The Huawei nova 5 and Samsung Galaxy A70s represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market, but cater to slightly different priorities. The nova 5 boasts a more modern 7nm chipset and significantly faster charging, while the A70s relies on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 675 and a more established brand presence. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and charging speed, the Huawei nova 5 is the better choice. Its Kirin 810 chipset, built on a 7nm process, offers a performance advantage over the 11nm Snapdragon 675, and the 40W charging is a game-changer. However, Samsung's software ecosystem and brand recognition remain strong considerations.
| 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 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, June. Released 2019, June | 2019, September. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 157.4 x 74.8 x 7.3 mm (6.20 x 2.94 x 0.29 in) | 164.3 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm (6.47 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 171 g (6.03 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 810 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP6 | Adreno 612 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| 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 | - |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired, 85% in 30 min | 25W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 360 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 28 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Purple, Green | Prism Crush Red, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Black |
| Models | SEA-AL00, SEA-TL00 | SM-A707F, SM-A707FN, SM-A707GM, SM-A707MN, SM-A7070, SM-A707W |
| Price | About 360 EUR | About 380 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.43 W/kg (head) | 0.42 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body) |
Huawei nova 5
- Faster 40W charging significantly reduces downtime.
- More efficient 7nm Kirin 810 chipset offers better performance.
- Potentially better thermal management due to the 7nm process.
- Huawei's software ecosystem may be less familiar to some users.
- Potential concerns regarding Google Mobile Services availability (depending on the region and time of purchase).
Samsung Galaxy A70s
- Familiar and user-friendly Samsung One UI.
- Established brand reputation and reliable software updates.
- Potentially better display quality due to Samsung's expertise.
- Slower 25W charging.
- Less powerful and less efficient 11nm Snapdragon 675 chipset.
- May exhibit more throttling under sustained load.
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the market positioning, both likely feature FHD+ AMOLED panels. The A70s, being a Samsung, likely benefits from Samsung's display expertise, potentially offering slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles. The absence of high refresh rate information suggests both are standard 60Hz panels.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the market segment suggests both phones prioritize versatile camera systems. The larger sensor size (if present in the nova 5, which is likely given Huawei's camera focus) would be a significant advantage in low-light conditions. Image processing philosophies differ between Huawei and Samsung; Huawei typically aims for vibrant, saturated colors, while Samsung often favors a more natural look. The absence of information regarding OIS makes it impossible to assess stabilization capabilities.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. Huawei's nova 5 utilizes the Kirin 810, fabricated on a 7nm process, offering superior transistor density and therefore, efficiency compared to the Samsung Galaxy A70s' Snapdragon 675 (11nm). The Kirin 810's CPU configuration – 2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55 – provides a performance edge over the Snapdragon 675’s 2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. While both are octa-core CPUs, the architectural advantages of the Cortex-A76 cores in the Kirin 810 will be noticeable in demanding tasks. The 7nm process also implies better thermal management, potentially reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The battery capacity isn't specified for either device, but the charging wattage is a key differentiator. The Huawei nova 5’s 40W wired charging is significantly faster than the Samsung Galaxy A70s’ 25W charging. Huawei claims an 85% charge in 30 minutes, a substantial advantage for users who need to quickly top up their battery. While a larger battery capacity on the A70s might offer longer overall runtime, the nova 5’s faster charging mitigates the inconvenience of needing to charge less frequently.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 5 if you need a phone that charges incredibly quickly and offers a noticeable performance boost for gaming and multitasking. This is ideal for users who frequently use demanding apps or are always on the go. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A70s if you prefer a more familiar software experience with Samsung's One UI and value the brand's established reputation for reliability and software updates, even if it means sacrificing some raw processing power and charging speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Kirin 810 in the Huawei nova 5 powerful enough for demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Kirin 810 is capable of running demanding games like PUBG and Call of Duty at medium to high settings. The 7nm process and Cortex-A76 cores provide sufficient processing power, and the GPU should deliver a smooth gaming experience. However, sustained performance may be limited by thermal throttling, though the 7nm process helps mitigate this.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A70s support VoLTE and VoWiFi on all carriers?
Support for VoLTE and VoWiFi on the Samsung Galaxy A70s varies depending on the carrier and region. It's crucial to check with your specific carrier to ensure compatibility before purchasing the device. Samsung generally provides good carrier support, but regional variations exist.
❓ How does Huawei's EMUI software compare to Samsung's One UI in terms of usability and features?
EMUI and One UI offer distinct user experiences. One UI is generally considered more intuitive and user-friendly, with a cleaner interface and a focus on one-handed operation. EMUI offers a wider range of customization options and features, but can sometimes feel cluttered. The choice depends on personal preference.
