Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison between the Huawei nova 8i and the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G. We'll break down the specs, highlight key differences, and figure out which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table, focusing on the practical implications of each specification:
| Feature | Huawei nova 8i | OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.9 x 74.7 x 8.6 mm | 160.6 x 73.2 x 7.8 mm | The Nord CE 2 is slimmer and lighter, making it more pocketable and comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Weight | 190g | 173g | The Nord CE 2 is noticeably lighter, which enhances portability and reduces fatigue during prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.43" | The nova 8i offers a slightly larger screen, which some users may prefer for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2376 | 1080x2400 | Both offer similar sharpness. |
| Panel Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The Nord CE 2's AMOLED offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency, especially with dark mode enabled. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The Nord CE 2 provides smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Screen is likely difficult to view in direct sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 | Dimensity 900 | The Nord CE 2 has a significantly more powerful chipset, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 201,000 | 424,800 | The Nord CE 2 offers a much snappier experience overall. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP f/1.9 | 64MP f/1.79 | The Nord CE 2's wider aperture allows for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.0 | 16MP f/2.4 | The nova 8i's wider aperture on the front camera could result in slightly better selfies in dim conditions. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps | The Nord CE 2 can record higher-resolution video, offering better quality for vlogs and memories. |
| Additional Lenses | Depth, Wide, Macro | Wide, Macro | The nova 8i has a dedicated depth sensor, but its impact is minimal compared to the Nord CE 2's overall camera performance. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4300mAh | 4500mAh | The Nord CE 2 offers slightly better battery life, though both should last a full day for most users. |
| Charging | 66W | 65W | Both offer extremely fast charging, minimizing downtime. |
| Reverse Charging | No | Yes | The Nord CE 2 can act as a power bank for other devices in a pinch. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | The Nord CE 2 is more up-to-date and will receive more future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | The Nord CE 2 offers faster and more stable Wi-Fi connectivity, especially in crowded environments. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | The Nord CE 2 features a more modern Bluetooth version for improved efficiency and connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The Nord CE 2 supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy |
| Storage | |||
| RAM | 6GB | 6GB or 8GB | The Nord CE 2 offers an 8GB variant, which will improve multitasking and overall responsiveness. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage, so choose the right storage configuration from the start. |
| Audio | |||
| Speakers | Stereo | Mono | Huawei Nova 8i stereo speakers provide a more immersive audio experience for enjoying music or videos without headphones |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted | Basic | Huawei Nova 8i side-mounted fingerprint sensor is easily accesible |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The Nord CE 2 offers better screen protection against scratches and minor impacts |
| Other | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Huawei nova 8i offers a Compass. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei nova 8i: Strengths
- Larger Display: Offers more screen real estate, great for media.
- Potentially better selfie camera in low light Thanks to its wider aperture
- Side-mounted fingerprint scanner The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is easily accessible and responsive
- Stereo Speakers: Provides a more immersive audio experience for enjoying music or videos without headphones
- Compass: Additional sensor may appeal to users who enjoy outdoor activities
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G: Strengths
- Superior Performance: The Dimensity 900 chipset crushes the Snapdragon 662 in benchmarks and real-world usage.
- Better Display: AMOLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate offers a noticeably smoother and more vibrant visual experience.
- 4K Video Recording: Provides higher quality video capture.
- More Up-to-Date Software: Android 11 (upgradable to 13) ensures longer software support.
- Reverse Charging: Can act as a portable power bank.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass 5 provides improved durability.
- More accurate GPS: Thanks to additional satellite systems.
Trade-offs:
- Huawei nova 8i: Sacrifices performance and display quality for a slightly larger screen and potentially better selfie camera, but runs older software.
- OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G: Doesn't have stereo speakers or compass, and has slightly smaller display, but excels in almost every other category.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Huawei nova 8i: Best suited for users who prioritize a large screen and do not heavily rely on performance-intensive tasks. Ideal if you watch a lot of videos on your phone and want a big display at a budget-friendly price. The potentially better selfie camera may also be a selling point.
- OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G: Ideal for users who want a balanced smartphone with a smooth display, snappy performance, and a good camera system. If you value overall user experience, gaming performance, and future software updates, this is the better choice.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- How important is performance to you? If you play graphically intensive games or run demanding apps, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is the clear winner.
- Do you value display quality over screen size? If vibrant colors and smooth scrolling are important, the AMOLED screen of the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is a better fit.
- How much do you care about future software updates? The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G will receive more updates, ensuring your phone stays secure and has the latest features.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Casual User: If you mainly use your phone for social media, browsing, and light tasks, and want a slightly bigger screen, the Huawei nova 8i is adequate, though you'll notice the performance difference.
- Gamer: The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is the better choice due to its superior performance and smoother display.
- Photography Enthusiast: While both have 64MP cameras, the 4K video and overall image processing of the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G make it more versatile.
- Value Seeker: The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G offers a better price-to-performance ratio considering its features and capabilities.
My Choice
If I had to pick one, I would choose the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G. The superior performance, AMOLED display with a higher refresh rate, and the promise of future software updates make it the better overall package. While the Huawei nova 8i has a slightly larger screen and potentially better selfies, the Nord CE 2 5G offers a smoother, more responsive, and more enjoyable user experience that outweighs those benefits. Plus, the Gorilla Glass 5 screen protection gives me peace of mind. The stereo speakers on the Nova 8i is a nice plus, but the pros outweigh this con on the Nord CE 2 5G.
