Huawei nova 8 5G vs Motorola Edge 20 Fusion: A Deep Dive Comparison

The Huawei nova 8 5G and Motorola Edge 20 Fusion represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw processing power and incredibly fast charging, the Huawei nova 8 5G emerges as the winner. Its Kirin 985 5G chipset offers a more complex CPU configuration and 66W charging significantly outperforms the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion’s 30W solution. However, the Edge 20 Fusion remains a strong contender for those seeking a balanced experience and potentially wider software compatibility.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 8 5G Motorola Edge 20 Fusion
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, 6, 8, 9, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66
5G bands1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 80, 83, 84 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 66 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 -
Launch
Announced2020, December 23. Released 2021, January 052021, August 17
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, August 27
Body
Build-Glass front
Dimensions160.1 x 74.1 x 7.6 mm (6.30 x 2.92 x 0.30 in)166 x 76 x 8.3 mm (6.54 x 2.99 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight169 g (5.96 oz)185 g (6.53 oz)
 -Water-repellent design
Display
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~392 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.57 inches, 106.0 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 90HzOLED, 1B colors, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.58 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x2.40 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetKirin 985 5G (7 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm)
GPUMali-G77 (8-core)Mali-G57 MC3
OSAndroid 10, EMUI 11, no Google Play ServicesAndroid 11
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 17mm (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Triple-108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide)32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm
Video4K1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired, 60% in 15 min, 100% in 35 min 5W reverse wired30W wired
TypeLi-Po 3800 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, Green, WhiteElectric Graphite, Cyber Teal
ModelsANG-AN00-
PriceAbout 410 EURAbout 250 EUR

Huawei nova 8 5G

  • Significantly faster 66W charging
  • More powerful Kirin 985 5G chipset for demanding tasks
  • Potentially superior camera image processing

  • Potential software limitations due to Huawei's situation
  • Lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) may be a dealbreaker for some

Motorola Edge 20 Fusion

  • Cleaner Android experience with full GMS support
  • Balanced performance for everyday use
  • Potentially more affordable price point

  • Slower 30W charging
  • Less powerful Dimensity 800U chipset compared to Kirin 985 5G

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the nova 8 5G's positioning, it likely features an OLED panel with a high refresh rate, aiming for vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The Edge 20 Fusion, being a 'Fusion' model, likely targets a balance between cost and quality, potentially utilizing an LCD panel. The absence of display specs necessitates assuming the nova 8 5G has a more visually appealing display based on Huawei's typical implementation in this price bracket.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a definitive comparison is challenging. However, Huawei historically emphasizes camera capabilities, suggesting the nova 8 5G likely boasts a more sophisticated image processing pipeline and potentially a larger main sensor. The Edge 20 Fusion, while capable, likely focuses on providing a reliable camera experience without pushing the boundaries of innovation. The absence of information on OIS or aperture sizes makes a precise assessment impossible, but the nova 8 5G’s brand reputation suggests a stronger emphasis on photographic quality.

Performance

The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Huawei nova 8 5G’s Kirin 985 5G utilizes a more complex octa-core configuration – a 1x2.58 GHz Cortex-A76, 3x2.40 GHz Cortex-A76, and 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55 – suggesting a focus on sustained performance. The Motorola Edge 20 Fusion’s Dimensity 800U, with its 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55, prioritizes efficiency. While both are 7nm chips, the Kirin 985’s more powerful core arrangement likely translates to faster application loading and smoother multitasking. The Edge 20 Fusion will be perfectly adequate for everyday tasks, but the nova 8 5G has the edge in demanding scenarios.

Battery Life

The charging speeds are a clear differentiator. The Huawei nova 8 5G’s 66W wired charging is significantly faster than the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion’s 30W solution. Huawei claims a 60% charge in 15 minutes and 100% in 35 minutes, a substantial advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery. While the Edge 20 Fusion’s 30W charging is respectable, it won’t deliver the same level of convenience. The actual battery capacity of each device isn't provided, but the faster charging of the nova 8 5G mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei nova 8 5G if you need a phone that can handle demanding tasks like video editing or graphically intensive games, and if minimizing charging time is a top priority. The 66W charging is a game-changer for power users. Buy the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion if you prefer a cleaner Android experience, value a more streamlined software approach, and prioritize a balanced feature set over outright performance dominance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Huawei nova 8 5G suffer from significant overheating during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 985 5G is a capable chipset, Huawei's thermal management solutions are crucial. Based on reviews of similar Kirin-powered devices, moderate throttling is possible during extended gaming, but the phone is unlikely to become uncomfortably hot. The 7nm process helps with efficiency, but sustained peak performance will generate heat.
❓ Is the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) on the Huawei nova 8 5G a major inconvenience for most users?
The absence of GMS is a significant consideration. Users heavily reliant on Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps will need to utilize Huawei's AppGallery and potentially sideload apps. While AppGallery has expanded, it doesn't offer the same breadth of applications as the Google Play Store. This is a major factor for those deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem.
❓ How does the Dimensity 800U in the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion handle graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Dimensity 800U is capable of running PUBG Mobile at high settings, but you may need to lower graphics settings for consistently smooth frame rates, especially during intense firefights. It's not a flagship-level gaming chip, but it provides a playable experience for most mobile games.
❓ Does the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion support 5G on all major carriers?
The Motorola Edge 20 Fusion supports 5G, but compatibility varies by region and carrier. It's crucial to check with your carrier to ensure the phone supports the specific 5G bands used in your area before purchasing.