Huawei nova 5i Pro vs Google Pixel 7a: A Clash of Titans

The smartphone market is overflowing with options, making it tough to choose. Today, we're pitting two compelling contenders against each other: the Huawei nova 5i Pro and the Google Pixel 7a. Both offer unique strengths, but which one ultimately delivers the better experience?
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Google Pixel 7a emerges as the clear winner, thanks to its superior camera, faster processor, and cleaner software experience. While the nova 5i Pro offers a competitive price, the Pixel 7a's overall performance and Google's software support make it the more compelling choice.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 5i Pro Google Pixel 7a
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 - GWKK3, G0DZQ
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GWKK3
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GHL1X, G82U8
Launch
Announced2019, July. Released 2019, July2023, May 10
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2023, May 10
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions156.1 x 73.9 x 8.3 mm (6.15 x 2.91 x 0.33 in)152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight178 g (6.28 oz)193.5 g (6.84 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDOLED, HDR, 90Hz
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetKirin 810 (7 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MP6Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual-64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Single13 MP, PDAF-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging20W wired18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless
Stand-byUp to 725 h (2G) / Up to 625 h (3G)-
Talk timeUp to 26 h (2G) / Up to 16 h (3G)-
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4385 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Aurora, Emerald GreenCharcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral
ModelsSPN-AL00, SPN-TL00GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8
PriceAbout 290 EUR€ 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980

Huawei nova 5i Pro

  • Competitive price
  • Large display
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks
  • Good design

  • Outdated chipset
  • No wireless charging
  • Limited software support
  • Camera not as good as competitors

Google Pixel 7a

  • Excellent camera
  • Fast and responsive performance
  • Clean Android experience
  • Timely software updates
  • Wireless charging
  • Bright display

  • Higher price
  • Charging speed could be faster
  • Design is somewhat iterative

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7a boasts a significantly brighter display (1070 nits) compared to the nova 5i Pro, offering better visibility in sunlight. While both have OLED panels, the Pixel 7a's higher brightness and potentially better color accuracy give it an edge. The nova 5i Pro's display is still good, but not as impressive.

Camera Comparison

This is where the Pixel 7a truly shines. Google's computational photography is renowned, and the Pixel 7a delivers exceptional image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The nova 5i Pro's camera is capable, but lacks the Pixel 7a's dynamic range, detail, and overall image processing prowess. Video recording is also superior on the Pixel 7a.

Performance

The Google Pixel 7a's Google Tensor G2 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the Kirin 810. The Tensor G2's Cortex-X1 core provides a noticeable boost in performance, making the Pixel 7a feel snappier and more responsive for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The nova 5i Pro is adequate for everyday use, but struggles with heavier workloads.

Battery Life

The Pixel 7a's endurance rating of 76h suggests significantly better battery life than the nova 5i Pro. While the nova 5i Pro's battery capacity is comparable, the Pixel 7a's efficient Tensor G2 chip and software optimization contribute to its extended battery performance. The Pixel 7a also supports wireless charging, a feature absent on the nova 5i Pro.

Buying Guide

The Huawei nova 5i Pro is ideal for budget-conscious users who prioritize a large display and decent performance for everyday tasks. The Google Pixel 7a is perfect for photography enthusiasts, those seeking a smooth and responsive user experience, and anyone who values timely software updates and Google's ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Huawei nova 5i Pro get software updates?
Huawei's software support has been limited in recent years due to geopolitical factors. Updates are infrequent and may not include the latest Android versions.
❓ Is the Google Pixel 7a worth the extra money?
Yes, if you prioritize camera quality, performance, and software updates. The Pixel 7a offers a significantly better overall experience than the nova 5i Pro, justifying the price difference for many users.