1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Huawei nova 9 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 164.6 × 75.6 × 7.9 mm | Huawei nova 9 SE is slightly larger and may feel less comfortable in smaller hands. |
| Weight | 177g | 191g | Realme 8 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.78" | Huawei nova 9 SE offers a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2388 | Both have similar sharpness; difference is negligible. |
| Pixel Density | 411 PPI | 387 PPI | Realme 8 has slightly sharper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Realme 8's AMOLED provides deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colours than the IPS LCD of the Huawei, making for a better visual experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Huawei nova 9 SE has smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 is significantly better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight, while brightness data for Huawei is not available. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Realme 8 has a more powerful processor, offering faster app loading and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 248,000 | Realme 8 has considerably better performance for demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 610 | Realme 8's GPU is significantly more powerful, leading to better graphics performance for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4000mAh | Realme 8 should offer longer battery life, potentially lasting a full day with heavy usage. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Huawei nova 9 SE charges significantly faster, a benefit for those who need quick power-ups. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Huawei nova 9 SE can act as a power bank for other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 108MP | Huawei nova 9 SE captures more detailed images in good lighting conditions. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.9 | Realme 8 might perform better in low-light environments thanks to wider aperture. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.52" | Huawei nova 9 SE has a larger sensor, which may result in better image quality, especially in low light. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 16MP | Both offer the same megapixel count for selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.2 | Huawei Nova 9 SE’s wider aperture may lead to slightly better low light selfies |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP | None | Realme 8 allows for taking wider photos including landscapes and groups. |
| Portrait Mode | None | 2MP | Huawei Nova 9 SE is able to take photos with depth of field. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | 2MP | Both offer the same for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 8MP | Huawei Nova 9 SE offers additional flexibility in shooting. |
| Black & White | 2MP | None | Realme 8 is able to take photos in a black and white format. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps with EIS | Realme 8 offers higher resolution video recording capabilities. |
| Slow Motion | 240 fps | 960 fps | Huawei Nova 9 SE offers far higher slow motion fps. |
| Camera Features | Multiple features including 4k, digital zoom, HDR | Multiple features including 4k, digital zoom, HDR, continuous autofocus, panorama, night mode, RAW. | Huawei Nova 9 SE offers additional camera features for more creative control. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Both phones run Android, although software experience may vary due to UI modifications. |
| WiFi | Up to 802.11ac | Up to WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Huawei nova 9 SE offers faster WiFi speeds if your router supports it. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.0 | Realme 8 has a newer Bluetooth version with potentially better connectivity and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Huawei nova 9 SE offers more precise location tracking in regions that use the additional BeiDou (B1) system. |
| Storage & Audio | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128GB | 128/256GB | Huawei nova 9 SE offers more internal storage for apps, photos and videos. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 6/8 GB | Both offer sufficient RAM for multi-tasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both phones lack expandable storage. |
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Basic | Realme 8 delivers higher audio quality for music listening. |
| Security & Sensors | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Huawei nova 9 SE has a more convenient fingerprint sensor location. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both phones have similar sensor suites. Realme 8 uniquely has a Magnetometer and Huawei has a compass. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen provides better contrast and vibrant colors.
- Higher Performance: More powerful processor (Helio G95) and better GPU (Mali-G76 MC4) result in smoother gaming and faster app loading.
- Better Main Camera in Low Light: Wider aperture on main camera.
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery offers longer battery life.
- Hi-Res Audio: Enhances audio experience with higher quality sound.
- 4K Video Recording: Higher resolution video capture.
- Wider photos: Dedicated wide angle lens for photos.
Huawei nova 9 SE Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 66W fast charging allows for significantly quicker power-ups.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 108MP main camera captures more detailed images in good lighting.
- Larger Screen: 6.78" display offers a more immersive experience.
- Smoother Scrolling: 90Hz refresh rate provides smoother animations and scrolling.
- Reverse Charging: Can be used to charge other devices.
- More storage: Offers a higher storage tier (256GB)
- More advanced camera features: Phase detection autofocus, panorama, RAW and Night mode.
- Faster WiFi: Offers WiFi 6 support
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: Sacrifices refresh rate and fast charging for a better display and performance.
- Huawei nova 9 SE: Sacrifices display technology and performance for faster charging and higher camera resolution.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Gamers: The more powerful chipset and GPU provide a better gaming experience.
- Media Consumers: AMOLED display is ideal for watching videos and movies with excellent color and contrast.
- Users who prioritize Performance: Users seeking smooth app loading and multitasking.
- Users who prioritize battery life: Larger battery will last longer without needing to charge.
- Users who often need a good camera in low light: Wider aperture lens.
- Users who need high quality audio playback: Offers Hi-Res audio.
- Users who need high resolution video capture: Offers 4k video recording.
- Users who want a dedicated wide angle lens: The phone has a dedicated lens for wide photos.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphics-intensive games.
- Watching high-definition videos on a vibrant display.
- Using demanding apps with no lag.
- Daily usage with long periods without charge.
- Taking photos and videos with high quality.
Huawei nova 9 SE Ideal User:
- Social Media Enthusiasts: Higher resolution camera and larger screen are great for taking and viewing photos and videos.
- Users who need to frequently recharge quickly: Faster charging is ideal for users on the go.
- Users who need a large screen: Large display for increased visibility and immersion.
- Users who want more storage: Offers 256GB storage variant.
- Users who need advanced camera features: Features such as PDAF, Panorama, Night Mode and RAW.
- Users who prefer smooth scrolling and animations: The 90Hz refresh rate is great for a smoother experience.
- Users who want to take slow-motion videos: Offers very high fps slow motion recording.
Use Cases:
- Taking lots of photos and videos for social media.
- Long days out where fast charging is essential.
- Enjoying media with a larger screen.
- Using the phone to charge other devices.
- Capturing photos and videos with additional control.
- Scrolling through social media and web pages.
Price-to-Value:
- The Realme 8 offers higher performance and a superior display, making it a better option for users who prioritize these features, potentially offering better value if the price is similar to the Huawei phone.
- The Huawei nova 9 SE excels in areas like fast charging and camera resolution, which might justify its value if these are the primary needs.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize display quality and performance, or fast charging and camera resolution?
- How important is battery life versus the ability to charge quickly?
- What use case is more important to you, gaming and media or photography and social media?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent Gamer: Choose the Realme 8. The superior performance is more important for gaming.
- Scenario 2: Social Media Content Creator: Choose the Huawei nova 9 SE. The better main camera and fast charging are more suitable for creating content on the go.
- Scenario 3: Frequent traveller: The Huawei Nova 9 SE is better due to it's fast charging and reverse charging.
- Scenario 4: Daily media consumer: The Realme 8 is better due to it's vibrant display.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would choose the Realme 8. While the Huawei nova 9 SE has some compelling features, such as faster charging and higher resolution camera, the Realme 8's superior AMOLED display, much better performance, larger battery, and Hi-Res Audio are more important for my typical usage. I value a great visual experience for media consumption and smooth performance for multitasking and gaming. Also, the 4k video recording is important to me. The Realme 8 also has a more powerful CPU and GPU which will allow for more fluid gaming. While the Huawei may charge faster, the larger battery means the Realme 8 will need charging less frequently. The wider aperture main camera will perform better in low-light conditions which is useful. While the Huawei does offer a few additional camera features, for the main functions the Realme 8 is sufficient for my needs.
