Huawei's nova series offers compelling options in the budget-friendly smartphone market. The nova Y61 and nova Y90 both aim to deliver a solid experience, but they differ significantly in key areas. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei nova Y90 is the clear winner, boasting a more powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset, significantly faster 40W charging, and a generally more refined experience. While the Y61 is a budget option, the Y90's performance and charging speed justify its slightly higher price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - EVE-LX3 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 26, 28, 38, 40, 66 - EVE-LX3 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EVE-LX9, EVE-LX9N | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, November 01 | 2022, June 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, November | Available. Released 2022, July 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.35 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 | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 610 |
| OS | EMUI 12, no Google Play Services | EMUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (EVE-LX9N only) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 40W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sapphire Blue, Mint Green, Midnight Black | Crystal Blue, Pearl White, Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | EVE-LX9, EVE-LX9N, EVE-LX3 | CTR-LX2, CTR-LX1, CTR-LX3 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 160 EUR |
Huawei nova Y61
- Affordable
- Decent battery life
- Sufficient for basic tasks
- Underpowered CPU
- Slow charging
- Basic camera performance
Huawei nova Y90
- Powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Fast 40W charging
- Improved camera quality
- Smoother performance
- Slightly more expensive
- LCD display (likely)
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature LCD displays, though specific resolutions and sizes are not explicitly stated. The Y90 may have a slightly higher refresh rate (potentially 90Hz) for smoother scrolling, a common feature in the Snapdragon 680 series. Expect similar color accuracy and brightness levels, but the Y90's potentially higher refresh rate gives it a slight edge.
Camera Comparison
While both phones likely feature multiple rear cameras, the Y90's chipset and potentially better image processing algorithms should result in superior photo and video quality. Expect better low-light performance, more accurate colors, and improved dynamic range on the Y90. Specific megapixel counts are not provided, but the Y90's hardware advantage is expected to translate to better results.
Performance
The Y90's Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G chipset is a significant upgrade over the Y61's generic Octa-core CPU. The Snapdragon 680 offers noticeably better CPU and GPU performance, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved gaming capabilities. The Y61 will likely struggle with more demanding tasks.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have similar battery capacities (around 5000mAh). However, the Y90's 40W fast charging is a game-changer, allowing it to charge significantly faster than the Y61's 22.5W charging. This means less time tethered to a wall and more time enjoying your phone.
Buying Guide
The Huawei nova Y61 is ideal for users on a tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and don't demand high performance. The Huawei nova Y90 is a better choice for those who want a smoother experience, faster charging, and a more capable camera system, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Huawei nova Y90 worth the extra cost?
Yes, the Y90's improved performance and faster charging make it a worthwhile upgrade if your budget allows. The Snapdragon 680 chipset provides a significantly better user experience.
❓ What kind of games can I play on the Huawei nova Y61?
The Y61 is suitable for casual games and less demanding titles. However, you may experience lag or reduced graphics settings in more graphically intensive games.
