Huawei nova 5 vs OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren: Which 5G Phone Delivers More?

The Huawei nova 5 and OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren represent interesting points in the 5G smartphone evolution. The nova 5 aimed to bring a compelling feature set at a more accessible price, while the 7T Pro 5G McLaren targeted enthusiasts with a focus on raw performance and a premium experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value in today's market.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a smoother overall experience, the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 855+ chipset provides a significant performance advantage over the Kirin 810, despite the nova 5’s faster 40W charging. However, the nova 5 remains a viable option for budget-conscious users.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 5 OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands-71 SA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMACDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA
Launch
Announced2019, June. Released 2019, June2019, October 23. Released 2019, November 05
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions157.4 x 74.8 x 7.3 mm (6.20 x 2.94 x 0.29 in)162.6 x 75.9 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight171 g (6.03 oz)206 g (7.27 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~516 ppi density)
Size6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 108.8 cm2 (~88.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLEDFluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetKirin 810 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MP6Adreno 640 (700 MHz)
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1Android 10, OxygenOS 10.0
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Single8 MP, f/2.0, AF-
Triple-48 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), AF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µmMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging40W wired, 85% in 30 min30W wired
Stand-byUp to 360 h (3G)-
Talk timeUp to 28 h (3G)-
TypeLi-Po 3500 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4085 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, Purple, GreenPapaya Orange
ModelsSEA-AL00, SEA-TL00HD1925
PriceAbout 360 EURAbout 800 EUR
SAR EU0.43 W/kg (head)     -

Huawei nova 5

  • Significantly faster 40W charging
  • Potentially more affordable price point
  • Competent performance for everyday tasks

  • Kirin 810 chipset is outperformed by Snapdragon 855+
  • Likely less refined camera system
  • Potentially lower display quality

OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren

  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 855+
  • Likely better display quality (brightness, refresh rate)
  • Potentially more advanced camera system

  • Slower 30W charging
  • Higher price point
  • Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load

Display Comparison

While specific display specs aren't provided, both devices likely feature AMOLED panels given their market positioning. However, the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren, being a flagship-tier device, likely boasts a higher peak brightness and potentially a 90Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling, a feature absent in the nova 5. The 7T Pro’s McLaren edition likely benefits from superior color calibration and potentially a lower PWM dimming frequency, reducing eye strain for sensitive users.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren, as a higher-end device, likely features a larger main sensor and more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is probable on the 7T Pro, resulting in sharper images and more stable videos, especially in low-light conditions. The nova 5 likely relies more on software enhancements to compensate for potentially smaller sensors and a less advanced image signal processor.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ (7nm) in the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren significantly outperforms the Huawei Kirin 810 (7nm). The Snapdragon 855+’s Kryo 485 cores, with a peak clock speed of 2.96 GHz, offer a substantial advantage over the Kirin 810’s 2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 cores. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. The Snapdragon’s Adreno 640 GPU also eclipses the Kirin 810’s GPU, providing a more immersive gaming experience. While both are 7nm chips, the Snapdragon 855+ is optimized for sustained performance, potentially mitigating thermal throttling better than the Kirin 810 under prolonged heavy load.

Battery Life

The Huawei nova 5’s 40W wired charging is a significant advantage, capable of reaching 85% charge in just 30 minutes. The OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren’s 30W charging is slower, requiring more time to fully replenish the battery. However, the actual battery life will depend on the battery capacity of each device (not provided), and the efficiency of the respective chipsets. The Snapdragon 855+’s power efficiency, combined with potential software optimizations, could offset the slower charging speed, providing comparable real-world battery endurance.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei nova 5 if you need a capable 5G phone with exceptionally fast 40W charging and are willing to trade some processing power for a lower price. Buy the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren if you prioritize top-tier performance for gaming and demanding applications, and value a smoother, more responsive user experience, even with slightly slower 30W charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 810 in the Huawei nova 5 struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG or Fortnite?
The Kirin 810 is capable of running PUBG and Fortnite, but you may need to lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The Snapdragon 855+ in the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren will provide a significantly smoother experience at higher settings, with less frame rate fluctuation.
❓ How much faster is the 40W charging on the Huawei nova 5 compared to the 30W charging on the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren in real-world use?
The Huawei nova 5 can gain a substantial charge in a short period – 85% in 30 minutes. The OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren will take longer to reach a similar charge level. This makes the nova 5 ideal for users who frequently need a quick power boost.
❓ Is the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren prone to overheating during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 855+ is known to generate heat under sustained load. While OnePlus implemented cooling solutions, some thermal throttling is possible during prolonged gaming. However, the 7T Pro’s thermal management is generally considered effective, preventing significant performance drops.