Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A02 vs. Huawei nova Y70 Plus
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.1 mm | 168.3 × 77.7 × 9 mm | Huawei is slightly taller and wider, but both are the same thickness. This means Huawei might feel slightly larger in hand and less comfortable for people with small hands. |
| Weight | 206g | 199g | Huawei is slightly lighter, which might be noticeable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.75" | Huawei has a slightly larger screen, providing a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1600 | Both have the same resolution, so image sharpness will be similar. |
| PPI | 270 | 260 | Very similar pixel density meaning similar sharpness on the display. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | IPS LCD offers generally better viewing angles and color reproduction than PLS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both have standard refresh rates, suitable for normal use. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | The maximum brightness is not available for both phones, which would be crucial to see the screen well under bright sun light. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739W (28 nm) | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Kirin 710A is a significantly more powerful processor, offering faster app loading, better multitasking, and smoother gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 50,774 | 103,500 | Huawei has more than double the benchmark score of the Samsung, which means a big difference in day to day performance |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | Mali-G51 MP4 | Huawei's GPU is more capable, resulting in better graphics performance for games and demanding apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 13MP (f/1.9) | 48MP (f/1.8) | Huawei's main camera has much higher resolution and a slightly wider aperture, resulting in better image detail and low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 5MP (f/2.0) | 8MP (f/2.0) | Huawei's front camera has higher resolution, which translates to more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | No | 5MP (f/2.2) | Huawei has an additional wide-angle lens for capturing more of the scene. |
| Portrait Lens | No | 2MP (f/2.4) | Huawei offers a dedicated depth sensor, enhancing portrait mode photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | No | Samsung has a macro lens for very close-up photos. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both can record 1080p videos, but Huawei supports 120fps slow-motion video. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Dual camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Huawei's Camera has additional capabilities such as 4k Video recording and phase detection auto focus. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | Huawei has a larger battery, potentially providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 7.5W | 22.5W | Huawei supports much faster charging, allowing for quicker top-ups. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Li-Polymer is generally considered safer and more durable than Li-Ion. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 11) | Android 11 (missing version for max upgrade) | The Huawei phone ships with a newer Android version out of the box, but the maximum software support is missing. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n, Hotspot | 802.11b/g/n, Dual Band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | Huawei has more Wi-Fi features for added versatility. |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 LE, A2DP | 5.1 LE, A2DP, EDR, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Huawei has a newer Bluetooth version with more advanced audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Huawei has more satellite support for more accurate navigation. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both offer Dual SIM dual standby capabilities. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64 GB | 64/128 GB | Huawei offers more storage space. |
| RAM | 2/3/4 GB | 4 GB | Huawei has a sufficient amount of RAM. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phones supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Audio | Dolby Atmos | Basic audio features | Samsung provides a better audio experience due to Dolby Atmos support. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Basic | Side-mounted fingerprint | Huawei offers a fingerprint sensor for quick and secure unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | The type of screen protection for both devices is unknown |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Huawei has additional biometric sensors |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A02 Advantages:
- Dolby Atmos Audio: Enhanced audio experience for immersive media consumption.
- Macro Lens: Capability to take close-up photos with a dedicated macro camera.
Practical Implications:
- Dolby Atmos provides a superior sound experience for listening to music or watching movies, though differences might be subtle through the phone's speaker.
- The macro lens allows for creative close-up photography of small objects or textures, but this is niche and might not be used regularly by all users.
Huawei nova Y70 Plus Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: Faster chipset (Kirin 710A) offers smoother multitasking, quicker app loading, and better gaming performance.
- Larger Display: 6.75" IPS LCD screen provides a more immersive viewing experience with better display technology.
- Superior Camera System: Higher resolution main camera (48MP) and selfie camera (8MP), plus additional wide-angle and depth lenses.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: 6000mAh battery and 22.5W fast charging mean longer battery life and quicker top-ups.
- More Connectivity Features: Newer Bluetooth 5.1 with advanced codecs, and more satellite navigation support.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Added biometric security.
- More Storage: Larger base storage configurations.
Practical Implications:
- Improved performance is noticeable in everyday use, from browsing and social media to more demanding applications and gaming.
- The larger screen makes media consumption more enjoyable, and the IPS display provides a better viewing experience.
- The superior camera allows for higher quality photos and more versatile shooting options.
- The larger battery provides significantly longer usage per charge, reducing the need to charge frequently.
- Faster charging minimizes downtime for topping up the battery.
- The fingerprint sensor offers an easy and secure way to unlock the phone.
- More storage means more space for apps, photos, videos, and other files.
Trade-offs:
- The Huawei nova Y70 Plus does not have a dedicated macro lens, this feature is only available on the Samsung Galaxy A02.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A02:
- Ideal User: Basic user on a very tight budget with basic smartphone needs, prioritising audio quality.
- Use Cases:
- Casual social media browsing
- Making calls and sending texts
- Listening to music
- Basic photography with the macro lens
Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Ideal User: Value-conscious users who needs a dependable phone with great battery life and solid performance.
- Use Cases:
- Daily usage with moderate multitasking
- Watching videos and browsing the web
- Capturing photos and videos
- Some light gaming
- Users who need all day battery life
Price-to-Value:
- The Huawei nova Y70 Plus offers much better price-to-value if the pricing is not very different, due to its significantly superior performance, camera, battery, and features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? If you're extremely budget-constrained, the Samsung might be a choice (though it may be better to explore other phones in this price range), but if the pricing is not that different, the Huawei Nova Y70 Plus is a much better option for the value.
- How important is performance? If you frequently use multiple apps, play games, or want a smoother experience, the Huawei's processor makes a big difference.
- What kind of photos do I take? If you are mainly taking standard photos the Huawei is far better. If you are looking to take very close up photos the Samsung would be a better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Extremely tight budget, basic usage: If the user has extremely tight budget, then the Samsung Galaxy A02 could be an option, but the Huawei Nova Y70 Plus provides a far superior device for the money.
- Scenario 2: Balance of features and performance: The Huawei nova Y70 Plus is the better choice, offering a much more versatile and complete smartphone experience.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Huawei nova Y70 Plus. While the Samsung Galaxy A02 might be slightly more affordable, the Huawei offers significant improvements in nearly every area that truly matters for daily usage. The far better performance, superior camera, much larger battery with fast charging, and additional features like the fingerprint sensor, more storage, and more connectivity features make it a much more versatile and useful device. The value proposition of the Huawei phone is much higher than the Samsung phone, and the sacrifice of a Macro lens camera is not really worth it.
