The Huawei nova 5T and vivo Y19 (2019) represent different approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The nova 5T, launched with Huawei’s flagship Kirin 980 chipset, aimed for near-flagship performance at a competitive price. The Y19, conversely, focused on affordability, utilizing the Mediatek Helio P65. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and faster charging, the Huawei nova 5T is the clear winner. Its Kirin 980 chipset offers a substantial performance leap over the Y19’s Helio P65, making it better suited for demanding tasks and gaming. While the Y19 offers respectable battery life, the nova 5T’s faster charging mitigates any significant disadvantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November 01. Released 2019, November | 2019, August 27. Released 2019, September 05 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 154.3 x 74 x 7.8 mm (6.07 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 174 g (6.14 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6768 Helio P65 (12 nm) | Kirin 980 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G76 MP10 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.2 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1"
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 32-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
5W reverse wired | 22.5W wired, 50% in 24 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3750 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Magnetic Black, Spring White | Black, Crush Blue, Midsummer Purple, Crush Green |
| Models | 1915 | YAL-L21, YAL-L61, YAL-L71, YAL-L61D |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 340 EUR |
| SAR | 0.72 W/kg (head) 0.31 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 313024 (v7), 395503 (v8)
GeekBench: 10013 (v4.4), 2504 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 29fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Y19 (2019)
- Significantly faster processor (Kirin 980)
- Faster charging (22.5W)
- Superior image processing capabilities
- Better thermal management
- Potentially higher price point
- May lack expandable storage (depending on variant)
Huawei nova 5T
- More affordable price
- Decent battery life
- 5W reverse wired charging
- Reliable for basic tasks
- Slower processor (Helio P65)
- Slower charging (18W)
- Inferior image processing
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. While specific display specs (resolution, panel type) are not provided for the Y19, its market positioning suggests an LCD panel. The nova 5T also utilizes an LCD. The key difference lies in processing power impacting UI smoothness. The Kirin 980’s image signal processor (ISP) also contributes to potentially better image quality from the camera, even before software processing. Bezels are likely comparable given the similar launch timelines and market segments.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of sensors, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Kirin 980’s superior ISP provides a significant advantage in image processing. The nova 5T likely benefits from more sophisticated noise reduction, dynamic range optimization, and potentially better low-light performance. While both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, the processing power of the Kirin 980 will likely result in more detailed and visually appealing photos. The Y19’s camera will likely be adequate for casual snapshots, but will struggle in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Huawei nova 5T’s Kirin 980, fabricated on a 7nm process, features a more advanced CPU architecture – Cortex-A76 cores – compared to the Y19’s Helio P65 (12nm). The A76 cores in the Kirin 980 (2x2.6 GHz) are demonstrably faster than the Cortex-A75 cores (2x2.0 GHz) in the Helio P65. Furthermore, the Kirin 980 has two additional A76 cores (2x1.92 GHz) compared to the Helio P65’s six A55 cores (6x1.7 GHz). This translates to significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the nova 5T. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Y19’s battery capacity is not specified, but typical for the segment. The nova 5T’s battery capacity is also not specified. However, the charging speeds tell a crucial story. The nova 5T’s 22.5W charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in 24 minutes, is significantly faster than the Y19’s 18W charging. While the Y19 offers 5W reverse wired charging, a niche feature, the nova 5T’s faster charging is more impactful for everyday use. The Kirin 980’s efficiency also contributes to potentially better battery life despite the faster charging, as it consumes less power during operation.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y19 (2019) if you need a reliable, affordable smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, social media, and light web browsing, and prioritize long battery life over raw performance. Buy the Huawei nova 5T if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience for gaming, multitasking, and photography, and value faster charging speeds and a more powerful processor.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Huawei nova 5T handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Kirin 980 chipset in the nova 5T is capable of running PUBG Mobile at high settings with stable frame rates. The GPU within the Kirin 980 is significantly more powerful than the GPU in the Helio P65, providing a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ Is the 5W reverse charging on the vivo Y19 useful for anything?
The 5W reverse charging is primarily useful for topping up accessories like Bluetooth headphones or a smartwatch in an emergency. It's a slow charging speed and not practical for significantly charging another phone.
❓ Does the Kirin 980 in the nova 5T get hot during extended gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 980 is a powerful chip, its 7nm fabrication process contributes to relatively good thermal efficiency. It's unlikely to overheat significantly during typical gaming sessions, but some warmth is expected. The phone's thermal management system should prevent substantial throttling.
❓ How much faster is the app loading speed on the Huawei nova 5T compared to the vivo Y19?
App loading speeds on the nova 5T will be noticeably faster, likely 30-50% quicker, due to the Kirin 980’s more powerful CPU and faster storage interface. This difference will be particularly apparent when launching larger applications.
