Released in the same timeframe, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro and Huawei nova 5i represent competing visions of the mid-range smartphone. Both aimed to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank, but they took different approaches to achieving that goal, primarily in chipset choice and charging technology. This comparison dissects those differences to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro is the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 675, built on an 11nm process, offers superior efficiency and performance compared to the Kirin 710F’s 12nm node. The inclusion of 18W Quick Charge 4.0 further solidifies its advantage, providing significantly faster charging speeds.
| 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, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, June. Released 2019, June | 2019, February 28. Released 2019, March 18 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.1 x 75.9 x 8.3 mm (6.26 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) | 159.2 x 75.2 x 8.1 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 186 g (6.56 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710F (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 612 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-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@30/60/120fps, (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm | 13 MP, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| 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 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired, QC4 |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gradient Blue, Red | Nebula Red, Neptune Blue, Space Black, Astro White |
| Models | GLK-LX1, GLK-LX2, GLK-LX3, GLK-LX1U, GLK-AL00, GLK-TL00 | M1901F7S |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.96 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 180754 (v7), 215308 (v8)
GeekBench: 6620 (v4.4), 1624 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 5i
- Potentially cleaner software experience (depending on EMUI version)
- Slightly more compact design (likely)
- May be more readily available in certain markets
- Less powerful chipset (Kirin 710F)
- Slower 10W charging
- Less efficient processor (12nm node)
Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro
- More powerful and efficient chipset (Snapdragon 675)
- Faster 18W Quick Charge 4.0 charging
- Superior GPU performance for gaming
- MIUI software can be more cluttered
- Potentially larger physical size
- May have more pre-installed bloatware
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, common for this price bracket in 2019. The absence of detailed display specs necessitates focusing on the chipset impact on UI smoothness. The Redmi Note 7 Pro’s more powerful GPU will contribute to a more fluid experience when scrolling and navigating the interface, even if the resolution and panel technology are similar.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of a 48MP sensor on the Redmi Note 7 Pro (likely a primary assumption given the model), it’s difficult to make a definitive statement. However, the Snapdragon 675’s image signal processor (ISP) is generally more capable than the Kirin 710F’s, leading to potentially better image processing, especially in low-light conditions. The Redmi Note 7 Pro’s ISP will likely handle noise reduction and dynamic range more effectively. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing gimmick and shouldn’t heavily influence the decision.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 (11nm) is a clear advantage over the Huawei nova 5i’s Kirin 710F (12nm). The 11nm process node of the Snapdragon 675 translates to better power efficiency and thermal management, meaning sustained performance is higher. While both CPUs are octa-core, the Snapdragon 675 utilizes Kryo 460 cores, offering a more modern architecture than the Cortex-A73/A53 combination in the Kirin 710F. This difference will be most noticeable in demanding applications like games and video editing. The Redmi Note 7 Pro will likely maintain higher frame rates for longer periods.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Redmi Note 7 Pro’s 18W charging with Quick Charge 4.0 is a significant advantage. The nova 5i is limited to 10W charging, resulting in considerably longer charge times. Even if the nova 5i has a slightly larger battery, the Redmi Note 7 Pro’s faster charging will minimize downtime. A full charge on the Redmi Note 7 Pro will likely take under 2 hours, while the nova 5i could easily exceed 3 hours.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 5i if you prioritize a clean, minimalist software experience and are less concerned with raw performance or fast charging. It’s a solid all-rounder for basic tasks. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro if you value performance for gaming and multitasking, and appreciate the convenience of significantly faster 18W charging. It’s the better option for power users and those who frequently rely on their phone throughout the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Kirin 710F in the nova 5i struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Kirin 710F can run PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 675 in the Redmi Note 7 Pro offers a more comfortable gaming experience with higher settings and less frame rate fluctuation.
❓ How much faster is the 18W charging on the Redmi Note 7 Pro compared to the 10W charging on the nova 5i?
The difference is substantial. 18W charging can typically charge a phone from 0% to 50% in around 30-45 minutes, while 10W charging could take over 90 minutes for the same level. This means significantly less time tethered to a charger with the Redmi Note 7 Pro.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 7 Pro’s MIUI software significantly impact performance?
MIUI can be resource-intensive, but the Snapdragon 675 has enough headroom to mitigate most performance issues. While it might not be as streamlined as Huawei’s EMUI, the performance benefits of the chipset outweigh the software overhead.
❓ Is the 48MP camera on the Redmi Note 7 Pro a significant upgrade over the nova 5i’s camera?
The 48MP sensor, combined with the Snapdragon 675’s ISP, generally results in more detailed and vibrant photos, especially in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is also likely to be superior on the Redmi Note 7 Pro.
