The Huawei nova 5i and Oppo K3 represent a fascinating intersection in the mid-range smartphone market. Both devices aimed to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank, but they took different approaches to achieving that goal. The nova 5i leverages Huawei’s in-house Kirin 710F chipset, while the K3 opts for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 710. This comparison will dissect the key differences, helping you determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing faster charging and potentially more consistent performance, the Oppo K3 emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 710, built on a smaller 10nm process, offers a slight edge in efficiency and is paired with 20W fast charging, a significant advantage over the nova 5i’s 10W charging.
| 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, 4, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, June. Released 2019, June | 2019, May. Released 2019, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.1 x 75.9 x 8.3 mm (6.26 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) | 161.2 x 76 x 9.4 mm (6.35 x 2.99 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710F (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM710 Snapdragon 710 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 616 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), ColorOS 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/1.7, 1/2.5", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 24 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, 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, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 20W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3765 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gradient Blue, Red | Black, Nebula Purple, Morning White |
| Models | GLK-LX1, GLK-LX2, GLK-LX3, GLK-LX1U, GLK-AL00, GLK-TL00 | CPH1955, PCGM00 |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 210 EUR |
Huawei nova 5i
- Huawei brand recognition
- Potentially lower price (depending on market)
- Acceptable performance for basic tasks
- Slower 10W charging
- Less efficient Kirin 710F chipset
- Potentially more thermal throttling
Oppo K3
- Faster 20W charging
- More efficient Snapdragon 710 chipset
- Potentially smoother performance
- Qualcomm’s established ecosystem
- Oppo’s software experience may not appeal to all
- Potentially slightly higher price
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. Details regarding panel type (IPS vs AMOLED) and resolution are missing, but both likely target a 1080p+ resolution common in this price bracket. The key difference lies elsewhere. The focus here is on the underlying performance, not display fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications beyond the presence of multiple sensors, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning suggests both phones prioritize software processing over high-end hardware. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device indicates a reliance on computational photography. Users shouldn't expect flagship-level image quality, but both should be capable of producing acceptable photos in good lighting conditions. The 2MP macro lenses commonly found on phones in this segment are unlikely to deliver significant improvements in image quality.
Performance
The core of the comparison rests on the chipsets. The Oppo K3’s Snapdragon 710 (10nm) benefits from a more refined manufacturing process compared to the Huawei nova 5i’s Kirin 710F (12nm). This smaller node generally translates to better power efficiency and potentially lower thermal throttling under sustained load. While both CPUs feature an octa-core configuration with similar clock speeds (2.2 GHz for the performance cores and 1.7 GHz for the efficiency cores), the Snapdragon 710’s Kryo cores are architecturally different from the Cortex-A73/A53 in the Kirin 710F, potentially offering a slight advantage in single-core performance and overall responsiveness. The K3’s GPU is also likely to provide a more consistent gaming experience.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, the most significant difference is charging speed. The Oppo K3’s 20W wired charging is double the speed of the Huawei nova 5i’s 10W charging. This means the K3 can replenish its battery significantly faster, reducing downtime and offering a more convenient user experience. Even if the nova 5i has a slightly larger battery capacity, the K3’s faster charging will likely result in less perceived battery anxiety.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 5i if you prioritize brand familiarity within the Huawei ecosystem and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s a reasonable option for basic smartphone tasks and light social media use. Buy the Oppo K3 if you value quicker charging, a potentially smoother user experience thanks to the Snapdragon 710’s architecture, and a more versatile fast-charging ecosystem. The K3 is better suited for users who frequently find themselves needing to top up their battery quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 710 in the Oppo K3 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 710 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but expect to use medium graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. The 10nm process and optimized GPU should provide better sustained performance than the Kirin 710F, reducing the likelihood of significant frame drops during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Huawei nova 5i noticeably slow in 2024?
Yes, 10W charging is considerably slower than the 20W charging offered by the Oppo K3, and feels quite dated by today's standards. Expect a significantly longer time to fully charge the device, potentially taking over 2 hours from 0% to 100%. This is a major drawback for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
❓ Does either phone support VoLTE or Wi-Fi calling?
Support for VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling depends on the specific carrier and region. Both phones were released in a period where these features were becoming standard, but compatibility isn't guaranteed. Check with your carrier to confirm support before purchasing.
