Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G vs Huawei nova 6 5G: Which 5G Flagship Reigns Supreme?

Launched in a competitive 5G landscape, the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro and Huawei nova 6 5G represent distinct approaches to flagship performance. The Mi 10 Pro aimed for uncompromising power with the Snapdragon 865, while the nova 6 5G focused on a balance of features and affordability with Huawei’s Kirin 990. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset delivers superior processing power and potentially better sustained performance, coupled with faster 50W wired and 30W wireless charging. While the nova 6 5G offers a compelling value, the Mi 10 Pro’s overall package is more robust.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 6 5G Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40 - Global
5G bands1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 28, 77, 78 Sub6 - Global
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2019, December. Released 2019, December2020, February 13. Released 2020, February 18
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions162.7 x 75.8 x 9 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)162.5 x 74.8 x 9 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight212 g (7.48 oz)208 g (7.34 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~386 ppi density)
Size6.57 inches, 104.2 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDSuper AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.09 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.86 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetKirin 990 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPUMali-G76 MP16Adreno 650
OSAndroid 10, EMUI 10Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Panorama, HDR, LED flashLaser AF, Triple-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-108 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.0, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.0, (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.7x optical zoom, 5x hybrid zoom 20 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm
Triple40 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)-
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@960fps, (gyro-EIS)8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide)-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm
Video4K@30fps1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging40W wired, 70% in 30 min50W wired, PD3.0 30W wireless 5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, Red, ProvenceAlpine White, Solstice Grey
ModelsWLZ-AN00, WLZ-TN00M2001J1G
Price-About 930 EUR
SAR-1.09 W/kg (head)     1.02 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.69 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 101h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 595246 (v8) GeekBench: 3331 (v5.1) GFXBench: 42fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei nova 6 5G

  • Superior processing power with Snapdragon 865
  • Faster charging speeds (50W wired, 30W wireless)
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility

  • Potential for thermal throttling under heavy load
  • Larger and heavier design

Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G

  • More affordable price point
  • Potentially more compact form factor
  • Huawei ecosystem integration

  • Less powerful chipset (Kirin 990)
  • Slower charging speeds (40W wired, no wireless)

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 858 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the nova 6 5G. This translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. While both displays feature an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED panels), the Mi 10 Pro’s higher peak brightness is a tangible advantage for outdoor use. The lack of refresh rate data for the nova 6 5G suggests it likely operates at a standard 60Hz, while the Mi 10 Pro’s panel is expected to offer a smoother experience.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are advertised as having strong camera capabilities, but detailed sensor information is limited. The Mi 10 Pro likely features a more sophisticated camera system, given Xiaomi’s focus on camera technology. The absence of specific details on the nova 6 5G’s camera suggests it may rely more on software processing. The Mi 10 Pro’s potential for higher-quality video recording and more advanced image stabilization is a likely advantage. We can assume both phones offer a standard suite of photo and video modes, but the Mi 10 Pro’s hardware likely provides a wider dynamic range and better low-light performance.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 (7nm+) in the Mi 10 Pro versus Huawei’s Kirin 990 (7nm) in the nova 6 5G. The Snapdragon 865 utilizes a newer Cortex-A77 core in its prime configuration (1x2.84 GHz) compared to the Kirin 990’s Cortex-A76 (2x2.86 GHz). While clock speeds are similar, the architectural improvements in the A77 generally translate to better single-core performance. The Mi 10 Pro also benefits from potentially faster LPDDR5 RAM, contributing to snappier multitasking. Thermal management will be crucial; the Snapdragon 865 is known to run hot, but the Mi 10 Pro’s cooling system will determine if throttling becomes an issue.

Battery Life

Both devices share an endurance rating of 101 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite potentially different battery capacities (not specified for the nova 6 5G). However, the Mi 10 Pro significantly outpaces the nova 6 5G in charging speed. With 50W wired charging, the Mi 10 Pro can rapidly replenish its battery, while the nova 6 5G’s 40W charging is respectable but slower. The addition of 30W wireless and 5W reverse wireless charging on the Mi 10 Pro adds significant convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei nova 6 5G if you prioritize a more streamlined user experience within the Huawei ecosystem and value a slightly more compact form factor. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G if you demand maximum performance for gaming and demanding applications, require versatile charging options (including wireless), and appreciate a brighter, more vibrant display.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 990 in the Huawei nova 6 5G struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
While the Kirin 990 is a capable chipset, the Snapdragon 865 in the Mi 10 Pro offers a performance advantage in demanding games. The nova 6 5G may require lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate in titles like PUBG or Genshin Impact, and may experience more noticeable frame drops during prolonged gaming sessions.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging speed between the 40W and 50W charging capabilities?
The 10W difference in wired charging speed is noticeable. The Mi 10 Pro’s 50W charging can significantly reduce charging times, potentially adding several hours of usage with just a short charging session. The nova 6 5G’s 40W charging is still fast, but the Mi 10 Pro offers a more convenient and time-saving charging experience.
❓ Is the lack of wireless charging on the Huawei nova 6 5G a major drawback?
For users who frequently utilize wireless charging, the absence of this feature on the nova 6 5G is a significant omission. The Mi 10 Pro’s 30W wireless charging provides a convenient alternative to wired charging, especially for topping up the battery throughout the day.