The Huawei nova 6 SE and Realme 6 Pro represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, but they achieve this through different approaches – Huawei leveraging its in-house Kirin chipset and Realme opting for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and a slightly more refined display experience, the Realme 6 Pro emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 720G offers a slight edge in sustained performance, coupled with comparable battery life and faster charging, making it a more versatile daily driver.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/75 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December. Released 2019, December | 2020, March 05. Released 2020, March 13 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 76.3 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 3.00 x 0.34 in) | 163.8 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 810 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP6 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play Services | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB 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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
12 MP, f/2.5, 54mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.3, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
8 MP, f/2.2, 105˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| 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 | 30W wired, 100% in 57 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 | 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Emerald Green, Light Pink/Blue | Lightning Blue, Lightning Orange, Lightning Red |
| Models | JNY-AL10, JNY-TL10 | RMX2061, RMX2063 |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 540 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.92 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 107h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1324:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.5 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 268785 (v8)
GeekBench: 7027 (v4.4), 1666 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 6 SE
- 40W fast charging for quicker top-ups
- Potentially lower price point (depending on region)
- Huawei’s established brand recognition
- Kirin 810 may throttle under sustained load
- Limited information on camera sensor specs
- Potential software restrictions due to Huawei’s situation
Realme 6 Pro
- Snapdragon 720G offers better sustained performance
- Brighter display for improved outdoor visibility
- More open Android experience
- Slower 30W charging compared to the nova 6 SE
- May be slightly more expensive
- Realme’s software can be somewhat bloated
Display Comparison
The Realme 6 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 421 nits, providing better visibility in direct sunlight compared to the nova 6 SE, for which brightness data is unavailable. Both displays share a 1324:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color depth and black levels. However, without knowing the panel technology used in the nova 6 SE, it’s difficult to assess potential differences in color accuracy or viewing angles. The Realme 6 Pro’s higher brightness is a tangible benefit for outdoor users.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are advertised as having capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics on sensor size, aperture, or image stabilization (OIS), a direct comparison is challenging. However, focusing on practical usage, the Realme 6 Pro’s camera is likely to benefit from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), which is known for its strong image processing capabilities. The absence of details on the nova 6 SE’s camera system makes it difficult to assess its strengths and weaknesses beyond marketing claims. We can assume both phones offer standard photo and video modes, but the Realme 6 Pro likely has an edge in dynamic range and low-light performance.
Performance
The Realme 6 Pro’s Snapdragon 720G (8nm) and the Huawei nova 6 SE’s Kirin 810 (7nm) represent different approaches to mid-range performance. While both CPUs feature octa-core configurations with similar clock speeds (2.3 GHz vs 2.27 GHz for the prime cores), the Snapdragon 720G benefits from Qualcomm’s more mature process node and optimized CPU architecture (Kryo 465 Gold & Silver). This translates to potentially better sustained performance under heavy load and improved thermal efficiency. The Kirin 810, while capable, may exhibit more throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Realme 6 Pro’s GPU is also likely to offer a slight advantage in graphics-intensive tasks.
Battery Life
Both the Huawei nova 6 SE and Realme 6 Pro achieve an endurance rating of 107 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage scenarios. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The nova 6 SE supports 40W wired charging, while the Realme 6 Pro offers 30W. Realme claims a 100% charge in 57 minutes, while the nova 6 SE’s charging time is not specified. The faster charging speed of the nova 6 SE is a significant advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups, but the Realme 6 Pro’s comparable endurance ensures it won’t leave you searching for a charger too often.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 6 SE if you prioritize fast 40W charging and are comfortable with the potential software limitations associated with Huawei’s ecosystem. Buy the Realme 6 Pro if you prefer a more open Android experience, slightly better sustained performance for gaming, and a display with a measured 421 nits of brightness for improved outdoor visibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 810 in the Huawei nova 6 SE struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Kirin 810 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, it may exhibit frame drops or throttling during extended gaming sessions due to its 7nm process and potentially less efficient thermal management compared to the Snapdragon 720G. Lowering graphics settings can mitigate these issues, but the Realme 6 Pro is likely to provide a smoother, more consistent gaming experience.
❓ How does the Realme 6 Pro’s software experience compare to Huawei’s EMUI?
The Realme 6 Pro runs Realme UI, which is based on Android and offers a more open and customizable experience compared to Huawei’s EMUI. EMUI has historically been criticized for its aggressive battery management and pre-installed bloatware. Realme UI is generally considered lighter and closer to stock Android, providing a cleaner user interface.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the Realme 6 Pro significantly slower than the 40W charging on the Huawei nova 6 SE?
While 40W is faster on paper, the Realme 6 Pro’s 30W charging still achieves a full charge in 57 minutes, which is relatively quick. The difference in charging time is unlikely to be a major inconvenience for most users, especially considering the Realme 6 Pro’s comparable battery life.
