OnePlus 8 vs Huawei nova 8i - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
OnePlus 8
OnePlus 8
Oneplus

General

Launch Date April 21, 2020 July 22, 2021
Release Year 2020 2021

Physical

Volume 93.43 cm³ 104.01 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.64 "/g 3.51 "/g
Weight 180 g 190 g
Height 160.2 mm 161.9 mm
Width 72.9 mm 74.7 mm
Thickness 8 mm 8.6 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Glacial Green
  • Onyx Black
  • Interstellar Glow
  • Polar Silver
  • Starry Black
  • Moonlight Silver
  • Interstellar Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.55 " 6.67 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2376
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 88.7 % 89.4 %
Pixel Density 402 PPI 391 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz N/A
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 100.23 mAh/in² 96.65 mAh/in²
Battery Density 46.02 mAh/cm³ 41.34 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4300 mAh 4300 mAh
NFC Support Yes No
Chipset Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
GPU Adreno 650 Adreno 610

Connectivity

USB Version 3.1 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.1, OTG USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 10 10
Maximum OS Version 13

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureOnePlus 8Huawei nova 8iPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions160.2 x 72.9 x 8 mm, 180g161.9 x 74.7 x 8.6 mm, 190gThe OnePlus 8 is noticeably smaller and lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and extended periods.
BuildCorning Gorilla Glass 5Unknown screen protectionThe OnePlus 8 offers better screen protection against scratches and drops. The lack of information on the Huawei nova 8i's screen protection is concerning.
Display
Size6.55"6.67"The Huawei nova 8i has a slightly larger screen, providing marginally more viewing area.
Resolution1080 x 24001080 x 2376Negligible real-world difference in sharpness.
TechnologyAMOLEDIPS LCDThe OnePlus 8's AMOLED display offers significantly better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, resulting in a superior viewing experience, especially in dark environments. It's also more power-efficient for dark mode.
Refresh Rate90Hz60HzThe OnePlus 8's 90Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and animations, resulting in a more fluid and responsive user interface.
Brightness1100 nits0 nits (Data Missing)The OnePlus 8's significantly higher brightness ensures excellent outdoor visibility, even in direct sunlight. The missing data for the Huawei nova 8i prevents a complete comparison.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 865 5GSnapdragon 662The OnePlus 8's Snapdragon 865 significantly outperforms the Snapdragon 662 in the Huawei nova 8i. This translates to much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and significantly better gaming performance.
Antutu Score743,500201,000The substantial difference in benchmark scores confirms the OnePlus 8's superior performance in demanding tasks and games.
RAM8GB/12GB6GBThe OnePlus 8 offers more RAM, enabling better multitasking and smoother performance with demanding applications.
Camera
Main Camera48MP, f/1.7564MP, f/1.9While the Huawei nova 8i has a higher resolution, the OnePlus 8's wider aperture might perform better in low-light conditions. Image quality depends on various factors beyond resolution and aperture.
Video4K@60fps, EIS1080p@30fpsThe OnePlus 8 offers significantly better video recording capabilities with higher resolution and frame rates.
Battery
Capacity4300mAh4300mAhSimilar battery capacities suggest comparable battery life. Real-world usage may vary.
Charging30W66WThe Huawei nova 8i offers significantly faster charging, minimizing downtime.

2. Key Differences Analysis

OnePlus 8 Advantages:

  • Significantly better performance: The Snapdragon 865 and higher RAM provide a vastly superior user experience for demanding tasks and gaming.
  • Superior display: The AMOLED display with 90Hz refresh rate offers richer colors, deeper blacks, smoother scrolling, and better outdoor visibility.
  • Higher quality video recording: 4K resolution and better stabilization.

Huawei nova 8i Advantages:

  • Faster charging: 66W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
  • Potentially better low-light camera performance: (depending on sensor and processing not fully detailed in specs). May offer better low light photos due to the main camera sensor being 64MP as opposed to 48MP on the OnePlus 8. This is purely speculation though as the data given is not extensive enough to confirm.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

OnePlus 8: Users who prioritize performance, display quality, and a premium experience, such as mobile gamers, power users, and content creators.

Huawei nova 8i: Users who prioritize fast charging and are primarily interested in everyday tasks like social media, web browsing, and casual photography. Budget-conscious users might also find this phone appealing.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions:

  1. What is your budget? The OnePlus 8 is likely more expensive.
  2. What are your primary use cases? Gaming, content creation, or everyday tasks?
  3. Which features are most important to you? Performance, display, camera, or battery charging speed?

My Choice: OnePlus 8

While the Huawei nova 8i offers faster charging, the OnePlus 8's significantly superior performance, display quality, and overall premium experience make it the clear winner for me. I prioritize a smooth and responsive user experience, especially for gaming and multitasking, and the OnePlus 8 delivers on that front. The AMOLED display is a major advantage, offering vibrant visuals and better outdoor visibility. The faster charging of the Huawei nova 8i is tempting, but the significant performance gap and inferior display are dealbreakers. I am also concerned by the lack of information regarding the Huawei nova 8i's build materials and screen protection. In the long run, the OnePlus 8's superior performance and build quality would provide a more satisfying user experience.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.