Huawei nova 5i vs. OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren: A Detailed Performance and Value Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing with 5G, the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 855+ chipset and 30W charging significantly outperform the Huawei nova 5i’s Kirin 710F and 10W charging, justifying the price difference for demanding tasks.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Huawei nova 5i | OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren |
| 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 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 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 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019, June. Released 2019, June | 2019, October 23. Released 2019, November 05 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 159.1 x 75.9 x 8.3 mm (6.26 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) | 162.6 x 75.9 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 2.99 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 206 g (7.27 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density) | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~516 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 108.8 cm2 (~88.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710F (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.0 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.0 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 24 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, 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, DLNA |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| - | Virtual proximity sensing | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4085 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Gradient Blue, Red | Papaya Orange |
| Models | GLK-LX1, GLK-LX2, GLK-LX3, GLK-LX1U, GLK-AL00, GLK-TL00 | HD1925 |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 800 EUR |
Huawei nova 5i
- More affordable price point
- Potentially longer battery life due to less powerful processor
- Lightweight and compact design (assumed)
- Significantly slower processor
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited gaming performance
OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren
- Flagship-level Snapdragon 855+ performance
- 30W Warp Charge for incredibly fast charging
- 5G connectivity for future-proofed data speeds
- Higher price tag
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load
- Larger and heavier design (likely)
Display Comparison
While specific display specs for the nova 5i are unavailable, it likely features an LCD panel common in its price bracket. The OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren boasts a 6.65-inch Fluid AMOLED display. The Snapdragon 855+’s powerful GPU can fully utilize the McLaren’s display for smooth 90Hz scrolling, a feature the nova 5i cannot match. The 7nm process of the Snapdragon allows for more efficient power delivery to the display, potentially resulting in longer screen-on time despite the higher refresh rate.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for the nova 5i, a direct comparison is limited. However, the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren’s camera system, while not explicitly detailed in the provided data, typically features a high-resolution main sensor and advanced image processing capabilities. The Snapdragon 855+’s image signal processor (ISP) is significantly more powerful than the Kirin 710F’s, enabling faster image processing, better dynamic range, and improved low-light performance. The McLaren’s likely inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) – a common feature in its class – would further enhance image quality, especially in video recording.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ (7nm) in the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren is a flagship-level processor, featuring an octa-core configuration with a prime core clocked at 2.96 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the Huawei nova 5i’s Kirin 710F (12nm). The Snapdragon 855+’s smaller node size translates to greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, leading to sustained performance under load. The Kirin 710F, while capable for everyday tasks, will struggle with graphically intensive games and multitasking compared to the 7T Pro 5G McLaren. The McLaren’s LPDDR4X RAM further enhances performance, while the nova 5i’s RAM specification is unknown but likely slower.
Battery Life
The Huawei nova 5i’s 10W wired charging is a significant drawback compared to the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren’s 30W Warp Charge. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging speed of the McLaren drastically reduces downtime. A full charge on the nova 5i could take several hours, while the McLaren can achieve a substantial charge in under an hour. The Snapdragon 855+’s power efficiency, despite its higher performance, can partially offset the faster charging’s impact on battery life, potentially leading to comparable real-world usage times.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 5i if you need a functional, affordable smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and aren't concerned with demanding gaming or future-proofing. Buy the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren if you prioritize smooth multitasking, demanding mobile gaming, faster 5G connectivity, and significantly quicker charging speeds – even if it means a higher upfront cost.