Alright, let's break down the Huawei nova 8i and the Motorola Edge 20 Pro. We'll go deep into the specs, see how they stack up in the real world, and figure out which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these two phones compare, focusing on what those specs actually mean for you:
| Feature | Huawei nova 8i | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.9 × 74.7 × 8.6 mm, 190g | 163 × 76 × 8 mm, 190g | Minor size differences. Both weigh the same. Edge 20 Pro is slightly taller and wider, nova 8i is a hair thicker. Doesn't amount to much. |
| Build Quality | Unknown Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The Motorola Edge 20 Pro has a much more robust screen that's less likely to scratch or shatter. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Nearly identical size; both offer a large viewing area for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2376 | 1080x2400 | Similar sharpness. Both are Full HD+, which is good for most users. |
| Panel Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | Big difference: OLED on the Edge 20 Pro means richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast compared to the nova 8i's LCD. Content looks more vibrant and immersive. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Another major win for Motorola: The 144Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations incredibly smooth. It's a noticeable upgrade, especially for gaming and fast-paced apps. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness not specified |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Massive performance gap: The Snapdragon 870 is significantly faster and more powerful than the Snapdragon 662. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the Edge 20 Pro. The 870 is a flagship-caliber chip. |
| AnTuTu Score | 201,000 | 813,800 | Confirms the chipset difference. The Edge 20 Pro is much faster. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 650 | The Adreno 650 in the Edge 20 Pro delivers far superior graphics performance. Better gaming and smoother UI. |
| RAM | 6 GB | 12 GB | The 12GB of RAM on the Edge 20 Pro enables smoother multitasking and the ability to keep more apps open in the background without performance degradation. This makes the Edge 20 Pro more efficient for heavy usage scenarios like running demanding apps or switching between multiple tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.9 | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52" sensor | The Edge 20 Pro's 108MP sensor should capture more detail and perform better in low light, thanks to its larger sensor size. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.0 | 32MP, f/2.3 | The Edge 20 Pro's front camera should capture more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 8MP, f/3.4 | The Edge 20 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom capabilities, allowing users to zoom in on subjects without significant loss of quality. This feature is absent in the Huawei nova 8i. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.2 | Huawei Nova 8i has a dedicated wide-angle lens, while Motorola Edge 20 Pro has a Wide Angle + Macro lens. |
| Macro/Depth Lens | 2MP each | No | Huawei Nova 8i has dedicated depth and macro lenses. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@960fps | Huge difference: The Edge 20 Pro can record much higher resolution video and has more advanced slow-motion capabilities. Great for content creators. It also has EIS for smoother footage. |
| Camera Features | Quad Camera, PDAF | Triple Camera, Optical Zoom, Manual Focus | The Edge 20 Pro's inclusion of optical zoom and manual focus provides more versatility and control over the camera. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4300mAh | 4500mAh | A slightly bigger battery in the Motorola, but the difference is minor. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Huawei nova 8i charges significantly faster. A big convenience if you need to top up quickly. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | The Edge 20 Pro can reverse charge other devices wirelessly, which is a neat extra feature. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 | The Edge 20 Pro ships with a newer version of Android. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | The Edge 20 Pro supports the latest Wi-Fi standard for faster and more reliable wireless connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.1 | Minor upgrade on the Edge 20 Pro. |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, L1+L5 | The Edge 20 Pro has more advanced GPS capabilities for improved location accuracy, especially in urban environments. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Edge 20 Pro has an optional larger storage. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone | Basic audio features | Huawei nova 8i has a better quality speaker and mic setup. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both use a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity, Compass, Gravity | Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity, Compass | Similar set of sensors on both phones. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei nova 8i Strengths:
- Faster Charging: 66W charging is a significant advantage, allowing for quick battery top-ups.
- Audio: Has stereo speakers and a noise cancellation microphone.
- Dedicated Macro & Depth Lenses: Includes these, but their usefulness is questionable.
Motorola Edge 20 Pro Strengths:
- Display: OLED screen with a 144Hz refresh rate is a fantastic combination for visual quality and smoothness.
- Performance: The Snapdragon 870 is a powerhouse processor that will handle almost anything you throw at it.
- Camera: The 108MP main sensor, telephoto lens, and 8K video recording offer more versatility and capabilities for photography and videography enthusiasts.
- Connectivity: Supports newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards.
- Build: Gorilla Glass 5
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- The Huawei nova 8i's weaker processor makes it less suitable for demanding games or heavy multitasking. Its display is also noticeably inferior to the Edge 20 Pro's.
- The Motorola Edge 20 Pro's charging is slower, but the faster performance and much better display are worth more.
- Neither phone has expandable storage, so you're stuck with the internal storage you choose.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei nova 8i:
- Best suited for users who prioritize fast charging above all else.
- Good for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and casual gaming.
- Might appeal to users on a tighter budget who still want a large screen and decent camera.
Motorola Edge 20 Pro:
- Ideal for users who want a smooth, responsive experience with a beautiful display.
- Well-suited for gamers, content creators, and anyone who values performance.
- A great choice for photography enthusiasts who want a versatile camera system.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How important is smooth performance to you? If you're a heavy user or gamer, the Edge 20 Pro is the clear winner.
- How much do you care about display quality? The Edge 20 Pro's OLED screen is far superior.
- Is fast charging a must-have feature? If so, the nova 8i has a significant advantage.
Scenarios:
- Scenario 1: "I want the best gaming experience possible." Choose the Motorola Edge 20 Pro for its powerful processor, high refresh rate display, and ample RAM.
- Scenario 2: "I need a phone that charges super quickly." The Huawei nova 8i is the better choice, but be prepared to compromise on other aspects.
- Scenario 3: "I want the best overall value for everyday use." If the price difference isn't too significant, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro still offers a much better overall experience due to its superior performance, display, and camera.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I'd go with the Motorola Edge 20 Pro. Here's why:
The Snapdragon 870 processor is a powerhouse that ensures a smooth, responsive experience, whether I'm multitasking, gaming, or just browsing the web. The 144Hz OLED display is a joy to look at, with vibrant colors and incredibly smooth scrolling. While the 30W charging isn't the fastest, it's a compromise I'm willing to make for the superior overall performance and display quality. I also appreciate the more versatile camera system, particularly the telephoto lens and 8K video recording capabilities. Plus, the Gorilla Glass 5 gives me peace of mind knowing my screen is more protected.
Yes, the Huawei nova 8i has its strengths, particularly its blazing-fast charging, but the Edge 20 Pro simply offers a more well-rounded and future-proof package.
