The Huawei nova 8 SE 4G and Realme 8 Pro represent compelling options in the crowded mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a balanced experience, they take different approaches to achieving it. The nova 8 SE 4G prioritizes rapid charging with its 66W system, while the Realme 8 Pro leverages the more efficient Snapdragon 720G chipset. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Realme 8 Pro emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 720G, built on an 8nm process, offers superior performance and efficiency compared to the Huawei nova 8 SE 4G’s 14nm Kirin 710A. While the nova 8 SE boasts faster charging, the Realme 8 Pro’s overall package provides a more refined and future-proof experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - Asia |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 26 | 2021, March 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 26 | Available. Released 2021, March 25 |
| 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) | 160.6 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.32 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 180 g (6.35 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED | Super AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB 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 | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| 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 | 50W wired, 50% in 17 min, 100% in 47 min |
| Type | Li-Po 3800 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Aurora, Silver | Infinite Blue, Infinite Black, Punk Black, Illuminating Yellow |
| Models | JSC-AL50 | RMX3081 |
| Price | About 290 EUR | About 550 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.10 W/kg (head) 0.53 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 116h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.2 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 286666 (v8)
GeekBench: 1678 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 8 SE 4G
- Extremely fast 66W charging
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Sleek design (based on Huawei’s aesthetic)
- Less efficient Kirin 710A chipset
- Potential software limitations due to Huawei restrictions
- Unknown camera sensor specifications
Realme 8 Pro
- More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 720G
- Established Realme software support
- Likely superior camera performance (based on 108MP sensor)
- Slower 50W charging compared to Huawei
- May be slightly more expensive
- Realme UI can be divisive
Display Comparison
Both devices share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting typical IPS LCD characteristics. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are missing. Given the market positioning, we can assume both offer adequate, but not exceptional, viewing experiences. The Realme 8 Pro’s display is likely tuned for vibrant colors, a common Realme trait, while Huawei often aims for more natural color reproduction. Without specific nit ratings, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner, but the Realme 8 Pro’s display is likely optimized for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature photo/video capabilities, but specifics are limited. The Realme 8 Pro is known for its 108MP main sensor (not mentioned in the provided data, but a key feature), which allows for detailed images and flexible cropping. The nova 8 SE 4G’s camera specs are unknown, but given its price point, it likely features a lower-resolution main sensor. Without details on aperture, OIS, and image processing algorithms, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Realme 8 Pro’s larger sensor and established camera reputation give it an edge in image quality, particularly in low-light conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 8 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) significantly outperforms the Huawei nova 8 SE 4G’s Kirin 710A (14nm). The 8nm process node of the Snapdragon 720G translates to better thermal efficiency and sustained performance under load. The Snapdragon 720G’s CPU configuration – 2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver – provides a noticeable advantage over the Kirin 710A’s 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53. Gamers and power users will find the Realme 8 Pro a more responsive and capable device. The Kirin 710A, while adequate for everyday tasks, will likely struggle with demanding applications and prolonged gaming sessions.
Battery Life
Both devices boast an endurance rating of 116 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the unspecified mAh capacities. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Huawei nova 8 SE 4G’s 66W wired charging is significantly faster than the Realme 8 Pro’s 50W system. The Realme 8 Pro can reach 50% charge in 17 minutes and 100% in 47 minutes. While the nova 8 SE 4G’s 0-100% time isn’t specified, it’s likely considerably quicker. This makes the nova 8 SE 4G ideal for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly, but the Realme 8 Pro’s efficient chipset may offset the slower charging for many users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 8 SE 4G if you absolutely prioritize the fastest possible charging speeds and are comfortable with the limitations of the Kirin chipset and potential software restrictions. Buy the Realme 8 Pro if you value a more efficient processor, a potentially smoother user experience, and a more widely supported software ecosystem. The Realme 8 Pro is the better choice for gamers and those who frequently multitask.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 710A in the Huawei nova 8 SE 4G struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Kirin 710A is likely to exhibit frame drops and stuttering in demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty, especially at higher graphics settings. The Snapdragon 720G in the Realme 8 Pro offers a significantly smoother gaming experience due to its more powerful GPU and efficient architecture.
❓ How much does the 66W charging on the Huawei nova 8 SE 4G actually improve daily use compared to the 50W charging on the Realme 8 Pro?
The 66W charging on the nova 8 SE 4G provides a substantial time saving. While the Realme 8 Pro takes 47 minutes for a full charge, the nova 8 SE 4G is likely to achieve 100% in under 40 minutes, potentially even closer to 30. This is particularly beneficial for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery before leaving the house.
❓ Are there any concerns about software updates and Google services on the Huawei nova 8 SE 4G?
Yes, due to ongoing restrictions, the Huawei nova 8 SE 4G does not come with full Google Mobile Services (GMS). It relies on Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and the AppGallery. While many popular apps are available through HMS and workarounds, some Google apps may be missing or require alternative installation methods. Software update support may also be less frequent compared to the Realme 8 Pro.
