Huawei Nova Y90 Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

Welcome to my review of the Huawei Nova Y90, a budget-friendly smartphone released in 2022. As a tech enthusiast, I am always excited to explore new gadgets and share my honest opinions on their features and capabilities. In today's world, where smartphones have become an essential part of our lives, it is crucial to make an informed decision when purchasing a new device. This is where phone reviews come in handy as they provide valuable insights into a phone's strengths and weaknesses.

Design and Build Quality

The Huawei Nova Y90 features a sleek and modern design that is sure to catch the eye of many. The phone has a plastic build with a glossy finish, giving it a premium look and feel. It comes in three different colors: Aurora Blue, Midnight Black, and Amber Brown, providing users with a variety of options to choose from.

The phone measures 159.1 x 74.1 x 9.0 mm and weighs in at 185g, making it slightly heavier than some of its competitors. Despite this, the phone still feels comfortable to hold and use for extended periods of time. The back of the phone has a smooth finish, which may be prone to fingerprints and smudges.

The placement of the buttons and ports on the phone is well thought out, with the volume and power buttons located on the right-hand side of the phone and the headphone jack, micro-USB port, and speaker grille located on the bottom. The phone also features a dual-SIM slot, which is convenient for users who travel frequently.

One downside to the phone's design is its lack of water and dust resistance, which may be a dealbreaker for some users. Additionally, the plastic build may not be as durable as some of the metal or glass builds of other phones in this price range.

Overall, the Huawei Nova Y90 has a modern and sleek design that is sure to appeal to many users. The plastic build and lack of water resistance may be drawbacks for some, but the phone's overall build quality is still solid.

Display

The Huawei Nova Y90 boasts a 6.22-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1520 pixels and a 19:9 aspect ratio. The display is not the sharpest one out there but it does deliver decent visuals for its price point.

The color accuracy and vibrancy of the display are good, and the screen is capable of producing vivid colors. The brightness levels are decent, but the outdoor visibility can be a bit challenging under direct sunlight.

The touch sensitivity and responsiveness of the display are satisfactory, and users will not face any issues while navigating through the phone. The display size is optimal for multimedia consumption, and users will enjoy watching videos and playing games on it.

However, the display technology used is an LCD, which cannot match the contrast and deep blacks of an OLED display. Additionally, the resolution of the display is relatively low, which may result in slightly pixelated content.

Overall, the display of the Huawei Nova Y90 delivers good visuals and is suitable for day-to-day usage. While it is not the sharpest or most advanced display on the market, it is still a decent entry-level display that gets the job done.

Performance

When it comes to performance, the Huawei Nova Y90 is powered by a Mediatek Helio A20 processor, which is paired with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. The combination of these components provides a smooth and responsive experience for most day-to-day tasks such as browsing the web, sending emails, and using social media apps.

However, when it comes to more demanding tasks such as gaming or running multiple apps simultaneously, the Nova Y90 may struggle a bit. The limited amount of RAM may cause some apps to close unexpectedly, and the processor may struggle to keep up with intensive tasks.

In terms of gaming, the Nova Y90 is capable of running basic games without any issues. However, when it comes to more demanding games, users may experience some lag and stuttering.

When it comes to benchmark scores, the Nova Y90 scores around the mid-range for its price point. In real-world usage, the phone performs adequately but may not be the best option for power users or those who demand high performance from their devices.

Overall, the Huawei Nova Y90 provides decent performance for its price point. While it may not be the best option for heavy users or gamers, it should suffice for most day-to-day tasks and basic app usage.

Software and User Interface

The Huawei Nova Y90 runs on Android 11 with EMUI 11, providing a smooth and user-friendly interface. The operating system delivers an effortless experience with an intuitive user interface that is easy to navigate. It also comes with customizations, which allow users to personalize their device to their liking.

One downside to the software is that it comes with pre-installed apps and bloatware, which can be quite annoying to some users. However, these can be easily uninstalled or disabled.

The user-friendly interface provides straightforward access to settings and apps, making it easy for users to get the most out of their device. The device also supports gesture navigation, making it more fluid and natural to use.

Huawei is known for its software updates, and the Nova Y90 is no exception. The device is eligible for future EMUI updates, making it more secure and up-to-date.

Overall, the software and user interface of the Huawei Nova Y90 is efficient, intuitive, and easy to use. It is a great experience for users who prefer a simple, yet functional interface. However, the bloatware may be a turn-off for some users.

Camera

The Huawei Nova Y90 boasts a 13-megapixel rear camera with an f/1.8 aperture, LED flash, and 1080p video recording at 30fps. It also features a 5-megapixel front-facing camera with an f/2.2 aperture.

In terms of image quality, the rear camera captures decent photos in good lighting conditions with accurate colors and sharp details. However, the camera struggles in low light conditions, resulting in grainy and blurry images. The AI scene recognition feature helps to enhance the overall image quality, but it is not always accurate.

The camera app is user-friendly, with various shooting modes such as portrait, night, and pro mode. The portrait mode offers a decent bokeh effect, but the edge detection can be inconsistent at times. The night mode, on the other hand, helps to capture brighter and more detailed images in low light conditions.

The video recording quality is good, with smooth and stable footage at 1080p resolution. However, the lack of image stabilization can result in shaky footage when shooting while moving.

The front-facing camera offers decent selfie quality, but it struggles in low light conditions, resulting in grainy and noisy images. The beauty mode helps to enhance skin tones and smooth out blemishes, but it can be overly aggressive at times.

Overall, the camera performance of the Huawei Nova Y90 is decent but not exceptional. It is suitable for casual photography and social media sharing, but it may not satisfy users who prioritize camera quality.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The Huawei Nova Y90 comes equipped with a range of connectivity options, making it a versatile and adaptable device for users on-the-go.

In terms of cellular network compatibility, the device supports dual-SIM functionality and 4G LTE connectivity, making it ideal for users who need to stay connected while traveling or in areas with limited Wi-Fi coverage. The Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n support and Bluetooth 5.0 ensure fast and reliable connectivity for internet browsing and data transfer, respectively.

The device also supports USB On-The-Go and Micro USB 2.0 connectivity, allowing users to connect external storage devices, such as flash drives or hard drives, and transfer data quickly and easily.

For users who require NFC and wireless payment support, the Huawei Nova Y90 has got you covered with its NFC capabilities. This allows for contactless payments and quick data transfers between devices.

In terms of GPS and navigation accuracy, the device features an accurate GPS system that provides users with real-time location tracking and navigation services. The ambient light sensor, accelerometer, and proximity sensor add to the device's convenience and functionality.

Overall, the Huawei Nova Y90 offers a comprehensive range of connectivity and networking options, making it an excellent choice for users who require a versatile and adaptable device for their daily needs.

Additional Features

The Huawei Nova Y90 comes packed with a range of additional features that elevate the phone's usability and convenience. One of the standout features is its expandable storage options, with the phone supporting microSD cards up to 512GB. This means that users can store a plethora of media files, documents, and apps, without worrying about storage limitations.

The phone also features a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a rarity in smartphones today. This allows users to connect their wired headphones and enjoy high-quality audio without the need for an additional adapter.

The audio quality is enhanced by the phone's speaker performance, which is crisp and clear, making it ideal for watching videos or listening to music. Additionally, the phone's vibration motor is strong and responsive, providing haptic feedback when required.

The Huawei Nova Y90 also boasts a range of sensors, including a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, which provides quick and secure access to the phone. The phone also supports face unlock, which is fast and accurate, making it a convenient alternative to the fingerprint sensor.

Overall, the additional features of the Huawei Nova Y90 make it an attractive option for those looking for a budget-friendly phone that packs a punch in terms of functionality and convenience.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the Huawei Nova Y90 to other related phones on the market, a few notable options come to mind. One such option is the Samsung Galaxy A12, which features a slightly larger display at 6.5 inches and a similar resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. The Galaxy A12 also boasts a larger battery capacity at 5000mAh, but comes with a lower 13-megapixel rear camera.

Another comparable phone is the Xiaomi Redmi 9C, which has a similar display size and resolution to the Nova Y90, but comes with a slightly less powerful MediaTek Helio G35 processor. The Redmi 9C also has a larger battery capacity at 5000mAh and a slightly lower price point, making it a strong contender for those on a budget.

For those interested in a phone with a more powerful processor, the Realme C21Y could be a good option. It features a MediaTek Helio G35 chipset and a slightly larger display at 6.5 inches, but has a lower resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. The Realme C21Y also has a larger battery capacity at 5000mAh and a triple camera setup on the rear, making it a strong competitor in the mid-range market.

Overall, the Huawei Nova Y90 sits comfortably in the mid-range smartphone market, with solid specs and features at an affordable price point. While there are other comparable phones on the market, the Nova Y90 offers a unique design and build quality, making it a strong contender for those seeking a reliable and stylish smartphone.

Pros and Cons

XI. Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Huawei Nova Y90 is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers decent features for its price range. It boasts a large 6.22-inch display with good color accuracy and brightness, making it ideal for media consumption and browsing. Additionally, the phone's performance is satisfactory, thanks to its Mediatek Helio A20 chipset and 2GB of RAM.

While the camera setup may not be the best, it still manages to capture decent photos in well-lit conditions. Battery life is impressive, with its 4000mAh battery providing enough juice to last a day on moderate usage. The phone's EMUI 11 operating system is user-friendly, and the pre-installed apps and bloatware can be easily removed or disabled.

However, the phone's design and build quality could be improved, as it feels a bit bulky and not as premium as other devices in its class. Additionally, the rear camera's low-light performance could be better, and the lack of fast charging may be a downside for some users.

Overall, the Huawei Nova Y90 is a great value for money device that offers a satisfactory user experience. It is ideal for users who are on a tight budget and looking for a device that can handle basic tasks with ease. While there are some minor drawbacks, the phone's strengths outweigh its weaknesses, making it a recommended choice for those seeking an affordable smartphone.