Nokia G21 vs Huawei nova Y90 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Nokia G21
Nokia G21
Nokia

General

Launch Date February 15, 2022 July 27, 2022
Release Year 2022 2022

Physical

Volume 106.19 cm³ 102.47 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.42 "/g 3.44 "/g
Weight 190 g 195 g
Height 164.6 mm 163.3 mm
Width 75.9 mm 74.7 mm
Thickness 8.5 mm 8.4 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Dusk
  • Nordic Blue
  • Midnight Black
  • Pearl White
  • Emerald Green
  • Crystal Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.7 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1080 x 2388
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 81.6 % 89.1 %
Pixel Density 270 PPI 391 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness 400 nits N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 119.53 mAh/in² 111.38 mAh/in²
Battery Density 47.56 mAh/cm³ 48.8 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5050 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Unisoc T606 (12 nm) Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver)
GPU Mali-G57 MP1 Adreno 610

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android N/A
Initial OS Version 11 N/A
Maximum OS Version 13

Comparison Summary

Okay, let's dive into a user-centric comparison of the Nokia G21 and the Huawei nova Y90. Forget the spec sheets for a moment; let’s talk about what these phones feel like to use.

Nokia G21 vs. Huawei nova Y90: A User-Focused Comparison

Imagine you're choosing a new companion for your daily adventures. Which one of these two would better fit into your life? Let's explore.

1. Design and Usability Assessment:

Feature CategoryNokia G21Huawei nova Y90User Experience Impact
Interface DesignFamiliar Android 11; Upgradeable to 13.Less information about OS, looks to be Android 13.Nokia provides a simpler and more up to date familiar Android experience, Huawei offers potentially unknown features and a newer OS
Interaction FlowStandard Android Navigation; clean UIStandard Android Navigation; potentially custom UIBoth offer a standard experience; the lack of details in the Huawei UI may be an unknown.
AccessibilityStandard Android Accessibility featuresStandard Android Accessibility featuresBoth offer general accessibility options, but may not cater for niche requirements.
Design ErgonomicsSlightly taller and wider; Lighter; Standard designSlightly shorter and narrower; Heavier; Standard designNokia is easier to handle; Huawei is more compact but heavier.

Narrative: Picture this, you're quickly checking directions on a busy street:

  • Nokia G21: It’s lighter build feels good in your hand, making it easier to hold for extended periods. The familiar Android interface allows you to navigate quickly, pulling up maps without hesitation.
  • Huawei nova Y90: The slightly heavier build feels solid, and its more compact shape fits comfortably in your palm.

2. Narrative-Driven Feature Exploration:

Scenario 1: Capturing a spontaneous moment.

  • Nokia G21: You're at a farmer's market, and a vibrant display of flowers catches your eye. You quickly pull out your Nokia G21, using the depth sensor to capture a stunning portrait, blurring the background and focusing on the flower's delicate details. The macro lens allows you to get incredibly close to capture a bee landing on a petal.
  • Huawei nova Y90: While you also want to capture the market ambiance, the photos feel more standard. It takes a photo of the entire scene but not as intricate or with the same detail as the Nokia. It’s a great photo, but it doesn’t have that extra “pop.” The phase detection autofocus (PDAF) feature means you get great focus, so your image looks sharp and detailed.

Scenario 2: A long day out.

  • Nokia G21: With a slightly larger battery, you’re confident that it’ll last through the day, and if you need a boost, the included charger helps top it up at 10W.
  • Huawei nova Y90: The 40W fast charging allows you to quickly get more battery to finish your day. You can get back to your adventures quickly with a short charge.

Scenario 3: Immersive Entertainment

  • Nokia G21: While the screen is a bit smaller and has a lower resolution, it's a fine display for standard media consumption. It’s vibrant and clear, great for catching up on your favorite shows.
  • Huawei nova Y90: With its slightly larger screen and higher resolution, the phone offers a sharper display. When you're catching up on your favorite series or scrolling through social media, the difference is noticeable.

3. Inclusive Technology Evaluation:

  • For the Tech Minimalist: The Nokia G21 is user-friendly with a familiar interface and a lighter weight. The features are easy to grasp, and the Android OS is clean.
  • For the Photography Enthusiast: Nokia has more features for photography like a macro lens and a depth sensor for great portrait shots.
  • For the Multitasking User: The Huawei Nova Y90 offers 8GB RAM giving it the power for multiple apps and use.
  • For the On-the-Go User: The Huawei nova Y90 benefits from faster charging.

4. Design-Centric Decision Framework:

Choose the Nokia G21 if:

  • You want a familiar Android experience with an OS you know well.
  • You value a lightweight and easy to handle phone.
  • You enjoy taking detailed macro photos and portraits with depth.
  • You want a long-lasting battery.

Choose the Huawei nova Y90 if:

  • You want a more compact phone that is easy to hold.
  • You value a sharper display for media consumption.
  • You want faster charging.
  • You want more RAM for multitasking.

Conclusion

My Choice: If I were choosing, I would personally lean towards the Nokia G21. While the Huawei nova Y90 has its strengths, the G21’s focus on photography capabilities with the added features of a macro and depth lens is something I value. Also, its lightweight build makes it perfect for day-to-day use.

Why? The Nokia G21 seems to prioritize those small details that can have a significant impact on day-to-day use, offering more creative freedom in photography. It’s not about having the most powerful hardware, but about how the device enhances your daily experiences. The G21 has a comfortable, easy to use design with familiar software, making it a device that would feel like a natural extension of my day to day life.

Sophia Rodriguez
Sophia Rodriguez

Technology Communications Specialist

Expert in transforming complex technological innovations into accessible, engaging narratives.

Key Strengths:

  • Technology storytelling
  • User experience design analysis
  • Inclusive technology communication
  • Design-driven technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with human-centered understanding.