The Huawei nova 10z and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches to achieving that goal. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing long-term battery life and a proven track record, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is the better choice. Its 113-hour endurance rating significantly surpasses what we'd expect from the nova 10z, despite the latter's faster 40W charging. However, the nova 10z may appeal to those prioritizing faster charging speeds.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66 - SM-A536U |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 5, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536U |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 / 1900 | 2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536V |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 06 | 2022, March 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 26 | Available. Released 2022, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 160.7 x 73.3 x 8.4 mm (6.33 x 2.89 x 0.33 in) | 159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.94 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G68 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, Panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7X", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro), PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@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 | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| 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, OTG |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (market/region dependent) |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Green | Black, White, Blue, Peach |
| Models | CHA-AL80 | SM-A536B, SM-A536B/DS, SM-A536U, SM-A536U1, SM-A5360, SM-A536E, SM-A536E/DS, SM-A536V, SM-A536W, SM-A536N, SM-S536DL |
| Price | About 260 EUR | $ 151.42 / £ 185.00 / € 169.14 |
| SAR | - | 0.75 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.89 W/kg (head) 1.60 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 113h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.5 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 329802 (v8), 379313 (v9)
GeekBench: 1891 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 10z
- Faster 40W wired charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Huawei's EMUI software (for existing Huawei users)
- Unspecified chipset performance
- Likely lower display brightness
- Potential software ecosystem limitations
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
- Exceptional 113-hour battery endurance
- Brighter 830 nit display
- Proven Exynos 1280 (5nm) performance
- Slower 25W charging
- Potentially higher price
- Samsung's One UI software (preference-based)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 830 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, where the nova 10z’s display brightness is not specified and likely lower. While the A53’s contrast ratio is listed as ‘Infinite (nominal)’ – typical for AMOLED panels – the lack of detailed display specs for the nova 10z makes a direct comparison difficult. The A53’s larger user base also means more readily available information regarding color accuracy and calibration.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the nova 10z. The Galaxy A53 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s established image processing algorithms and potentially a larger main sensor (though specifics are unavailable). The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the A53, if present, would further enhance image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. It’s important to note that the presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact overall camera performance; these sensors often lack the detail and dynamic range needed for truly compelling macro shots.
Performance
The Galaxy A53 5G is powered by the Exynos 1280 (5nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with two Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz. This 5nm process node offers improved power efficiency compared to older manufacturing processes, potentially leading to better sustained performance and thermal management. The nova 10z’s chipset is not specified, but given its price point, it’s likely to be a less powerful and potentially less efficient chip. The Exynos 1280’s architecture provides a noticeable advantage for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G achieves an impressive endurance rating of 113 hours, indicating exceptional battery life. This suggests a well-optimized combination of battery capacity and power efficiency. While the Huawei nova 10z offers faster 40W wired charging compared to the A53’s 25W, the A53’s superior endurance means users will likely need to charge less frequently. The faster charging speed of the nova 10z is beneficial for quick top-ups, but it doesn’t negate the A53’s advantage in overall longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 10z if you need a phone that can quickly top up its battery with 40W charging and are comfortable with the potential software limitations associated with Huawei's ecosystem. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G if you prefer a phone with exceptional battery endurance, a well-established software experience, and a brighter, more visible display in outdoor conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A53 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1280 (5nm) is generally well-managed in the Galaxy A53 5G. While some heat generation is expected during intensive gaming, the 5nm process node contributes to improved thermal efficiency, minimizing throttling and maintaining consistent performance over extended periods. However, sustained high frame rates in demanding titles may still lead to some temperature increase.
❓ Is the 40W charging on the Huawei nova 10z significantly faster in real-world use than the 25W on the A53?
Yes, 40W charging will demonstrably reduce charging times compared to 25W. While the exact 0-100% time for the nova 10z isn't specified, it will likely be noticeably quicker. However, the Galaxy A53 5G’s superior battery endurance means you’ll likely need to charge less often, mitigating the benefit of faster charging.
❓ What software updates can I expect on the Huawei nova 10z, given the current geopolitical situation?
Huawei's software update situation is complex. The nova 10z may not receive the same frequency or breadth of updates as Samsung devices. It will likely run on EMUI, Huawei's custom Android skin, and may not have access to the full suite of Google Mobile Services (GMS). This could impact app compatibility and access to certain features.
