Launched in a competitive mid-range market, the Huawei nova 5z and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro both aimed to deliver impressive features without breaking the bank. While both phones boast capable cameras and solid battery life, they diverge significantly in their core processing power and efficiency. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and efficiency, the Huawei nova 5z is the better choice. Its Kirin 810, built on a 7nm process, offers a more refined experience than the 12nm Helio G90T in the Redmi Note 8 Pro, particularly during extended gaming sessions. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro remains a strong contender for those focused on maximizing battery endurance.
| 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, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October. Released 2019, November | 2019, August 29. Released 2019, September 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.1 x 73.9 x 8.3 mm (6.15 x 2.91 x 0.33 in) | 161.4 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.35 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 810 (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CC Helio G90T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP6 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | 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/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Aurora, Emerald Green | Black, Red, Blue, White, Deep Sea Blue, Midnight Blue, Electric Blue, Twilight Orange |
| Models | SPN-AL00, SPN-TL00 | 2015105, M1906G7I, M1906G7G |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.47 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -91.9dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 114h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1326:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 64dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 82dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 224759 (v7), 279355 (v8)
GeekBench: 6999 (v4.4), 1622 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 5z
- More efficient Kirin 810 chipset
- Faster 20W wired charging
- Potentially better sustained performance
- Camera details are unknown
- Display brightness is lower than the Redmi Note 8 Pro
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro
- Higher display brightness (640 nits)
- Potentially more versatile camera system (based on market knowledge)
- Long battery endurance
- Less efficient Helio G90T chipset
- Slower 18W wired charging
- Potential for thermal throttling under heavy load
Display Comparison
Both the Huawei nova 5z and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro feature displays with a 1326:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual depth. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 640 nits, providing a noticeably brighter image in direct sunlight. While both lack high refresh rate panels, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s higher brightness is a tangible advantage for outdoor visibility. Details regarding panel technology (IPS vs AMOLED) are missing, but given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCDs.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specifics are lacking. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro gained notoriety for its 64MP main sensor (not mentioned in the provided data), which allowed for detailed images and pixel binning for improved low-light performance. The nova 5z’s camera system likely prioritizes Huawei’s image processing algorithms, known for vibrant colors and scene optimization. The absence of details regarding OIS or lens apertures makes a precise comparison impossible, but the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s higher resolution sensor gives it a potential edge in image detail.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Huawei nova 5z’s Kirin 810, fabricated on a 7nm process, offers a significant advantage in power efficiency compared to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G90T (12nm). While the G90T’s CPU clock speeds (2.05 GHz Cortex-A76) are slightly higher than the nova 5z’s (2.27 GHz Cortex-A76), the Kirin 810’s architecture and smaller node size translate to better sustained performance and reduced heat generation. The Kirin 810’s CPU configuration (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) is optimized for a balance of power and efficiency, while the G90T is geared more towards raw performance, potentially at the cost of thermal management.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Huawei nova 5z supports 20W wired charging, while the Redmi Note 8 Pro is limited to 18W. This 2W difference translates to a faster 0-100% charge time for the nova 5z, offering a convenience advantage. The Kirin 810’s superior efficiency also contributes to better real-world battery endurance, as it consumes less power during typical usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 5z if you need a phone that can handle demanding tasks and gaming with less thermal throttling, and appreciate a more efficient chipset. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro if you prioritize maximizing battery life and are willing to accept potentially more noticeable performance dips under sustained load, or if camera versatility is paramount.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G90T in the Redmi Note 8 Pro overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio G90T is known to generate more heat than the Kirin 810. While the Redmi Note 8 Pro has thermal management features, extended gaming at high settings may lead to noticeable throttling and reduced performance. The Kirin 810’s 7nm process offers better thermal efficiency, resulting in more consistent performance over time.
❓ Does the Huawei nova 5z support fast charging protocols beyond 20W?
The provided data only confirms 20W wired charging. While Huawei has proprietary fast charging technologies, it's unclear if the nova 5z supports them. It's likely compatible with standard USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) protocols, but compatibility with other fast charging standards is unconfirmed.
❓ How does the image processing differ between the two phones?
Huawei typically employs a more vibrant and saturated image processing style, often enhancing colors and details. Xiaomi’s image processing tends to be more natural, aiming for accurate color reproduction. Without sample images, it’s difficult to definitively say which approach is superior, but users should consider their preference for image aesthetics.
❓ Is the difference in CPU clock speeds between the Kirin 810 and Helio G90T significant in real-world usage?
While the Helio G90T has slightly higher clock speeds, the Kirin 810’s more efficient architecture and smaller manufacturing process (7nm vs 12nm) provide a more substantial benefit in real-world performance. The Kirin 810 delivers smoother multitasking and sustained performance, especially in demanding applications.
