The Samsung Galaxy Note5, a flagship from 2015, still holds appeal. But how does it stack up against the more modern Huawei Y9 (2019)? This comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide which phone is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Note5 boasts a significantly more powerful processor and faster charging, alongside a premium build. However, the Y9 (2019) offers a larger screen, more modern software, and a generally better value proposition for budget-conscious buyers. The Note5 wins on raw power, but the Y9 offers more for the money.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - N920V, N920R | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 3, 4, 7, 13 - N920V | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE (3CA), EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 5, 12, 25 - N920R | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, August. Released 2015, August | 2018, October 01. Released 2018, October 01 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 153.2 x 76.1 x 7.6 mm (6.03 x 3.00 x 0.30 in) | 162.4 x 77.1 x 8.1 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 171 g (6.03 oz) | 173 g (6.10 oz) |
| | Stylus | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | - |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~515 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 89.6 cm2 (~76.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A57 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Exynos 7420 Octa (14 nm) | Kirin 710 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T760MP8 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) | Android 8.1 (Oreo), EMUI 8.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.0 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), 1/2.6", 1.12µm, AF, OIS | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/2.0
2 MP, f/2.4, depth sensor |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/1.9, 22mm (wide) | - |
| Video | 1440p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio
| - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired, QC2
Wireless | 10W wired |
| Music play | Up to 57 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 28 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black Sapphire, White Pearl | Midnight Black, Sapphire Blue, Aurora Purple |
| Models | SM-N920, SM-N920P, SM-N920V, SM-N920R, SM-N920W8, SM-N920R4 | JKM-LX1, JKM-LX2, JKM-LX3, JKM-AL00, JKM-TL00, JKM-AL00a, JKM-AL00b |
| Price | About 450 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | 1.16 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.51 W/kg (head) 0.56 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy Note5 (USA)
- Powerful Processor
- Premium Build Quality
- Excellent Display (AMOLED)
- Fast Charging (QC2)
- Older Software
- Smaller Battery
- Limited Availability
- Age
Huawei Y9 (2019)
- Large Display
- Longer Battery Life
- Modern Software
- Affordable Price
- Less Powerful Processor
- Slower Charging
- Plastic Build
- Camera not as good as Note5 in optimal conditions
Display Comparison
The Huawei Y9 (2019) features a larger 6.5-inch display compared to the Note5's 5.7-inch screen. Both offer Full HD+ resolution, but the Y9's larger size provides a more immersive viewing experience. The Note5's AMOLED display offers richer colors and deeper blacks, providing a slightly better visual quality.
Camera Comparison
The Note5 has a 16MP main camera and a 5MP front camera. The Y9 (2019) features a dual-camera setup (16MP + 2MP) on the rear and a 13MP front camera. While the Note5's camera is generally considered to produce slightly better images in good lighting, the Y9's dual-camera setup offers more versatility with depth effects and potentially better low-light performance due to pixel binning.
Performance
The Note5's Exynos 7420 chipset, while older, still outperforms the Kirin 710 in the Y9 (2019) in raw processing power. The Note5's Cortex-A57 cores provide a noticeable boost in demanding tasks. However, the Y9's Kirin 710 benefits from a more efficient 12nm process, potentially leading to better real-world battery life despite the performance difference.
Battery Life
The Note5 has a 3000mAh battery, while the Y9 (2019) has a 4000mAh battery. Despite the Note5's more powerful processor, the Y9's larger battery and more efficient chipset generally result in longer battery life. The Note5 supports 15W fast charging (QC2), while the Y9 is limited to 10W charging.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Note5 is ideal for users prioritizing performance and a premium experience, willing to overlook its age. The Huawei Y9 (2019) is a great choice for those seeking a large screen, decent performance, and a budget-friendly price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy Note5 still worth buying in 2024?
It depends. If you prioritize performance and a premium feel, it can still be a good option, but be aware of its age and limited software updates. Consider the Huawei Y9 (2019) for a more modern experience.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Huawei Y9 (2019) will likely have received more recent software updates, although support may be limited now. The Note5's software support has largely ended.
