The Huawei nova 5 and Honor 20 Pro represent a fascinating intersection of brand strategy and hardware. Both leverage Huawei’s Kirin chipset expertise, but target slightly different audiences. The nova 5 prioritizes a sleek design and rapid charging, while the 20 Pro aims for a more comprehensive flagship experience at a competitive price. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the most value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing overall performance and a more refined camera experience, the Honor 20 Pro is the better choice. Its Kirin 980 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift, and while charging is slower, the equivalent endurance rating mitigates battery concerns. The nova 5 excels in charging speed, but falls behind in processing power.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, June. Released 2019, June | 2019, May. Released 2019, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 157.4 x 74.8 x 7.3 mm (6.20 x 2.94 x 0.29 in) | 154.6 x 74 x 8.4 mm (6.09 x 2.91 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 171 g (6.03 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 810 (7 nm) | Kirin 980 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP6 | Mali-G76 MP10 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Magic 2.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| 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 | 48 MP, f/1.4, 28mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.4", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1"
2 MP (macro) |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 32-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired, 85% in 30 min | 22.5W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Stand-by | Up to 360 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 28 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Purple, Green | Phantom Blue, Phantom Black, Icelandic Illusion |
| Models | SEA-AL00, SEA-TL00 | YAL-AL10, YAL-L41 |
| Price | About 360 EUR | About 470 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.43 W/kg (head) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.9dB / Crosstalk -46.8dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 104h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 68dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 87dB |
Huawei nova 5
- 40W SuperCharge delivers incredibly fast charging.
- Sleek and modern design aesthetic.
- Competitive price point for the features offered.
- Kirin 810 chipset is less powerful than the Kirin 980.
- Limited display specifications suggest a potentially inferior viewing experience.
Honor 20 Pro
- Kirin 980 chipset provides superior performance.
- Excellent battery endurance rating of 104 hours.
- Likely superior camera image processing due to the 980’s ISP.
- Slower 22.5W charging compared to the nova 5.
- May be slightly more expensive than the nova 5.
Display Comparison
The Honor 20 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 507 nits and a 1222:1 contrast ratio, indicating a more vibrant and visible display, particularly outdoors. While the nova 5’s display specifications aren’t provided, Honor’s focus on display quality in the 20 Pro suggests a superior viewing experience. The contrast ratio is particularly important for media consumption, offering deeper blacks and more impactful colors. The lack of detailed display specs for the nova 5 suggests it may not compete directly in this area.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are advertised as having strong photo and video capabilities, but the Honor 20 Pro likely holds an edge due to the Kirin 980’s superior image signal processor (ISP). While specific sensor details are missing, the 980’s ISP enables more advanced image processing, resulting in better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality. The nova 5’s ISP, while capable, is limited by the Kirin 810’s processing power. The absence of detailed camera specs for both phones makes a definitive comparison difficult, but the 980’s processing advantage is a strong indicator.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the nova 5 utilizes the Kirin 810 (7nm) while the 20 Pro features the Kirin 980 (7nm). The Kirin 980’s CPU configuration – 2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 – is a significant step up from the nova 5’s 2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55. The inclusion of *two* higher-clocked Cortex-A76 cores in the 980 translates to faster application loading and smoother multitasking. This difference is particularly noticeable in graphically intensive games and demanding applications. While both are 7nm chips, the 980’s architecture provides a clear performance advantage.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 104 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite differing charging speeds. The Honor 20 Pro’s 22.5W charging takes 30 minutes to reach 50%, while the nova 5’s 40W charging achieves 85% in the same timeframe. This means the nova 5 offers significantly faster top-ups, ideal for quick boosts throughout the day. However, the 20 Pro’s equivalent endurance rating suggests that the slower charging speed isn’t a major drawback, as it compensates with more efficient power management.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 5 if you absolutely need the fastest charging available and prioritize a modern aesthetic. It’s ideal for users who frequently top up their phones throughout the day and don’t engage in intensive tasks. Buy the Honor 20 Pro if you value sustained performance for gaming or demanding applications, a more capable camera system, and a longer-lasting battery experience, even if it means sacrificing some charging speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 810 in the nova 5 struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
While the Kirin 810 is a capable chipset, it may exhibit frame drops or require lower graphics settings in graphically intensive games like PUBG or Genshin Impact. The Kirin 980 in the Honor 20 Pro offers a smoother gaming experience with higher sustained frame rates.
❓ Is the 40W charging on the nova 5 truly a game-changer, or is the difference negligible in daily use?
The 40W charging is a significant advantage for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery. Reaching 85% in 30 minutes is considerably faster than the 20 Pro’s 50% in the same timeframe, making it ideal for those with limited charging opportunities.
❓ Given the similar endurance ratings, does the Honor 20 Pro’s slower charging mean I’ll be tethered to a charger more often?
Not necessarily. The 20 Pro’s efficient power management, combined with its 104-hour endurance rating, means it can easily last a full day on a single charge for most users. The slower charging is less of a concern when the overall battery life is comparable.
