The Huawei Nova Y70 Plus is a budget-friendly smartphone that aims to deliver a solid user experience without breaking the bank. While it may not compete with flagship devices in terms of raw power or cutting-edge features, it offers a balanced combination of performance, battery life, and camera capabilities that make it a compelling choice for everyday users. Let’s dive deeper into what this device has to offer.

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the Huawei Nova Y70 Plus sports a sleek and modern design that belies its affordable price tag. The phone features a plastic back with a glossy finish that mimics the look of glass, giving it a premium aesthetic. The rear camera module is arranged in a rectangular layout, which is a common design language seen in many smartphones today. The device feels comfortable in hand, thanks to its ergonomic curves and manageable weight. Available in a range of colors, including Midnight Black and Sapphire Blue, the Nova Y70 Plus caters to different style preferences.

The 6.75-inch display dominates the front of the device, with relatively slim bezels that maximize screen real estate. While the chin is slightly thicker than the other borders, it doesn’t detract significantly from the overall viewing experience. The power button, which doubles as a fingerprint scanner, is conveniently placed on the right side, offering quick and secure access to the device. The build quality is sturdy, though the plastic construction may not feel as premium as metal or glass alternatives.

Display Performance

The Huawei Nova Y70 Plus boasts a 6.75-inch IPS LCD with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels. While this isn’t the sharpest display on the market, it delivers decent clarity and color reproduction for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and social media. The HD+ resolution is adequate for a phone in this price range, though users accustomed to Full HD or higher may notice a slight lack of sharpness.

Brightness levels are satisfactory for indoor use, but the screen can struggle under direct sunlight. The color calibration leans toward natural tones, which is a plus for those who prefer accuracy over oversaturation. However, the lack of a high refresh rate means scrolling and animations won’t feel as smooth as on more expensive devices with 90Hz or 120Hz panels. For casual users, though, this won’t be a dealbreaker.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Nova Y70 Plus is powered by the Huawei Kirin 710F chipset, paired with 4GB of RAM. This configuration is sufficient for light to moderate usage, including social media apps, web browsing, and multimedia consumption. However, it may show limitations when handling demanding tasks like heavy multitasking or high-end gaming. Casual games like Candy Crush or Among Us run smoothly, but graphically intensive titles such as Genshin Impact may require lower settings for a playable experience.

The device runs on EMUI 12, based on Android, but without Google Mobile Services (GMS). Instead, Huawei offers its own ecosystem of apps and services through Huawei Mobile Services (HMS). This can be a hurdle for users reliant on Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, or Google Maps, though alternatives like Petal Search and Huawei’s AppGallery are improving over time. The software experience is generally smooth, with minimal bloatware and useful customization options.

Camera Capabilities

The Huawei Nova Y70 Plus features a triple-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 48MP primary sensor, a 5MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. The main camera captures decent photos in good lighting, with accurate colors and reasonable detail. Dynamic range is acceptable, though shadows can sometimes appear crushed in high-contrast scenes. The ultra-wide lens is useful for capturing landscapes or group shots, but image quality takes a noticeable hit, with softer edges and reduced sharpness.

Low-light performance is where the camera struggles the most. Without a dedicated night mode, photos taken in dimly lit environments tend to be noisy and lack detail. The 8MP front-facing camera is adequate for selfies and video calls, though it doesn’t excel in challenging lighting conditions. Video recording maxes out at 1080p at 30fps, which is standard for this price range but lacks stabilization, resulting in shaky footage.

Battery Life and Charging

One of the standout features of the Nova Y70 Plus is its massive 6000mAh battery, which easily lasts a full day—and often well into a second—with moderate to heavy usage. This makes it an excellent choice for users who prioritize battery life over fast charging or other premium features. Streaming videos, browsing the web, and even some light gaming won’t drain the battery quickly, ensuring reliability for on-the-go users.

Charging speeds, however, are underwhelming. The phone supports only 22.5W wired charging, which is slow given the battery’s capacity. A full charge can take over two hours, so overnight charging is the most practical approach. The lack of wireless charging is expected at this price point, but faster wired charging would have been a welcome addition.

Final Verdict

The Huawei Nova Y70 Plus is a solid budget smartphone that excels in battery life and offers a decent overall experience for its price. While it has its limitations—such as the absence of Google services, a mediocre low-light camera, and a low-resolution display—it delivers where it counts for casual users. If you’re looking for an affordable device with long-lasting battery life and a reliable performance for everyday tasks, the Nova Y70 Plus is worth considering.

Huawei Nova Y70 Plus Specifications:

Display: 6.75-inch IPS LCD, 1600 x 720 pixels (HD+)

Chipset: Huawei Kirin 710F

RAM: 4GB

Storage: 128GB (expandable via microSD)

Rear Cameras: 48MP main, 5MP ultra-wide, 2MP depth

Front Camera: 8MP

Battery: 6000mAh, 22.5W wired charging

Operating System: EMUI 12 (based on Android, no GMS)

Connectivity: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C

Dimensions: 168.3 x 77.7 x 9 mm

Weight: 199 grams

Colors: Midnight Black, Sapphire Blue