The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Huawei nova Y90 and Oppo Reno7 5G represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. While both devices aim for a balance of features and affordability, they diverge in their core hardware choices, particularly in their chipsets and charging capabilities. This comparison dives deep into these differences to determine which phone delivers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and a slightly more refined experience, the Oppo Reno7 5G emerges as the winner. Its 65W charging fully replenishes the battery in just 31 minutes, a significant advantage. However, the Huawei nova Y90 offers excellent value and a respectable feature set for its price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 23 | 2022, February 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 27 | Available. Released 2022, February 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) | 160.6 x 73.2 x 7.8 mm (6.32 x 2.88 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 173 g (6.10 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM), 800 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | EMUI 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, ColorOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 32 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 32 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired, 50% in 30 min | 65W wired, 100% in 31 min
Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Crystal Blue, Pearl White, Emerald Green, Midnight Black | Stary Black, Startrails Blue |
| Models | CTR-LX2, CTR-LX1, CTR-LX3 | CPH2371 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | $ 168.01 / ₹ 25,999 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 123h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.4 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 407040 (v8), 479608 (v9)
GeekBench: 2276 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 20fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova Y90
- Excellent value for money
- Reliable Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Decent battery life
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Potentially lower display quality
- Slower charging compared to Reno7 5G
Oppo Reno7 5G
- Faster 65W charging with full charge in 31 minutes
- More powerful Dimensity 900 chipset
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing
- Potentially higher price point
- Battery life is comparable, not superior
- Camera performance relies heavily on software optimization
Display Comparison
The Oppo Reno7 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 635 nits, suggesting a more visible display in direct sunlight compared to the nova Y90, for which brightness data is unavailable. While both utilize 6nm chipsets, the Reno7’s display benefits from an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, likely indicating a superior OLED panel. The absence of detailed display specifications for the nova Y90 suggests a more standard LCD panel, potentially impacting color accuracy and viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics on sensor size or aperture, it’s difficult to definitively assess camera quality. However, the Reno7 5G’s brand positioning suggests a greater emphasis on camera performance, potentially incorporating more advanced image processing algorithms. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) in the Reno7 5G, if present, would provide a significant advantage in low-light photography and video recording. The 2MP macro cameras often found in this price range on both devices offer limited practical benefit due to their low resolution.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Huawei nova Y90 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680, while the Oppo Reno7 5G features the MediaTek Dimensity 900. The Dimensity 900, with its 2x Cortex-A78 performance cores clocked at 2.4 GHz, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Snapdragon 680’s 4x Kryo 265 Gold cores at the same clock speed. The Dimensity 900’s architecture is designed for more demanding tasks and should translate to smoother multitasking and gaming. However, both are built on a 6nm process, suggesting comparable efficiency. The Reno7 5G also supports 5G connectivity, a feature absent in the 4G-only nova Y90.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 123 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Oppo Reno7 5G’s 65W charging can fully charge the battery in just 31 minutes, while the Huawei nova Y90 takes 30 minutes to reach 50%. The Reno7 5G also supports reverse wired charging, allowing it to function as a power bank for other devices – a feature absent in the nova Y90. This faster charging and added functionality give the Reno7 5G a clear edge in convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova Y90 if you need a reliable daily driver with a focus on affordability and don't heavily rely on 5G connectivity. It's ideal for users who prioritize battery life and are comfortable with the Huawei ecosystem. Buy the Oppo Reno7 5G if you prefer faster charging speeds, a potentially smoother user experience thanks to the Dimensity 900, and require 5G support for future-proofing. It's geared towards users who value convenience and a more premium feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dimensity 900 in the Oppo Reno7 5G get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions compared to the Snapdragon 680?
While both chipsets are built on a 6nm process, the Dimensity 900's higher performance ceiling means it *can* generate more heat under sustained load. However, Oppo's thermal management system likely mitigates this, and the Reno7 5G is unlikely to experience significant throttling unless pushed to its absolute limits. The Snapdragon 680, being less powerful, will generally run cooler.
❓ Is the lack of 5G on the Huawei nova Y90 a significant drawback in 2024?
The impact of lacking 5G depends heavily on your location and carrier coverage. In areas with widespread 5G availability, you'll miss out on faster data speeds. However, if 5G isn't readily available or you primarily use Wi-Fi, the absence of 5G is less critical. The Snapdragon 680's 4G capabilities remain perfectly adequate for most everyday tasks.
❓ How does Huawei's software experience compare to Oppo's ColorOS on the Reno7 5G?
Huawei's EMUI (or HarmonyOS, depending on the region) has evolved, but historically has been criticized for its heavier skin and potential for pre-installed bloatware. Oppo's ColorOS is generally considered more streamlined and customizable, offering a cleaner user experience. This is a subjective preference, but ColorOS often receives more positive feedback regarding usability.
