Huawei nova 7 SE vs Realme 6 Pro: Which Mid-Range Phone Reigns Supreme?

The Huawei nova 7 SE and Realme 6 Pro represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this goal – Huawei with its in-house Kirin 820 5G chipset and Realme leveraging Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 720G. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and 5G connectivity, the Huawei nova 7 SE emerges as the winner. Its Kirin 820 chipset, built on a 7nm process, provides a noticeable performance edge. However, the Realme 6 Pro’s excellent battery endurance and slightly brighter display make it a strong contender for those prioritizing longevity and outdoor visibility.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 7 SE Realme 6 Pro
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 - Global
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global
5G bands1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India
Launch
Announced2020, April 23. Released 2020, April 282020, March 05. Released 2020, March 13
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame
Dimensions162.3 x 75 x 8.6 mm (6.39 x 2.95 x 0.34 in)163.8 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight189 g (6.67 oz)202 g (7.13 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, HDR10IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x2.22 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver)
ChipsetKirin 820 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm)
GPUMali-G57 (6-core)Adreno 618
OSAndroid 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play ServicesAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, Panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 17mm (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens64 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)
Video4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps4K@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
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)-
Video1080p1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, NavIC
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging40W wired, 70% in 30 min 5W reverse wired30W wired, 100% in 57 min
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh4300 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Space Silver, Midsummer Purple, Crush GreenLightning Blue, Lightning Orange, Lightning Red
ModelsCDY-AN00, CDY-NX9B, CDY-TN00, CDY-AN20, CDL-AN50RMX2061, RMX2063
PriceAbout 320 EURAbout 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 7 SE

  • Faster 40W charging for quick power-ups
  • Potentially superior CPU performance with Kirin 820
  • 5G connectivity for faster data speeds

  • Battery life is unknown, potentially lower than Realme 6 Pro
  • Display specifications are limited, lacking brightness data

Realme 6 Pro

  • Excellent 107-hour battery endurance
  • Brighter display (421 nits) for outdoor visibility
  • Potentially more versatile camera system

  • Slower 30W charging
  • Snapdragon 720G offers less raw performance than Kirin 820

Display Comparison

The Realme 6 Pro boasts a display capable of 421 nits of peak brightness, offering good visibility outdoors, while the nova 7 SE’s brightness is not specified. Both share a 1324:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar dynamic range. However, the lack of information regarding the nova 7 SE’s panel technology (OLED vs LCD, refresh rate) leaves the Realme 6 Pro with a slight advantage in known display characteristics. The Realme 6 Pro’s measured brightness is a concrete advantage for users in sunny environments.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but detailed sensor information is missing. Without specifics on sensor size, aperture, or OIS, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning suggests the Realme 6 Pro likely emphasizes versatility with multiple lenses, while Huawei often focuses on image processing algorithms. The absence of details necessitates caution; a larger main sensor generally equates to better low-light performance, a key differentiator.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Huawei nova 7 SE’s Kirin 820 5G, fabricated on a 7nm process, features a more complex CPU configuration – a mix of Cortex-A76 and A55 cores – potentially offering superior multi-core performance. The Realme 6 Pro’s Snapdragon 720G (8nm) utilizes Kryo 465 cores. While the Snapdragon 720G is a capable performer, the Kirin 820’s 7nm process generally translates to better power efficiency and thermal management, allowing for sustained performance during intensive tasks. This difference will be most noticeable in demanding games and video editing.

Battery Life

The Realme 6 Pro claims an impressive endurance rating of 107 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the nova 7 SE’s battery capacity is unknown, its 40W wired charging significantly outpaces the Realme 6 Pro’s 30W charging – achieving 70% charge in just 30 minutes compared to the Realme’s 100% in 57 minutes. This faster charging is a significant convenience factor for users who prioritize quick top-ups, potentially offsetting a slightly smaller battery capacity.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei nova 7 SE if you need a phone capable of handling demanding applications and enjoy faster 5G speeds. It’s ideal for users who frequently game, edit videos, or multitask heavily. Buy the Realme 6 Pro if you prioritize all-day battery life and a consistently bright display, making it perfect for travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, or anyone who dislikes frequent charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 820 in the nova 7 SE get noticeably warmer than the Snapdragon 720G during extended gaming sessions?
While both chipsets are efficient, the Kirin 820's higher performance ceiling means it *could* generate more heat under sustained load. However, the 7nm process should mitigate this, and Huawei's thermal management implementation will play a crucial role. Real-world testing would be needed to definitively determine which phone exhibits better thermal throttling.
❓ Is the 40W charging on the nova 7 SE compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
Huawei's 40W charging utilizes its proprietary SuperCharge protocol. While it may work with some PD chargers, optimal charging speeds are best achieved with a Huawei SuperCharge-compatible charger. Using a standard PD charger may result in slower charging times.
❓ How does the 5G performance of the nova 7 SE compare to the 4G capabilities of the Realme 6 Pro?
The nova 7 SE's integrated 5G modem offers significantly faster download and upload speeds in areas with 5G coverage. The Realme 6 Pro relies on 4G LTE, which is still widely available but considerably slower than 5G. The benefit of 5G is contingent on network availability.