Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone? The Honor 8A 2020 and Huawei Nova 3 are popular contenders. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their features, performance, and overall user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei Nova 3 is the clear winner. While the Honor 8A 2020 is a decent budget option, the Nova 3's significantly more powerful Kirin 970 chipset, better camera, and faster charging provide a superior overall experience, justifying its slightly higher price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - PAR-LX1M, PAR-LX1, PAR-TL20 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - PAR-LX1M, PAR-LX1 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - PAR-AL00 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 10. Released 2020, April 15 | 2018, July. Released 2018, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 156.3 x 73.5 x 8.2 mm (6.15 x 2.89 x 0.32 in) | 157 x 73.7 x 7.3 mm (6.18 x 2.90 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 150 g (5.29 oz) | 166 g (5.86 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~79.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Kirin 970 (10 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G72 MP12 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9 | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, 27mm (wide), f/1.8, PDAF
24 MP B/W, 27mm (wide), f/1.8, PDAF |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm
2 MP, depth sensor |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE, EDR, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (PAR-LX1 model only) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Infrared Face ID, fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 3020 mAh | Li-Po 3750 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Iris Purple, Airy blue, Primrose Gold, Red, Black |
| Models | - | PAR-AL00, PAR-LX1M, PAR-LX1, PAR-LX9, PAR-TL20, PAR-TL00 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 350 EUR |
Honor 8A 2020
- Excellent battery life
- Affordable price
- Decent display
- Large screen
- Slow performance
- Basic camera
- HD+ resolution
- Outdated chipset
Huawei nova 3
- Powerful Kirin 970 chipset
- Superior camera quality
- Fast charging
- FHD+ display
- Good front camera
- Slightly smaller battery
- Notch design
- Can be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The Huawei Nova 3 boasts a 6.3-inch FHD+ display with a notch, offering vibrant colors and sharp details. The Honor 8A 2020 has a slightly smaller 6.5-inch HD+ display. While both are adequate, the Nova 3's higher resolution provides a noticeably better viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The Huawei Nova 3 features a dual-camera setup (20MP + 16MP) with AI capabilities, delivering impressive photos with good detail and dynamic range. The Honor 8A 2020 has a 13MP rear camera, which is adequate for basic photography but lacks the Nova 3's image processing prowess. The Nova 3 also has a 24MP front camera, while the Honor 8A 2020 has an 8MP front camera.
Performance
Here's where the Nova 3 truly shines. The Kirin 970 chipset is significantly faster than the Helio P35 in the Honor 8A 2020. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Nova 3. The Honor 8A 2020 can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
The Honor 8A 2020 typically offers slightly better battery life due to its less power-hungry chipset and larger battery capacity (5000mAh vs 3750mAh). However, the Huawei Nova 3's 18W fast charging helps offset this difference, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Honor 8A 2020 is ideal for users on a very tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and long battery life. The Huawei Nova 3 is a better choice for those who want a smoother performance, a better camera, and faster charging without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Honor 8A 2020 good for gaming?
The Honor 8A 2020 can handle basic games, but it will struggle with more demanding titles due to its weaker chipset. Expect lag and reduced graphics settings.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Huawei's software support has been inconsistent due to trade restrictions. Honor, now independent, may offer slightly better and more predictable updates, but both are likely to receive fewer major Android updates compared to flagship devices.
