Huawei nova 8i vs Samsung Galaxy A13 5G - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date July 22, 2021 December 3, 2021
Release Year 2021 2021

Physical

Volume 104.01 cm³ 110.74 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.51 "/g 3.33 "/g
Weight 190 g 195 g
Height 161.9 mm 164.5 mm
Width 74.7 mm 76.5 mm
Thickness 8.6 mm 8.8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Starry Black
  • Moonlight Silver
  • Interstellar Blue
  • Black

Display

Screen Size 6.67 " 6.5 "
Resolution 1080 x 2376 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 89.4 % 81.1 %
Pixel Density 391 PPI 270 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 90 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 118.34 mAh/in²
Battery Density 41.34 mAh/cm³ 45.15 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4300 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support No Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 610 Mali-G57 MC2

Connectivity

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

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 10 11
Maximum OS Version 14

Comparison Summary

Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison between the Huawei nova 8i and the Samsung Galaxy A13 5G. I'll break down the specs, highlight key insights, suggest user profiles, and give you a buying decision framework. Let’s get started!

Huawei nova 8i vs. Samsung Galaxy A13 5G: A Detailed Comparison

Here’s a breakdown of the key specifications, presented with an eye toward real-world implications.

1. Specifications Breakdown

Design

FeatureHuawei nova 8iSamsung Galaxy A13 5GReal-World Implications
Physical Size161.9 × 74.7 × 8.6 mm164.5 × 76.5 × 8.8 mmThe Nova 8i is slightly more compact, which may be preferable for one-handed use.
Weight190g195gNegligible difference in weight; both feel relatively similar in hand.
Build QualityUnknown Screen ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3The A13 5G offers better screen protection against scratches and minor impacts.

Display

FeatureHuawei nova 8iSamsung Galaxy A13 5GReal-World Implications
Size6.67"6.5"Huawei nova 8i offers a slightly more immersive viewing experience due to its larger screen size.
Resolution1080x2376720x1600The Nova 8i will have a noticeably sharper and clearer display, especially for text and detailed images.
PPI391270The Nova 8i's higher pixel density translates to finer details and less pixelation.
TechnologyIPS LCDPLS LCDIPS LCD (nova 8i) generally offers better viewing angles and color accuracy compared to PLS LCD (A13 5G).
Refresh Rate60Hz90HzThe A13 5G's 90Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and animations, making the user interface feel more fluid.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsPeak brightness is identical, but without specific values, it's hard to determine outdoor visibility performance; this metric seems incomplete in the data.

Performance

FeatureHuawei nova 8iSamsung Galaxy A13 5GReal-World Implications
ChipsetQualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)The Dimensity 700 (A13 5G) is more modern and efficient, providing better overall performance and power efficiency.
AnTuTu Score201,000389,300The A13 5G is significantly faster, which means quicker app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities.
GPUAdreno 610Mali-G57 MC2The Mali-G57 MC2 (A13 5G) generally offers better graphics performance, leading to smoother gaming and video playback.
RAM6 GB4 GBThe Nova 8i's additional RAM benefits users who often juggle multiple apps or engage in moderate multitasking.

Camera

FeatureHuawei nova 8iSamsung Galaxy A13 5GReal-World Implications
Standard Camera64MP, f/1.9, 0.80 µm50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64 µm, Samsung S5KJN1In well-lit conditions, the Nova 8i's higher megapixel count might capture more detail. The A13 5G's wider aperture could allow for better low-light performance.
Selfie Camera16MP, f/2.05MP, f/1.9The Nova 8i will likely produce sharper, more detailed selfies.
Wide Angle Lens8MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µmNoneThe Nova 8i offers more versatility with its wide-angle lens, allowing for expansive landscape shots.
Portrait Mode (Depth)2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm2MP, f/2.4Both phones should offer similar portrait mode performance.
Macro Lens2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm2MP, f/2.4Both phones should offer similar macro lens performance.
Video Recording1080p@30fps, Slow-motion: Yes, 120 fps1080p@30fps, Slow-motion: No, 30 fpsThe Nova 8i provides superior slow-motion capabilities.

Battery Life

FeatureHuawei nova 8iSamsung Galaxy A13 5GReal-World Implications
Capacity4300mAh5000mAhThe A13 5G is likely to last longer on a single charge, especially for heavy users.
Charging66W fast charging15W fast chargingThe Nova 8i charges much faster, significantly reducing downtime.

Software and Connectivity

FeatureHuawei nova 8iSamsung Galaxy A13 5GReal-World Implications
OSAndroid 10Android 11 (upgradeable to 14)The A13 5G offers a more modern and longer-supported software experience with access to newer features, security updates, and app compatibility.
Wi-Fi802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Display802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi DirectBoth support common Wi-Fi standards. Wi-Fi Display (Nova 8i) facilitates easy screen mirroring, while Wi-Fi Direct (A13 5G) allows for direct device-to-device connections.
Bluetooth5.0 LE, A2DP, LE, APT-x, LDAC, AAC5.0 LE, A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, LE, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB, HOGP, APT-xThe A13 5G supports a wider range of Bluetooth profiles, potentially offering broader compatibility with accessories. The Nova 8i supports LDAC and AAC for enhanced audio quality with compatible headphones.
Storage128 GB, No expandable storage64 GB or 128 GB, No expandable storageBoth have the same maximum storage, but if you need more storage, the flexibility to use microSD cards is not an option on either device.
AudioNoise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphonesBasic audio featuresThe Nova 8i offers a better audio experience with clearer calls and more immersive sound.
SecuritySide-mounted fingerprint sensorSide-mounted fingerprint sensorBoth provide basic biometric security.
SensorsFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, GyroscopeFingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Ultrasonic proximity virtualThe A13 5G has a barometer and ultrasonic proximity sensor, which is nice to have.

2. Key Insights

Huawei nova 8i Strengths:

  • Superior Display: Higher resolution and pixel density offer a sharper and more vibrant viewing experience.
  • Faster Charging: 66W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
  • Better Camera Versatility: Includes a wide-angle lens for more flexible photography.
  • Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers and noise cancellation microphone provide a better audio experience.
  • More RAM: 6GB RAM enables smoother multitasking.

Samsung Galaxy A13 5G Strengths:

  • Better Performance: The Dimensity 700 chipset provides significantly better performance in benchmarks and real-world use.
  • Longer Battery Life: Larger battery capacity translates to better endurance.
  • Newer Software: Ships with a more recent version of Android and the promise of future updates.
  • Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 offers enhanced durability.

Trade-offs:

  • The Nova 8i has a superior display and camera versatility but falls behind in overall performance and software support.
  • The A13 5G excels in performance and battery life but lacks the display quality and camera features of the Nova 8i.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

  • Huawei nova 8i:
    • Ideal for: Users who prioritize display quality, fast charging, and camera versatility.
    • Use Cases: Multimedia consumption (videos, photos), casual gaming, users who need to quickly charge their phone.
  • Samsung Galaxy A13 5G:
    • Ideal for: Users who prioritize performance, battery life, and software updates.
    • Use Cases: Daily tasks, moderate gaming, users who want a phone that will receive long-term software support.

4. Buying Decision Framework

Here are three practical questions to help you decide:

  1. How much do you value performance and future-proofing? If you need a phone that will run smoothly for years and receive software updates, the A13 5G is the better choice.
  2. Do you prioritize display quality and camera features? If you watch a lot of videos or take a lot of photos, the Nova 8i's superior display and camera versatility may be more appealing.
  3. Is fast charging a must-have? The Nova 8i's 66W charging is a game-changer for those who hate waiting for their phone to charge.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: The Casual User: If you primarily use your phone for calls, texts, and light browsing, the A13 5G offers better long-term value due to its performance and software support.
  • Scenario 2: The Multimedia Enthusiast: If you watch a lot of videos, play games, and take photos, the Nova 8i's superior display and camera features will enhance your experience.
  • Scenario 3: The Power User: If you need a phone that can handle heavy multitasking and demanding apps, the A13 5G's better performance makes it the more suitable option.

What Would I Choose?

Personally, I'd lean towards the Samsung Galaxy A13 5G. Here's why:

  • Performance: The Dimensity 700 chipset is a clear winner in terms of performance. As a tech journalist who juggles multiple apps, I need a phone that can keep up with my workflow.
  • Software Support: The fact that the A13 5G ships with Android 11 and is upgradeable to Android 14 is a huge plus. I value having the latest features and security updates.
  • Battery Life: Longer battery life means less stress about running out of power during a busy day. The A13 5G's 5000mAh battery gives me that peace of mind.

While the Nova 8i has its strengths, such as its superior display and fast charging, the A13 5G's performance and software support make it the more practical choice for my needs. Ultimately, the best phone depends on your individual priorities, but for me, the A13 5G strikes a better balance between performance, features, and long-term value.

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.