The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Huawei nova Y90 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but which one truly delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 edges out the Huawei nova Y90 thanks to its superior battery life, brighter display, and slightly faster charging. While the nova Y90 boasts a more powerful chipset, the Redmi Note 12's overall package provides better value for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 23 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 27 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | EMUI 12 | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired, 50% in 30 min | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Crystal Blue, Pearl White, Emerald Green, Midnight Black | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | CTR-LX2, CTR-LX1, CTR-LX3 | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | About 160 EUR | € 151.99 / $ 219.99 / ₹ 11,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 101h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 360745 (v9)
GeekBench: 1998 (v5.1), 2017 (v6) |
Huawei nova Y90
- More powerful chipset (Snapdragon 680)
- Faster charging (40W)
- Potentially better low-light camera performance
- Less impressive battery life
- Unspecified display brightness
- Huawei's software ecosystem may not appeal to all
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Exceptional battery life (101h endurance)
- Brighter display (706 nits)
- Faster charging (22 min to 50%)
- Generally better value
- Less powerful chipset (Snapdragon 4 Gen 1)
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 takes the display crown with a measured peak brightness of 706 nits, offering better visibility in sunlight. Its infinite contrast ratio (nominal) suggests deep blacks and vibrant colors. The nova Y90's display is likely good, but lacks the quantifiable brightness data to compete. Both likely feature FHD+ resolution.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specs are missing. Based on general expectations, the Redmi Note 12 likely offers a more versatile camera system with potentially better image processing. The nova Y90 might have a slight edge in low-light performance due to the Snapdragon 680's ISP.
Performance
The Huawei nova Y90's Snapdragon 680 chipset generally outperforms the Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 in benchmarks and real-world usage, particularly for gaming. The nova Y90's CPU configuration (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) offers a more balanced approach to performance. However, the Redmi Note 12's Cortex-A78 cores provide a boost for demanding tasks.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 12 shines in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 101 hours and active use lasting 10:58 hours. This significantly surpasses the nova Y90, which lacks specific battery life data but is expected to be average. The Redmi Note 12 also charges slightly faster (22 min to 50%) compared to the nova Y90 (30 min).
Buying Guide
The Huawei nova Y90 is ideal for users prioritizing performance and gaming, and those who prefer Huawei's software ecosystem. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is a great choice for those seeking exceptional battery life, a vibrant display, and a well-rounded experience at a competitive price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Huawei nova Y90's more powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset makes it a better choice for demanding mobile games.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 offers significantly better battery life, lasting much longer on a single charge.
❓ Is the Huawei nova Y90 worth buying if I prefer Huawei's software?
Yes, if you're invested in Huawei's ecosystem and prioritize performance, the nova Y90 is a solid option.
