Huawei nova 14 Ultra vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: A Deep Dive into Speed, AI, and Photography

The Huawei nova 14 Ultra and Google Pixel 8 Pro represent distinct approaches to the premium smartphone experience. The nova 14 Ultra aggressively targets charging speed and a feature-rich experience, while the Pixel 8 Pro prioritizes Google’s AI-driven software and computational photography. This comparison dissects their core differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing blazing-fast charging and a potentially more versatile camera system, the Huawei nova 14 Ultra is the winner. However, the Google Pixel 8 Pro’s superior software experience, longer battery endurance, and refined AI features make it the better choice for those deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 14 Ultra Google Pixel 8 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - G1MNW
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - G1MNW
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, May 192023, October 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, May 19Available. Released 2023, October 12
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.4 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm (6.43 x 2.98 x 0.31 in)162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 3.01 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight204 g (7.20 oz)213 g (7.51 oz)
Display
ProtectionKunlun GlassCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1272 x 2860 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)1344 x 2992 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~489 ppi density)
Size6.81 inches, 111.1 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO3 OLED, 1B colors, HDR, 120Hz, 5500 nits (peak)LTPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 2400 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.29 GHz & 3x2.05 GHz & 4x1.3 GHz)Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetKirin 8020Google Tensor G3 (4 nm)
GPUMaleoon 920 2cuImmortalis-G715s MC10
OSHarmonyOS 5.0Android 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDRMulti-zone Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra-HDR, panorama, Best Take, Zoom Enhance
Triple50 MP, f/1.4-4.0, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 88mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3.7x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), AF50 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/2.8, 113mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.0, 126˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS, HDR Vivid4K@30/60fps, 1080p@24/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR
Selfie camera
Dual8 MP, f/2.2, 52mm (telephoto), AF, 2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, (ultrawide), 1/2.5", Dual Pixel PDAF-
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, panorama
Single-10.5 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm, PDAF
Video4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS, HDR Vivid4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, L2HC (320-960 kbps HD audio)5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature)
Battery
Charging100W wired, SCP, UFCS, PD, PPS, QC 5W reverse wired30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min 23W wireless Reverse wireless Bypass charging
Type5500 mAhLi-Ion 5050 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Purple, GoldObsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Mint
ModelsMRT-AL10GC3VE, G1MNW
PriceAbout 520 EUR€ 362.00 / $ 289.97 / £ 329.95 / ₹ 54,999

Huawei nova 14 Ultra

  • 100W wired charging is significantly faster than the competition.
  • Potentially more versatile camera system with advanced zoom capabilities.
  • Feature-rich software experience with Huawei’s customizations.

  • Kirin 8020 chipset may not match the Tensor G3 in AI performance.
  • Software support and updates may be less consistent than Google’s.

Google Pixel 8 Pro

  • Exceptional camera quality with Google’s computational photography.
  • Long-term software support and guaranteed updates from Google.
  • Superior AI features and integration with the Google ecosystem.

  • 30W charging is slower than the nova 14 Ultra’s 100W charging.
  • May lack some of the niche features found on the Huawei nova 14 Ultra.

Display Comparison

The Pixel 8 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 1600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the nova 14 Ultra’s display specs are not provided, Huawei typically employs OLED panels with vibrant colors. The Pixel 8 Pro’s display technology is likely LTPO, enabling variable refresh rates for improved power efficiency. Without knowing the nova 14 Ultra’s refresh rate, it’s difficult to assess its efficiency. The Pixel 8 Pro’s higher peak brightness is a clear advantage for outdoor use.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 8 Pro is renowned for its computational photography prowess, leveraging Google’s AI algorithms to produce stunning images. While specific sensor details aren’t provided for the nova 14 Ultra, Huawei often emphasizes high megapixel counts and advanced zoom capabilities. The Pixel 8 Pro’s image processing excels in dynamic range and color accuracy. The nova 14 Ultra’s camera system likely prioritizes versatility with multiple lenses and potentially higher zoom levels. The Pixel 8 Pro’s video capabilities are also highly regarded, benefiting from advanced stabilization and cinematic modes.

Performance

The Google Pixel 8 Pro’s Google Tensor G3, a 4nm chip with a nona-core CPU configuration (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3, 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715, 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510), is designed for on-device AI processing. The Huawei nova 14 Ultra utilizes the Kirin 8020, an octa-core processor (1x2.29 GHz & 3x2.05 GHz & 4x1.3 GHz). While clock speeds don’t tell the whole story, the Tensor G3’s Cortex-X3 core suggests superior peak performance. The 4nm process node of the Tensor G3 also implies better thermal efficiency compared to the Kirin 8020, potentially leading to less throttling during sustained workloads. The Pixel 8 Pro’s focus on AI tasks will benefit users who heavily utilize features like Magic Eraser and real-time translation.

Battery Life

The Google Pixel 8 Pro achieves an impressive 11:14h of active use and an endurance rating of 90 hours, indicating excellent battery life. The Huawei nova 14 Ultra compensates for a potentially smaller battery with its 100W wired charging, significantly faster than the Pixel 8 Pro’s 30W charging (50% in 30 minutes). The nova 14 Ultra also offers 5W reverse wired charging, while the Pixel 8 Pro provides 23W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. The nova 14 Ultra’s charging speed is a major advantage for users who need to quickly top up their battery, while the Pixel 8 Pro offers superior overall endurance.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei nova 14 Ultra if you need the absolute fastest charging available, frequently capture photos and videos, and value a feature-packed experience. Buy the Google Pixel 8 Pro if you prefer a seamless software experience, prioritize long-term software support, and want a phone that excels in computational photography and AI-powered features.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 8020 chipset in the Huawei nova 14 Ultra struggle with demanding games compared to the Tensor G3?
While the Kirin 8020 is a capable processor, the Google Tensor G3’s Cortex-X3 core and optimized thermal design likely provide a smoother gaming experience, especially in graphically intensive titles. The Tensor G3’s focus on AI could also enhance gaming performance through features like frame rate optimization.
❓ How much faster is the 100W charging on the Huawei nova 14 Ultra compared to the 30W charging on the Pixel 8 Pro in real-world scenarios?
The 100W charging on the nova 14 Ultra can fully charge the battery significantly faster than the Pixel 8 Pro. While the Pixel 8 Pro reaches 50% in 30 minutes, the nova 14 Ultra can likely achieve a full charge in a similar timeframe, offering a substantial time saving for users who frequently need to quickly replenish their battery.
❓ What are the benefits of the Pixel 8 Pro's 'Bypass Charging' feature?
Bypass charging allows the Pixel 8 Pro to directly power the device from the charger, reducing battery stress and heat generation during extended charging sessions. This can help prolong the overall lifespan of the battery.
❓ How does the image processing differ between the Huawei nova 14 Ultra and the Google Pixel 8 Pro?
The Pixel 8 Pro relies heavily on computational photography, using AI to enhance dynamic range, color accuracy, and detail. Huawei often focuses on capturing more detail directly through the sensor and lens, sometimes resulting in more vibrant but less natural-looking images. The Pixel 8 Pro generally produces more consistent and realistic results.