Huawei Nova 5z vs P40 Lite 5G: Which Kirin Chip Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Huawei P40 Lite 5G is the superior choice. Its Kirin 820 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift, and the 40W SuperCharge significantly reduces charging times. While the Nova 5z remains a capable device, the P40 Lite 5G’s advancements justify the price difference.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Huawei nova 5z | Huawei P40 lite 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019, October. Released 2019, November | 2020, May 15. Released 2020, May 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 156.1 x 73.9 x 8.3 mm (6.15 x 2.91 x 0.33 in) | 162.3 x 75 x 8.6 mm (6.39 x 2.95 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x2.22 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 810 (7 nm) | Kirin 820 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP6 | Mali-G57 (6-core) |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | - | |
| 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 8 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 17mm (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 40W wired, 70% in 30 min 5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Aurora, Emerald Green | Crush Green, Space Silver, Midnight Black |
| Models | SPN-AL00, SPN-TL00 | CDY-NX9A |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 190 EUR |
Huawei nova 5z
- More affordable price point
- Capable Kirin 810 chipset for everyday tasks
- Sufficient for light gaming
- Slower 20W charging
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Older chipset with less processing power
Huawei P40 lite 5G
- Faster Kirin 820 5G chipset
- 40W SuperCharge for rapid charging
- Integrated 5G connectivity
- 5W reverse wired charging
- Higher price compared to Nova 5z
- May not offer a significantly improved display
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, typical for their price bracket. While specific details like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are unavailable, the focus here is on processing power, not visual fidelity. Bezels are expected to be similar, prioritizing affordability over an edge-to-edge design. Color accuracy will likely be adequate for general use, but not geared towards professional content creation.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is challenging. However, both phones likely employ a multi-camera setup geared towards versatility. The P40 Lite 5G, being the newer model, may benefit from improved image processing algorithms. The presence of a dedicated NPU in the Kirin 820 further enhances its computational photography capabilities. While both likely include standard wide, ultrawide, and depth sensors, the P40 Lite 5G’s image quality is expected to be slightly superior due to the more powerful chipset and potentially larger sensor sizes.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The P40 Lite 5G’s Kirin 820 5G represents a significant upgrade over the Nova 5z’s Kirin 810. The 820 features a more refined CPU configuration – 1x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76, 3x2.22 GHz Cortex-A76, and 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55 – compared to the 810’s 2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55. The additional high-performance Cortex-A76 cores in the 820 translate to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. While both are 7nm chips, the architectural improvements in the 820 provide a clear advantage. The P40 Lite 5G also benefits from integrated 5G capabilities, absent in the Nova 5z.
Battery Life
The P40 Lite 5G’s 40W SuperCharge is a game-changer. Huawei claims a 70% charge in just 30 minutes, drastically reducing downtime compared to the Nova 5z’s 20W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed effectively mitigates any potential capacity difference. The P40 Lite 5G also includes 5W reverse wired charging, allowing it to top up other devices – a feature absent in the Nova 5z. This makes the P40 Lite 5G a more convenient option for users who frequently travel or rely on multiple devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Nova 5z if you prioritize a lower upfront cost and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s a solid option for everyday tasks and light gaming. Buy the Huawei P40 Lite 5G if you value faster performance, 5G connectivity, and significantly quicker charging – making it ideal for power users and mobile gamers who need minimal downtime.