Huawei nova 6 vs OnePlus 8T+ 5G: Which 5G Phone Delivers More?

The Huawei nova 6 and OnePlus 8T+ 5G represent compelling options in the mid-to-high range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a premium experience, they diverge significantly in their core hardware – Huawei relying on its in-house Kirin 990 chipset, and OnePlus opting for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and incredibly fast charging, the OnePlus 8T+ 5G is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 865 offers a slight edge in CPU and GPU performance, and the 65W charging is significantly faster than the nova 6’s 40W solution. However, the nova 6 remains a strong contender, particularly for users within the Huawei ecosystem.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 6 OnePlus 8T+ 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, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands-2, 25, 41, 66, 71 Sub6/mmWave
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/200 Mbps, 5G 7.5 Gbps DL
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2019, December. Released 2019, December2020, October 14
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, October 16
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions162.6 x 75.7 x 8.6 mm (6.40 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)160.7 x 74.1 x 8.4 mm (6.33 x 2.92 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight197 g (6.95 oz)-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.57 inches, 104.2 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDFluid AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+
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 10, no Google Play ServicesAndroid 11, OxygenOS 11
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.0-
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Panorama, HDR, LED flashDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
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)4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm 8 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide)-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video4K@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
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 3.1, 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, proximity, compass, barometer (market dependant)
Battery
Charging40W wired, 70% in 30 min65W wired, 100% in 39 min
TypeLi-Po 4100 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, Red, ProvenceAquamarine Green, Lunar Silver
ModelsWLZ-AL10, WLZ-TL10KB2007
Price-About 640 EUR

Huawei nova 6

  • Sleek and stylish design
  • Strong integration with Huawei ecosystem
  • Competitive 40W fast charging

  • Kirin 990 chipset slightly less powerful than Snapdragon 865
  • Potential software limitations due to geopolitical factors

OnePlus 8T+ 5G

  • Faster Snapdragon 865 processor
  • Industry-leading 65W Warp Charge
  • Cleaner Android experience with OxygenOS

  • May lack some of the unique software features of Huawei devices
  • Design may be less visually striking than the nova 6

Display Comparison

While display specifications aren't provided, both devices likely feature AMOLED panels common in this price bracket. However, the OnePlus 8T+ 5G is known for its 120Hz refresh rate, a feature absent in the nova 6. This translates to smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience. The Snapdragon 865’s image signal processor (ISP) also benefits from the higher refresh rate for improved video playback. The nova 6, while potentially offering excellent color accuracy, will likely fall behind in responsiveness.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Snapdragon 865’s ISP is renowned for its image processing capabilities, particularly in low-light conditions. The Kirin 990 also boasts strong image processing, but often leans towards more saturated colors. The OnePlus 8T+ 5G likely benefits from superior video stabilization and dynamic range. The absence of detailed sensor information makes it impossible to assess the quality of still images definitively, but the Snapdragon’s processing pipeline generally provides more flexibility for post-processing.

Performance

The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus 8T+ 5G’s Snapdragon 865 (7nm+) utilizes a slightly newer Cortex-A77 prime core (2.84 GHz) compared to the Kirin 990’s Cortex-A76 (2.86 GHz). While clock speeds are similar, the A77 architecture generally offers better instructions per clock (IPC). The Snapdragon 865 also benefits from a more mature 7nm+ process, potentially leading to better thermal efficiency and sustained performance under load. The Kirin 990’s tri-cluster design (2x A76, 2x A76, 4x A55) is complex, but the Snapdragon’s more streamlined approach often translates to more consistent frame rates in demanding games. Both utilize LPDDR4X RAM, but the Snapdragon’s Adreno 650 GPU provides a noticeable advantage in graphics-intensive applications.

Battery Life

The charging speeds are a key differentiator. The OnePlus 8T+ 5G’s 65W Warp Charge technology can fully charge the device in just 39 minutes, a significant advantage over the Huawei nova 6’s 40W charging, which takes 30 minutes to reach 70%. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the OnePlus 8T+ 5G effectively mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage. The Snapdragon 865’s improved power efficiency also contributes to potentially longer battery life during typical usage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei nova 6 if you prioritize a sleek design and are deeply integrated into the Huawei ecosystem, benefiting from seamless connectivity and software features. Buy the OnePlus 8T+ 5G if you demand the fastest possible charging speeds, a slightly more powerful processor for gaming and demanding tasks, and a cleaner, more open Android experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 990 in the Huawei nova 6 struggle with sustained gaming performance due to thermal throttling?
The Kirin 990, while powerful, can experience some thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Snapdragon 865 in the OnePlus 8T+ 5G, with its 7nm+ process, generally manages heat more effectively, leading to more consistent frame rates over longer periods.
❓ Is the 65W charging on the OnePlus 8T+ 5G safe for long-term battery health?
OnePlus employs sophisticated charging algorithms and safety mechanisms to mitigate any potential impact of 65W charging on long-term battery health. While fast charging generates more heat, the system actively manages temperature to prevent degradation. The charging process is designed to slow down as the battery approaches full capacity.
❓ Will I experience any limitations with app availability or Google services on the Huawei nova 6?
Due to ongoing geopolitical restrictions, the Huawei nova 6 does not come with full Google Mobile Services (GMS) pre-installed. Users rely on Huawei’s AppGallery and alternative methods for accessing popular apps. This can be a significant inconvenience for users heavily reliant on Google apps.