good value for a lower price point. The nova Y90 offers a performance upgrade that may be worthwhile if budget permits.
Do you require dual SIM or faster charging? The Huawei nova Y90 is the only option here, as it offers dual SIM support and significantly faster charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious Photographer: If you are on a tight budget and want a versatile camera with macro capabilities, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is a good choice.
Scenario 2: Performance-Focused User: If you want the best performance, display quality, and faster charging, the Huawei nova Y90 is the better option.
Scenario 3: Multitasking and Dual-SIM User: If you need to run multiple apps smoothly and want dual SIM functionality, the Huawei nova Y90 is the only option of the two.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would select the Huawei nova Y90. Here's why:
Performance Matters: As a user who values responsiveness, smooth multitasking, and a better gaming experience, the improved Snapdragon 680 chipset and higher RAM options on the nova Y90 are very appealing. The higher AnTuTu benchmark score and more recent chipset of the nova Y90 make it superior.
Display Experience: The significantly better display with higher resolution and refresh rate on the nova Y90 is a big plus, especially for content consumption.
Faster Charging: The 40W fast charging is a game-changer for me, as I don't like having my phone plugged in for long periods.
Dual SIM: While not a deal-breaker, the dual SIM support is a nice to have for those who use more than one sim card.
While I appreciate the Moto G Power's camera features like the macro lens and dedicated depth sensor, the overall performance, display quality, and faster charging of the nova Y90 outweigh these benefits for me. The nova Y90's improvements in key areas like performance and display, plus its faster charging and dual SIM support, make it a better fit for my personal needs and usage scenarios.
