1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A12 and Huawei nova Y90, focusing on the practical implications of their specifications:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 163.3 × 74.7 × 8.4 mm | The Huawei is slightly smaller, potentially more comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 205g | 195g | Huawei nova Y90 is lighter, may feel less tiring during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Huawei nova Y90 provides a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2388 | The Huawei nova Y90's higher resolution results in sharper, clearer visuals and text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 391 | Huawei nova Y90's higher PPI offers a noticeably clearer display, reducing pixelation. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | IPS LCD generally offers wider viewing angles and better color reproduction compared to PLS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Huawei nova Y90's 90Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits, which is an unusual result, may need further verification. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm) | Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm) | The Snapdragon 680 in the Huawei is significantly more powerful and efficient. It handles demanding apps and games better. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 249,000 | Huawei nova Y90 offers a much smoother user experience, faster app loading, better for gaming. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 is superior, giving the Huawei a significant advantage in gaming and graphics performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both provide similar battery life. Expect a full day of use under normal conditions. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 40W fast charging | Huawei charges much faster, reducing time spent plugged in. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Huawei's wider aperture (f/1.8) allows more light, potentially better low-light photos. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Huawei's slightly wider aperture (f/2.0) offers slightly better low-light selfies. |
| Additional Lenses (Rear) | Telephoto, Wide Angle, Portrait | Secondary, Tertiary | The Galaxy A12 offers versatile lenses for zoom, wide and depth, while Huawei offers only secondary depth cameras. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both offer similar standard video recording quality. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 12) | Android 12 | Huawei may offer a more recent Android version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Huawei supports faster Wi-Fi standards, offering improved speed and range. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 LE | Both offer good range and speeds. Huawei has LE for less power consumption |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Huawei supports more global navigation systems, potentially providing more accurate positioning. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 128 GB | Huawei provides only a 128GB option. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 4/6/8 GB | Huawei offers potentially better multitasking performance with more RAM options. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion via MicroSD. |
| Other | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic Audio Features | Basic Audio Features | Both provide similar basic audio output. |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Both provide the same basic level of biometric security. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Details of screen protection is unavailable. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Huawei has additional sensors such as compass which might be useful for navigation and other applications. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- More versatile camera lenses: Offers dedicated telephoto, wide-angle and depth lenses, providing more options for creative shots, and a higher DxoMark score.
- Potentially lower price: Older model, could be found at a lower price point.
- Availability: May have wider availability in some regions.
Practical Implications: The versatile camera setup is beneficial for users who enjoy experimenting with different types of photography. Its lower price may make it more accessible for budget-conscious users.
Huawei nova Y90 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 680 chipset provides much better performance for daily tasks, multitasking, and gaming compared to the Mediatek Helio P35.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density result in a noticeably clearer and more detailed display.
- Smoother Experience: The 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations much smoother.
- Faster Charging: 40W fast charging significantly reduces charging times, a major convenience.
- More RAM: Higher RAM configurations enable smoother multitasking.
- More Advanced Wi-Fi: Supports newer 802.11ac standard for faster Wi-Fi speeds and more connectivity options like Wi-Fi display.
- Better Connectivity: Supports additional GPS standards for more precise navigation.
Practical Implications: The Huawei provides a significantly better user experience for anyone looking for smooth performance and a good visual experience. The fast charging is a huge convenience.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Huawei nova Y90 offers less versatile camera lenses.
- The Samsung Galaxy A12 lacks the higher performance, faster charging, and better display of the Huawei nova Y90.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, those who prioritize versatile camera lenses and have basic smartphone needs.
- Use Cases: Basic web browsing, social media, casual photography, a daily driver for users who are not very demanding.
- Price-to-Value: Offers decent value for the price, particularly for users who prioritize camera versatility and do not need powerful processing.
Huawei nova Y90:
- Ideal User: Users who value smooth performance, a sharp display, fast charging and good connectivity, and casual gamers.
- Use Cases: Daily use, social media, media consumption, some light gaming, for users who prefer a good overall experience.
- Price-to-Value: Offers excellent value for users who prioritize a good user experience with smooth performance and a sharp display.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Priority: How important is smooth performance, especially for gaming and multitasking? If it is high, then go with the Huawei nova Y90.
- Camera Needs: How important is having versatile camera lenses? If it is very high, then go with the Samsung Galaxy A12.
- Budget: What is the maximum budget for your next smartphone? If it is very constrained, then go with the Samsung Galaxy A12.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious Casual User: If you're on a tight budget and just need a phone for basic tasks and occasional photos, the Samsung Galaxy A12 could suffice, as long as you accept a less powerful processor.
- Scenario 2: Performance & Display User: If you prioritize smooth performance, a sharp display, and fast charging, the Huawei nova Y90 is the clear choice for daily use, gaming, and multimedia consumption.
- Scenario 3: Enthusiast Photographer: If you like to have more creative control with the camera, and require telephoto and wide angle lenses, then Samsung Galaxy A12 could be a better option.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Huawei nova Y90.
Reasoning:
While the Samsung Galaxy A12 offers more versatile camera lenses, the Huawei nova Y90 provides a far superior overall user experience due to its significantly better performance, sharper display, smoother 90Hz refresh rate, and much faster charging. The superior Snapdragon 680 chipset and Adreno 610 GPU in the Huawei make a tangible difference in day-to-day use, resulting in smoother multitasking and faster app loading. I value overall performance and a good display over having dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lenses. The Huawei's faster charging is also a huge convenience. Given the choice between a slightly more versatile camera and significantly improved overall performance, the latter is more important to me for a daily use smartphone.
