Choosing between Huawei's Nova and P series can be tough. Both offer compelling features, but cater to slightly different needs. This comprehensive comparison breaks down the Huawei Nova 8i and P40 Lite, helping you decide which phone is the perfect fit for your budget and lifestyle.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nova 8i boasts significantly faster charging and a more modern chipset, making it ideal for power users. The P40 Lite, however, shines with its exceptional battery life and impressive display contrast. Ultimately, the Nova 8i offers better performance, while the P40 Lite prioritizes longevity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - JNY-L21A, JNY-L01A, JNY-L21B |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - JNY-L22A, JNY-L02A, JNY-L22B |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 07 | 2020, February 27. Released 2020, March 02 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 22 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 161.9 x 74.7 x 8.6 mm (6.37 x 2.94 x 0.34 in) | 159.2 x 76.3 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 3.00 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2376 pixels (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 108.1 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~83.5% 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 (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Kirin 810 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 MP6 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 11, no Google Play Services | Android 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 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 | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent): JNY-L21A, JNY-L01A, JNY-L21B |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| 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 | 40W wired, 70% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4300 mAh | Li-Po 4200 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Moonlight Silver, Interstellar Blue, Starry Black | Black, Emerald Green, Light Pink/Blue, Skyline Gray |
| Models | NEN-L22, NEN-LX1, NEN-LX3 | JNY-L21A, JNY-L01A, JNY-L21B, JNY-L22A, JNY-L02A, JNY-L22B, JNY-LX1 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 170 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 121h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1085:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.0 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 325777 (v8)
GeekBench: 7846 (v4.4), 1862 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 8i
- Faster Charging (66W)
- More Modern Chipset (Snapdragon 662)
- Improved Performance
- Sleek Design
- Shorter Battery Life
- Potentially Less Optimized Camera Software
Huawei P40 lite
- Exceptional Battery Life (121h Endurance)
- Vibrant Display with Good Brightness
- Competitive Price
- Good Image Processing
- Older Chipset (Kirin 810)
- Slower Charging (40W)
- Slightly Less Powerful
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.4-inch display with a 1085:1 contrast ratio, delivering deep blacks and vibrant colors. However, the P40 Lite measures a slightly higher 515 nits of peak brightness, offering better visibility in direct sunlight. The Nova 8i's display is also excellent, but the P40 Lite has a slight edge in outdoor usability.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer versatile camera setups. The P40 Lite generally has a reputation for slightly better image processing and color accuracy in its main camera. The Nova 8i's camera is still very good, but the P40 Lite's software optimization gives it a slight advantage in certain scenarios. Both offer decent video recording capabilities.
Performance
The Nova 8i's Snapdragon 662 chipset, built on an 11nm process, provides a noticeable performance boost over the P40 Lite's Kirin 810 (7nm). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Nova 8i. While the Kirin 810 is still capable, it shows its age compared to the newer Snapdragon.
Battery Life
This is where the P40 Lite truly excels. Its endurance rating of 121 hours is exceptional, significantly outperforming the Nova 8i. While the Nova 8i's 66W charging is incredibly fast (0-60% in 17 minutes), the P40 Lite's battery simply lasts much longer between charges.
Buying Guide
The Huawei Nova 8i is perfect for users who prioritize fast charging, smooth performance for gaming and multitasking, and a more recent chipset. The Huawei P40 Lite is a great choice for those who value long battery life, a vibrant display, and a more budget-friendly option.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Huawei Nova 8i is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 662 chipset.
❓ How long does the P40 Lite's battery last?
The P40 Lite boasts an impressive endurance rating of 121 hours, meaning it can easily last for multiple days on a single charge with moderate usage.
❓ Is the Nova 8i worth the extra cost?
If fast charging and performance are your priorities, the Nova 8i is worth the extra investment. However, if battery life is paramount, the P40 Lite remains a compelling option.
