Huawei nova 8i vs Samsung Galaxy M53 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date July 22, 2021 April 22, 2022
Release Year 2021 2022

Physical

Volume 104.01 cm³ 93.85 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.51 "/g 3.81 "/g
Weight 190 g 176 g
Height 161.9 mm 164.7 mm
Width 74.7 mm 77 mm
Thickness 8.6 mm 7.4 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Starry Black
  • Moonlight Silver
  • Interstellar Blue
  • Blue
  • Green
  • Brown

Display

Screen Size 6.67 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1080 x 2376 1080 x 2408
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 89.4 % 85.3 %
Pixel Density 391 PPI 394 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 111.38 mAh/in²
Battery Density 41.34 mAh/cm³ 53.28 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4300 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support No Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 610 Mali-G68 MC4

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 13

Comparison Summary

Alright, let's break down the Huawei nova 8i and the Samsung Galaxy M53. I'll cut through the spec sheet jargon and lay out what really matters for you, whether you're a mobile gamer, a social media guru, or just someone who wants a reliable daily driver.

1. Specifications Breakdown

Here's a head-to-head comparison that focuses on what these specs actually mean for your daily life:

FeatureHuawei nova 8iSamsung Galaxy M53Real-World Implications
Design
Dimensions161.9 x 74.7 x 8.6 mm, 190g164.7 x 77 x 7.4 mm, 176gM53 is taller and wider but slimmer and lighter, making it slightly more pocketable and comfortable to hold for longer periods.
BuildStandardStandardBoth are typical smartphones, no surprises in terms of design innovation.
Display
Size6.67"6.7"Both screens are large, great for media consumption and multitasking.
TechnologyIPS LCDAMOLEDBig difference: AMOLED offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency, especially with dark mode enabled.
Refresh Rate60Hz120HzAnother key difference: 120Hz makes scrolling and animations noticeably smoother. It's a more premium experience.
Resolution1080x23761080x2408Both are FHD+, sharp enough for most users.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsBrightness is a key factor for outdoor visibility; it's important to find reliable tests to ensure brightness for both phones in future evaluations.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 662 (11nm)Dimensity 900 (6nm)Massive difference: Dimensity 900 is significantly faster and more efficient, leading to snappier performance in apps and games.
AnTuTu Score201,000500,100Demonstrates the M53's superior performance; expect smoother multitasking and better gaming performance.
GPUAdreno 610Mali-G68 MC4The Mali-G68 MC4 in the M53 offers better graphics performance, crucial for gaming.
Camera
Main Camera64MP, f/1.9108MP, f/1.8M53's 108MP sensor captures more detail and performs better in low light, but software processing also plays a big role.
Selfie Camera16MP, f/2.032MP, f/2.2M53 captures sharper, more detailed selfies.
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fpsM53 can record higher-resolution video, ideal for content creators or anyone who wants sharper footage.
Battery Life
Capacity4300mAh5000mAhM53 will likely last longer on a single charge, especially given its more efficient chipset.
Charging66W Fast Charging25W Fast Chargingnova 8i charges much faster; a quick top-up can provide a significant boost. However, the M53's larger battery offers better endurance.
Software
OSAndroid 10Android 12 (upgradable to 13)M53 has a more up-to-date OS with newer features, security patches, and longer software support.
Other
Storage128GB, No Expandable Storage128/256GB, No Expandable StorageNeither phone allows for storage expansion; so consider your needs upfront.
RAM6 GB6/8 GBM53 comes with more RAM as an option, helpful for running many apps at the same time.

2. Key Insights

  • Samsung Galaxy M53 Dominates Performance: The Dimensity 900 chipset in the M53 is a clear winner. It's faster, more efficient, and translates to a smoother user experience overall.
  • Display Showdown: The AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate on the M53 is vastly superior. Colors pop, blacks are deep, and scrolling is buttery smooth.
  • Camera Versatility: The M53's 108MP camera offers more detail and better low-light performance. 4K video recording is a significant plus.
  • Battery Endurance: The larger battery on the M53 will likely provide longer battery life, a huge win for heavy users.
  • Charging Speed Trade-off: The nova 8i's 66W charging is incredibly fast, allowing for quick top-ups. However, the M53's larger battery might mean you don't need to charge as often.
  • Software Advantage: The Galaxy M53 ships with a newer version of Android and is upgradable, offering longer software support.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

  • Huawei nova 8i:
    • Ideal User: Someone on a tight budget who prioritizes fast charging above all else and doesn't need top-tier performance.
    • Use Case: Casual social media browsing, basic photography, and occasional video watching.
  • Samsung Galaxy M53:
    • Ideal User: Someone who values performance, display quality, camera versatility, and battery life.
    • Use Case: Mobile gaming, content creation, photography, video streaming, and heavy multitasking.

4. Buying Decision Framework

Ask yourself these questions:

  1. How important is gaming and overall performance to me? (If it's crucial, the M53 is the clear choice.)
  2. Do I prefer a vibrant display with smooth scrolling, or am I okay with a standard LCD? (The M53's AMOLED screen is a game-changer.)
  3. Is battery life or super-fast charging more important? (M53 for endurance, nova 8i for quick top-ups.)

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Budget-Conscious: If you're on an extremely limited budget, the nova 8i might be your only option.
  • Mobile Gamer: The Galaxy M53 is the better choice, given the superior performance of the Dimensity 900 chipset.
  • Content Creator: The Galaxy M53, with its better camera system and 4k video capability, will be the preferred choice for most people creating contents.
  • Everyday User: The Galaxy M53 is likely the superior choice, given its better display and performance.

My Choice:

If I were choosing between these two, I'd pick the Samsung Galaxy M53.

Here's why:

While I appreciate the fast charging of the Huawei nova 8i, the overall package of the Galaxy M53 is just far more compelling. The Dimensity 900 offers a significantly better experience for gaming, multitasking, and overall snappiness. The AMOLED display with its 120Hz refresh rate is a joy to use, making everything from browsing social media to watching videos a more immersive experience. The camera system is more versatile, capturing better photos and videos, and the larger battery ensures I can get through a full day without constantly worrying about finding an outlet. Finally, with the Galaxy M53 having a higher Android OS out-of-the-box, the phone will stay up-to-date for a longer period of time, offering more consistent and reliable security.

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.