The Realme X2 Pro and Huawei nova 5 represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market, but cater to different priorities. The X2 Pro, leveraging Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855+ chipset, aims for near-flagship performance. Conversely, the nova 5 with its Kirin 810 focuses on delivering a balanced experience at a potentially more accessible price point. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Realme X2 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 855+ provides a significant edge in demanding tasks and gaming. However, the Huawei nova 5 remains a viable option for those seeking a solid all-around experience on a tighter budget.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - China |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - EMEA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, June. Released 2019, June | 2019, October 15. Released 2019, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 157.4 x 74.8 x 7.3 mm (6.20 x 2.94 x 0.29 in) | 161 x 75.7 x 8.7 mm (6.34 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 171 g (6.03 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.5 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Kirin 810 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP6 | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | 64GB UFS 2.1, 128/256GB UFS 3.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.5, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with Dolby Atmos stereo speakers (2 dedicated amplifiers) |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio (incl. speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired, 85% in 30 min | 50W wired, 100% in 35 min |
| Stand-by | Up to 360 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 28 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable | 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Purple, Green | Lunar White, Neptune Blue, Red Master Edition, Gray Master Edition |
| Models | SEA-AL00, SEA-TL00 | RMX1931 |
| Price | About 360 EUR | About 440 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.43 W/kg (head) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -91.3dB / Crosstalk -92.5dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 94h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 82dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 91dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 396827 (v7), 467653 (v8)
GeekBench: 10373 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 37fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 5
- Potentially lower price point
- Competent all-around performance
- Fast 40W charging (85% in 30 min)
- Kirin 810 chipset is outperformed by Snapdragon 855+
- Camera specifications are unknown, potentially less advanced
Realme X2 Pro
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 855+
- Faster 50W SuperVOOC charging (100% in 35 min)
- Likely better camera system
- Generally higher price than the Huawei nova 5
- May experience more heat under sustained load
Display Comparison
Both devices share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting deep blacks typical of OLED panels. However, detailed display specifications like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are missing. Given Realme’s focus on display quality in other models, the X2 Pro likely offers a more vibrant and accurate display experience. The lack of specific data prevents a definitive statement, but the X2 Pro’s positioning suggests a superior visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. The absence of specifics makes a direct comparison difficult. However, Realme typically emphasizes camera performance in its 'Pro' models, suggesting the X2 Pro likely incorporates a more advanced camera system with features like larger sensors and optical image stabilization (OIS). The nova 5’s camera is likely competent, but may not match the X2 Pro’s potential for low-light photography and dynamic range.
Performance
The Realme X2 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ (7nm) significantly outperforms the Huawei nova 5’s Kirin 810 (7nm). The Snapdragon 855+ features a Kryo 485 core clocked at 2.96 GHz, compared to the Kirin 810’s 2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 cores. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive gaming experience. The Snapdragon 855+’s Adreno 640 GPU also provides a substantial graphical advantage. While both chips are fabricated on a 7nm process, the architectural differences favor Qualcomm’s offering.
Battery Life
Both devices boast an endurance rating of 94 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage. However, the Realme X2 Pro’s 50W SuperVOOC charging is significantly faster than the Huawei nova 5’s 40W charging. The X2 Pro can achieve a full charge in 35 minutes, while the nova 5 takes 30 minutes to reach 85%. This faster charging speed provides a considerable convenience advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 5 if you need a reliable daily driver with decent performance for everyday tasks and appreciate a potentially lower price. Buy the Realme X2 Pro if you prioritize gaming, demanding applications, and faster charging speeds, and are willing to spend a bit more for a noticeable performance boost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 810 in the Huawei nova 5 struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
While the Kirin 810 is a capable chip, 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 Realme X2 Pro. The X2 Pro’s more powerful GPU provides a smoother and more consistent gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the 50W charging on the Realme X2 Pro compared to the 40W charging on the Huawei nova 5 in real-world use?
The Realme X2 Pro’s 50W charging is noticeably faster. While the nova 5 reaches 85% in 30 minutes, the X2 Pro achieves a full 100% charge in 35 minutes. This means a shorter overall charging time and less time tethered to a wall outlet.
❓ Is the camera on the Realme X2 Pro significantly better for low-light photography?
Given Realme’s focus on camera performance in its 'Pro' series, the X2 Pro likely features a larger sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms, resulting in better low-light performance compared to the Huawei nova 5. Expect less noise and more detail in dimly lit environments.
