Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy M12 vs. Huawei nova Y90
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 163.3 × 74.7 × 8.4 mm | Huawei nova Y90 is slightly more compact and thinner, making it easier to hold and potentially pocket-friendly. |
| Weight | 212g | 195g | Huawei nova Y90 is lighter, which could be more comfortable for extended use and reduce strain during prolonged periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Huawei nova Y90 has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and reading. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2388 | Huawei nova Y90 has a sharper display, resulting in crisper text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 391 | Huawei nova Y90's higher PPI will result in visibly clearer visuals, less pixelation, and improved details. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | Huawei nova Y90's IPS LCD generally offers better viewing angles and color accuracy compared to PLS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations for a better visual experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | This spec is not available for either phone. It's difficult to assess real world usage for brightness with this data. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Huawei nova Y90's Snapdragon 680 is more powerful, leading to faster app loading and smoother performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 249,000 | Huawei nova Y90 offers significantly better overall performance, better gaming capabilities. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 610 | Huawei nova Y90's Adreno 610 offers superior graphics performance for gaming and GPU-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.7µm | Huawei nova Y90 has a brighter aperture, which may result in better low-light performance; Higher resolution on main lens. |
| Selfie Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Huawei nova Y90 has a wider aperture, resulting in brighter and clearer selfie photos. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | None | Samsung Galaxy M12 allows for ultrawide shots, capturing more of the scene. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung Galaxy M12 can take bokeh effect portrait pictures. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung Galaxy M12 has a dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up shots. |
| Secondary Camera | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Huawei nova Y90 has a 2MP dedicated secondary lens. |
| Tertiary Camera | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Huawei nova Y90 has a 2MP dedicated tertiary lens. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both record at the same resolution and framerate. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery sizes, suggesting comparable battery life for daily tasks. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 40W Fast Charging | Huawei nova Y90 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Samsung Galaxy M12 has an operating system listed, while Huawei nova Y90 does not. This information is important to evaluate user experience. | |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n | 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11n 5GHz, 802.11ac | Huawei nova Y90 supports 5GHz bands and the 802.11ac standard, meaning faster and more stable Wi-Fi performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 LE | Samsung Galaxy M12 supports a wider variety of bluetooth protocols, while Huawei nova Y90 supports low energy bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Huawei nova Y90 supports additional global navigation systems for more accurate location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 128 GB | Huawei nova Y90 has a single 128GB configuration, providing ample storage; Samsung Galaxy M12 has variants of lower storage options. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 4/6/8 GB | Huawei nova Y90 has more RAM options, especially the 8GB, which improves multitasking and app performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Samsung Galaxy M12 has a Gyroscope; Huawei nova Y90 has a compass and ultrasonic virtual proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Versatile Camera System: Offers dedicated wide-angle, macro, and depth sensors, providing more flexibility in photography.
- Gyroscope Sensor: More robust motion tracking in games and applications compared to the Huawei nova Y90.
- Wider range of Bluetooth profiles: More compatibility for various bluetooth devices, if that's something you need.
Huawei nova Y90 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 680 chipset and higher AnTuTu score offer significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper and more detailed screen for a better viewing experience.
- Faster Charging: 40W fast charging provides a much quicker top-up, reducing downtime.
- More RAM options: Up to 8GB, allowing for smoother multitasking and improved app performance.
- Improved Wi-Fi: Supports newer Wi-Fi standards and 5GHz bands for faster and more reliable internet connections.
- More global navigation systems: Supports additional navigation systems to provide more accurate tracking.
- Dedicated secondary and tertiary camera sensors. This might improve overall picture quality.
- Ultrasonic proximity sensor. Offers a more reliable detection of objects in close proximity than traditional infrared sensors.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy M12 sacrifices overall performance for a more versatile camera system and additional sensors, but the lower resolution screen is less desirable.
- Huawei nova Y90 offers better performance and display quality, but its camera system is more basic and may not appeal to those who want a wide range of photographic options or are looking for a gyroscope sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12:
- Ideal User: Casual users or those who prioritize versatile camera features (wide, macro, portrait) above overall performance.
- Use Cases:
- Users who enjoy creative photography and want a range of lens options.
- Users who occasionally game but don't prioritize high performance.
- Those on a tight budget but still looking for a decent all-rounder.
Huawei nova Y90:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize speed, performance, and screen quality; Gamers on a budget will get more out of this phone.
- Use Cases:
- Users who heavily multitask, game, or rely on their phone for demanding apps.
- Users who consume a lot of media and want a sharp, vibrant display.
- Users who require fast charging for on-the-go usage.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is camera versatility (wide-angle, macro) to you? If you frequently use different lens options, the Galaxy M12 is more appealing.
- How much do you prioritize speed and gaming performance? If these are important, the Huawei nova Y90 is a clear winner.
- Is fast charging a priority for your use case? If you need to quickly charge your phone, the nova Y90 is a much better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User, Budget Focused: If your main uses are social media, calls, and basic web browsing, the Samsung Galaxy M12 offers a more affordable all rounder; if you have a little extra budget, the Huawei nova Y90 will provide a much better experience.
- Scenario 2: Photo Enthusiast: The Samsung Galaxy M12's versatile camera setup might be preferred, but the Huawei nova Y90 will provide better picture quality from its main lens, and will not disappoint.
- Scenario 3: Gaming/Performance Seeker: The Huawei nova Y90 is clearly the better option, due to its stronger chipset, better display, and larger RAM capacity.
My Choice
I would choose the Huawei nova Y90. Despite the Samsung Galaxy M12's versatile camera system, the overall performance difference is significant. The Huawei nova Y90's Snapdragon 680 chipset and higher AnTuTu score will provide a smoother, more responsive experience for daily tasks and gaming. The sharper display, faster charging, and more RAM are also important for a better long-term user experience. While the M12's extra cameras are nice, the Nova Y90's significantly better general performance is a higher priority in my day-to-day usage.
