Huawei Nova 8 5G vs OnePlus Nord 2 5G: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 1200 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage, coupled with comparable 65W charging and a similarly rated battery endurance. The Huawei Nova 8 5G remains a viable option, particularly for users deeply embedded in the Huawei ecosystem.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Huawei nova 8 5G | OnePlus Nord 2 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 80, 83, 84 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA 800 | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, December 23. Released 2021, January 05 | 2021, July 22 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, July 28 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 160.1 x 74.1 x 7.6 mm (6.30 x 2.92 x 0.30 in) | 159.1 x 73.3 x 8.3 mm (6.26 x 2.89 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 169 g (5.96 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.57 inches, 106.0 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 90Hz | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.58 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x2.40 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 985 5G (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G77 (8-core) | Mali-G77 MC9 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 11, no Google Play Services | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 17mm (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.3, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | Auto HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, SBAS, NavIC |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 60% in 15 min, 100% in 35 min 5W reverse wired | 65W wired, PD, 100% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 3800 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green, White | Gray Sierra, Blue Haze, Green Wood, Pac-Man Edition |
| Models | ANG-AN00 | DN2101, DN2103 |
| Price | About 410 EUR | € 189.00 / $ 219.99 / £ 148.00 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 102h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -24.3 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 512164 (v8) | 598022 (v9) GeekBench: 2792 (v5.1) GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 8 5G
- Sleek and stylish design
- 66W fast charging
- 5W reverse wired charging
- Kirin 985 chipset is less powerful than Dimensity 1200
- Potential software limitations due to Huawei’s restrictions
OnePlus Nord 2 5G
- More powerful Mediatek Dimensity 1200 chipset
- Faster charging (30 minutes to full)
- Cleaner Android experience
- No reverse wireless charging
- Potentially less refined camera processing for some tastes
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord 2 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 633 nits, a significant advantage over any reported figures for the Nova 8 5G’s display. While both likely utilize OLED panels for vibrant colors, the Nord 2’s higher brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. Contrast ratios are nominally infinite on both, typical of OLED technology. Bezels are comparable, but the Nord 2’s display is likely to be more color accurate due to OnePlus’s calibration efforts, though specific Delta-E values are unavailable.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are marketed as having capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is limited. The focus should be on image processing. Huawei historically emphasizes vibrant, sometimes oversaturated, colors, while OnePlus aims for a more natural look. Without detailed sensor size comparisons, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, the Dimensity 1200’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally considered more advanced, potentially leading to better dynamic range and low-light performance on the Nord 2 5G. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the primary sensor of the Nord 2 5G would be a significant advantage for video recording and handheld photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6nm) features a more modern CPU architecture – a Cortex-A78 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz – compared to the Huawei Nova 8 5G’s Kirin 985 5G (7nm). The Dimensity 1200’s CPU configuration (1x3.0 GHz A78, 3x2.6 GHz A78, 4x2.0 GHz A55) offers a performance edge over the Kirin 985’s (1x2.58 GHz A76, 3x2.40 GHz A76, 4x1.84 GHz A55). The 6nm process node of the Dimensity 1200 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. Both phones likely feature ample RAM, but the Nord 2’s use of faster LPDDR5 RAM would further enhance performance.
Battery Life
Both the Huawei Nova 8 5G and OnePlus Nord 2 5G achieve an endurance rating of 102 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite potentially different battery capacities (not specified in the provided data). However, the charging speeds are a key differentiator. Both support 65W wired charging, with the Nord 2 5G achieving a full charge in 30 minutes, while the Nova 8 5G takes 35 minutes. The Nova 8 5G also offers 5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Nord 2 5G, allowing it to top up accessories.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Nova 8 5G if you prioritize a sleek design and are already invested in Huawei’s services, potentially benefiting from seamless integration. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2 5G if you value raw performance, a cleaner Android experience, and a more future-proof chipset for demanding applications and gaming.