Honor 50 SE vs Huawei nova Y90: A Detailed Comparison

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor 50 SE and Huawei nova Y90 are two strong contenders vying for your attention. Both offer attractive designs and competitive features, but which one truly delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Honor 50 SE takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster chipset, quicker charging, and generally more powerful performance. While the nova Y90 boasts a decent display and camera, the Honor's raw power and charging speed make it the better choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Honor 50 SE	Huawei nova Y90

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
5G bands	1, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA	-
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	CDMA2000 1x	-

Launch
Announced	2021, June 16	2022, June 23
Status	Available. Released 2021, July 02	Available. Released 2022, July 27

Body
Dimensions	164.7 x 75.6 x 8 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.31 in)	163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.94 x 0.33 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	191 g (6.74 oz)	195 g (6.88 oz)

Display
Resolution	1080 x 2388 pixels (~387 ppi density)	1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density)
Size	6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio)	6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 120Hz	IPS LCD, 90Hz

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver)
Chipset	Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm)	Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)
GPU	Mali-G78 MC4	Adreno 610
OS	Android 11, Magic UI 4.2	EMUI 12

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM	128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single	16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)	8 MP, f/2.0
Triple	108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 17mm (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)	50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)	8 MP, f/2.0
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	Yes
35mm jack	No	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	5.1, A2DP, LE	5.0, A2DP, LE
NFC	No	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass
	Virtual proximity sensing	Virtual proximity sensing

Battery
Charging	66W wired, 75% in 20 min	40W wired, 50% in 30 min
Type	Li-Po 4000 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Blue, Silver	Crystal Blue, Pearl White, Emerald Green, Midnight Black
Models	JLH-AN00	CTR-LX2, CTR-LX1, CTR-LX3
Price	About 310 EUR	About 160 EUR

Honor 50 SE

Faster Processor (Dimensity 900)
66W Fast Charging
90Hz Display (Likely)
Generally better performance

Potentially less versatile camera system
Design might be less distinctive than the nova Y90

Huawei nova Y90

Potentially larger display
Versatile camera system (likely)
Competitive price (region dependent)

Slower Processor (Snapdragon 680)
40W Charging (slower)
Likely 60Hz display
Lower overall performance

Display Comparison

Both phones feature large displays, with the nova Y90 potentially having a slight edge in size (likely around 6.5 inches vs 6.43 inches for the Honor 50 SE). However, the Honor 50 SE likely has a higher refresh rate (90Hz vs potentially 60Hz on the nova Y90), resulting in smoother scrolling and animations. Color accuracy and brightness are likely comparable, though specific panel types will influence the final viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

The Huawei nova Y90 likely has a more versatile camera system, potentially including a higher resolution main sensor and a dedicated macro lens. However, the Honor 50 SE's image processing capabilities, powered by its stronger chipset, could result in better overall image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Both phones likely offer decent front-facing cameras for selfies.

Performance

This is where the Honor 50 SE shines. The Mediatek Dimensity 900 is a considerably more powerful chipset than the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Honor 50 SE. The nova Y90 will handle everyday tasks adequately, but will struggle with more demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Honor 50 SE's 66W fast charging is a major advantage. It can charge the battery to 75% in just 20 minutes, significantly faster than the nova Y90's 40W charging, which takes 30 minutes to reach 50%. Battery capacity is likely similar (around 4000-4500 mAh), so the Honor 50 SE will also likely offer faster top-ups.

Buying Guide

The Honor 50 SE is ideal for users who prioritize performance and fast charging, especially gamers or those who frequently multitask. The Huawei nova Y90 is a good option for users who value a large display, a reliable camera for everyday photos, and a more budget-friendly price point (depending on regional pricing).