Okay, let's dive deep into the OnePlus Nord 2T and the Huawei nova Y90. I'm going to put on my tech journalist hat and break down these specs into a digestible, real-world comparison.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table to help you see the key differences and what they mean for your daily usage:
| Feature | OnePlus Nord 2T | Huawei nova Y90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.1 x 73.2 x 8.2 mm, 190g | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm, 195g | The Nord 2T is slightly more compact and lighter, making it potentially more comfortable for one-handed use and carrying around. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are typical candy bar smartphones. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.7" | The nova Y90's display is slightly larger for a more immersive viewing experience, great for watching videos. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2388 | Both phones offer a sharp and clear viewing experience, suitable for everyday tasks and media consumption. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 409 | 391 | Both have similar pixel density, meaning screens will look equally sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The Nord 2T's AMOLED screen will provide deeper blacks, richer colors, and potentially better power efficiency when using dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both phones offer smooth scrolling and transitions, making the user interface feel responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both screens are probably the same in terms of brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 1300 (6 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | The Nord 2T's chipset is significantly more powerful, translating to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 699,576 | 249,000 | The Nord 2T's benchmark score is dramatically higher, confirming its superior performance capabilities. |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MC9 | Adreno 610 | The Nord 2T's GPU is much more powerful, providing a better experience for graphic-intensive tasks and gaming. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | The nova Y90 has a larger battery, suggesting longer battery life, especially for heavy users. |
| Charging | 80W Fast Charging | 40W Fast Charging | The Nord 2T charges much faster, getting you back to full power quickly. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both phones offer similar battery features |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, Sony IMX766, 1.0µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.7µm pixel size | Both phones have a 50MP main camera, but the Nord 2T boasts a larger sensor and pixel size, which generally results in better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.4, Sony IMX615, 0.8µm pixel size | 8MP, f/2.0 | The Nord 2T has a much higher-resolution selfie camera, making it ideal for those who prioritize self-portraits and video calls. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP | No | The Nord 2T offers a wide-angle lens for capturing expansive landscapes. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP | No | The Nord 2T has an additional sensor, which might be helpful in some specific scenarios. |
| Secondary Lens | No | 2MP | Huawei Nova Y90 has additional cameras. |
| Tertiary Lens | No | 2MP | Huawei Nova Y90 has additional cameras. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps | The Nord 2T can record higher-quality videos, offering sharper visuals with EIS. |
| DXOMark | Main: 114, Photo: 119, Video: 123 | Not tested | Only the OnePlus has been tested, and it delivers an okay experience. |
| Features | OIS, 4K Video, Night Mode | Panorama | The OnePlus boasts some additional features including OIS and Night Mode, while Huawei has panorama functionality. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12, Upgradable to 14 | Unknown | The Nord 2T is running on Android, with upgrades to 14, while the Huawei has some other unknown OS. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6, MiMO | Wi-Fi 5 | The Nord 2T supports the faster Wi-Fi 6 standard, offering better performance on compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 with aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.0 | The Nord 2T has a newer version with more audio codec support, which can improve wireless audio quality. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), NavIC | QZSS | The Nord 2T has a more comprehensive GPS system, offering more accurate positioning. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both phones support dual SIMs for convenience. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB | The Nord 2T provides more storage for those needing more space for apps, media, and files. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB | The Nord 2T is available with more RAM, translating to better multitasking performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion via microSD card. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Mic | Basic Audio | The Nord 2T has more advanced audio capabilities for music, video and calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Huawei has a more advanced side mounted fingerprint reader. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | The Nord 2T's screen is more scratch-resistant. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor, Gravity | The Nord 2T has some additional sensors, while Huawei has a Gravity and an Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor. |
2. Key Insights
OnePlus Nord 2T Strengths:
- Performance King: The MediaTek Dimensity 1300 chipset significantly outperforms the Snapdragon 680, making it ideal for gaming, heavy multitasking, and running demanding apps.
- Superior Display: The AMOLED screen offers better color vibrancy, deeper blacks, and potentially more efficient power consumption.
- Camera Versatility: It boasts a better main camera sensor, higher-resolution selfie camera, plus wide-angle and black-and-white lenses for more creative options.
- Faster Charging: The 80W fast charging is substantially quicker than the 40W charging of the Huawei nova Y90.
- Better Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 offer faster and more reliable wireless connections.
Huawei nova Y90 Strengths:
- Larger Battery: Its 5000 mAh battery offers slightly longer usage times, especially for users who don't want to charge their phone often.
- Bigger Screen: The larger screen might be better for media consumption and immersive viewing experiences.
- Secondary Lenses: the phone has a dedicated Macro sensor.
- Side Mounted Sensor: A side mounted fingerprint sensor is more ergonomic for some users.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- OnePlus Nord 2T: The smaller battery might require more frequent charging for heavy users despite the 80W fast charging, which might not be a bad thing for most users. No expandable storage, which could be a deal breaker for those who want to keep lots of large media files.
- Huawei nova Y90: Significantly weaker performance, an inferior display, and the camera setup isn't as capable as the Nord 2T. The lack of a proper operating system might also be a dealbreaker.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- OnePlus Nord 2T:
- Ideal for: Gamers, power users, content creators, and anyone who values performance and camera quality.
- Use Case: Playing graphically intense games, editing photos and videos, multitasking with several demanding applications, and enjoying high-quality media on a vibrant screen.
- Huawei nova Y90:
- Ideal for: Casual users, media consumers, and those who prioritize battery life and a larger display.
- Use Case: Browsing the web, watching videos, social media, and basic everyday tasks.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- Performance: How much do you value fast performance and smooth multitasking? If these are a priority, the Nord 2T is the clear choice.
- Battery: How much do you value battery life? If longevity is paramount, the Huawei nova Y90's larger battery might be appealing.
- Camera Needs: How often do you use your camera, and do you prioritize high-quality selfies and versatile photo options? If yes, the Nord 2T offers a superior experience.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- The Gamer: If you want a phone for gaming and pushing it to its limits, the OnePlus Nord 2T is the clear winner.
- The Media Lover: For viewing videos, TV shows, and movies on the go, the Huawei nova Y90, may be better due to the bigger display and battery but the screen and the lack of Wide Angle camera, makes the OnePlus Nord 2T the better device.
- The Social Media Creator: The OnePlus Nord 2T's higher-resolution camera with better low-light capabilities and video quality makes it a far better device.
My Choice
If I were buying, I would choose the OnePlus Nord 2T. Here's why:
- Performance is King: I appreciate a fast and responsive device that handles everything smoothly, and the Dimensity 1300 chipset provides a much better experience compared to the Snapdragon 680.
- Better Display: The AMOLED panel is a major plus, offering superior visual quality, which I value since I consume a lot of videos on my phone.
- Camera Matters: The better camera performance, especially in low light, along with 4K video recording makes the Nord 2T a better option for capturing memories and daily vlogging.
- Fast Charging: The 80W fast charging would allow me to charge my phone when needed, instead of waiting hours for it to fill up.
While the Huawei nova Y90 has a bigger battery and a larger display, I find the overall package of the OnePlus Nord 2T more appealing for my everyday needs and the device is not only better on paper, but in real-world scenarios.
