The Huawei nova Y90 and Honor X8 are both compelling budget smartphones vying for your attention. Both offer a decent experience, but key differences in charging speed and potentially camera features could sway your decision. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei nova Y90 takes a clear lead thanks to its significantly faster 40W charging compared to the Honor X8's 22.5W. While both share the same Snapdragon 680 chipset, the nova Y90's charging advantage makes it the better choice for those prioritizing quick top-ups. Both offer similar overall value.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 23 | 2022, March 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 27 | Available. Released 2022, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) | 163.4 x 74.7 x 7.5 mm (6.43 x 2.94 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 177 g (6.24 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | EMUI 12 | Android 11, Magic UI 4.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 16 MP, f/2.5 |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 16 MP, f/2.5 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| 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, 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, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired, 50% in 30 min | 22.5W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Crystal Blue, Pearl White, Emerald Green, Midnight Black | Titanium Silver, Midnight Black, Ocean Blue |
| Models | CTR-LX2, CTR-LX1, CTR-LX3 | TFY-LX1, TFY-LX2, TFY-LX3 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Huawei nova Y90
- 40W Fast Charging
- Decent Performance (Snapdragon 680)
- Large Display
- Modern Design
- Potentially less versatile camera than Honor X8
- Huawei App Store limitations
- Software updates may be less frequent
Honor X8
- Potentially better camera system
- Good Value for Money
- Large Display
- Reliable Performance (Snapdragon 680)
- Slower 22.5W Charging
- Software experience may vary
- Design might be less premium
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar 6.7-inch FHD+ displays, potentially with a 90Hz refresh rate. The nova Y90 might have slightly better color accuracy or brightness, but this would require testing. Expect similar viewing experiences overall.
Camera Comparison
The Honor X8 typically features a more versatile camera setup, often including a higher resolution main sensor and potentially a depth sensor for better portrait mode. The nova Y90's camera capabilities are likely good, but the X8 might offer slightly better image quality and more features. Software processing will play a significant role here.
Performance
Sharing the same Snapdragon 680 chipset and octa-core CPU, both phones should offer comparable performance for everyday tasks, social media, and light gaming. Don't expect flagship-level performance, but they should handle most apps smoothly.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life. However, the Huawei nova Y90's 40W charging drastically reduces charging time compared to the Honor X8's 22.5W.
Buying Guide
The Huawei nova Y90 is ideal for users who value fast charging and don't want to wait hours for their phone to power up. The Honor X8 is a good option for those prioritizing a potentially slightly better camera experience (depending on software optimization) and are less concerned about charging speed, or find it at a significantly lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both have a 5000mAh battery, offering all-day usage. However, the Huawei nova Y90 charges significantly faster.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 680 chipset good for gaming?
The Snapdragon 680 is suitable for casual gaming and light to moderate gaming sessions. Don't expect to run demanding games at high settings.
❓ Does the Huawei nova Y90 have Google Play Services?
Due to US sanctions, Huawei phones typically do not have Google Play Services pre-installed. Users may need to sideload them or rely on Huawei's AppGallery.