Huawei nova 10 SE vs Oppo Reno 10x Zoom: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Choices
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing future software support and efficient daily use, the Huawei nova 10 SE is the better choice. While the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom offers a performance edge thanks to the Snapdragon 855, its age and potential software limitations outweigh this benefit for most.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Huawei nova 10 SE | Oppo Reno 10x zoom |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - BNE-LX1 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - BNE-LX1 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - BNE-LX3 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 05 | 2019, April. Released 2019, June |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 25 | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 162.4 x 75.5 x 7.4 mm (6.39 x 2.97 x 0.29 in) | 162 x 77.2 x 9.3 mm (6.38 x 3.04 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 184 g (6.49 oz) | 210 g (7.41 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~387 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz | AMOLED |
| Always-On Display | - | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680G 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | EMUI 12, no Google Play Services | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, ColorOS 11 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/3.0, 130mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF OIS, 5x optical zoom, 10x hybrid zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS; video rec. only with main camera |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| - | 24-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes (BNE-LX1 only) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (ultrasound) | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 66W wired 5W reverse wired | 20W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4065 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Starry Silver, Mint Green, Starry Black | Ocean Green, Jet Black, Mist Pink, Ocean Blue |
| Models | BNE-LX1, BNE-LX3, BNE-AL00 | CPH1919, PCCM00 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 1020 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 107h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -24.7 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 364220 (v7), 407473 (v8) GeekBench: 10395 (v4.4), 2103 (v5.1) GFXBench: 35fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 10 SE
- Faster 66W charging for quick top-ups
- More modern and efficient Snapdragon 680G chipset
- Potential for longer software support
- Limited to 4G connectivity
- Performance significantly lower than the Snapdragon 855
Oppo Reno 10x zoom
- More powerful Snapdragon 855 processor for demanding tasks
- Potentially superior zoom capabilities (based on name)
- Good battery endurance
- Slower 20W charging
- Older chipset with potential for thermal throttling
- Likely limited future software updates
Display Comparison
The Oppo Reno 10x Zoom’s display is reported to reach 440 nits of peak brightness, a figure that, while adequate, is likely surpassed by the nova 10 SE given its more recent release. While the Reno 10x Zoom boasts an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, this is standard for OLED panels and doesn’t inherently indicate superior quality. The nova 10 SE’s display specifications are currently unavailable, but given Huawei’s recent focus on high refresh rate displays, it’s reasonable to expect a comparable or potentially superior viewing experience. Bezels and color accuracy are unknown for both devices, requiring hands-on testing for a definitive assessment.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. The Reno 10x Zoom’s name suggests a focus on zoom capabilities, likely utilizing a periscope lens system, a feature absent in the nova 10 SE. Sensor size and aperture information are crucial for assessing image quality, but currently unavailable. The nova 10 SE likely relies on software processing to enhance image quality, while the Reno 10x Zoom’s older image signal processor (ISP) may struggle with dynamic range in challenging lighting conditions. Ignoring the likely inclusion of low-resolution auxiliary cameras on both devices, the primary sensor performance will be the deciding factor.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Huawei nova 10 SE utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680G 4G (6 nm), while the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom features the Snapdragon 855 (7 nm). The Snapdragon 855, with its Kryo 485 cores clocked up to 2.84 GHz, demonstrably outperforms the Snapdragon 680G’s Cortex-A73 cores at 2.4 GHz in CPU-intensive tasks. However, the 6nm process of the 680G offers better power efficiency. The Reno 10x Zoom’s older architecture may also suffer from thermal throttling under sustained load. The nova 10 SE’s 4G limitation is a significant drawback for users requiring fast mobile data speeds.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 107 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite differing battery capacities (which are not specified). However, the charging speeds are vastly different. The Huawei nova 10 SE’s 66W wired charging is significantly faster than the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom’s 20W charging. This translates to a much quicker 0-100% charge time for the nova 10 SE, a crucial advantage for users who prioritize convenience. The 5W reverse wired charging on the nova 10 SE is a useful addition for topping up accessories.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 10 SE if you need a reliable daily driver with fast 66W charging, a modern chipset for smooth app usage, and a brand with ongoing software updates (despite potential limitations). Buy the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom if you prioritize raw processing power for demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, and are comfortable with a device that may have limited future software support and a slower 20W charging speed.