Huawei's nova series offers compelling options in the budget smartphone market. The nova Y70 Plus and nova Y90 both aim to deliver value, but they differ significantly in key areas. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone is the right fit for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei nova Y90 emerges as the clear winner thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 680 chipset, faster charging (40W), and more modern 6nm manufacturing process. While the Y70 Plus offers a larger screen, the Y90's performance and charging advantages make it the better overall choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Europe | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 26, 28, 38, 66 - Europe | 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 - Africa | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 20 | 2022, June 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 01 | Available. Released 2022, July 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 168.3 x 77.7 x 9 mm (6.63 x 3.06 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~84.1% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | EMUI 12, no Google Play Services | EMUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 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 | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | 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 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 | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Crystal Blue, Midnight Black, Pearl White | Crystal Blue, Pearl White, Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | MGA-LX9, MGA-LX9N, MGA-LX3 | CTR-LX2, CTR-LX1, CTR-LX3 |
| Price | £ 195.00 / € 119.94 | About 160 EUR |
Huawei nova Y70 Plus
- Larger Display
- Potentially Lower Price
- Decent Battery Life
- Slower Performance
- Slower Charging
- Older Chipset
Huawei nova Y90
- Faster Performance (Snapdragon 680)
- Faster Charging (40W)
- More Efficient Chipset (6nm)
- Potentially Better Camera
- Smaller Display
- Potentially Higher Price
Display Comparison
The nova Y70 Plus boasts a larger 6.75-inch display, potentially offering a more immersive viewing experience. The nova Y90 features a 6.5-inch display. Both likely utilize LCD panels with similar resolutions, though color accuracy and brightness may vary. The Y90's smaller size might make it easier to handle.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature a triple-camera setup, with a primary sensor, ultrawide lens, and macro lens. While megapixel counts might be similar, the Y90's more modern image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 680 could result in better image quality, especially in low light. Expect improved dynamic range and noise reduction on the Y90.
Performance
Here's where the nova Y90 shines. The Snapdragon 680 (6nm) is considerably more powerful and efficient than the Kirin 710A (14nm) in the Y70 Plus. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Y90. The Y70 Plus will feel noticeably slower in demanding tasks.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a large battery capacity (around 5000mAh). However, the nova Y90's 40W fast charging is a significant advantage, allowing for much quicker top-ups compared to the Y70 Plus's 22.5W charging. This translates to less time tethered to a charger.
Buying Guide
The Huawei nova Y70 Plus is ideal for users prioritizing a large display for media consumption and those on a tighter budget. The Huawei nova Y90 is best suited for users who value performance, faster charging, and a more modern chipset, even if it means a slightly smaller screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Huawei nova Y90 worth the extra money?
Yes, if performance and fast charging are important to you. The Snapdragon 680 offers a significant upgrade over the Kirin 710A.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both likely offer similar battery life due to comparable battery capacities, but the Y90's faster charging means you'll spend less time plugged in.
