Huawei's nova series offers compelling mid-range options, but choosing between models can be tricky. The nova 8i and nova Y70 Plus both aim to deliver value, but cater to slightly different priorities. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei nova 8i takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster charging, more powerful chipset, and generally better performance. While the Y70 Plus offers a larger screen and potentially longer battery life, the 8i's overall capabilities make it the more appealing choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Europe |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 26, 28, 38, 66 - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Africa |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 07 | 2022, April 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 22 | Available. Released 2022, May 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161.9 x 74.7 x 8.6 mm (6.37 x 2.94 x 0.34 in) | 168.3 x 77.7 x 9 mm (6.63 x 3.06 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2376 pixels (~391 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 108.1 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Kirin 710A (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 11, no Google Play Services | EMUI 12, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| 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) | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 60% in 17 min, 100% in 38 min | 22.5W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4300 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Moonlight Silver, Interstellar Blue, Starry Black | Crystal Blue, Midnight Black, Pearl White |
| Models | NEN-L22, NEN-LX1, NEN-LX3 | MGA-LX9, MGA-LX9N, MGA-LX3 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | £ 195.00 / € 119.94 |
Huawei nova 8i
- Faster Processor (Snapdragon 662)
- 66W SuperCharge
- Sleeker Design
- Better Performance for Gaming
- Smaller Screen than Y70 Plus
- Potentially Slightly Shorter Battery Life
Huawei nova Y70 Plus
- Larger Display (6.75 inch)
- Potentially Longer Battery Life
- More Affordable
- Slower Processor (Kirin 710A)
- Slow Charging (22.5W)
- Less Powerful Overall
Display Comparison
The nova Y70 Plus boasts a larger 6.75-inch display compared to the nova 8i's 6.3-inch screen. Both utilize an LCD panel, but the Y70 Plus's larger size makes it better for watching videos and browsing. Resolution is likely similar, offering decent clarity for the price point.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature multiple rear cameras, likely including a main sensor, ultrawide, and macro lens. While specific megapixel counts may vary, the nova 8i's more powerful processor should allow for better image processing and potentially improved low-light performance. Expect similar camera features like portrait mode and night mode on both.
Performance
Here, the nova 8i shines. Its Snapdragon 662 chipset is noticeably faster and more efficient than the Kirin 710A in the Y70 Plus. Expect smoother app launches, better multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the 8i. The 8i's 11nm process also contributes to better power efficiency despite the higher performance.
Battery Life
The nova Y70 Plus likely has a larger battery capacity, potentially offering slightly longer battery life under moderate usage. However, the nova 8i's 66W fast charging is a game-changer, allowing it to charge from 0 to 60% in just 17 minutes and 100% in 38 minutes – a significant advantage over the Y70 Plus's 22.5W charging.
Buying Guide
The Huawei nova 8i is ideal for users who prioritize performance, fast charging, and a smoother user experience. It's great for gaming and multitasking. The Huawei nova Y70 Plus is a better fit for those who value a large display for media consumption and prioritize battery longevity over raw power, and are on a tighter budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Huawei nova 8i worth the extra cost?
Yes, if performance and fast charging are important to you. The 8i offers a significantly better user experience thanks to its faster processor and super-fast charging capabilities.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Huawei nova Y70 Plus likely has slightly better battery life due to its potentially larger battery capacity, but the nova 8i's fast charging makes up for it.
