The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Huawei nova Y90 and Realme 9 Pro+ represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they take distinctly different approaches. The nova Y90 prioritizes efficiency with a Snapdragon 680, while the 9 Pro+ leans into performance with a MediaTek Dimensity 920. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and faster charging, the Realme 9 Pro+ is the stronger contender. Its Dimensity 920 chipset offers a significant performance uplift over the Snapdragon 680 in the nova Y90, and the 60W charging drastically reduces downtime. However, Huawei's focus on efficiency may appeal to those seeking longer battery life between charges.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 23 | 2022, February 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 27 | Available. Released 2022, February 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back |
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) | 160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | EMUI 12 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB 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 | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, 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/6, dual-band |
| 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 | 60W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 44 min (advertised) |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Crystal Blue, Pearl White, Emerald Green, Midnight Black | Midnight Black, Aurora Green, Sunrise Blue, Free Fire Limited Edition |
| Models | CTR-LX2, CTR-LX1, CTR-LX3 | RMX3392, RMX3393 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | € 289.90 / $ 390.00 / ₹ 25,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.73 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 117h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.3 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 495096 (v8), 416031 (v9)
GeekBench: 2335 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 27fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova Y90
- Potentially longer battery life due to efficient Snapdragon 680.
- Huawei’s reputation for call quality and network optimization.
- Competitive price point.
- Significantly less powerful processor compared to the Dimensity 920.
- Slower charging speed (40W vs 60W).
- Limited display information available.
Realme 9 Pro+
- Faster and more powerful MediaTek Dimensity 920 chipset.
- 60W fast charging with PD3.0 support.
- Excellent endurance rating (117h).
- Potentially less battery life than the nova Y90 in extremely light usage scenarios.
- Realme’s software can be perceived as bloated by some users.
- Camera performance relies heavily on software optimization.
Display Comparison
The Realme 9 Pro+ boasts an unspecified, but assumed high-quality display with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting a vibrant viewing experience. While the nova Y90’s display specifications are absent, Huawei typically employs IPS LCD panels in this price bracket. The Realme’s potential for higher peak brightness and color accuracy, coupled with a likely higher refresh rate (based on Realme’s typical offerings), gives it an edge for multimedia consumption. The lack of detailed display specs for the Y90 makes a direct comparison difficult, but it’s unlikely to match the 9 Pro+ in visual fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are missing for both devices, making a definitive comparison challenging. However, the Realme 9 Pro+ is likely to feature a more sophisticated camera system, given Realme’s recent focus on camera technology. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and optical image stabilization (OIS) on either device hinders a thorough analysis. It’s reasonable to assume the 9 Pro+ will offer more versatile shooting modes and potentially better low-light performance due to its higher-tier chipset’s image signal processor (ISP). The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are largely marketing features and offer limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 9 Pro+’s MediaTek Dimensity 920 (6nm) features a more powerful CPU configuration – 2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – compared to the Huawei nova Y90’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) with its 4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold and 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver setup. The Cortex-A78 cores in the Dimensity 920 provide a substantial performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. While both are built on a 6nm process, the Dimensity 920’s architecture is more modern and efficient, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. The Realme 9 Pro+ is the clear winner for users who prioritize performance.
Battery Life
The Realme 9 Pro+’s 60W wired charging with PD3.0 support is a significant advantage, promising a full charge in just 44 minutes (advertised). The Huawei nova Y90’s 40W charging, while respectable, is considerably slower. The Realme 9 Pro+’s endurance rating of 117 hours suggests excellent battery optimization, despite potentially having a similar or smaller battery capacity than the Y90. The faster charging speed of the 9 Pro+ mitigates any potential battery capacity disadvantage, making it the more convenient option for users who frequently need to top up their device.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova Y90 if you need a reliable daily driver with a focus on battery longevity and efficient performance for basic tasks. It’s ideal for users who prioritize call quality, social media browsing, and light multimedia consumption. Buy the Realme 9 Pro+ if you prefer a more responsive experience for gaming, demanding apps, and content creation. Its faster processor and charging capabilities cater to users who demand more from their smartphone.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the MediaTek Dimensity 920 in the Realme 9 Pro+ get noticeably warm during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 920 is a powerful chip, MediaTek has made strides in thermal management. The 9 Pro+ likely incorporates cooling solutions to mitigate heat buildup. However, prolonged gaming at maximum settings *may* result in some warming, which is typical for phones in this price range. The Snapdragon 680 in the nova Y90 will likely run cooler, but at the cost of performance.
❓ Is the 40W charging on the Huawei nova Y90 sufficient for daily use, or will I find myself frequently needing to charge it?
40W charging is adequate, but slower than the 60W on the Realme 9 Pro+. If you're a heavy user, you'll likely need to charge the nova Y90 more frequently. However, the Snapdragon 680’s efficiency may help extend battery life, reducing the need for constant top-ups if your usage is moderate.
❓ How does Huawei's EMUI compare to Realme UI in terms of software experience and updates?
Huawei's EMUI, while feature-rich, has historically been criticized for its aggressive battery management and occasional inconsistencies. Realme UI is generally considered more streamlined and closer to stock Android, with a faster update cycle. However, both interfaces have improved significantly in recent iterations.
