Huawei nova 6 5G vs. Google Pixel 5a 5G: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range 5G Contenders
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing peak performance and rapid charging, the Huawei nova 6 5G is the clear winner. However, the Google Pixel 5a 5G delivers a more balanced experience with excellent battery endurance and Google’s signature software, making it ideal for everyday users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Huawei nova 6 5G | Google Pixel 5a 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | 1, 2, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019, December. Released 2019, December | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, August 26 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 162.7 x 75.8 x 9 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm (6.15 x 2.88 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 212 g (7.48 oz) | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.57 inches, 104.2 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | OLED, HDR |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.09 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.86 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 990 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MP16 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 10 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| UFS 3.0 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm |
| Features | Laser AF, Panorama, HDR, LED flash | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Triple | 40 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.4, 16mm (ultrawide) | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@960fps, (gyro-EIS) | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 40W wired, 70% in 30 min | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 4200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4680 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Red, Provence | Mostly Black |
| Models | WLZ-AN00, WLZ-TN00 | G1F8F, G4S1M |
| Price | - | $ 189.00 / C$ 249.99 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 122h |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 291303 (v8) GeekBench: 1337 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 6 5G
- Faster 40W wired charging
- Potentially higher CPU performance with Kirin 990
- Likely more RAM options for multitasking
- Software ecosystem concerns (Huawei Mobile Services)
- Camera performance relies heavily on software optimization
Google Pixel 5a 5G
- Excellent camera image processing and software
- Guaranteed Android updates and security patches
- All-day battery life and efficient power management
- Slower 18W charging
- Less powerful chipset compared to Kirin 990
Display Comparison
The Pixel 5a 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 861 nits, compared to an unspecified peak brightness for the nova 6 5G. While the nova 6 5G’s panel specifications are missing, the Pixel 5a 5G’s ‘infinite’ contrast ratio suggests a typical OLED panel. The Pixel 5a 5G’s brightness advantage will be noticeable in direct sunlight. The lack of high refresh rate information for either device suggests both are standard 60Hz panels, a common trade-off in this price segment.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for the nova 6 5G, a direct comparison is limited. However, Google’s Pixel phones are renowned for their computational photography prowess. The Pixel 5a 5G likely excels in dynamic range and low-light performance due to Google’s image processing algorithms. While the nova 6 5G may offer higher megapixel counts, the Pixel 5a 5G’s software optimization will likely deliver more consistently pleasing results. The absence of OIS information for the nova 6 5G is a concern, potentially impacting video stabilization.
Performance
The Huawei nova 6 5G’s Kirin 990 (7nm) chipset features a more complex CPU configuration – octa-core with a mix of Cortex-A76 and A55 cores clocked at higher speeds – than the Pixel 5a 5G’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm). This suggests a theoretical performance advantage for the nova 6 5G in CPU-intensive tasks. However, the Snapdragon 765G benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized software and GPU, potentially closing the gap in real-world gaming. The nova 6 5G’s chipset architecture, with its two high-performance Cortex-A76 clusters, is geared towards sustained performance, but thermal management will be crucial. The Pixel 5a 5G’s Kryo cores prioritize efficiency.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 122 hours, indicating similar overall battery life despite differing approaches. The Pixel 5a 5G’s endurance is achieved with a likely larger battery capacity (not specified), while the nova 6 5G relies on its 40W fast charging – capable of reaching 70% charge in just 30 minutes – to mitigate any capacity disadvantage. The Pixel 5a 5G supports PD2.0 charging, offering broader compatibility, but at a slower 18W rate. The nova 6 5G’s charging speed is a significant advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 6 5G if you need a phone capable of handling demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, and if you value the convenience of 40W fast charging. Buy the Google Pixel 5a 5G if you prefer a streamlined Android experience, exceptional camera image processing, and a phone that reliably lasts a full day on a single charge, even with moderate 5G usage.