Huawei nova 8 vs OnePlus Nord 2T: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Contenders
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord 2T emerges as the stronger choice. Its Dimensity 1300 chipset offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Kirin 820E, and the 80W SuperVOOC charging is significantly faster. While the nova 8 boasts a sleek design, the Nord 2T’s overall package provides a more compelling user experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Huawei nova 8 | OnePlus Nord 2T |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - ANG-L22B, ANG-L02B | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 05 | 2022, May 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 05 | Available. Released 2022, May 21 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (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 73.2 x 8.2 mm (6.26 x 2.88 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 169 g (5.96 oz) | 190 g (6.70 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 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 90Hz | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (3x2.22 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 820E (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1300 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 (6-core) | Mali-G77 MC9 |
| OS | Android 11, EMUI 12, no Google Play Services | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| 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 | - |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | Auto HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | 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/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 | 80W wired, PD |
| Type | Li-Po 3800 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Powder Pink | Gray Shadow, Jade Fog |
| Models | ANG-L02B, ANG-L21B, ANG-L22B, ANG-LX1, ANG-LX2 | CPH2399, CPH2401 |
| Price | About 420 EUR | € 144.39 / $ 169.99 / ₹ 31,490 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 100h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -25.6 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 490545 (v8) | 604467 (v9) GeekBench: 2790 (v5.1) GFXBench: 40fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 8
- Sleek and stylish design
- 66W fast charging
- Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) features
- Kirin 820E chipset is less powerful
- Limited access to Google services
- Display specifications are unknown
OnePlus Nord 2T
- Powerful Mediatek Dimensity 1300 chipset
- 80W SuperVOOC fast charging
- Bright and vibrant display
- Design is less distinctive
- OxygenOS can be resource intensive
- No specified reverse wireless charging
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord 2T boasts a display capable of reaching 636 nits of peak brightness, providing excellent visibility outdoors. While the nova 8’s display specifications aren’t provided, Huawei typically focuses on color accuracy. The Nord 2T’s ‘infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a typical AMOLED panel, offering deep blacks. The lack of LTPO technology on either device means refresh rate scaling isn’t present, potentially impacting battery life during dynamic content viewing. The Nord 2T’s higher peak brightness is a clear advantage for outdoor usability.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is limited for the nova 8. The Nord 2T likely benefits from MediaTek’s Imagiq 760 ISP, offering advanced image processing features. Without specific sensor sizes or aperture details for the nova 8, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Dimensity 1300’s ISP generally provides superior noise reduction and dynamic range. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are largely marketing features and offer limited practical benefit. The Nord 2T’s image processing pipeline is likely more refined, offering better overall image quality.
Performance
The Mediatek Dimensity 1300 in the Nord 2T, fabricated on a 6nm process, represents a significant leap over the 7nm Kirin 820E found in the nova 8. The Dimensity 1300’s octa-core configuration, featuring a prime Cortex-A78 core clocked at 3.0 GHz, alongside three additional Cortex-A78 cores at 2.6 GHz, provides superior multi-core and single-core performance. The Kirin 820E’s hexa-core setup, with its older Cortex-A76 cores, simply can’t compete. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive gaming experience on the Nord 2T. The Dimensity 1300’s more efficient process node also contributes to better thermal management under sustained load.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 100 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life despite differing battery capacities (not specified for the nova 8). However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Nord 2T’s 80W SuperVOOC charging, with PD support, can fully charge the device in a significantly shorter time than the nova 8’s 66W charging (35 minutes to 100% for the nova 8, and likely faster for the Nord 2T). The Nord 2T’s faster charging is a major convenience factor, allowing users to quickly top up their battery when needed. The 5W reverse wired charging on the nova 8 is a niche feature, while the Nord 2T doesn’t specify reverse charging capabilities.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 8 if you prioritize a stylish design and are comfortable operating within the Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) ecosystem, potentially sacrificing access to the full suite of Google apps. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2T if you demand faster performance for gaming and demanding apps, coupled with incredibly quick charging and a more conventional Android experience.