1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 163.3 × 74.7 × 8.4 mm | The Nova Y90 is slightly taller and thicker, though the difference is minimal, both will feel similar in hand. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 195g | The Redmi Note 10 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and less fatiguing to hold. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass 3 Screen | Unknown Screen protection | Redmi Note 10 offers better protection against scratches and minor impacts to the screen, while the screen protection on Nova Y90 is unclear. |
| ### Display |
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.43" | 6.7" | The Nova Y90 has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2388 | Both have similar resolutions, meaning they will appear sharp and detailed for everyday use. |
| PPI | 409 | 391 | Similar pixel density, will both look equally sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The AMOLED display on the Redmi Note 10 offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The Nova Y90 provides smoother scrolling and animations due to its higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | The Redmi Note 10 has much better visibility in bright sunlight due to its higher peak brightness, the peak brightness of the Nova Y90 is unknown, and as such, it is likely significantly worse than Redmi Note 10 in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 678 (11 nm) | Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | The Snapdragon 680 in the Nova Y90 is slightly more efficient due to its smaller manufacturing process, but the Snapdragon 678 in the Redmi Note 10 performs slightly better. |
| Antutu Score | 277,254 | 249,000 | The Redmi Note 10 demonstrates slightly better overall performance, offering smoother app launches and multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Adreno 610 | The Adreno 612 in the Redmi Note 10 offers marginally better graphics performance for gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor, 0.8µm pixels | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.7µm pixels | Both offer good image detail, the wider aperture of the Redmi Note 10 can allow for better low-light performance, while the 50MP on the Nova Y90 can capture slightly more detail in ideal conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06" sensor, 1.12µm pixels | 8MP, f/2.0, Pixel Size Unknown | The Redmi Note 10 should capture more detailed selfies with its higher-resolution sensor and larger pixel size. The wider aperture of the Nova Y90 can help with better low-light performance. |
| Wide-Angle | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor, 1.14µm pixels | None | The Redmi Note 10 offers a wide-angle lens which provides more versatile shooting options, allowing the user to capture more of a scene. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixels | None | Redmi Note 10 has a dedicated depth sensor for better bokeh effects in portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor, 1.75µm pixels | None | The Redmi Note 10 has a macro lens allowing users to take close up shots of small subjects. |
| Secondary Camera | None | 2MP, f/2.4, Pixel size Unknown | Nova Y90 has a secondary camera, but its function is unknown. |
| Tertiary Camera | None | 2MP, f/2.4, Pixel size Unknown | Nova Y90 has a tertiary camera, but its function is unknown. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, Slow-motion 960fps | 1080p@30fps, Slow-motion 30fps | The Redmi Note 10 offers higher video resolution for higher-quality footage and significantly higher frame-rate slow-motion. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have similar battery capacity, providing comparable all-day battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 40W Fast Charging | The Nova Y90 offers slightly faster charging, reducing the time spent waiting for your phone to power up. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | None | The Redmi Note 10 can be used to charge other devices via reverse charging, offering additional functionality. |
Storage
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 64GB or 128GB | 128GB | The Nova Y90 comes in one 128GB variant while Redmi Note 10 comes in either 64GB or 128GB, both being good for storing media and apps. |
| RAM | 4GB or 6GB | 4GB or 6GB or 8GB | The Nova Y90 has an 8GB option, which would provide superior multitasking and performance compared to both 4GB and 6GB options available on Redmi Note 10 |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage so users should consider the storage options they choose, and their storage needs. |
Other
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 12) | Unknown, likely Android 12 | The Redmi Note 10 has a known upgradability path to Android 12, providing newer features and security. The OS of the Nova Y90 is unknown, which may make it less desirable. |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio features | Redmi Note 10 offers superior audio quality, with stereo speakers providing better immersion for music and videos and Hi-Res Audio support, though the audio experience on the Nova Y90 may be acceptable. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | The Redmi Note 10 has more sensors including a gyroscope, offering better support for VR apps and gaming, while the Nova Y90 features a Gravity sensor. |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi MiMO | None | Redmi Note 10 has Wi-Fi MiMO offering faster speeds and more stable connections. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The Nova Y90 has QZSS support providing more accurate positioning in certain regions. |
| Bluetooth | HID profile | None | The Redmi Note 10 has HID support enabling it to connect to devices such as mice and keyboards. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED display with deeper blacks, better contrast, and higher peak brightness, making it better for outdoor visibility and visual experience.
- Better Performance: Higher Antutu scores and a slightly better GPU indicate marginally smoother general usage and slightly better gaming.
- More Camera Versatility: Includes a wide-angle lens, dedicated depth sensor, and macro lens, offering more creative options.
- Better Video: Supports 4K video recording and high framerate slow-motion videos, providing superior video recording capability.
- Enhanced Audio: Features Hi-Res Audio and stereo speakers for an overall better audio experience.
- More Sensors: Gyroscope sensor for better gaming and VR.
- Better Software Support: Guaranteed update to Android 12 is known and provides access to updated Android features.
- Better Connectivity Features: Has support for Wi-Fi MiMO and Bluetooth HID profiles.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices wirelessly, useful in certain scenarios.
Huawei nova Y90 Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Display: Larger screen size for a slightly more immersive viewing experience.
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate for smoother animations and scrolling.
- Faster Charging: 40W fast charging to replenish the battery quickly.
- More RAM Option: Available in an 8GB variant, which is better for multitasking.
- More GPS support: QZSS support for better GPS location accuracy in certain regions.
Trade-offs:
- The Redmi Note 10 has a superior display technology (AMOLED vs IPS LCD), better camera versatility, enhanced audio and performance. However, it is slightly heavier and has a lower refresh rate compared to the Huawei Nova Y90.
- The Huawei Nova Y90 offers faster charging, slightly larger display, and higher refresh rate, but it lacks features like a wider color gamut and peak brightness of AMOLED. The camera system is less versatile, and the software updates are unknown, potentially limiting its useful life.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Ideal User:
- Multimedia Consumers: Enjoys watching videos, browsing social media, and playing games, values the vibrant AMOLED display and enhanced audio experience.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Appreciates the versatile camera setup with wide-angle, depth and macro lenses and better video capabilities.
- Power Users: Prefers better performance and future Android updates, and likes the better performance for general usage and gaming.
- Users in Bright environments: Would like a display that is easily usable in bright sunlight.
- Users who want extra functionality: Users who value reverse charging and other additional features.
Use Cases:
- Enjoying high-quality video streaming on Netflix or YouTube.
- Taking a variety of photos in different scenarios with the wide-angle, standard, macro and portrait lenses.
- Playing graphically demanding games on the go.
- Having a screen that is usable in bright sunlight.
- Using the phone as a secondary charging source to charge accessories.
Huawei nova Y90 Ideal User:
- Casual Users: Prioritizes a smooth scrolling experience with a 90Hz refresh rate.
- Users Needing Faster Charging: Values quick charging for minimal downtime.
- Users in some regions needing better GPS The QZSS GPS support may be important in some regions.
Use Cases:
- Browsing social media and reading articles with a smoother, higher refresh-rate display.
- Quickly charging the phone during short breaks.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 generally offers a better overall value due to its superior display, more versatile camera, better performance, and other additional features, while being similar in price.
- The Huawei Nova Y90 might be a good choice if fast charging, and a slightly larger screen with a higher refresh rate are the top priorities, but the unknown OS version and missing display and camera features should be considered.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Display Preference: Do you prioritize vibrant colors and high brightness (AMOLED), or smoother scrolling (90Hz)?
- Camera Needs: Do you value versatile shooting options with multiple lenses (wide-angle, macro), or are you primarily using the standard camera?
- Performance vs Features: Do you prioritize marginally better performance, a better display, and better audio or do you prioritize faster charging?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Multimedia Enthusiasts: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 for its superior AMOLED display, enhanced audio, and better video capabilities.
- For Casual Browsing & Fast Charging: The Huawei nova Y90 is suitable for users who prioritize a slightly larger display, smooth scrolling and quick charging.
- For Photography Enthusiasts: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 for its more versatile camera setup and better photo and video quality.
- For Users wanting the best value: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 offers a better value due to its superior display, camera and other features.
- For Users concerned about software support: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is the superior choice since the OS and update capabilities of the Huawei Nova Y90 is unknown.
My Choice
Based on my analysis, I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10.
Reasons:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED display with its better contrast, vibrancy, and high brightness is a significant advantage for me. I frequently consume media on my phone and prefer a higher-quality display. The vastly superior peak brightness will also mean that the phone is more useful in bright sunlight, meaning it is more usable at all times.
- More Versatile Camera: I prefer having the wide-angle, depth, and macro lens for varied photography scenarios. Additionally, I prefer the better video recording capabilities the Redmi Note 10 has.
- Better Performance: The slightly better benchmark results and GPU give the Redmi Note 10 an edge, which would lead to a slightly better experience in general use, and gaming.
- Feature Rich: Reverse charging, better audio, the gyroscope sensor, and Wi-Fi MiMO support make the Redmi Note 10 a more complete package.
- Software Updates: The known software update path for the Redmi Note 10 is also an important factor for me, as I prefer to have a phone that receives updates, and that is up-to-date with the latest features.
- Overall Value: Considering the advantages in display, camera, and other features, I think the Redmi Note 10 offers a better overall value at a similar price point.
While the Huawei nova Y90 offers a larger display and a 90Hz refresh rate, the advantages of the Redmi Note 10 are more aligned with my usage habits and preferences, and as such, the Redmi Note 10 is the superior option.
