The Asus Zenfone 6 ZS630KL and Huawei Nova 5 represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market, but cater to different priorities. The Zenfone 6, with its flagship Snapdragon 855, aimed for near-flagship performance, while the Nova 5 focused on a balance of features and rapid charging with the Kirin 810. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and longevity, the Asus Zenfone 6 is the clear winner, thanks to its Snapdragon 855. However, the Huawei Nova 5’s 40W charging is a significant advantage for those who value minimizing downtime, making it a strong contender for power users on the go.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - A version |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - A version |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 28, 38, 39, 41, 46 - C version |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, June. Released 2019, June | 2019, May 16. Released 2019, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 157.4 x 74.8 x 7.3 mm (6.20 x 2.94 x 0.29 in) | 159.1 x 75.4 x 9.2 mm (6.26 x 2.97 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 171 g (6.03 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Kirin 810 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP6 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, ZenUI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.4, 11mm (ultrawide) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, auto panorama (motorized rotation) |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS (except @240/480fps) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | Motorized flip-up main camera module |
| Features | HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, auto panorama (motorized rotation) |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS (except @240/480fps) |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired, 85% in 30 min | 18W wired
10W reverse wired, QC4 |
| Stand-by | Up to 360 h (3G) | Up to 624 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 28 h (3G) | Up to 33 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Purple, Green | Midnight Black, Twilight Silver |
| Models | SEA-AL00, SEA-TL00 | ASUS_I01WD, ZS630KL, I01WD |
| Price | About 360 EUR | About 500 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.43 W/kg (head) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -85.8dB / Crosstalk -76.2dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 112h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1201:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.7 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 361679 (v7), 447774 (v8)
GeekBench: 10721 (v4.4), 2609 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 36fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 5
- 40W SuperCharge delivers incredibly fast charging.
- Sleek and modern design.
- Good battery endurance (112h)
- Kirin 810 chipset is outperformed by the Snapdragon 855.
- Camera details are limited, making it hard to assess quality.
Asus Zenfone 6 ZS630KL
- Snapdragon 855 provides flagship-level performance.
- Excellent battery life (112h endurance).
- 10W reverse wired charging for accessories.
- Slower 18W charging compared to the Nova 5.
- Design may appear dated compared to newer phones.
Display Comparison
Both devices feature a contrast ratio of 1201:1, suggesting similar visual depth. However, the Zenfone 6 boasts a measured peak brightness of 455 nits, which will provide better visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Nova 5 (brightness data unavailable). While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the Zenfone 6’s higher brightness is a tangible advantage for outdoor use. The lack of refresh rate data for both devices means neither can compete with newer phones offering 90Hz or 120Hz displays.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specs are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Zenfone 6’s historical camera performance suggests a more refined image processing pipeline. The Nova 5’s camera likely focuses on vibrant colors, typical of Huawei’s image processing. The absence of details regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device makes it difficult to assess low-light performance. Users prioritizing camera quality should research sample photos and videos from both devices.
Performance
The Asus Zenfone 6’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm) significantly outperforms the Huawei Nova 5’s Kirin 810 (7nm) in CPU and GPU benchmarks. The Snapdragon 855’s Kryo 485 cores, with a peak clock speed of 2.84 GHz, offer a substantial advantage over the Kirin 810’s 2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 cores. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a better gaming experience on the Zenfone 6. While both are built on a 7nm process, the Snapdragon 855’s architecture is more efficient and powerful. The Zenfone 6 is the clear choice for users who demand the best possible performance.
Battery Life
The Asus Zenfone 6 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 112 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the Nova 5 shares the same endurance rating, the charging speeds differ dramatically. The Nova 5’s 40W wired charging can reach 85% charge in just 30 minutes, a significant advantage over the Zenfone 6’s 18W charging. The Zenfone 6 also supports 10W reverse wired charging via QC4, a useful feature for topping up accessories. Despite having the same endurance rating, the Nova 5’s faster charging makes it more convenient for users who frequently need to recharge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Nova 5 if you need exceptionally fast charging and a sleek design, and don't require the absolute highest performance for demanding games. Buy the Asus Zenfone 6 ZS630KL if you prioritize sustained performance for gaming and multitasking, and value a longer software support lifecycle (historically, Asus provides more updates than Huawei).
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 810 in the Nova 5 struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
While the Kirin 810 is a capable chipset, it will likely require lower graphics settings and frame rates in demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact compared to the Snapdragon 855 in the Zenfone 6. Expect some frame drops during intense scenes. The Zenfone 6 offers a smoother, more consistent gaming experience.
❓ How much does the faster charging of the Nova 5 actually impact daily use?
The Nova 5’s 40W charging is a game-changer for users who frequently find themselves with low battery. Reaching 85% charge in 30 minutes means you can quickly top up during a coffee break or short downtime, minimizing interruptions. The Zenfone 6’s 18W charging will take considerably longer to achieve a similar charge level.
❓ Is the 10W reverse charging on the Zenfone 6 useful for everyday accessories?
The 10W reverse charging is primarily useful for topping up smaller accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches. It's not fast enough to significantly charge a smartphone, but it can provide a convenient boost for low-battery devices when you're away from a power outlet.
