The Realme X2 Pro and Huawei nova 5z represent distinct approaches to the smartphone market. The X2 Pro aimed to disrupt the flagship space with a powerful Snapdragon 855+ processor and blazing-fast charging, while the nova 5z focused on delivering a balanced experience with Huawei’s Kirin 810 at a more accessible price point. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and rapid charging, the Realme X2 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 855+ chipset significantly outperforms the Kirin 810, and the 50W SuperVOOC charging is a game-changer. However, the nova 5z remains a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers seeking a reliable daily driver.
| 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 - China |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - EMEA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October. Released 2019, November | 2019, October 15. Released 2019, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 156.1 x 73.9 x 8.3 mm (6.15 x 2.91 x 0.33 in) | 161 x 75.7 x 8.7 mm (6.34 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.5 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Kirin 810 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP6 | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | 64GB UFS 2.1, 128/256GB UFS 3.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.5, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with Dolby Atmos stereo speakers (2 dedicated amplifiers) |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio (incl. speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 50W wired, 100% in 35 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Aurora, Emerald Green | Lunar White, Neptune Blue, Red Master Edition, Gray Master Edition |
| Models | SPN-AL00, SPN-TL00 | RMX1931 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 440 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -91.3dB / Crosstalk -92.5dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 94h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 82dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 91dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 396827 (v7), 467653 (v8)
GeekBench: 10373 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 37fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 5z
- More affordable price point
- Balanced feature set for everyday use
- Respectable battery life
- Significantly less powerful processor
- Slower charging speeds
- Likely inferior camera performance
Realme X2 Pro
- Flagship-level Snapdragon 855+ performance
- Blazing-fast 50W SuperVOOC charging
- Potentially superior camera system
- Higher price tag
- May run hotter under sustained load
- Software experience may vary based on region
Display Comparison
Both devices share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting both utilize OLED panels. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are missing. Given the X2 Pro’s positioning, it likely features a higher quality panel with potentially better color accuracy and peak brightness. The lack of high refresh rate information on either device suggests standard 60Hz panels, common for their release timeframe.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specifics are lacking. The X2 Pro, positioned as a flagship contender, likely boasts a more sophisticated camera system with a larger main sensor and potentially optical image stabilization (OIS). While the nova 5z likely offers a competent camera experience, it’s unlikely to match the X2 Pro’s image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The absence of detail regarding sensor sizes and lens apertures makes a precise comparison impossible, but the X2 Pro’s higher tier suggests a more versatile and capable camera setup.
Performance
The Realme X2 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ (7nm) is the dominant force here. Its octa-core configuration, with a prime Kryo 485 core clocked at 2.96 GHz, provides a substantial performance advantage over the Huawei nova 5z’s Kirin 810 (7nm). The Kirin 810, while capable, utilizes a more conservative core arrangement (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55). This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and significantly better gaming performance on the X2 Pro. The Snapdragon 855+ also benefits from a more mature software ecosystem and optimization.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an impressive endurance rating of 94 hours, indicating similar real-world battery life despite differing charging capabilities. However, the charging experience is where they diverge dramatically. The Realme X2 Pro’s 50W SuperVOOC charging can replenish the battery to 100% in just 35 minutes, a significant advantage over the nova 5z’s 20W wired charging. This faster charging is crucial for users who need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 5z if you need a dependable smartphone for everyday tasks, social media, and light gaming, and value a balanced feature set at a lower price. Buy the Realme X2 Pro if you prioritize demanding mobile gaming, content creation, and require the fastest possible charging speeds, even if it means spending more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Kirin 810 in the Huawei nova 5z sufficient for playing demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Kirin 810 can handle PUBG and Call of Duty, but you’ll likely need to lower graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. The Snapdragon 855+ in the X2 Pro offers significantly more headroom for gaming at higher settings without noticeable frame drops.
❓ How does the 50W charging on the Realme X2 Pro compare to standard fast charging?
50W SuperVOOC charging is considerably faster than typical fast charging solutions. It can fully charge the X2 Pro in approximately 35 minutes, whereas standard fast charging often takes over an hour. This is a major convenience factor for users who frequently need to recharge their phones.
❓ Does the Realme X2 Pro get excessively hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 855+ is known to generate some heat under sustained load. While the X2 Pro likely incorporates thermal management solutions, it may become warm during extended gaming. The Kirin 810 in the nova 5z generally runs cooler, but at the cost of performance.
❓ What are the software differences between Realme UI and Huawei’s EMUI?
Realme UI is generally considered to be closer to stock Android, offering a cleaner and more customizable experience. EMUI, on the other hand, features a more heavily customized interface with unique features and optimizations. Software preference is subjective, but Realme UI often appeals to users who prefer a less cluttered experience.
