Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. Huawei nova Y90
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 163.3 × 74.7 × 8.4 mm | Realme 8 is slightly more compact and thinner, potentially more comfortable for smaller hands and easier to pocket. The Huawei nova Y90 is slightly taller and thicker. |
| Weight | 177g | 195g | Realme 8 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying around. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | Huawei nova Y90 offers a slightly larger screen, which can be more immersive for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2388 | Both provide similar sharpness for daily use; the difference is negligible. |
| PPI | 411 | 391 | Realme 8 has a slightly sharper display due to higher pixel density, which can be noticeable in fine text and detailed images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Realme 8's AMOLED offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors compared to the IPS LCD of the Huawei nova Y90. Also more power-efficient with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Huawei nova Y90 provides a slightly smoother scrolling and animation experience thanks to its higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8's higher brightness makes it significantly more usable in bright outdoor conditions. The Huawei nova Y90's 0 nits specification suggests the data is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm) | Realme 8's Helio G95 offers superior raw performance for demanding tasks like gaming, while the Snapdragon 680 is more energy-efficient for daily use. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 249,000 | Realme 8 has significantly higher benchmark score, indicating faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 610 | Realme 8's Mali-G76 provides better graphics rendering capabilities, which can translate to a better gaming experience. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Realme 8 has a higher megapixel count and wider aperture, potentially capturing more detailed and brighter images, especially in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Realme 8 has a higher megapixel front camera for more detailed selfies, while the Huawei nova Y90 has a wider aperture for potentially better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25 | Not Available | Realme 8 has a wide-angle lens for capturing expansive landscapes and group photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | Realme 8 features a macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | Realme 8 features a dedicated black and white lens. |
| Secondary Camera | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4 | Huawei nova Y90 features an additional secondary camera, but the purpose is unclear, often depth sensing, if so, improves bokeh in portrait mode. |
| Tertiary Camera | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4 | Huawei nova Y90 features an additional tertiary camera, but the purpose is unclear, often depth sensing, if so, improves bokeh in portrait mode. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Realme 8 offers higher resolution video recording, which allows for more detailed and higher-quality video capture. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have a similar battery capacity, which should provide comparable battery life for typical daily usage. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 40W Fast Charging | Huawei nova Y90 supports faster charging, which means less time plugged in to get the battery fully charged. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Not specified | Realme 8 runs on Android 11, while the OS of the Huawei nova Y90 is unknown. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5, MIMO | Wi-Fi 5 | Both have similar Wi-Fi capabilities, though Realme 8 includes MIMO for potentially better speeds and stability in some setups. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE, HID | 5.0 LE | Realme 8 has a slightly newer Bluetooth version for potentially better stability and efficiency, as well as a HID profile for connecting to certain devices. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Huawei nova Y90 supports QZSS for potentially more accurate location tracking in specific regions. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB | Both come with a 128 GB option; Realme 8 also has a 64 GB base option. |
| RAM | 4 GB, 6 GB, or 8 GB | 4 GB, 6 GB, or 8 GB | Both phones are available with options for 4, 6, or 8 GB of RAM, allowing users to choose the optimal balance between price and multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so users are limited to the internal storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Basic audio features | Realme 8 offers superior quality audio playback. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | Huawei nova Y90 has a more convenient and potentially faster side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Compass, Gravity, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Realme 8 includes sensors relevant to gaming while the Huawei nova Y90 has a compass and gravity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology offers significantly better image quality with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and higher contrast. Also superior brightness for outdoor use.
- Higher Performance: The Helio G95 chipset and higher AnTuTu benchmark score indicate superior performance, making it better suited for gaming and demanding apps.
- Better Camera System: Features a higher resolution main camera, an ultrawide lens and a dedicated macro and black and white lens. It also offers higher quality video recording capabilities at 4K.
- Better Audio Quality: Offers Hi-Res Audio.
- More Sensors: Offers more sensors for advanced use cases.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.1 for better connectivity and efficiency.
- More Wi-Fi Features: Including MIMO for better wireless speeds.
Practical Implications: The Realme 8 is better for users who prioritize media consumption, gaming, and overall performance. The superior display makes it more immersive for viewing content, and the more powerful processor ensures smoother performance for gaming and multitasking. The better camera capabilities allow for more versatility in capturing photos and videos in different scenarios.
Huawei nova Y90 Advantages:
- Larger Display: Slightly larger screen for a more immersive viewing experience.
- Faster Charging: 40W fast charging reduces the time needed to charge the device.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 90Hz display refresh rate results in smoother animations and scrolling compared to the Realme 8's 60Hz display.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient and faster to access.
- More GPS Systems: Supports QZSS for potentially more accurate location tracking.
- More Sensors: Includes a compass and gravity sensor.
- Additional Cameras: While the quality and use is not specified, the addition of depth sensors can improve the camera's bokeh.
Practical Implications: The Huawei nova Y90 is better suited for users who value a larger display, faster charging, and a smoother display refresh rate for daily use. The added convenience of a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and better GPS tracking may also be beneficial for certain users.
Trade-offs: The Realme 8 sacrifices the smoother 90Hz refresh rate and faster charging for a superior AMOLED display, higher performance, and a more versatile camera system. The Huawei nova Y90 trades the high-end display, processing power, and camera versatility for a larger screen, faster charging, and smoother animations.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8:
- Ideal User: Gamers, media enthusiasts, photography enthusiasts, users who demand higher performance.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, high-resolution video streaming, capturing high-quality photos and videos, multitasking between demanding apps.
- Price-to-Value: Good for users looking for a performance-oriented phone with a high-quality display and capable camera at a competitive price.
Huawei nova Y90:
- Ideal User: General users, casual gamers, users who prioritize a larger display, faster charging, and smooth scrolling.
- Use Cases: Social media browsing, watching videos, basic gaming, long-lasting battery with faster charging for on-the-go users.
- Price-to-Value: A good option for users seeking a large display and a smooth user experience at a competitive price point with good all-around performance for everyday tasks.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary usage pattern? (Gaming, media consumption, photography, general use)
- How important is display quality? (Do you prefer vibrant colors and deep blacks of AMOLED, or a smoother 90Hz refresh rate?)
- What is your budget and what are your key priorities? (Are you willing to sacrifice some aspects for another, such as performance for display?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
For the Gamer: Choose the Realme 8 for its higher performance, superior graphics capabilities and sensors, which will provide a better gaming experience.
For the Media Enthusiast: Choose the Realme 8 for its AMOLED display that provides richer colors and deeper blacks, and better outdoor visibility.
For the Everyday User: The choice between both will depend on what the user is looking for. If the user wants a device with a smoother display and faster charging, then the Huawei nova Y90 is a better option. If the user wants better display quality and better performing cameras, then the Realme 8 is the better option.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally choose the Realme 8.
Here's why:
- Display: The AMOLED display on the Realme 8 is a significant advantage for me. The superior contrast, vibrant colors, and deeper blacks enhance the overall visual experience, especially when watching videos or viewing photos. Also, the higher brightness is important to me as it will improve visibility in outdoor settings.
- Performance: As someone who occasionally plays mobile games and uses multiple apps at the same time, the superior performance of the Realme 8's chipset is more aligned with my usage. It ensures smoother multitasking and overall better performance for demanding tasks.
- Camera Versatility: The addition of an ultrawide, macro and black & white lens gives the camera system more versatility compared to the Huawei nova Y90. Also, the option to record in 4K provides higher quality video.
- Value for Money: Despite the faster charging of the Huawei nova Y90, I believe the Realme 8 offers a more compelling combination of performance, display quality, and camera capabilities for the price.
While the Huawei nova Y90 offers a larger screen and faster charging, the Realme 8's strengths in display technology, performance, and camera versatility are more aligned with my priorities as a user. Also, the missing brightness spec on the Huawei nova Y90 is a concern.
