Huawei nova 8i vs Huawei Y9a: Which Phone Should You Choose?

Huawei offers a range of mid-range smartphones, and the nova 8i and Y9a are two popular contenders. Both offer attractive designs and competitive features, but cater to slightly different needs. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you make the right choice.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Huawei nova 8i takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster charging and more powerful Snapdragon 662 chipset. While the Y9a boasts a larger battery and a solid camera, the nova 8i's performance and charging speed provide a more premium experience overall.

PHONES
Phone Names	Huawei nova 8i	Huawei Y9a

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - FRL-L22
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	-	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - FRL-L23

Launch
Announced	2021, July 07	2020, September 07. Released 2020, September 12
Status	Available. Released 2021, July 22	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	161.9 x 74.7 x 8.6 mm (6.37 x 2.94 x 0.34 in)	163.5 x 76.5 x 9 mm (6.44 x 3.01 x 0.35 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	190 g (6.70 oz)	197 g (6.95 oz)

Display
Resolution	1080 x 2376 pixels (~391 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~397 ppi density)
Size	6.67 inches, 108.1 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio)	6.63 inches, 106.1 cm2 (~84.8% 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 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)	Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm)
GPU	Adreno 610	Mali-G52 MC2
OS	Android 10, EMUI 11, no Google Play Services	Android 10, EMUI 10.1, 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	Quad-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	64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single	16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)	-
Video	1080p@30fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)	Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 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	5.1, A2DP, LE
NFC	No	No
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, BDS
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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	66W wired, 60% in 17 min, 100% in 38 min	22.5W / 40W wired (region dependent)
Type	Li-Po 4300 mAh	Li-Po 4200 mAh or 4300 mAh (region dependent)

Misc
Colors	Moonlight Silver, Interstellar Blue, Starry Black	Space Silver, Sakura Pink, Midnight Black
Models	NEN-L22, NEN-LX1, NEN-LX3	FRL-22, FRL-23, FRL-L22, FRL-L23
Price	About 200 EUR	About 200 EUR

Huawei nova 8i

Faster Charging (66W)
More Powerful Chipset (Snapdragon 662)
Sleeker Design (potentially)
Smoother Performance

Potentially less versatile camera
Battery life may be slightly shorter than Y9a

Huawei Y9a

Larger Battery Capacity (potentially longer battery life)
Versatile Camera System (potentially)
Good Value for Money
Large Display

Slower Charging (22.5W/40W)
Less Powerful Chipset (Helio G80)
Can feel sluggish under heavy load

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.53-inch display, but the nova 8i typically has a slightly higher resolution (FHD+) and potentially better color accuracy. The Y9a's display is generally well-regarded for its brightness and viewing angles. The nova 8i may have a slightly more modern design with a smaller punch-hole camera.

Camera Comparison

The Y9a often features a more versatile camera system with a higher resolution main sensor (48MP) and potentially a dedicated macro lens. The nova 8i's camera is still capable, but may not offer the same level of detail or versatility. Both phones offer decent selfie cameras.

Performance

The nova 8i's Snapdragon 662 chipset offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Y9a's Helio G80. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the nova 8i. The Y9a is still capable for everyday tasks, but may struggle with more demanding games.

Battery Life

The Y9a generally has a larger battery capacity (4000mAh vs nova 8i's 4000mAh, though real-world usage varies). However, the nova 8i's 66W fast charging drastically reduces charging times, making it a more convenient option.

Buying Guide

The Huawei nova 8i is ideal for users prioritizing performance, fast charging, and a smoother user experience. The Huawei Y9a is a better fit for those who value long battery life, a large display, and a capable camera system, especially if charging speed isn't a top concern.