The Huawei nova series consistently delivers compelling mid-range options, but navigating the model numbers can be tricky. The nova 6 SE and nova 5T, while visually similar, represent different approaches to performance and value. The 5T, launched with the flagship Kirin 980, initially commanded a higher price. Now, with the 6 SE featuring the Kirin 810 and faster charging, the landscape has shifted. This comparison dives deep into the key differences to help you choose the right nova for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users in 2024, the Huawei nova 6 SE emerges as the better buy. Its 40W charging significantly reduces downtime, and while the Kirin 810 isn't as powerful as the 980, it provides ample performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming, all at a potentially lower price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December. Released 2019, December | 2019, August 27. Released 2019, September 05 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 76.3 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 3.00 x 0.34 in) | 154.3 x 74 x 7.8 mm (6.07 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) | 174 g (6.14 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~84.2% 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 (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 810 (7 nm) | Kirin 980 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP6 | Mali-G76 MP10 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play Services | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 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 | 48 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1"
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 32-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired | 22.5W wired, 50% in 24 min |
| Stand-by | Up to 386 h (2G) / Up to 386 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 16 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 11 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 4200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3750 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Emerald Green, Light Pink/Blue | Black, Crush Blue, Midsummer Purple, Crush Green |
| Models | JNY-AL10, JNY-TL10 | YAL-L21, YAL-L61, YAL-L71, YAL-L61D |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 340 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 313024 (v7), 395503 (v8)
GeekBench: 10013 (v4.4), 2504 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 29fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 6 SE
- Significantly faster 40W charging
- More efficient Kirin 810 chipset
- Potentially lower price point
- Modern design
- Slightly less powerful CPU than the 5T
- GPU performance is lower than the 5T
Huawei nova 5T
- More powerful Kirin 980 CPU and GPU
- Potentially better image processing due to ISP
- Established performance track record
- Solid build quality
- Slower 22.5W charging
- Less power efficient chipset
- May be harder to find new
Display Comparison
Both the nova 6 SE and 5T likely feature similar LCD panels, though specific details like peak brightness and color gamut coverage aren't provided. The focus here isn't on display tech, but on the internal hardware driving the experience. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of phones in this price bracket. The absence of high refresh rate panels on either device means the GPU isn't taxed with rendering more frames than necessary, potentially benefiting battery life.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the quality will depend heavily on the primary sensor and image processing algorithms. The Kirin 980 in the 5T has a more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) which *could* translate to better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. However, software optimization plays a crucial role, and Huawei’s image processing is generally strong across its product lines. We can assume both phones will offer similar features like portrait mode and night mode, but the 5T’s ISP has the potential for more refined results.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The nova 5T boasts the Kirin 980 (7nm), featuring a more complex CPU configuration: 2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 cores, alongside 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the nova 6 SE’s Kirin 810 (7nm) which uses a 2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration. While the 980 has a higher peak clock speed on its primary cores, the 810’s more efficient core arrangement and newer architecture can close the gap in real-world usage. The Kirin 980’s integrated Mali-G76 MP10 GPU is also more powerful than the 810’s Mali-G52 MP6, offering a noticeable advantage in graphically demanding games. However, the 6 SE benefits from the newer chipset’s improved power efficiency.
Battery Life
The nova 6 SE’s 40W wired charging is a significant advantage over the nova 5T’s 22.5W charging. Huawei claims the 5T reaches 50% charge in 24 minutes; the 6 SE will likely achieve a full charge in a similar timeframe. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the 6 SE mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery. This is crucial for users who need to quickly top up their phone throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 6 SE if you prioritize fast charging and all-day usability. The 40W charging is a game-changer for those constantly on the move. Buy the Huawei nova 5T if you absolutely need the highest possible CPU performance for demanding tasks like video editing or consistently playing graphically intensive games, and can live with slower charging speeds. The 980 still holds an edge in raw processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Kirin 810 in the nova 6 SE powerful enough for PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Kirin 810 is capable of running PUBG Mobile smoothly at medium to high settings. While it won't match the frame rates achievable on the Kirin 980, the 810 provides a very playable experience, especially considering the phone's price point. Expect stable frame rates at 60fps with balanced graphics settings.
❓ How much faster is the 40W charging on the nova 6 SE compared to the 22.5W on the nova 5T in real-world use?
The 40W charging on the nova 6 SE will significantly reduce your charging time. While Huawei states the 5T reaches 50% in 24 minutes, the 6 SE will likely achieve a full charge in around the same time. This means you can get a substantial charge in a much shorter period, making it ideal for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Does the nova 5T's Kirin 980 offer a noticeable advantage in multitasking?
The Kirin 980's more powerful CPU and larger cache *can* provide a slight advantage in heavy multitasking scenarios, such as running multiple demanding apps simultaneously. However, for typical usage involving social media, browsing, and messaging, the difference will likely be minimal.
❓ Are there any known overheating issues with either the Kirin 810 or Kirin 980 in these devices?
Neither the Kirin 810 nor the Kirin 980 are known for significant overheating issues in the nova 6 SE or 5T. Both chipsets are built on a 7nm process, which contributes to improved thermal efficiency. However, prolonged gaming or intensive tasks can still cause some heat buildup, which is normal.
