Huawei's Nova series consistently delivers stylish phones with competitive features. Choosing between the Nova 10z and Nova 8i can be tricky, as both offer appealing designs and capabilities. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei Nova 8i takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster 66W charging and the more powerful Snapdragon 662 chipset. While the Nova 10z might offer a slightly improved camera in some scenarios, the 8i's overall performance and charging speed make it the better value.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 / 1900 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 06 | 2021, July 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 26 | Available. Released 2021, July 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 160.7 x 73.3 x 8.4 mm (6.33 x 2.89 x 0.33 in) | 161.9 x 74.7 x 8.6 mm (6.37 x 2.94 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density) | 1080 x 2376 pixels (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 108.1 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 610 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0 | Android 10, EMUI 11, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, Panorama, HDR | LED flash, Panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 17mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro), PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired | 66W wired, 60% in 17 min, 100% in 38 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Green | Moonlight Silver, Interstellar Blue, Starry Black |
| Models | CHA-AL80 | NEN-L22, NEN-LX1, NEN-LX3 |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 200 EUR |
Huawei nova 10z
- Potentially slightly better camera
- Modern design
- 40W fast charging
- Slower charging than Nova 8i
- Likely less powerful chipset
- May lack Google Mobile Services
Huawei nova 8i
- 66W SuperCharge (very fast charging)
- More powerful Snapdragon 662 chipset
- Better performance for gaming and multitasking
- Generally more affordable
- Potentially slightly less impressive camera
- Design might be less modern than Nova 10z
- May lack Google Mobile Services
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature OLED displays with a 6.5-inch size and a high refresh rate (likely 60Hz or 90Hz). The Nova 10z might have a slightly more modern panel with improved color accuracy, but the difference will be minimal for most users. Resolution is likely FHD+ for both.
Camera Comparison
The Nova 10z is expected to have a more advanced main camera sensor, potentially offering slightly better image quality in well-lit conditions. Both phones will likely feature multiple lenses (wide, ultrawide, macro) and a front-facing camera for selfies. Low-light performance will depend on the specific sensor and software processing.
Performance
The Nova 8i's Snapdragon 662 chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Nova 10z's likely Kirin 710A or similar. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the 8i. The 8i's 11nm process also contributes to better power efficiency.
Battery Life
The Nova 8i's 66W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging times. The Nova 10z's 40W charging is still respectable, but significantly slower. Both phones likely have a similar battery capacity (around 4000-4500mAh), but the 8i's faster charging will result in a better overall user experience.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Huawei Nova 10z? Users prioritizing a potentially slightly better camera experience and a more modern design might lean towards the 10z. Who should buy the Huawei Nova 8i? Those seeking faster charging, smoother performance for everyday tasks and gaming, and a more budget-friendly option will find the 8i more appealing.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does either phone come with Google Mobile Services?
Neither phone officially comes with Google Mobile Services (GMS). Users will need to rely on Huawei's AppGallery and potentially workarounds to access Google apps.
❓ What is the difference in performance between the Snapdragon 662 and the Kirin 710A?
The Snapdragon 662 generally offers better CPU and GPU performance compared to the Kirin 710A, resulting in smoother overall performance and better gaming capabilities.
