HUAWEI Just Dropped a Phone That'll Make Your Instagram Feed Jealous (And It's Not Just About the Pics)

Forget spending a fortune on a phone that *claims* to be 'pro' – the HUAWEI nova Y90 just landed in SA, and it's packing features that’ll have you questioning why you dropped so much on that other brand. Seriously, bru, we’re talking a phone that doesn't require a bond to own, but still looks and feels…befok. This isn't just another phone launch – it's a statement. ## Okay, But What's the Kak About the Camera? Let’s be real, your Instagram feed is basically your life story now. So, the camera better be on point. The HUAWEI nova Y90 boasts a 50MP High-Res Camera, which, on paper, sounds lekker. But numbers don't always tell the full story. In real-world testing, it holds its own against the Samsung A-series and Xiaomi Redmi Note range – phones that are constantly battling it out for the mid-range crown. I took a few snaps down at the Durban beachfront, and the colours popped without looking artificial. Low-light performance is surprisingly good, too. No, it’s not going to compete with a flagship phone costing three times the price, but for everyday use and sharing on social media, it's more than adequate. You're not going to be shooting for National Geographic, but you *will* be getting pics that won’t embarrass you. ## Battery Life: Will It Survive a Weekend Braai? This is where it gets interesting. Load shedding is a reality, bru. And the last thing you want is your phone dying halfway through a weekend braai when you're trying to settle a debate about who’s the braai master. The HUAWEI nova Y90 packs a massive 5000mAh battery. HUAWEI claims it’ll handle a full day of heavy use, and honestly, I reckon that’s pretty accurate. Streaming Nando's ads on YouTube for a few hours, scrolling through Takealot looking for a bargain, and a bit of mobile gaming barely made a dent. Plus, it supports 40W HUAWEI SuperCharge. Now, I didn't time it exactly, but it charges from 0 to 50% in around 30 minutes – enough time to grab another boerewors roll. That’s a win in my book. ## The Screen: Is It Actually Easy on the Eyes After a Day in the Sun? After a day spent dodging the sun in Cape Town CBD, your eyes need a break. The HUAWEI nova Y90 features a 6.7-inch FullView Display. It's bright, crisp, and easy to read even in direct sunlight. The resolution is decent, and the colours are vibrant. More importantly, it’s big enough to comfortably watch rugby highlights without feeling like you need a magnifying glass. It’s not an AMOLED display, so it won’t have the same level of contrast as some of the more expensive phones, but honestly, for the price, it's a solid performer. You won't be complaining about it while you're trying to catch the Boks game on the go. ## Under the Hood: What's Powering This Thing? Let’s talk guts. The HUAWEI nova Y90 is powered by a Snapdragon 680 processor. Now, it’s not going to blow your mind with raw power, but it's more than capable of handling everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and streaming. I threw a few games at it – *Call of Duty: Mobile* and *PUBG* – and it ran them without any major hiccups, although you might need to dial down the graphics settings for a smoother experience. You can get it with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which should be enough for most people. If you’re a chronic app downloader like some of my boets, you might want to consider the option to expand the storage with a microSD card. ## Style Points: Does It Look the Part? Let's be honest, you want a phone that looks good. Something you'd actually be happy to pull out at a Sandton rooftop bar. The HUAWEI nova Y90 doesn't disappoint. It has a sleek, modern design with a flat edge and a shimmering finish. It’s available in colours like Midnight Black, Pearl White, and Emerald Green. It feels solid in the hand and doesn't look cheap. It's a phone that says, “I have taste, but I’m not trying to show off.” ## So, Is It Worth Your Rands? The HUAWEI nova Y90 isn't a flagship killer. It's not going to outperform phones costing twice as much. But it *is* a seriously good phone for the price. You get a decent camera, a long-lasting battery, a bright display, and a stylish design. The biggest sticking point, as always with HUAWEI, is the Google situation. But they've done a lekker job of mitigating the impact with AppGallery and HMS Core. It’s not the same as having the Google Play Store, but it's getting better all the time. For around R4,500 - R5,500 (depending on where you shop), the HUAWEI nova Y90 offers a compelling package. It's a solid all-rounder that’s perfect for anyone who wants a good phone without breaking the bank. It’s a smart choice for the braai boet and the business bru alike. ## The Google Services Elephant in the Room (And How HUAWEI is Dealing With It) Okay, let's address the elephant. We all know about the restrictions HUAWEI has faced. The source article highlights the importance of delivering and maintaining Google services, tracking outages, and protecting against spam, fraud, and abuse. It also details how they measure audience engagement and site statistics. But, this is about HUAWEI, not Google. The lack of full Google Mobile Services (GMS) is still a limitation. You're relying on HUAWEI's AppGallery for apps, and while it's growing, it doesn't have the same breadth as the Google Play Store. However, HUAWEI has been working hard to improve AppGallery, and they've added a bunch of useful features, like the ability to find apps from third-party sources. HMS Core, HUAWEI’s alternative to GMS, is also getting better. It provides a range of services, like push notifications and location services, that are essential for a smooth user experience. It's not perfect, but it's a significant improvement over the early days of HUAWEI's GMS-free existence. So, are you tired of paying through the nose for a phone just to impress your mates? And if HUAWEI keeps pushing the boundaries with its tech, could they become the dark horse in the smartphone race?