Both the Huawei Y9 Prime (2019) and the Samsung Galaxy M30s represent compelling options in the sub-$200 smartphone market. Released around the same time, they target users prioritizing value and essential features. This comparison dissects their key differences, focusing on performance, display quality, and battery endurance to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Samsung Galaxy M30s is the slightly better choice. While both phones offer similar battery life, the M30s boasts a significantly brighter display (642 nits) and a more powerful chipset (Exynos 9611) built on a smaller 10nm process, potentially leading to better sustained performance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August 01. Released 2019, August 05 | 2019, September 18. Released 2019, October 30 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.5 x 77.3 x 8.9 mm (6.44 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 159 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm (6.26 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196.8 g (6.95 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710F (12 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Magic UI 2.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0 | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| 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 | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 6000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Emerald Green, Midnight Black, Sapphire Blue | Opal Black, Sapphire Blue, Pearl White |
| Models | STK-L21, STK-L22, STK-LX3 | SM-M307F, SM-M307FN, SM-M307F/DS, SM-M307FN/DS, SM-M3070 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.47 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.49 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.7dB / Crosstalk -93.2dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 130h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 152075 (v7), 180321 (v8)
GeekBench: 5566 (v4.4), 1288 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei Y9 Prime (2019)
- Potentially cleaner software experience (depending on region)
- Competitive price point
- Decent battery life
- Less powerful chipset compared to the M30s
- Lower display brightness
- Limited information on camera capabilities
Samsung Galaxy M30s
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- More powerful Exynos 9611 chipset
- Faster 15W charging
- Samsung’s One UI can be resource-intensive
- Potential for bloatware
- Similar battery life to the Y9 Prime despite faster charging
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy M30s immediately distinguishes itself with a measured peak brightness of 642 nits, a substantial advantage over the Y9 Prime’s unspecified brightness. This translates to significantly better outdoor visibility. Both devices claim an 'infinite' contrast ratio, typical of IPS LCD panels, but the M30s’ higher brightness makes a tangible difference in real-world usage. While both likely utilize similar LCD technology, the M30s’ superior brightness is a key differentiator for users who consume content outdoors or in brightly lit environments.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer a 'Photo / Video' camera experience, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics on sensor size, aperture, or image stabilization (OIS), a direct comparison is difficult. It’s reasonable to assume both phones rely on software processing to enhance image quality. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and fixed focus. The overall image quality will likely depend more on software algorithms than raw hardware capabilities.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy M30s is equipped with the Exynos 9611, fabricated on a 10nm process, while the Huawei Y9 Prime (2019) utilizes the Kirin 710F on a 12nm process. The smaller node generally indicates better power efficiency and thermal performance. Both chipsets feature an octa-core configuration with 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 cores in the M30s versus 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 in the Y9 Prime. The slightly higher clock speeds on the M30s’ A73 cores, combined with the more efficient manufacturing process, suggest a performance edge in demanding tasks and sustained workloads. However, real-world differences may be subtle for everyday use.
Battery Life
Both the Huawei Y9 Prime (2019) and the Samsung Galaxy M30s achieve an endurance rating of 130 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. The M30s supports 15W wired charging, while the Y9 Prime’s charging speed is unspecified. While the battery capacity isn’t explicitly stated, the similar endurance ratings suggest comparable capacities. The 15W charging on the M30s provides a faster path to a full charge, reducing downtime for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Y9 Prime (2019) if you prioritize a clean, if limited, software experience and are comfortable with the potential restrictions of the Huawei ecosystem. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M30s if you prefer a brighter, more vibrant display, a slightly more powerful processor for smoother multitasking, and the broader compatibility of the Samsung ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy M30s tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 9611 isn't a flagship processor, its 10nm fabrication process and thermal design generally prevent significant overheating during moderate gaming. However, extended, graphically intensive gaming may lead to some throttling to maintain thermal stability. The Y9 Prime's Kirin 710F, built on a larger 12nm process, may exhibit similar throttling behavior.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro cameras on both the Y9 Prime and M30s are largely marketing features. The small sensor size and fixed focus limit their ability to capture truly detailed macro shots. Results are often soft and lack the clarity of dedicated macro lenses found on higher-end smartphones.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy M30s reliably run PUBG Mobile at 60fps?
The Galaxy M30s *can* run PUBG Mobile, but achieving a consistent 60fps experience depends on the graphics settings. Lowering the graphics settings to 'Smooth' or 'Balanced' is recommended for smoother gameplay. The Exynos 9611 has enough power for acceptable performance, but it's not a dedicated gaming chipset.
