Huawei Y9a vs. Oppo Reno 5G: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Contenders

The Huawei Y9a and Oppo Reno 5G represent different approaches to the mid-range 5G market. The Y9a focuses on delivering a feature-rich experience at an aggressive price point, while the Reno 5G leverages a more powerful, albeit older, flagship chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the Oppo Reno 5G is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 855 chipset offers a significant performance advantage over the Y9a’s Helio G80, making it better suited for demanding tasks and gaming. However, the Y9a remains a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Y9a Oppo Reno 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - FRL-L221, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global
5G bands-78 NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - FRL-L23CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2020, September 07. Released 2020, September 122019, April. Released 2019, May
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.5 x 76.5 x 9 mm (6.44 x 3.01 x 0.35 in)162 x 77.2 x 9.3 mm (6.38 x 3.04 x 0.37 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight197 g (6.95 oz)215 g (7.58 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~397 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)
Size6.63 inches, 106.1 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDAMOLED
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetMediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MC2Adreno 640
OSAndroid 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play ServicesAndroid 9.0 (Pie), ColorOS 6
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesQuad-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Triple-48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/3.0, 130mm (periscope telephoto), 5x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS; video rec. only with main camera
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRLED flash, HDR
SingleMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µmMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging22.5W / 40W wired (region dependent)20W wired
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAh or 4300 mAh (region dependent)Li-Po 4065 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsSpace Silver, Sakura Pink, Midnight BlackOcean Green, Jet Black
ModelsFRL-22, FRL-23, FRL-L22, FRL-L23CPH1921
PriceAbout 200 EURAbout 880 EUR

Huawei Y9a

  • Potentially faster charging (40W in some regions)
  • More affordable price point
  • Likely larger battery capacity (assumption based on market segment)

  • Significantly weaker processor performance
  • Less efficient chipset leading to potential throttling
  • Inferior image processing capabilities

Oppo Reno 5G

  • Much more powerful Snapdragon 855 processor
  • Superior thermal efficiency
  • Advanced ISP for better image quality

  • Slower charging speed (20W)
  • Higher price tag
  • Older chipset, potentially limited software support in the long run

Display Comparison

While both devices likely feature LCD panels (data unavailable), the focus here is on processing power, not display tech. Bezels are likely comparable given the market segment. The lack of detailed display specs prevents a deeper analysis of color accuracy or brightness, but both will likely suffice for everyday use.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, the Reno 5G’s Snapdragon 855 ISP (Image Signal Processor) is more advanced than the Helio G80’s, offering superior image processing capabilities. This likely results in better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Y9a may rely more heavily on software processing to compensate for a potentially less capable sensor. We can assume both phones will include multiple rear cameras, but the Reno 5G’s ISP will likely extract more detail from its primary sensor.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo Reno 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, built on a 7nm process, significantly outperforms the Huawei Y9a’s MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm). The Snapdragon 855’s Kryo 485 cores – a 1x2.84 GHz prime core, 3x2.42 GHz performance cores, and 4x1.78 GHz efficiency cores – provide a substantial advantage in both single-core and multi-core performance compared to the Y9a’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Reno 5G. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads.

Battery Life

The Huawei Y9a offers region-dependent charging speeds of 22.5W or 40W, while the Oppo Reno 5G is limited to 20W. While the Reno 5G’s charging is slower, the Snapdragon 855’s superior efficiency may offset the difference in battery life, especially with moderate usage. The Y9a’s faster charging (when available) will be beneficial for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. Without knowing the battery capacities, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Y9a’s potential for faster charging is a notable advantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Y9a if you need a large-screen phone with a decent camera and long battery life, and your primary use cases are social media, browsing, and light gaming. You're willing to trade raw power for affordability. Buy the Oppo Reno 5G if you prioritize performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications, and you want a phone with a more powerful processor that will hold up better over time, even if it means slightly slower charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio G80 in the Huawei Y9a struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Helio G80 is a budget-oriented chipset and will likely require significantly reduced graphics settings and frame rates to achieve playable performance in demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty. Expect noticeable frame drops and potential stuttering, especially during intense action sequences. The Oppo Reno 5G’s Snapdragon 855 will provide a much smoother and more consistent gaming experience.
❓ Does the Oppo Reno 5G’s older Snapdragon 855 chipset mean it will receive fewer software updates compared to newer phones?
It's a valid concern. While Oppo typically provides good software support, the Snapdragon 855 is an older chipset. This *could* mean a shorter lifespan of major Android updates compared to phones with newer processors. However, Oppo is still likely to provide security patches for a reasonable period.
❓ Is the 40W charging on the Huawei Y9a significantly faster than the 20W charging on the Oppo Reno 5G in real-world use?
Yes, the 40W charging (when available, as it's region-dependent) will noticeably reduce charging times compared to the Reno 5G’s 20W charging. Expect a faster 0-50% charge on the Y9a, though the difference will diminish as the battery approaches full capacity.