The Huawei nova series consistently delivers compelling mid-range options, but the nova 6 SE and nova 7 SE 5G Youth present a fascinating choice. The 6 SE, launched with the Kirin 810, now faces competition from the newer 7 SE 5G Youth, powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 800U and boasting 5G connectivity. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Huawei nova 7 SE 5G Youth is the better buy. While the nova 6 SE remains a capable device, the Dimensity 800U offers a noticeable CPU performance uplift, coupled with 5G support and a slightly faster charging profile, all at a potentially similar 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, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December. Released 2019, December | 2020, October 16. Released 2020, October 16 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 76.3 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 3.00 x 0.34 in) | 162.3 x 75 x 8.6 mm (6.39 x 2.95 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 810 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP6 | Mali-G57 MC3 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play Services | Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Panorama, HDR |
| 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), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 17mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| 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, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired | 40W wired, 70% in 30 min
5W reverse wired |
| 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 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Emerald Green, Light Pink/Blue | Crush Green, Space Silver, Midnight Black, Purple |
| Models | JNY-AL10, JNY-TL10 | CND-AN00 |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 290 EUR |
Huawei nova 6 SE
- Proven reliability of the Kirin 810 chipset.
- Potentially lower price point due to being an older model.
- Solid all-around performance for everyday tasks.
- Lacks 5G connectivity.
- Slightly slower CPU performance compared to the Dimensity 800U.
- No reverse wireless charging.
Huawei nova 7 SE 5G Youth
- 5G connectivity for future-proofed data speeds.
- Faster CPU performance with the Dimensity 800U.
- 40W charging with a potentially optimized charging curve and 5W reverse charging.
- May be slightly more expensive than the nova 6 SE.
- MediaTek chipsets sometimes face software optimization challenges (though this is improving).
- Long-term software support is a question mark.
Display Comparison
Both devices likely feature similar LCD panels, given their market positioning. However, detailed display specs (resolution, brightness, color gamut) are missing. The focus here isn't on display quality, but on the underlying processing power to drive it. The Dimensity 800U’s slightly more powerful GPU could translate to smoother scrolling and potentially better performance in graphically intensive apps, though this is dependent on software optimization.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera sensor information, a direct comparison is difficult. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup geared towards social media sharing. The image signal processor (ISP) within the Dimensity 800U may offer slightly improved image processing capabilities, potentially leading to better dynamic range and noise reduction. However, the quality will heavily depend on the main sensor and lens aperture, which are currently unknown. We can assume both phones will offer similar software-based features like night mode and portrait mode.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset. The nova 7 SE 5G Youth’s MediaTek Dimensity 800U (7nm) boasts a CPU clock speed advantage with its 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 cores compared to the nova 6 SE’s Kirin 810’s 2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 cores. While both use the same Cortex-A76 architecture, the higher clock speed and the Dimensity 800U’s improved efficiency should result in snappier performance in CPU-bound tasks. The Dimensity 800U also integrates a more modern 5G modem, a key advantage for future-proofing. Both phones utilize 7nm fabrication, but the Dimensity 800U benefits from MediaTek’s advancements in process optimization.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 40W wired charging, but the nova 7 SE 5G Youth claims to reach 70% charge in 30 minutes, suggesting a slightly optimized charging curve. The nova 7 SE 5G Youth also adds 5W reverse wired charging, allowing it to top up other devices – a feature absent on the nova 6 SE. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Dimensity 800U’s improved power efficiency could translate to slightly longer battery life despite potentially similar battery sizes.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 6 SE if you prioritize a proven track record and can find it at a significantly lower price than the 7 SE. It’s a solid all-rounder for everyday tasks. Buy the Huawei nova 7 SE 5G Youth if you want future-proof 5G connectivity, a more responsive processor for multitasking and light gaming, and the convenience of faster charging with reverse wireless capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dimensity 800U in the nova 7 SE 5G Youth handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Dimensity 800U is capable of running PUBG Mobile at high settings. However, sustained performance will depend on Huawei’s thermal management and software optimization. Expect playable frame rates, but don't anticipate consistently hitting the maximum graphical settings without some potential frame drops during extended sessions.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the nova 7 SE 5G Youth actually useful, or is it just a marketing feature?
The usefulness of 5G depends on your location and carrier coverage. If you live in an area with robust 5G infrastructure, you'll experience significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to 4G. Even if 5G isn't immediately available, having a 5G-enabled phone future-proofs your device for when the network expands.
❓ How does Huawei's software (EMUI) affect the performance of these devices, particularly the Dimensity 800U?
Huawei's EMUI can be a double-edged sword. It offers a lot of customization options, but it's also known for being resource-intensive. While MediaTek has made strides in optimizing its chipsets for EMUI, some users report occasional lag or bloatware. Keeping the software updated is crucial for optimal performance.
