The Huawei nova 6 and Xiaomi Mi 10S represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone space, particularly as older models now available at attractive price points. While both devices aim for a premium experience, they diverge significantly in their core hardware – Huawei opting for its in-house Kirin 990, and Xiaomi leveraging the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Mi 10S emerges as the stronger choice. The Snapdragon 870 consistently outperforms the Kirin 990 in sustained performance and offers broader 5G compatibility. While the nova 6 boasts faster wired charging, the Mi 10S compensates with wireless charging and a more versatile chipset.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December. Released 2019, December | 2021, March 10 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, March 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 162.6 x 75.7 x 8.6 mm (6.40 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 162.6 x 74.8 x 9 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 197 g (6.95 oz) | 208 g (7.34 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.57 inches, 104.2 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 1120 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.09 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.86 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) |
| Chipset | Kirin 990 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MP16 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play Services | Android 11, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.0 | UFS 3.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, Panorama, HDR, LED flash | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 108 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
13 MP, f/2.4, 123˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 20 MP, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 40 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) | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@960fps, (gyro-EIS) | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
8 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 20 MP, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
Tuned by Harman Kardon |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired, 70% in 30 min | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 56 min
30W wireless, 100% in 69 min
10W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4100 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4780 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Red, Provence | Titanium Black, Ice Blue, Pearl White |
| Models | WLZ-AL10, WLZ-TL10 | M2102J2SC |
| Price | - | About 430 EUR |
Huawei nova 6
- Extremely fast 40W wired charging
- Sleek and modern design (assumed)
- Potentially competitive price point
- Kirin 990 chipset is outperformed by Snapdragon 870
- Lacks Google Mobile Services (GMS) for some users
- No wireless charging
Xiaomi Mi 10S
- Powerful Snapdragon 870 5G chipset
- Wireless and reverse wireless charging
- More open software ecosystem
- Slower 33W wired charging compared to nova 6
- May be slightly more expensive
- Larger size potentially
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Mi 10S's positioning, it likely features an AMOLED panel with a high refresh rate, common for Xiaomi flagships. The nova 6, similarly, would likely employ an AMOLED display. Without specific data on peak brightness, color accuracy (DCI-P3 coverage), or PWM dimming rates, it's difficult to declare a clear winner. The Mi 10S's brand history suggests a focus on vibrant colors, while Huawei often aims for more natural color reproduction.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is challenging. However, the market positioning suggests the Mi 10S likely features a more sophisticated camera system. Xiaomi typically prioritizes larger sensors and advanced image processing algorithms. The Snapdragon 870’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) also contributes to superior image quality and faster processing speeds. While the nova 6 likely delivers respectable photos, the Mi 10S is expected to excel in low-light conditions and offer more versatile shooting modes. The absence of information on OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) makes a definitive judgment impossible.
Performance
The Xiaomi Mi 10S’s Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) holds a clear advantage over the Huawei nova 6’s Kirin 990 (7nm). The Snapdragon 870’s Kryo 585 cores, with a peak clock speed of 3.2 GHz, offer a noticeable performance uplift compared to the Kirin 990’s 2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 cores. While both are 7nm chips, Qualcomm’s architecture and optimizations generally translate to superior sustained performance and thermal management. The Mi 10S is better equipped for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The Kirin 990's heterogeneous core arrangement (2x A76, 2x A76, 4x A55) attempts to balance performance and efficiency, but falls short of the Snapdragon 870's consistent power.
Battery Life
The Huawei nova 6’s 40W wired charging is significantly faster than the Xiaomi Mi 10S’s 33W wired charging, achieving 70% charge in just 30 minutes. However, the Mi 10S compensates with the addition of 30W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging – features absent on the nova 6. The Mi 10S takes 56 minutes for a full charge via wired, and 69 minutes wirelessly. While the nova 6 is quicker to a partial charge, the Mi 10S offers greater flexibility and convenience. Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but the Mi 10S’s more efficient chipset may offset any capacity differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 6 if you prioritize extremely fast wired charging and a sleek design, and aren't heavily reliant on Google Mobile Services. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 10S if you value consistent performance, a more open software ecosystem, and the convenience of wireless charging, making it ideal for gamers and power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 990 in the Huawei nova 6 experience significant throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Kirin 990, while capable, is known to exhibit more thermal throttling under sustained load compared to the Snapdragon 870. This means performance may decrease over time during long gaming sessions as the phone heats up. The Mi 10S's Snapdragon 870 is better equipped to maintain consistent performance.
❓ Is the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) on the Huawei nova 6 a major issue for most users?
The absence of GMS means the nova 6 doesn't natively support Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps. While Huawei's AppGallery offers alternatives, and workarounds exist, it can be a significant inconvenience for users heavily invested in the Google ecosystem.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 870's 5G modem compare to the Kirin 990's 5G capabilities?
The Snapdragon 870 generally offers broader 5G band support, ensuring compatibility with a wider range of 5G networks globally. The Kirin 990's 5G support may be limited to specific regions and carriers.
❓ Does the Mi 10S support high refresh rate gaming, and what frame rates can be expected in popular titles like PUBG?
While not explicitly stated, the Mi 10S's Snapdragon 870 and likely high refresh rate display (based on Xiaomi's flagship history) should comfortably support 60fps in PUBG Mobile at high settings. Achieving 90fps may be possible with optimized settings, but depends on the game's specific support.
