Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Huawei nova 8i and the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra. I'll break down the specs, give you the real-world implications, and help you figure out which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these two Huawei phones stack up, focusing on what matters in everyday use:
| Feature | Huawei nova 8i | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.9 × 74.7 × 8.6 mm, 190g | 162.6 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm, 226g | Nova 8i is lighter and may be more comfortable for extended use. Pura 70 Ultra is slightly more premium. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, no foldable tech here. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.8" | Pura 70 Ultra offers a bit more screen real estate for immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2376 | 1260x2844 | Pura 70 Ultra will have a noticeably sharper and more detailed display. |
| Pixel Density | 391 PPI | 460 PPI | Text and images will appear crisper on the Pura 70 Ultra. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | Pura 70 Ultra's OLED will deliver deeper blacks, richer colors, and better contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Pura 70 Ultra will feel smoother and more responsive, especially when scrolling or gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Pura 70 Ultra will be much more visible outdoors in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Kirin 9010 (7 nm) | Pura 70 Ultra will handle demanding apps and games with greater ease. |
| AnTuTu Score | 201,000 | 869,707 | Pura 70 Ultra offers vastly superior performance, ensuring smoother multitasking and a more future-proof experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Maleoon 910 | Pura 70 Ultra has a much more powerful GPU, better suited for graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.9 | 50MP, f/1.6, 1" sensor (IMX989) | Pura 70 Ultra’s larger sensor and wider aperture should result in better low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Ultra-Wide | 8MP, f/2.2 | 40MP, f/2.2, 1/1.7" sensor (OV40A) | Pura 70 Ultra’s ultra-wide lens will capture more detail and likely perform better in low light. |
| Telephoto | N/A | 50MP, f/2.1 | Pura 70 Ultra offers optical zoom capabilities, allowing for clearer zoomed-in shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.0 | 13MP, f/2.4 | Nova 8i has a slightly higher resolution selfie camera but Pura 70 Ultra's image processing is likely superior. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K | Pura 70 Ultra can record much higher quality video. |
| Special Features | Quad Camera, Digital Image Stabilization | Triple Camera, OIS, LAF, RAW, Night Mode | Pura 70 Ultra offers a more versatile and advanced camera system. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4300mAh | 5200mAh | Pura 70 Ultra should provide longer battery life. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | Pura 70 Ultra will charge significantly faster. |
| Wireless Charging | N/A | 80W | Pura 70 Ultra offers the convenience of wireless charging. |
| Reverse Charging | N/A | Yes, 20W | Pura 70 Ultra can charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Pura 70 Ultra supports faster and more efficient Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Pura 70 Ultra has a slightly newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1, B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5), Galileo (E1+E5a+E5b) | Pura 70 Ultra offers more accurate and reliable GPS, especially in urban environments. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB | 512 GB or 1024 GB | Pura 70 Ultra provides significantly more storage for photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 6 GB | 16 GB | Pura 70 Ultra will handle multitasking and demanding apps much more smoothly. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Unknown | The Nova 8i is running an older version of Android, while the Pura 70 Ultra's software is unknown. |
| Other | |||
| Audio | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both phones share these audio features: Stereo Speakers; Huawei nova 8i has a slight edge in audio features offering clearer calls, better audio separation and immersion, improved voice capture |
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Huawei nova 8i features a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor |
2. Key Insights
Huawei nova 8i:
- Strengths: Lighter, more affordable, side-mounted fingerprint sensor, better audio features.
- Competitive Advantages: Budget-friendly option for basic smartphone needs.
- Trade-offs: Significantly weaker performance, inferior display, less advanced camera system.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra:
- Strengths: Flagship-level performance, stunning OLED display, versatile and high-quality camera system, larger battery with faster charging, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging.
- Competitive Advantages: Top-tier performance and camera capabilities in the Huawei ecosystem.
- Trade-offs: Heavier, likely more expensive.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Huawei nova 8i:
- User Profile: Budget-conscious users who primarily need a phone for basic communication, social media, and light browsing. Students or those looking for a secondary device.
- Use Cases: Making calls, sending texts, checking social media, streaming music, and basic photography.
- Huawei Pura 70 Ultra:
- User Profile: Tech enthusiasts, professional photographers, and users who demand the best performance and camera capabilities.
- Use Cases: High-quality photography and videography, gaming, video editing, demanding apps, and multimedia consumption.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to guide your decision:
- What is your budget? The nova 8i is the clear choice for budget-conscious buyers.
- How important is camera quality to you? If photography is a priority, the Pura 70 Ultra is the only real contender.
- Do you need top-tier performance? If you plan on gaming or running demanding apps, the Pura 70 Ultra's superior chipset is essential.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic User: You need a reliable phone for calls, texts, and social media without breaking the bank.
- Recommendation: Huawei nova 8i.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast: You want the best possible camera experience for capturing photos and videos in various conditions.
- Recommendation: Huawei Pura 70 Ultra.
- Scenario 3: Power User: You need a phone that can handle demanding apps, games, and multitasking without lag.
- Recommendation: Huawei Pura 70 Ultra.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I would definitely go with the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra. While it's likely the more expensive option, the difference in performance, display quality, and especially camera capabilities is just too significant to ignore.
As someone who appreciates a smooth user experience and enjoys taking high-quality photos and videos, the Pura 70 Ultra's superior chipset, stunning OLED display, and advanced camera system would be well worth the investment. Plus, the larger battery and faster charging are always a plus!
