Google Pixel 6a vs. Huawei nova 10z: A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Google Pixel 6a is the superior choice. Its Google Tensor chipset provides a significantly more powerful and efficient experience, coupled with Google’s industry-leading camera software. While the nova 10z offers faster 40W charging, the Pixel 6a’s 94-hour endurance and overall refinement make it the winner.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Huawei nova 10z | Google Pixel 6a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - GX7AS, GB62Z (USA/Canada) |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GX7AS (USA/Canada) |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA 800 / 1900 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 40, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G1AZG (International) | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 06 | 2022, May 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 26 | Available. Released 2022, July 21 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 160.7 x 73.3 x 8.4 mm (6.33 x 2.89 x 0.33 in) | 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.83 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| Splash resistant | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | OLED, HDR |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Google Tensor (5 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G78 MP20 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm |
| Features | LED flash, Panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro), PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Virtual proximity sensing | - | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 40W wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4410 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Green | Chalk, Charcoal, Sage |
| Models | CHA-AL80 | GX7AS, GB62Z, G1AZG, GB17L |
| Price | About 260 EUR | $ 138.99 / C$ 228.74 / ₹ 23,999 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 94h |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Huawei nova 10z
- Superior performance with Google Tensor chip
- Exceptional camera quality and software processing
- Guaranteed software updates from Google
- Slower 18W charging
- Potentially higher price point
Google Pixel 6a
- Faster 40W wired charging
- Potentially lower price
- Modern design
- Less powerful chipset
- Uncertainty regarding software updates and Google Mobile Services
Display Comparison
The Google Pixel 6a boasts a display capable of reaching 876 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the nova 10z’s display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to be lower, impacting outdoor usability. The Pixel 6a’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a strong OLED panel, delivering deep blacks and vibrant colors. The absence of refresh rate information for the nova 10z suggests it likely operates at a standard 60Hz, while the Pixel 6a’s OLED panel benefits from efficient power consumption.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 6a’s camera prowess is largely attributed to Google’s computational photography. While sensor details are missing for both devices, the Pixel 6a’s image processing pipeline is renowned for its dynamic range, accurate colors, and excellent low-light performance. The nova 10z’s camera system is likely to rely more heavily on hardware specifications, and the inclusion of a 2MP macro lens is often indicative of a less refined overall camera experience. The Pixel 6a’s focus on software optimization will likely yield superior results in most scenarios.
Performance
The core differentiator here is the chipset. The Pixel 6a’s Google Tensor (5nm) is a custom-designed SoC featuring a tri-cluster CPU configuration – 2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1, 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55. This architecture prioritizes AI and machine learning tasks, enhancing camera performance and on-device intelligence. The nova 10z’s chipset is unspecified, but given its positioning, it’s likely a less powerful and less efficient MediaTek or Snapdragon equivalent. The Tensor chip’s 5nm fabrication process also contributes to better thermal management compared to potentially larger node chipsets found in the nova 10z.
Battery Life
The Pixel 6a achieves an impressive endurance rating of 94 hours, indicating excellent battery life despite its unspecified battery capacity. This is likely due to the efficiency of the Tensor chip and Google’s software optimizations. The nova 10z counters with 40W wired charging, significantly faster than the Pixel 6a’s 18W charging with PD3.0. However, the Pixel 6a’s longer endurance means users may not need to charge as frequently. While the nova 10z offers quicker top-ups, the Pixel 6a provides more sustained usage between charges.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 10z if you prioritize fast charging and are comfortable with the limitations of the Huawei ecosystem, potentially lacking full Google Mobile Services. Buy the Google Pixel 6a if you value a smooth, responsive user experience, exceptional camera quality, and guaranteed software updates directly from Google, even if it means slower charging speeds.