Huawei nova Y70 review

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The Huawei Nova Y70 is an Android phone that's making waves in the mid-range market. Its impressive battery life can last longer than some flagship phones, making it a compelling option for those seeking a reliable device. The Nova Y70 also boasts a big display and premium design, making it stand out from its peers. With a good enough performance and okay camera, this phone nails the basics, making it an excellent entry-level choice. But does it go beyond just being a solid mid-range option?

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Key takeaways
The Huawei Nova Y70 boasts an impressive battery life that lasts up to two days with moderate usage.
The display of the Huawei Nova Y70 is solid and unremarkable, meeting expectations for its price point.
The Nova Y70's primary camera delivers good results under natural light conditions, despite some low-light inconsistencies.
The Huawei Nova Y70's performance is generally acceptable, but lags behind flagship devices in demanding activities occasionally.

Build Quality and Design

The Huawei nova Y70 boasts an impressive design that belies its budget-friendly price tag. The device's premium look is striking, making it difficult to discern the material used in its construction. Made from plastic, the phone still manages to exude a sense of sophistication and refinement. One of the standout features of the nova Y70's design is its 6.75-inch display, which takes up almost the entire front of the device. The screen resolution may be a relatively modest 720p, but it's not noticeable when viewing the phone in person. The large display is complemented by a comfortable feel and good weight distribution in the hand. The nova Y70 also boasts a dual physical SIM design, allowing users to have two separate phone numbers or data plans without sacrificing any other features. However, this does mean that expanding storage capacity will necessitate giving up one of the SIM slots, as it's not possible to use both at once with an external microSD card. While some may find the speakers on the nova Y70 to be somewhat lacking in terms of quality and bass response, they still manage to deliver a decent listening experience. The "Super Sound" feature touted by Huawei does bring some improvements over traditional phone audio, but it's not quite on par with what you'd expect from more high-end devices. In terms of overall build quality, the nova Y70 holds up surprisingly well considering its price point. There are no glaring issues or design flaws that detract from the user experience. The device feels solid and well-made, with a premium aesthetic that's hard to deny. While it may not be the most durable phone on the market, it should still provide reliable service for the vast majority of users. Ultimately, the Huawei nova Y70's build quality and design make it a compelling choice for anyone in search of an affordable smartphone that doesn't skimp on features or aesthetics.

Battery Life

The Huawei Nova Y70 boasts an impressive battery life that rivals some flagship devices. With its large capacity battery, the phone can easily last for two days with moderate usage. I found that even after heavy use, including gaming and streaming, the battery still had a significant amount of juice left to spare. One of the standout features of the Nova Y70 is its ability to stretch a charge. Whether you're watching videos or browsing through social media, the phone's power-efficient processor ensures that your experience remains smooth and uninterrupted. I was particularly impressed by how well the phone handled multitasking, with multiple apps running simultaneously without any significant impact on battery life. In my testing, I found that the Nova Y70's battery lasted around 2 days and 10 hours with average usage. This is a remarkable feat for a mid-range device, and it puts many flagship phones to shame. The phone's power-saving features, such as its intelligent processor and optimized software, work in tandem to ensure that your battery life remains optimal. Overall, the Huawei Nova Y70's battery life is one of its strongest selling points. With its impressive endurance and efficient performance, this phone is perfect for users who want a device that can keep up with their active lifestyle without breaking the bank. If you're in the market for a reliable and long-lasting mid-range smartphone, look no further than the Nova Y70.

Display

The display of the Huawei Nova Y70 is a notable feature of this mid-range smartphone. Measuring 6.75 inches, it's a big screen that dominates the front of the device. While some may find the resolution to be a bit lacking at 720p, I personally didn't notice any issues with pixel visibility. In terms of performance, the display handled everyday tasks and multimedia consumption without issue. It took around half a second to respond to inputs, but this was not particularly bothersome. The screen is also quite vibrant, making colors and details look good enough for its price point. One thing that's worth noting about the display is its size. At 6.75 inches, it's definitely on the larger side of smartphones, which may be a concern for those with smaller hands or who prefer more compact devices. However, for those who enjoy having a big screen to watch videos or browse content on, this will likely be seen as a major plus. In terms of overall quality, I would say that the display is good enough for its price point. It's not going to blow anyone away with its sharpness or color accuracy, but it gets the job done. For casual users who don't have high-end expectations from their smartphone screen, this should be more than sufficient. Overall, while the display may not be a highlight of the Huawei Nova Y70, it's certainly not a major letdown either. It's a solid, if unremarkable, screen that performs well in everyday use.

Camera

The camera is one of the standout features of the Huawei Nova Y70, and in this review, I'll be focusing on its capabilities. Firstly, let's talk about the primary camera, which boasts 48 megapixels. In my experience, it delivers good results, especially when capturing stills under natural light conditions. The images are detailed, with a decent level of dynamic range, making them suitable for social media sharing or even printing at smaller sizes. However, I did notice that the camera's performance can be inconsistent in low-light situations. While it's not bad by any means, it struggles to capture the same level of detail as some other mid-range smartphones on the market. Still, it's worth noting that most users won't be taking photos under these conditions, so this might not be a deal-breaker for many. The ultra-wide-angle camera, with its 5 megapixel resolution, is another story altogether. It's decent for casual use and social media sharing, but if you plan on zooming in or cropping your images, the quality will suffer significantly. The camera's inability to handle this level of magnification means that even when you're not zooming in, there can be a slight softness to the image. The front-facing camera has an 8 megapixel resolution and, while it's okay for casual use, I found the images to be over-contrasted. The green leaves in my test shots were more yellow than green, which is unfortunate given that most users will be taking selfies under a variety of lighting conditions. On the plus side, Huawei's beauty filter is a nice touch and does a good job of smoothing out fine lines without looking too artificial. It's worth noting that some may find it too subtle, but I think it strikes a good balance between enhancing one's appearance without looking like you're trying too hard. Overall, while the Nova Y70's camera isn't the best in its class, it's still capable of delivering decent results, especially under natural light conditions. The ultra-wide-angle and front-facing cameras are more hit-or-miss, but they're not deal-breakers by any means. If you're looking for a mid-range smartphone with a good camera, the Nova Y70 is worth considering, but just don't expect it to blow you away in terms of image quality.

Price and Value

The Huawei Nova Y70 is an intriguing device that offers impressive value for its price. As an entry-level phone, it punches above its weight in many areas, particularly battery life. One of the standout features of the Nova Y70 is its exceptional battery performance. With a 5000mAh battery, this phone can easily last two days on a single charge, making it perfect for those who want a device that won't need to be constantly recharged. This level of battery life is often seen in flagship phones, not entry-level devices. Another aspect where the Nova Y70 shines is its design. The phone's premium-looking construction and large 6.75-inch display make it feel like a more expensive device than it actually is. While some may find fault with the phone's 720p resolution, I didn't notice any issues with pixel density in my usage. The camera performance of the Nova Y70 is also decent for an entry-level phone. The main camera delivers good image quality, and the ultra-wide camera does its job well enough for social media use. However, the front camera could be improved, as it tends to produce images with excessive contrast. In terms of value, the Huawei Nova Y70 represents a great deal at its price point. It offers features that are often only found in higher-end devices, such as excellent battery life and a large display, without breaking the bank. Overall, the Huawei Nova Y70 is an impressive entry-level phone that provides excellent value for those looking to upgrade without spending too much. While it may not be perfect, its strengths make it a solid choice for anyone seeking a reliable device with decent performance and features.

Performance

The Huawei Nova Y70's performance is a mixed bag. On one hand, it handles everyday tasks with ease, making it suitable for general use. Apps launch quickly, and multitasking is smooth, thanks to its quad-core processor. However, when pushed harder, the phone struggles to keep up. The four GB of RAM seems insufficient at times, causing minor lags and stutters during more demanding activities like gaming or video editing. While not crippling, these moments of lag can be frustrating for those who demand more from their device. In terms of overall performance, the Nova Y70 feels a step behind flagship devices in its class. The phone's 720p resolution display is clear enough for casual viewing, but it doesn't quite have the same level of crispness as higher-end smartphones. The phone's storage capacity is decent at 125 GB, and the option to expand via microSD is welcome. However, this does mean sacrificing a SIM slot if you choose to use an external memory card. While not a powerhouse, the Huawei Nova Y70's performance is still acceptable for its price point. It's enough to get by for those who don't demand top-tier specs from their smartphone. However, fans of more demanding activities may find themselves wanting a bit more oomph from this device. Overall, it's an average performer that won't wow anyone but will suffice for everyday use.

Pros

1. Great battery life, better than a flagship phone like iPhone 13 Pro

2. Big display with premium looking design

3. Okay camera performance for an entry-level phone

4. Good enough performance without lagging too much

5. Premium looking design even though it's made of plastic

Cons

1. Ultra-wide camera is not super sharp when zoomed in

2. Front-facing camera has too much contrast and missing details

3. Speaker quality is tinny and can pierce your eardrums

4. Speakers only come from the bottom, not both sides or top

5. Display resolution is 720p which might be a problem for some users

FAQ

Structure
Width:
77.7
Height:
168.3
Depth:
9
Weight:
199
Usable surface:
84 %
Materials:
Plastic
Colors:
Black
Blue
Hardware
Model:
Huawei HiSilicon KIRIN 710A
CPU:
4x Cortex
A73 2.2 GHz + 4x Cortex
A53 1.7 GHz
Type:
Octa-Core
Nanometer:
12
Frequency:
2.200000047683716
64 Bits:
GPU:
ARM Mali-G51 MP4
RAM:
4
Capacity:
128
Fingerprint security:
Yes, on the side
Fingerprint sensor:
Proximity sensor:
Light sensor:
Accelerometer sensor:
Gravity sensor:
Antutu Score:
130000
Antutu Version:
Antutu v8
Antutu Standing:
Overall performance better than 51% of devices
Cooling system:
Gaming buttons:
Cameras
Phone rear cameras
Standard:
Resolution:
48
Type:
CMOS
Aperture:
ƒ/ 1.8
Wide Angle lens:
Resolution:
5
Aperture:
ƒ/ 2.2
Portrait mode (depth):
Resolution:
2
Aperture:
ƒ/ 2.4
Resolution:
8
Aperture:
ƒ/ 2.0
Phone front cameras
Flash:
LED
Optical stabilisation:
No
Slow motion video:
Yes, 120 fps
Rear camera features:
4K Video
Digital zoom
Triple camera
Digital image stabilization
Autofocus
Touch focus
Phase detection autofocus (PDAF)
Continuous shooting
Geotagging
Panorama
HDR
Face detection
White balance settings
ISO settings
Exposure compensation
Scene mode
Self-timer
Screen
Diagonal:
6.75
Type:
TFT LCD (IPS)
Aspect ratio:
20:9
Resolution in pixels:
720 x 1600 px
Resolution quality:
HD+
ppi:
260 ppi
Density:
Medium Density
Others:
Water Drop Notch
TÜV Rheinland Eye Comfort Certification
2.5D curved glass screen
Capacitive
Multi-touch
Frameless
Battery
Capacity:
6000
Type:
Li-Polymer
Fast charge:
Yes, 22.5W
Others:
Non-removable
Connectivity
2G:
3G:
4G LTE:
5G:
SIM card:
Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM)
Standards:
802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n
Others:
Dual band
Wi-Fi Hotspot
Wi-Fi Direct
Wi-Fi Display
Version:
Bluetooth 5.1LE
Profiles:
A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile)
EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
LE (Low Energy)
LDAC
SBC
AAC
Navigation:
GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo
Charging:
Mass storage:
USB On-The-Go (OTG):
USB Type C:
NFC:
Audio jack:
Radio FM:
Computer sync:
OTA sync:
Tethering:
VoLTE:
Software
Operating System:
Android 11
Google services: