1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 161.9 × 74.7 × 8.6 mm | Motorola is larger and thicker, may be less comfortable for smaller hands. Huawei is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 212g | 190g | Huawei is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Negligible difference in screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2376 | Similar sharpness, no practical difference. |
| Pixel Density | 393 PPI | 391 PPI | No visible difference in clarity |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both offer similar color reproduction and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Standard smoothness, no difference in scrolling or animations |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness not specified, difficult to compare. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Motorola will perform noticeably faster in daily tasks, gaming, and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 201,000 | Motorola scores significantly higher, indicating smoother and faster performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 610 | Motorola has better graphics for gaming and resource-intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 64MP, f/1.9 | Huawei captures higher resolution photos, Motorola has a wider aperture for slightly better low-light performance. |
| Front Camera | 16MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.0 | Huawei has a slightly wider aperture for potentially brighter selfies in low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Identical wide-angle capabilities. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Huawei has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots with background blur. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Identical macro capabilities for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Motorola captures higher resolution video with 4K support. |
| Slow Motion | 60 fps | 120 fps | Huawei captures higher frame rate slow-motion videos. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4300mAh | Motorola offers longer battery life due to higher capacity. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Huawei charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | 10W charger in box | None | Motorola includes a charger in box, which is a benefit for new users |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10 | Both have the same Android version |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Motorola has additional Wi-Fi Direct feature |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.0 LE | Motorola has a slightly newer Bluetooth version, Huawei has additional audio codecs |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Huawei supports Beidou for potentially better GPS coverage in some regions. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Huawei can use two SIM cards at once. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB or 128GB | 128GB | Both have the same maximum storage capacity of 128GB. |
| RAM | 4GB or 6GB | 6GB | Huawei has a minimum of 6GB RAM for better multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone can add more storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 microphones | 2 microphones, Noise cancellation, Stereo Speakers | Huawei provides noise cancellation for clearer calls and stereo speakers for better media consumption. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Rear-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted sensor is often considered more ergonomic. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones use similar screen protection technology |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Huawei has an additional sensor for certain apps/games |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 750G chipset results in much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance compared to the Snapdragon 662. The higher AnTuTu score (330,000 vs 201,000) confirms this.
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers longer usage times between charges, beneficial for heavy users or travel.
- Higher Resolution Video: 4K video recording provides much more detail and flexibility in post-processing for users who prioritize video quality.
- Slightly Wider Main Camera Aperture: The f/1.7 aperture on the main camera allows more light, potentially leading to better low-light shots, even though the resolution is lower.
- More recent Bluetooth Version: The newer 5.1 bluetooth is more energy efficient.
Huawei nova 8i Advantages:
- Faster Charging: The 66W fast charging is a major advantage, allowing for very quick power-ups. This is very convenient for users on the go and is a big difference compared to the Motorola's 15W charging.
- Lighter and More Compact: The lighter weight and smaller dimensions make the nova 8i more comfortable to handle for longer periods and easier to fit into pockets.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: The 64MP main camera captures photos with greater detail, useful for cropping and large prints.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: The separate depth sensor allows for better bokeh effects and is great for portraits.
- Dual SIM Support: Can use two sim cards simultaneously, very useful for travelers or anyone who needs two numbers on one device.
- Better Audio: Includes stereo speakers and noise cancellation microphone for higher quality sound
- Additional Audio Codecs: Huawei supports APT-x, LDAC, AAC for higher-quality audio output over bluetooth.
- More Sensors: The inclusion of the Gravity sensor provides an advantage for certain gaming and other features.
Trade-offs:
- Motorola: Better performance and battery, but is larger and heavier and slower charging.
- Huawei: Faster charging and better camera features, but is less powerful and has smaller battery and potentially shorter battery life.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola One 5G Ace:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, battery life, and video quality, and don't mind a slightly larger phone.
- Use Cases:
- Gamers who need smooth gameplay on mobile
- Frequent travelers who need long battery life and 4K recording
- Power users who multitask and use apps extensively
- Users who frequently watch videos
Huawei nova 8i:
- Ideal User: Users who value a light, compact phone with fast charging and good camera features.
- Use Cases:
- Users who want quick charges and are often on the move
- Casual users who enjoy taking photos with portrait mode
- Travelers who need dual SIM support and fast charging
- Users who prioritize audio quality with stereo speakers
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: Do you need a smooth experience for gaming and multitasking, or are you okay with moderate performance?
- Battery vs. Charging: Do you prioritize long battery life throughout the day, or is quick charging more important?
- Size and Weight: Do you prefer a more compact and lighter phone, or is a slightly larger size acceptable?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming and Performance: If you play a lot of games and use demanding apps, the Motorola One 5G Ace is the better choice due to its more powerful processor and GPU.
- Scenario 2: On-the-Go Lifestyle: If you are constantly on the move and need to top up quickly, the Huawei nova 8i with its 66W fast charging is more convenient.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you prioritize portrait mode, high resolution photos and better audio, the Huawei nova 8i is a good fit.
- Scenario 4: Balanced User: If you need decent performance and battery, the Motorola One 5G Ace is a solid choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Motorola One 5G Ace. While the Huawei nova 8i has some appealing features such as fast charging and a nicer camera on paper, the Motorola's significantly superior performance is what I value the most in a phone. The Snapdragon 750G chipset and higher AnTuTu score mean that the phone will be smoother and more responsive in everyday use. I also value the longer battery life of the Motorola, even if it is at the cost of slower charging speeds. I would rather charge less frequently than very quickly. While the 4K recording is not a major selling point, it is a good feature to have, especially compared to the 1080p max on the Huawei. The Motorola is also better for future proofing, since it would likely remain smoother for longer. While both phones have their strengths, I think the Motorola's overall performance and longevity would suit me better.
