The vivo Y9s and Huawei nova 5T represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Y9s prioritizes affordability with a Snapdragon 665, while the nova 5T aims for a more premium experience powered by the Kirin 980. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Huawei nova 5T is the clear winner. Its Kirin 980 chipset offers a significant performance leap over the Snapdragon 665 in the vivo Y9s, making it better suited for demanding tasks and gaming. However, the Y9s remains a viable option for basic users on a tight budget.
| 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December. Released 2019, December | 2019, August 27. Released 2019, September 05 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 159.3 x 75.2 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.34 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 |
| Weight | 186.7 g (6.60 oz) | 174 g (6.14 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~404 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 99.9 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Kirin 980 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G76 MP10 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 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, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | 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, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 22.5W wired, 50% in 24 min |
| Type | 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3750 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Fancy Sky, Knight Black, Nebula Blue | Black, Crush Blue, Midsummer Purple, Crush Green |
| Models | V1945A, V1945T | YAL-L21, YAL-L61, YAL-L71, YAL-L61D |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 340 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 313024 (v7), 395503 (v8)
GeekBench: 10013 (v4.4), 2504 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 29fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Y9s
- More affordable price point
- Potentially longer battery life (depending on capacity)
- Reliable for basic smartphone tasks
- Significantly slower performance
- Slower charging speeds
- Less capable camera processing
Huawei nova 5T
- Superior performance with Kirin 980
- Faster 22.5W charging
- Potentially better camera image quality
- Higher price compared to the vivo Y9s
- May have slightly shorter battery life (depending on capacity)
- Potential software concerns (Huawei's ecosystem)
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Y9s' positioning, it likely features an LCD panel, while the nova 5T, being a slightly more premium offering, may utilize an OLED panel for richer colors and deeper blacks. The absence of refresh rate data suggests both operate at the standard 60Hz. Bezels are likely comparable, typical of phones in this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the Kirin 980’s integrated ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally more advanced than the Snapdragon 665’s, potentially leading to better image processing, dynamic range, and low-light performance on the nova 5T. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the nova 5T, if equipped, would further enhance image quality, particularly in videos and low-light scenarios. The Y9s likely relies more heavily on software processing to compensate for its less powerful ISP.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Huawei nova 5T’s Kirin 980, fabricated on a 7nm process, significantly outperforms the vivo Y9s’ Snapdragon 665 (11nm). The Kirin 980’s octa-core configuration, featuring two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.6GHz, provides a substantial advantage in CPU-intensive tasks. The Snapdragon 665, while efficient, relies on Kryo 260 cores with lower clock speeds. This translates to faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the nova 5T. The Kirin 980 also boasts a more capable GPU, further widening the performance gap. The nova 5T will handle graphically demanding games with higher frame rates and settings.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified for either device. However, the nova 5T’s 22.5W fast charging is a significant advantage, promising a 50% charge in just 24 minutes. The Y9s’ 18W charging is slower, requiring more time to reach a full charge. While a larger battery capacity on the Y9s could offset the slower charging, the faster charging of the nova 5T provides a more convenient user experience, especially for those who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y9s if you need a reliable smartphone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, social media, and light web browsing, and your budget is the primary concern. Buy the Huawei nova 5T if you prioritize smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, a more responsive gaming experience, and faster charging, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Huawei nova 5T struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
No, the Kirin 980 is capable of handling PUBG and Call of Duty at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won't match the performance of flagship chipsets, it provides a significantly smoother gaming experience than the Snapdragon 665 in the vivo Y9s.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 665 in the vivo Y9s have enough power for everyday social media and browsing?
Yes, the Snapdragon 665 is perfectly adequate for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging. However, you may experience some lag when multitasking or opening multiple apps simultaneously.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed between 18W and 22.5W really noticeable?
Yes, the 22.5W charging on the nova 5T is noticeably faster. The advertised 50% charge in 24 minutes is a significant time saving compared to the Y9s' 18W charging, especially for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Given the price difference, is the performance boost of the nova 5T worth the extra cost?
For users who value performance and a smoother user experience, the extra cost of the nova 5T is justified. The Kirin 980 provides a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 665, making it a better long-term investment.
