Huawei nova 8i vs Honor 70 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Honor 70
Honor 70
Honor

General

Launch Date July 22, 2021 June 2, 2022
Release Year 2021 2022

Physical

Volume 104.01 cm³ 93.46 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.51 "/g 3.75 "/g
Weight 190 g 178 g
Height 161.9 mm 161.4 mm
Width 74.7 mm 73.3 mm
Thickness 8.6 mm 7.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Starry Black
  • Moonlight Silver
  • Interstellar Blue
  • Midnight Black
  • Emerald Green
  • Icelandic Frost
  • Crystal Silver

Display

Screen Size 6.67 " 6.67 "
Resolution 1080 x 2376 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 89.4 % 90.8 %
Pixel Density 391 PPI 395 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 96.65 mAh/in² 107.89 mAh/in²
Battery Density 41.34 mAh/cm³ 51.36 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4300 mAh 4800 mAh
NFC Support No Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) Qualcomm SM7325-AE Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) Octa-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 610 Adreno 642L

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 10 12
Maximum OS Version

Comparison Summary

Alright, let's break down the Huawei nova 8i and the Honor 70, side-by-side, to see which one comes out on top for your needs. I'll skip the repetitive "comparisonResult" information and focus on the juicy bits that matter in real life.

1. Specifications Breakdown

Here's a detailed look at the key specs, along with what they mean for you:

FeatureHuawei nova 8iHonor 70Real-World Implications
Design
Dimensions161.9 x 74.7 x 8.6 mm161.4 x 73.3 x 7.9 mmHonor 70 is slimmer and slightly narrower, making it potentially more comfortable to hold for some.
Weight190g178gHonor 70 is lighter, which can be noticeable during prolonged use.
Display
Size6.67"6.67"Identical screen size.
Resolution1080x23761080x2400Essentially the same sharpness.
Panel TechnologyIPS LCDOLEDHuge difference. OLED offers far superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to IPS LCD. Makes a big impact on media consumption.
Refresh Rate60Hz120HzHonor 70 provides smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experience.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 662Snapdragon 778G+ 5GMajor upgrade. The 778G+ is significantly faster, offering snappier performance, better gaming capabilities, and future-proof 5G connectivity.
AnTuTu Score201,000600,525Confirms the performance gap. The Honor 70 is much faster.
Camera
Main Camera64MP f/1.954MP f/1.9 Sony IMX800While the nova 8i has a higher megapixel count, the Honor 70's Sony IMX800 sensor is known for better low-light performance and dynamic range.
Ultrawide Camera8MP f/2.250MP f/2.2Significant advantage for Honor 70. The higher resolution will produce much more detailed and usable ultrawide photos.
Selfie Camera16MP f/2.032MP f/2.4 OmniVision OV32CHonor 70 offers higher resolution selfies.
Video Recording1080p@30fps4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps with EISBig win for Honor 70. 4K recording provides much higher quality video, and EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization) helps to keep footage smooth.
Battery Life
Capacity4300mAh4800mAhHonor 70 will likely last longer on a single charge.
Charging66W Fast Charging66W Fast ChargingBoth charge quickly.
Reverse ChargingNoYesHonor 70 can act as a power bank to charge other devices.
Software
OSAndroid 10Android 12Honor 70 has a more recent Android version. This also means it will be supported for longer
Storage & RAM
Internal Storage128GB128/256/512GBHonor 70 offers more storage options.
RAM6GB6/8/12GBHonor 70 offers more RAM options.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phone allows for microSD card expansion.
Connectivity
Wi-FiWi-Fi 5Wi-Fi 6Honor 70 has newer WiFi with faster speeds and lower latency
Bluetooth5.05.2Newer Bluetooth for better power efficiency
Audio
Audio QualityNoise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphonesHi-Res Audio, Stereo SpeakersSlight edge for Huawei in audio features
Security
Featuresside-mounted fingerprint sensorbasic fingerprint sensorHuawei nova 8i features a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor; Provides basic biometric security

2. Key Insights

  • Honor 70 Dominates in Performance: The Snapdragon 778G+ 5G chipset gives the Honor 70 a massive performance advantage. It will handle demanding apps, games, and multitasking far better than the nova 8i.
  • Display Quality is Night and Day: The OLED screen on the Honor 70 is a game-changer compared to the nova 8i's IPS LCD. Expect richer colors, better contrast, and an overall more immersive viewing experience. The 120Hz refresh rate further enhances the smoothness.
  • Camera Versatility and Video Capabilities: While the nova 8i has a higher megapixel main camera, the Honor 70's superior ultrawide lens and 4K video recording capability make it the clear winner for photography and videography enthusiasts. The Sony IMX800 sensor on the main camera is also a plus for image quality.
  • Battery and Charging: The Honor 70 has a bigger battery, so expect better battery life.
  • Software and Connectivity: The Honor 70 ships with a newer version of Android and supports newer WiFi and Bluetooth.
  • Design and Build: The Honor 70 is both thinner and lighter which gives it the edge when it comes to daily usage.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

  • Huawei nova 8i: This phone might be suitable for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize a simple user experience and basic functionality over raw performance and display quality. However, the older chipset and display tech make it a hard sell in today's market.

  • Honor 70: This is the better choice for most users. It's ideal for:

    • Social Media Enthusiasts: The excellent cameras are perfect for taking and sharing high-quality photos and videos.
    • Gamers: The powerful chipset and smooth display will handle most mobile games with ease.
    • Media Consumers: The OLED screen makes watching videos and browsing photos a pleasure.
    • Anyone who wants a future-proof phone: With 5G connectivity, a newer processor, and a better display, the Honor 70 will stay relevant for longer.

4. Buying Decision Framework

Here are three questions to help you decide:

  1. How much do I value performance and future-proofing? If you want a phone that will run smoothly for years to come, the Honor 70 is the better choice.
  2. Is display quality important to me? If you watch a lot of videos or browse photos, the OLED screen on the Honor 70 is a must-have.
  3. What is my budget? If you're on a super tight budget, the nova 8i might be your only option, but it's worth saving up a bit more for the significantly better Honor 70.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Budget is King: If you absolutely cannot spend more, the Huawei nova 8i will work, but know that you are sacrificing significant performance and display quality.

  • Scenario 2: Best Value for Money: The Honor 70 offers a much better overall experience for the money. It's worth stretching your budget to get it.

  • Scenario 3: Content Creator: The Honor 70's superior cameras, especially the 4K video recording and higher resolution ultrawide lens, make it the better choice for creating content.

My Pick

If I had to choose between these two phones, I'd pick the Honor 70, hands down. The OLED display alone is worth the upgrade, and the vastly superior performance, better cameras, and longer battery life make it a no-brainer. While the Huawei nova 8i might be tempting due to its potentially lower price, the Honor 70 offers a much better long-term investment.

Alex Griffin
Alex Griffin

Technology analyst specializing in mobile devices and consumer electronics.

Core Expertise

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Consumer electronics evaluation
  • Technical specification interpretation
  • User experience insights

Professional Mission Empowering readers to make informed technology decisions by transforming intricate specifications into understandable, practical guidance.

Demystifying technology, one device at a time.