Huawei offers a diverse range of smartphones, from premium flagships to budget-friendly options. Today, we're pitting two distinct devices against each other: the foldable powerhouse, the Huawei Mate X2 4G, and the more accessible Huawei nova 3i. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Mate X2 4G is the clear winner in terms of performance and features, thanks to its flagship chipset and foldable display. However, its high price tag makes the nova 3i a compelling choice for budget-conscious buyers seeking a reliable and capable smartphone.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 28 | 2018, July 18. Released 2018, July 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 15 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | Unfolded: 161.8 x 145.8 x 8.2 mmFolded: 161.8 x 74.6 x 14.7 mm | 157.6 x 75.2 x 7.6 mm (6.20 x 2.96 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 295 g (10.41 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 2200 x 2480 pixels (~414 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 205.0 cm2 (~86.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Foldable OLED, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.13 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.54 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x2.05 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Kirin 9000 (5 nm) | Kirin 710 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP24 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0 | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/2.2, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica optics, LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
8 MP, f/4.4, 240mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom
16 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), AF | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm
2 MP, depth sensor |
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE, EDR, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 55W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Ion 3340 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Light Blue | Black, Pearl White, Iris Purple |
| Models | TET-AL00 | INE-LX1, INE-LX1r, INE-LX1, Sydney 6353, INE-LX2r, INE-AL00, INE-TL00 |
| Price | About 2290 EUR | About 220 EUR |
Huawei Mate X2 4G
- Foldable Display
- Flagship Performance (Kirin 9000)
- Excellent Camera System
- Fast Charging (55W)
- Premium Build Quality
- High Price
- Bulky Design
- Potential Durability Concerns (Foldable Screen)
Huawei nova 3i
- Affordable Price
- Decent Camera for the Price
- Good Battery Life for Moderate Use
- Slim and Lightweight Design
- Mid-Range Performance (Kirin 710)
- Slow Charging (10W)
- Less Vibrant Display (IPS LCD)
- Outdated Design
Display Comparison
The Mate X2 4G boasts a stunning 7.6-inch foldable OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, offering an immersive viewing experience. The nova 3i features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display, which is decent but lacks the vibrancy and smoothness of the OLED panel. The foldable aspect of the Mate X2 4G is a significant differentiator.
Camera Comparison
The Mate X2 4G features a versatile quad-camera system with a 50MP main sensor, offering excellent image quality and zoom capabilities. The nova 3i has a triple-camera setup with a 16MP main sensor, which is capable of producing good photos in well-lit conditions but falls short in low light. The Mate X2 4G's camera system is noticeably superior.
Performance
The Kirin 9000 in the Mate X2 4G is a flagship chipset, delivering significantly faster performance than the Kirin 710 in the nova 3i. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Mate X2 4G. The nova 3i is adequate for everyday tasks but will struggle with demanding games.
Battery Life
The Mate X2 4G has a 4500mAh battery with 55W fast charging, providing decent battery life and relatively quick charging speeds. The nova 3i has a 3930mAh battery with 10W charging, which is adequate for a day of moderate use but charges much slower.
Buying Guide
The Huawei Mate X2 4G is ideal for tech enthusiasts and early adopters who want a cutting-edge foldable experience and top-tier performance. The Huawei nova 3i is perfect for students, casual users, and those on a budget who need a solid smartphone for everyday tasks and photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mate X2 4G durable as a foldable phone?
Foldable phones inherently have durability concerns. While Huawei has made improvements, the screen is still more susceptible to damage than a traditional smartphone. Careful handling is recommended.
❓ Can the nova 3i handle demanding games?
The nova 3i's Kirin 710 chipset can handle some games, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings for smoother performance. It's not ideal for graphically intensive titles.
