Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Huawei nova 8i and the Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G. Think of this as me explaining the pros and cons to a friend over coffee, making sure you understand what these specs actually mean for your daily use.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's the nitty-gritty, laid out in a way that's easy to digest:
| Feature | Huawei nova 8i | Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.9 x 74.7 x 8.6 mm | 157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm | The S22+ is shorter and thinner, potentially more pocket-friendly. The nova 8i is taller and thicker, which might feel bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 190g | 195g | Negligible difference. Both are fairly lightweight for their size. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | S22+ offers superior screen protection against scratches and drops. This could save you money on screen repairs down the line. |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted sensors are generally faster and more convenient than in-display sensors, although the S22+ provides standard biometric security. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.6" | Virtually identical. Screen size won't be a deciding factor here. |
| Resolution | 1080x2376 | 1080x2340 | Both screens are virtually identical in resolution. |
| Pixel Density | 391 PPI | 393 PPI | The displays are equally sharp. You are unlikely to notice the small differences. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Massive difference. AMOLED offers much better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. The S22+ display will look significantly better, especially for multimedia. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The S22+ will feel noticeably smoother in everyday use, especially when scrolling and gaming. Animations will appear more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1750 nits | The S22+ screen can get MUCH brighter, making it much easier to see in direct sunlight. The provided brightness for the Nova 8i is a typo. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Exynos 2200 (4 nm) - Europe | Huge performance gap. The S22+ chipset is vastly more powerful, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 201,000 | 890,774 | Confirms the above. The S22+ offers a drastically superior performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Xclipse 920 - Europe | The S22+ GPU is far more capable, enabling higher graphics settings and smoother frame rates in games. |
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | The S22+ has more RAM, helping with multitasking and keeping more apps open in the background. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.9, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57", 1.00µm | Megapixels aren't everything. The S22+ has a larger sensor and larger pixels, capturing more light and potentially better detail in low-light situations. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.0 | 10MP, f/2.2, 1.22µm | The nova 8i has more megapixels but the S22+ uses bigger pixel sizes. The S22+ probably takes better selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.4 | The S22+ has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, allowing you to get closer to subjects without significant loss of quality. The nova 8i relies on digital zoom, which degrades image quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.40µm | The S22+ has a higher resolution wide-angle lens, capturing more detail in wide shots, especially landscape photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The nova 8i has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, while the S22+ lacks this feature. Macro lenses tend to be poor quality though. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The nova 8i uses this lens to provide a shallow depth of field when taking portrait photos. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps | The S22+ can record much higher resolution video with better stabilization and slow motion capabilities. |
| DxOMark Score | N/A | 125 | Provides a benchmark for the camera. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4300 mAh | 4500 mAh | Slightly larger battery on the S22+, but real-world battery life depends on usage and the efficiency of the chipset. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | The nova 8i charges faster. This is great if you need to top up quickly. |
| Wireless Charging | No | 15W | The S22+ supports wireless charging, offering a convenient way to charge your phone without cables. |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | No | 4.5W | The S22+ can wirelessly charge other devices, like earbuds or smartwatches. |
| Other | |||
| Operating System | Android 10 | Android 12 (upgradeable to 16) | The S22+ has a more up-to-date operating system and will receive future updates for longer. |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | The S22+ supports the latest WiFi standard, offering faster speeds and better performance on compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | The S22+ uses a newer Bluetooth version, offering improved connectivity and efficiency. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM + eSIM | The S22+ supports both physical SIM cards and eSIM, providing more flexibility for managing multiple phone numbers. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio Quality | Stereo speakers, noise cancellation microphone, 2 microphones | Stereo speakers | The nova 8i may have a slight edge in audio quality, especially for calls. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Gravity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic, Fingerprint | Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G includes additional environmental sensors |
2. Key Insights
Huawei nova 8i: This phone's main strength is its fast charging. If you're always running low on battery and need a quick top-up, this could be a key selling point. It also features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, generally faster than the alternative. It also has a dedicated Macro and Portrait Mode.
Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G: This phone wins in almost every other category. It boasts a superior AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a much faster processor, a more versatile camera system (including a telephoto lens), wireless charging, and a more up-to-date operating system.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei nova 8i: Best suited for users on a tight budget who prioritize fast charging above all else. Ideal for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming.
Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G: Perfect for users who want a premium smartphone experience with a stunning display, powerful performance, and a versatile camera. Great for photography enthusiasts, gamers, and anyone who values a smooth and responsive user interface.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to ask yourself:
- How important is performance? If you need a phone that can handle demanding tasks and games without breaking a sweat, the S22+ is the clear winner.
- How much do you value display quality? The S22+'s AMOLED display is a significant upgrade over the nova 8i's LCD panel.
- What's your budget? If you're on a strict budget, the nova 8i might be your only option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: Huawei nova 8i. If your budget is very tight, the nova 8i will do the basic functions required of a smartphone.
- Photography Enthusiast: Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G. The telephoto lens, superior image processing, and 8K video recording make it the better choice for capturing high-quality photos and videos.
- Power User/Gamer: Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G. The faster processor, better GPU, and higher refresh rate display will provide a much smoother and more enjoyable experience.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G without hesitation. While the faster charging on the Huawei nova 8i is tempting, the overall experience offered by the S22+ is far superior. The stunning display, powerful performance, and versatile camera system make it a worthwhile investment, especially for someone who uses their phone extensively for work and entertainment. The longevity offered by the updated software is also a strong point. The Nova 8i offers very little to sway me away from my choice, due to it's lacklustre performance and it's outdated software.
