The Huawei nova 6 SE and Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime represent compelling options in the competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a balanced experience, they take distinctly different approaches to processing power and charging speed. This comparison dissects their core specifications to determine which device best suits your priorities.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and faster charging, the Huawei nova 6 SE emerges as the stronger contender. Its Kirin 810 chipset, built on a 7nm process, offers a noticeable advantage over the Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime’s 10nm Exynos 9611, despite the latter’s slightly higher clock speeds. However, the M31 Prime’s larger battery offers potentially longer endurance.
| 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 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | - | Yes |
| GPRS | - | Class 10 |
| 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 | 2020, October 14. Released 2020, October 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 76.3 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 3.00 x 0.34 in) | 159.2 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Kirin 810 (7 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP6 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play Services | Android 10, One UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | Yes |
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | Yes |
| | UFS 2.1 | 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), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 3.15 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 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 | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 |
|---|
| Games | - | Downloadable |
| Java | - | Yes |
| Messaging | - | SMS, MMS, Email, Push Email, IM |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 386 h (2G) / Up to 386 h (3G) | Up to 150 h |
| Talk time | Up to 16 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 11 h (3G) | Up to 1 h 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Emerald Green, Light Pink/Blue | Ocean Blue, Space Black, Iceberg Blue |
| Models | JNY-AL10, JNY-TL10 | SM-M315F/DS |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.38 W/kg (head) |
Huawei nova 6 SE
- Faster Kirin 810 processor for smoother performance
- 40W fast charging for quick top-ups
- Potentially better thermal management due to 7nm process
- Potentially smaller battery capacity (spec not provided)
- Huawei’s software ecosystem and potential Google Mobile Services limitations
Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime
- Likely larger battery capacity for extended runtime
- Samsung’s One UI offers a familiar and feature-rich experience
- Generally reliable software updates (depending on region)
- Slower Exynos 9611 processor
- Significantly slower 15W charging
- Potentially more thermal throttling under heavy load
Display Comparison
Neither device is known for display excellence, but details are limited. Assuming both utilize IPS LCD panels (typical for this segment), the key differentiator will be brightness and color accuracy. Without specific nit ratings, it's difficult to declare a winner. However, Samsung generally calibrates its displays for more vibrant colors, while Huawei often aims for a more natural look. Bezels are likely comparable, given the market positioning of both phones.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are missing, but we can infer some differences. Both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, but the quality of the primary sensor is crucial. Without knowing the sensor sizes and apertures, it’s hard to make a definitive statement. However, Huawei typically invests heavily in computational photography, potentially giving the nova 6 SE an edge in image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the M31 Prime is unlikely to significantly impact image quality, serving more as a marketing feature than a practical tool. The focus should be on the main sensor's capabilities.
Performance
The Kirin 810 in the nova 6 SE, fabricated on a 7nm process, holds a clear architectural advantage over the Exynos 9611’s 10nm node. While the Exynos boasts higher peak clock speeds (2.3 GHz vs 2.27 GHz), the Kirin 810’s Cortex-A76 cores are more efficient and deliver superior single-core performance. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother overall responsiveness. The Exynos 9611’s Cortex-A73 cores, while capable, are a generation older. The 7nm process also implies better thermal efficiency for the nova 6 SE, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads like gaming. The nova 6 SE is likely to handle graphically demanding titles with higher and more stable frame rates.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime likely has a larger battery capacity than the nova 6 SE (spec not provided), offering potentially longer screen-on time. However, the nova 6 SE’s 40W wired charging is a game-changer. This allows for significantly faster top-ups, reducing downtime. The M31 Prime’s 15W charging is comparatively slow. While the M31 Prime might last longer on a single charge, the nova 6 SE’s rapid charging mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery, offering a more convenient user experience. A full charge on the nova 6 SE will take considerably less time.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 6 SE if you need a phone capable of smoother multitasking, more responsive gaming, and significantly faster charging. This is the choice for users who value performance over absolute battery longevity. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime if you prioritize maximizing battery life and prefer a more conservative approach to processing power, potentially benefiting from a more stable software experience (depending on region and updates).
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy M31 Prime overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611, built on a 10nm process, is more prone to thermal throttling than the Kirin 810’s 7nm architecture. While it won’t necessarily overheat to the point of being unusable, expect frame rate drops and reduced performance during extended gaming sessions. The nova 6 SE is likely to maintain higher and more consistent frame rates.
❓ How much faster is the 40W charging on the Huawei nova 6 SE compared to the 15W charging on the Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime?
The 40W charging on the nova 6 SE is significantly faster. Expect a full charge from 0-100% in approximately 60-75 minutes, while the M31 Prime’s 15W charging will likely take over 2 hours. This difference is substantial and impacts daily usability, allowing for quick top-ups when needed.
❓ Is the Kirin 810 capable of running demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high settings?
Yes, the Kirin 810 is well-equipped to handle PUBG Mobile at high settings. Its Cortex-A76 cores and Mali-G52 MP6 GPU provide sufficient power for a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience. The 7nm process also helps to minimize throttling, maintaining stable performance over longer play sessions.
❓ What are the potential software limitations of the Huawei nova 6 SE due to the lack of Google Mobile Services?
The Huawei nova 6 SE lacks Google Mobile Services (GMS), meaning you won't have direct access to the Google Play Store and core Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, and Maps. Instead, it relies on Huawei’s AppGallery and Huawei Mobile Services (HMS). While AppGallery is growing, the app selection is still limited, and some apps may require sideloading or alternative solutions.
