Huawei Nova 8 SE vs OnePlus Nord CE 5G: A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 750G chipset, built on a more efficient 8nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage and future-proofs with 5G connectivity. While the Nova 8 SE boasts faster 66W charging, the Nord CE 5G’s solid endurance and overall package offer better long-term value.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Huawei nova 8 SE 4G | OnePlus Nord CE 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) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA 800 | 78 SA/NSA - India | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 26 | 2021, June 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 26 | Available. Released 2021, June 11 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 74.8 x 7.5 mm (6.36 x 2.94 x 0.30 in) | 159.2 x 73.5 x 7.9 mm (6.27 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 180 g (6.35 oz) | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~410 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, Panorama, HDR | 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 | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 66W wired | 30W wired, 70% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 3800 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Aurora, Silver | Blue Void, Charkoal Ink, Silver Ray |
| Models | JSC-AL50 | EB2101, EB2103 |
| Price | About 290 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 117h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -29.9 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 318672 (v8) | 391770 (v9) GeekBench: 1812 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 8 SE 4G
- Extremely fast 66W charging
- Potentially competitive camera performance (pending sensor details)
- Sleek design (based on brand aesthetic)
- Older 14nm Kirin 710A chipset
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Limited information on display quality
OnePlus Nord CE 5G
- More efficient 8nm Snapdragon 750G chipset
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing
- Good display brightness (607 nits)
- Slower 30W charging compared to Nova 8 SE
- No high refresh rate display
- Image processing may not be as refined as flagship devices
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G’s display achieves a measured peak brightness of 607 nits, offering good visibility in outdoor conditions. While the Nova 8 SE’s display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to be comparable in brightness. Both devices lack high refresh rate panels, which is a common trade-off in this price segment. The Nord CE 5G’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a typical IPS panel, while details on the Nova 8 SE’s panel type are missing. The absence of LTPO technology on either device means they won’t dynamically adjust refresh rates for power saving.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but specifics are limited. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Snapdragon 750G’s image signal processor (ISP) generally offers better image processing capabilities than the Kirin 710A’s ISP. The absence of information regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device suggests reliance on digital stabilization, which can introduce artifacts in videos. Focusing on the main sensor size would be crucial for a more accurate comparison, but currently unavailable.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord CE 5G utilizes the Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G (8nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570 cores. This 8nm process offers superior power efficiency compared to the Huawei Nova 8 SE’s Kirin 710A (14nm), which has 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Snapdragon 750G’s more advanced architecture translates to better sustained performance and improved thermal management, particularly during demanding tasks like gaming. The 5G modem integrated into the Snapdragon 750G is a significant advantage, offering future-proof connectivity that the Nova 8 SE lacks.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 117 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the charging speeds differ dramatically. The Huawei Nova 8 SE boasts 66W wired charging, allowing for significantly faster top-ups. The OnePlus Nord CE 5G offers 30W wired charging, capable of reaching 70% charge in 30 minutes. While the Nova 8 SE’s charging is faster, the Nord CE 5G’s endurance rating suggests it can comfortably last a full day on a single charge, mitigating the need for frequent top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Nova 8 SE 4G if you prioritize extremely fast charging and are unconcerned with 5G connectivity. Its 66W charging is a standout feature for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G if you value a more modern chipset, 5G support, and a generally smoother user experience. It’s the better option for users who want a phone that will remain relevant for longer and offers a more versatile connectivity experience.