Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Nokia C21 Plus and the Huawei nova Y90. I've got my engineering hat on, and I'm ready to break down what these specs really mean for everyday users.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at the key specs, focusing on what they actually mean for you:
| Feature | Nokia C21 Plus | Huawei nova Y90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm | The Huawei is slightly more compact, which may be noticeable if you prefer a smaller device. The difference in thickness is very negligible. |
| Weight | 178g | 195g | The Nokia is significantly lighter (17g), which may be more comfortable for extended use, especially one-handed. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both phones have a standard design. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.52" | 6.7" | The Huawei offers a marginally larger viewing area, which will be noticeable when watching videos and browsing. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2388 | The Huawei has a significantly sharper display thanks to a higher pixel count. This means clearer text and crisper images. |
| PPI | 269 | 391 | Higher PPI on Huawei means more detail and less pixelation, making for a much better viewing experience. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use the same display technology, expect similar color accuracy but the brightness is unknown on both. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Huawei's 90Hz refresh rate will provide smoother scrolling and animations, which will be noticeable when browsing and gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones are equal in screen brightness. It is unclear how bright these phones are, so outdoor visibility may be an issue. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Snapdragon 680 (6 nm) | The Snapdragon is manufactured on a much more modern and efficient node size, leading to greater power and better battery efficiency. |
| Antutu Score | 109,200 | 249,000 | The Huawei is significantly more powerful, meaning apps load faster, multitasking is smoother, and games will run much better. |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 610 | The Adreno 610 is a much more capable GPU, making the Huawei suitable for more graphically intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 13MP | 50MP | The Huawei’s 50MP main sensor will capture far more detailed photos. |
| Front Camera | 5MP (f/2.2) | 8MP (f/2.0) | Huawei has a higher resolution front camera and a wider aperture, allowing for better selfies in low light. |
| Depth Camera | 2MP (f/2.4) | N/A | Nokia C21 Plus has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode photos, which the Huawei doesn't have. |
| Secondary Camera | N/A | 2MP (f/2.4) | Huawei nova Y90 features an additional 2MP camera, which will not make much of a difference. |
| Tertiary Camera | N/A | 2MP (f/2.4) | Huawei nova Y90 features an additional 2MP camera, which will not make much of a difference. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both can record Full HD video at 30fps, which is fine for social media and basic video recording. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, PDAF, HDR, etc, Dual Camera | Digital zoom, PDAF, HDR, etc, Triple Camera | Both offer standard features like HDR, autofocus, and scene modes. The Nokia has an additional dual camera setup while Huawei has a triple camera setup. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | The Huawei has a bigger battery and is therefore likely to last much longer on a single charge. |
| Charging | 10W | 40W | Huawei’s faster charging means you’ll spend less time plugged into a power outlet. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both phones have a non-removable battery. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Unknown | Nokia C21 Plus uses Android 11, which is an advantage. The OS on the Huawei is unknown. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Huawei supports more recent Wi-Fi standards, providing faster and more reliable wireless connections. |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 LE | 5.0 LE | Huawei has a more modern Bluetooth version, resulting in faster and more reliable wireless connections with better range. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Huawei supports more satellite systems for more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Both offer dual SIM functionality, meaning you can have two active SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32GB/64GB | 128 GB | Huawei has more built-in storage which means you have more space for apps, photos and videos. |
| RAM | 2GB/4GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | Huawei has more RAM which will result in better multitasking and smoother performance, especially with multiple apps running. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phones have expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Basic | Both phones offer the same audio quality |
| Security | |||
| Features | Rear fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Huawei's side-mounted sensor may be easier to access. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gravity, Ultrasonic Proximity | Huawei offers a broader array of sensors, which adds to its capabilities. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones feature similar unknown screen protection technology |
2. Key Insights
Nokia C21 Plus:
- Strengths: Lighter build, slightly better dedicated portrait mode camera. It also uses Android 11, which is an advantage over the Huawei, whose software is unknown.
- Competitive Advantages: Lower weight for better handling.
- Trade-offs: Significantly less powerful, lower screen resolution, less storage, less RAM, smaller battery, slower charging, and older Wi-Fi and Bluetooth versions.
Huawei nova Y90:
- Strengths: Significantly more powerful, much sharper display, larger battery with faster charging, more storage, more RAM and better Wi-Fi/Bluetooth.
- Competitive Advantages: Superior performance, display quality, battery life and connectivity.
- Trade-offs: Heavier, no dedicated depth sensor, and the OS is unknown.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Nokia C21 Plus:
- Best For: Users on a tight budget for whom basic functionality is the main priority. It's great for casual users who don't need a lot of power and just want a lightweight device for everyday tasks.
- Use Cases: Simple web browsing, calling, texting, basic photo taking.
- Price-to-Value: This is an entry-level phone, so it focuses on budget-conscious consumers who will be happy with the basics.
Huawei nova Y90:
- Best For: Users who need better performance for gaming and apps, a better display, and fast charging.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, watching videos, heavy app usage, photography, and users who want a more premium feeling device.
- Price-to-Value: Better value for money due to its significantly better specifications, which results in a better user experience.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to guide your decision:
How important is performance?
- If performance is important for gaming or multitasking, the Huawei nova Y90 is the clear winner. If you're just looking for a basic phone for calling and texting, the Nokia C21 Plus will suffice.
What's your budget?
- The Nokia C21 Plus is likely more affordable, which is a great benefit for those on a strict budget. However, the Huawei nova Y90 justifies its price with significantly better features.
How much value do you place on a high-quality display and long battery life?
- If you prefer a high-quality screen for multimedia consumption and want all-day battery life, the Huawei nova Y90 is the better pick. If those two aspects are less of a priority for you, the Nokia C21 Plus might be acceptable.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I'd go with the Huawei nova Y90, no contest. Here's why:
As a tech journalist who puts these devices through their paces, the performance gap is impossible to ignore. The Snapdragon 680 on the Huawei will provide a much better experience for just about everything you do, whether it's gaming, browsing, or just everyday app usage.
The improved display quality makes a massive difference in daily use, especially if you consume a lot of video content or do a lot of reading on your phone. And let's not forget the battery life and faster charging which are extremely convenient. Although the Nokia is lighter, the weight difference isn't enough to offset the huge benefits you get from the Huawei, in my opinion.
While the Nokia has Android 11 which is an advantage, the massive upgrade in all other departments that you get with the Huawei is worth it. In this case, the Huawei offers a better experience for the modern smartphone user.
So, there you have it! My detailed analysis with a clear winner. Now it's your turn to weigh up your priorities. Let me know if you have any more questions!
