Huawei nova 8 SE vs. Google Pixel 5a 5G: Which Mid-Range 5G Phone Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a smooth, consistent experience and exceptional camera quality, the Google Pixel 5a 5G is the better choice. While the nova 8 SE boasts significantly faster charging, the Pixel 5a 5G’s optimized software and Snapdragon 765G chipset deliver a more refined overall experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Huawei nova 8 SE | Google Pixel 5a 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 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, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 2, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, November 06. Released 2020, November 11 | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, August 26 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 161.1 x 74.8 x 7.5 mm (6.34 x 2.94 x 0.30 in) | 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm (6.15 x 2.88 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, HDR10 | OLED, HDR |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - standard modelOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - premium model | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm) - standard modelMediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) - premium model | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm |
| Features | LED flash, Panorama, HDR | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-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 | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 60% in 15 min, 100% in 35 min | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 3800 mAh | Li-Po 4680 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Deep Blue, Blue, Silver | Mostly Black |
| Models | JSC-AN00 | G1F8F, G4S1M |
| Price | About 330 EUR | $ 189.00 / C$ 249.99 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 122h |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 291303 (v8) GeekBench: 1337 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 8 SE
- Blazing-fast 66W charging
- Potentially higher CPU performance (Dimensity 800U variant)
- Competitive price point
- Software experience may lack polish compared to Pixel
- Uncertainty regarding camera performance without sensor details
Google Pixel 5a 5G
- Exceptional camera quality and image processing
- Clean, bloatware-free Android experience
- Reliable all-day battery life
- Significantly slower charging speed
- Less powerful chipset compared to Dimensity 800U
Display Comparison
The Google Pixel 5a 5G’s display shines with a measured peak brightness of 861 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even outdoors. While the nova 8 SE’s panel specifications are not provided, its market positioning suggests a lower peak brightness. The Pixel 5a 5G’s infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, typical of OLED panels, delivers deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. The absence of high refresh rate information for either device suggests a standard 60Hz experience, focusing on efficiency rather than fluidity.
Camera Comparison
Google’s strength lies in computational photography. While sensor specifications for both phones are unavailable, the Pixel 5a 5G’s image processing algorithms are renowned for their dynamic range, accurate colors, and excellent low-light performance. The nova 8 SE likely relies more on hardware specifications, but without knowing the sensor size or aperture, it’s difficult to assess its capabilities. The Pixel 5a 5G’s focus on software optimization will likely yield superior results in most scenarios, especially for casual users. The absence of details regarding OIS on either device makes it difficult to assess video stabilization capabilities.
Performance
The core of the performance difference lies in the chipsets. The Pixel 5a 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, with its Kryo 475 CPU cores (1x2.4 GHz Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Gold, 6x1.8 GHz Silver), offers a balanced approach to performance and efficiency. The nova 8 SE comes in two configurations: the standard with the Dimensity 720 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76, 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) and a premium version with the Dimensity 800U (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76, 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). The Dimensity 800U variant of the nova 8 SE will offer a noticeable performance uplift over the 720, potentially matching or exceeding the Snapdragon 765G in raw CPU power, but thermal management will be key. The Snapdragon 765G benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized software and generally more efficient power draw.
Battery Life
Both the Huawei nova 8 SE and Google Pixel 5a 5G achieve an endurance rating of 122 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The nova 8 SE’s 66W wired charging is a game-changer, promising a 60% charge in just 15 minutes and a full charge in 35 minutes. The Pixel 5a 5G’s 18W charging with PD2.0 is significantly slower, requiring considerably more time to reach 100%. This difference is crucial for users who prioritize quick top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 8 SE if you need blazing-fast 66W charging and prioritize peak performance in synthetic benchmarks, particularly if you opt for the Dimensity 800U variant. Buy the Google Pixel 5a 5G if you prefer a clean, bloatware-free Android experience, exceptional still photography, and reliable all-day battery life, even if it means sacrificing charging speed.