OnePlus 9RT 5G vs Huawei nova 8 Pro 4G: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the OnePlus 9RT 5G is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 888 chipset offers a substantial leap in processing power and GPU performance compared to the Kirin 985 in the Huawei nova 8 Pro. While the nova 8 Pro boasts competitive charging and a solid camera, the 9RT’s overall capabilities justify its slight price premium.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Huawei nova 8 Pro 4G | OnePlus 9RT 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Global |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA - Global |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA 800 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 26 | 2021, October 13 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 18 | Available. Released 2021, October 19 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 74.1 x 7.9 mm (6.43 x 2.92 x 0.31 in) | 162.2 x 74.6 x 8.3 mm (6.39 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 184 g (6.49 oz) | 198.5 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1236 x 2676 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~439 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~397 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~91.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.62 inches, 106.3 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120Hz | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.58 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x2.40 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 985 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G77 (8-core) | Adreno 660 |
| 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 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) 32 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 17mm (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56”, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm 2 MP (macro) |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) 32 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| 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/a/6, 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, 100% in 29 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green, White | Hacker Black, Nano Silver, Blue |
| Models | BRQ-AN00 | MT2110, MT2111 |
| Price | - | About 590 EUR |
Huawei nova 8 Pro 4G
- Faster 66W charging (slightly quicker than 9RT)
- 5W Reverse Wireless Charging
- Potentially superior image processing
- Kirin 985 chipset is significantly less powerful than Snapdragon 888
- 4G connectivity limits future-proofing
OnePlus 9RT 5G
- Snapdragon 888 offers flagship-level performance
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- 65W fast charging provides quick top-ups
- Charging is slightly slower than the nova 8 Pro
- Lacks reverse wireless charging
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display, but both are adequate for their price points. While specific display specs like peak brightness and color gamut aren't provided, the focus here is on the underlying processors impacting UI smoothness. The nova 8 Pro’s display is likely OLED, common for Huawei, while the 9RT uses a Fluid AMOLED display. The 9RT’s 120Hz refresh rate, though not explicitly stated as LTPO, offers a smoother visual experience than a standard 60Hz panel, potentially found on the nova 8 Pro. Bezels are likely comparable, with both aiming for a modern, immersive look.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is challenging. However, the Huawei nova 8 Pro historically emphasizes camera capabilities. While the 9RT likely features a capable camera system, the nova 8 Pro’s image processing algorithms, honed by Huawei, may offer a more refined aesthetic. The absence of specific aperture details makes it difficult to assess low-light performance. The 9RT’s Snapdragon ISP is powerful, but Huawei’s dedicated image signal processing is a key differentiator. We can assume both phones will have a primary wide-angle lens, but the sensor size and OIS implementation will be crucial factors.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus 9RT’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5nm) is a flagship-level processor, featuring a Cortex-X1 prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the Huawei nova 8 Pro’s Kirin 985 (7nm). The Snapdragon 888’s architecture, including its more powerful Cortex-A78 cores, delivers significantly higher CPU and GPU performance. The 5nm fabrication process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. Gamers and users running demanding applications will see a substantial benefit from the 9RT’s superior processing power. The 9RT also benefits from potentially faster LPDDR5 RAM, further enhancing performance.
Battery Life
Both phones offer impressive charging speeds. The OnePlus 9RT’s 65W charging achieves a full charge in 29 minutes, while the Huawei nova 8 Pro’s 66W charging takes 35 minutes. This difference is minimal in real-world usage. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 888’s 5nm process generally leads to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting any capacity differences. The nova 8 Pro also includes 5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent in the 9RT, offering convenience for charging accessories.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 8 Pro 4G if you prioritize a sleek design, fast 66W charging, and a well-rounded camera experience without demanding the absolute highest performance. Buy the OnePlus 9RT 5G if you are a gamer, a power user who frequently multitasks, or simply want a phone that will remain responsive and capable for years to come, benefiting from the Snapdragon 888’s superior processing power and 5G connectivity.