The Huawei Y9s and Nokia 7.2 represent compelling options in the crowded mid-range smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver a balanced experience, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Y9s leverages Huawei’s in-house Kirin chipset, while the Nokia 7.2 opts for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 660. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly brighter display, the Nokia 7.2 emerges as the better choice. While both phones share 10W charging, the Snapdragon 660’s architecture offers a more stable experience, and the measured 585 nits brightness provides better outdoor visibility.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - ROW |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - ROW |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps or LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - IN |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November 08. Released 2019, November 08 | 2019, September 05. Released 2019, September 23 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.1 x 77.2 x 8.8 mm (6.42 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 159.9 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm (6.30 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 206 g (7.27 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710F (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Android One |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Zeiss optics, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Zeiss optics, HDR |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.2 | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes (excl. India) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Breathing Crystal, Phantom Purple | Cyan Green, Charcoal, Ice |
| Models | STK-L21, STK-LX3, STK-L22 | TA-1193, TA-1178, TA-1196, TA-1181 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 240 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 1.44 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 69h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1342:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.6 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 139495 (v7), 164484 (v8)
GeekBench: 5440 (v4.4), 1398 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei Y9s
- Potentially lower price point
- Huawei’s EMUI software features
- Slightly smaller manufacturing process (12nm)
- Kirin 710F chipset may exhibit throttling
- Limited information on camera specifications
- 10W charging is slow
Nokia 7.2
- Brighter display (585 nits)
- More efficient Snapdragon 660 chipset
- Better software optimization and app compatibility
- 10W charging is slow
- May be slightly more expensive
- Contrast ratio is nominal, not measured
Display Comparison
The Nokia 7.2 boasts a measured peak brightness of 585 nits and a 1342:1 contrast ratio, providing a noticeably more vibrant and visible experience, especially outdoors. While the Huawei Y9s display specifications aren’t provided, the Nokia 7.2’s higher brightness is a significant advantage. The 1342:1 contrast ratio on the Nokia 7.2 ensures deeper blacks and more impactful colors, enhancing media consumption. Without comparable data for the Y9s, it’s difficult to assess its color accuracy or viewing angles, but the Nokia 7.2 sets a clear benchmark.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the Nokia 7.2’s focus on imaging in its marketing, it’s reasonable to assume a more polished camera experience. The absence of details regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization, which can introduce artifacts. The lack of information on the Y9s’ camera makes it difficult to assess its low-light performance or dynamic range.
Performance
The Huawei Y9s utilizes the Kirin 710F, a 12nm chip with an octa-core configuration (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53). The Nokia 7.2 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm), also an octa-core processor (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver). Despite the similar clock speeds, the Snapdragon 660’s Kryo cores generally offer better sustained performance and thermal management due to Qualcomm’s optimization. The 14nm process node on the Snapdragon 660, while larger than the Kirin 710F’s 12nm, doesn’t necessarily translate to lower efficiency; Qualcomm’s architecture is more refined. This means the Nokia 7.2 is likely to exhibit less throttling during extended gaming or demanding tasks.
Battery Life
Both the Huawei Y9s and Nokia 7.2 share an endurance rating of 69 hours and 10W wired charging. This suggests similar battery capacities and power efficiency. However, the Snapdragon 660’s more efficient architecture in the Nokia 7.2 might translate to slightly better real-world battery life, even with identical capacities. The 10W charging is slow by modern standards, requiring over three hours for a full charge on both devices. The endurance rating indicates both phones can comfortably last a full day with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Y9s if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and are comfortable with the limitations of the Kirin 710F chipset, particularly in sustained workloads. Buy the Nokia 7.2 if you value a more refined software experience, a brighter and more contrast-rich display with 585 nits, and a chipset known for its stability and wider app compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 710F in the Huawei Y9s struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG?
The Kirin 710F can run PUBG, but you may experience frame drops and stuttering, especially on higher graphics settings. The Snapdragon 660 in the Nokia 7.2 offers more consistent performance in demanding games due to its optimized architecture and thermal management.
❓ How does the Nokia 7.2’s camera perform in low-light conditions?
Without detailed camera specs, it’s difficult to provide a definitive answer. However, Nokia typically employs software algorithms to enhance low-light performance. Expect a decent, but not exceptional, low-light experience, relying heavily on software processing.
❓ Is the 10W charging speed on either phone acceptable in 2024?
No, 10W charging is significantly slower than current standards. Expect over three hours to fully charge either device. This is a major drawback for users accustomed to fast charging technologies.
