The Huawei nova 5z and Motorola Moto G8 Plus represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market, but cater to different priorities. The nova 5z, with its Kirin 810 chipset, aims for a performance-focused experience, while the Moto G8 Plus emphasizes battery endurance and a more accessible price point. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and responsiveness, the Huawei nova 5z is the clear winner. Its Kirin 810 chipset delivers a significantly faster experience than the Snapdragon 665 in the Moto G8 Plus. However, the Moto G8 Plus offers comparable battery life and a potentially lower price, making it a viable option for budget-conscious users.
| 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, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 600/100 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October. Released 2019, November | 2019, October 24. Released 2019, October 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | 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) | 158.4 x 75.8 x 9.1 mm (6.24 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 810 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP6 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| 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 | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm (ultrawide), dedicated video camera (1080p)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 25 MP, f/2.0, 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes (market dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Aurora, Emerald Green | Dark Blue, Dark Red |
| Models | SPN-AL00, SPN-TL00 | XT2019, XT2019-2 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 270 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.88 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.2dB / Crosstalk -94.2dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 87h |
| Camera | - |
Photo |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1505:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 79dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 80dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 168699 (v8)
GeekBench: 5641 (v4.4), 1385 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 5z
- Superior performance with the Kirin 810 chipset
- Faster 20W wired charging
- Potentially better camera image processing
- May be more expensive than the Moto G8 Plus
- Software support and updates may be less consistent (Huawei)
Motorola Moto G8 Plus
- Excellent battery life (87h endurance)
- Potentially lower price point
- Clean Android experience (typically Motorola)
- Significantly slower performance with the Snapdragon 665
- Slower 15W wired charging
Display Comparison
The Motorola Moto G8 Plus boasts a measured peak brightness of 581 nits and a 1505:1 contrast ratio, providing a reasonably vibrant viewing experience. While the nova 5z’s display specifications aren’t provided, Huawei typically prioritizes color accuracy in this segment. The G8 Plus’s contrast ratio, though nominally stated as 1505:1, suggests a standard IPS panel. Neither phone is expected to feature high refresh rate technology, but the G8 Plus’s brightness advantage will be noticeable in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having a 'Photo' camera, which is unhelpful. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, given the market positioning, the nova 5z likely features a more sophisticated camera system. Huawei often emphasizes camera capabilities in its nova series. The Snapdragon 665’s image signal processor (ISP) is capable, but the Kirin 810’s ISP is generally more advanced, offering better image processing and low-light performance. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device is unknown, but would be a significant advantage.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: Huawei’s nova 5z utilizes the Kirin 810 (7nm), while the Moto G8 Plus features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm). The Kirin 810’s 7nm process node is significantly more efficient than the Snapdragon 665’s 11nm, translating to better performance and thermal management. The Kirin 810’s CPU – a combination of Cortex-A76 and A55 cores – offers a substantial performance uplift over the Snapdragon 665’s Kryo 260 Gold and Silver cores. This difference will be most apparent in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The nova 5z will handle graphically intensive games with higher frame rates and fewer stutters.
Battery Life
Both the Huawei nova 5z and Motorola Moto G8 Plus achieve an endurance rating of 87 hours, indicating comparable battery life. However, the nova 5z’s 20W wired charging is faster than the Moto G8 Plus’s 15W charging. This means the nova 5z can replenish its battery more quickly, reducing downtime. While both offer similar overall battery endurance, the faster charging speed of the nova 5z provides a convenience advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 5z if you need a phone capable of handling demanding apps, moderate gaming, and multitasking without slowdowns. Its superior chipset provides a smoother, more responsive user experience. Buy the Motorola Moto G8 Plus if you prioritize long battery life and a lower upfront cost, and your usage primarily involves basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media browsing. The G8 Plus is a solid choice for those who don't require top-tier performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Kirin 810 in the nova 5z powerful enough for demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Kirin 810 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. Its CPU and GPU are significantly more powerful than the Snapdragon 665, providing a smoother gaming experience. However, don't expect flagship-level performance; some settings adjustments may be necessary for optimal results.
❓ Does the Moto G8 Plus’s battery life really last a full day with moderate use?
The Moto G8 Plus’s 87-hour endurance rating suggests it can easily last a full day with moderate use, including browsing, social media, and some video streaming. However, heavy gaming or prolonged video recording will naturally reduce battery life. The phone’s power efficiency is a key strength.
❓ What kind of software experience can I expect on each phone?
The Huawei nova 5z typically runs EMUI, Huawei’s custom Android skin, which offers a range of features but can be more resource-intensive. The Moto G8 Plus generally provides a cleaner, near-stock Android experience, known for its simplicity and faster updates (though update frequency can vary).
