The Huawei Y8s and Nokia 7.2 represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they achieve this through different approaches to chipset selection and feature prioritization. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which phone offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly brighter display, the Nokia 7.2 emerges as the better choice. While both phones share 10W charging, the Snapdragon 660’s architecture provides a more stable experience, and the measured 585 nits brightness is a tangible advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - JKM-LX2 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - ROW |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 - JKM-LX2 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - ROW |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps or LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - JKM-LX1 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - IN |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, May 6. Released 2020, May 21 | 2019, September 05. Released 2019, September 23 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.4 x 77.1 x 8.1 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.32 in) | 159.9 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm (6.30 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 180 g (6.35 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1, Google Play Services | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Android One |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Zeiss optics, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
2 MP, f/2.4, (depth) | - |
| Features | HDR | Zeiss optics, HDR |
| Single | - | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes (excl. India) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Emerald Green, Midnight Black | Cyan Green, Charcoal, Ice |
| Models | JKM-LX1, JKM-LX2, JKM-LX3 | TA-1193, TA-1178, TA-1196, TA-1181 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 240 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 1.44 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 69h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1342:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.6 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 139495 (v7), 164484 (v8)
GeekBench: 5440 (v4.4), 1398 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei Y8s
- Potentially lower price point
- Kirin 710 offers decent performance for basic tasks
- May have unique Huawei software features
- Kirin 710 may throttle under sustained load
- Display specifications are unknown, potentially lower quality
- 10W charging is slow
Nokia 7.2
- Brighter display (585 nits)
- Snapdragon 660 offers more stable performance
- Qualcomm ISP potentially improves image processing
- 10W charging is slow
- May be slightly more expensive than the Y8s
- Design may be less visually striking than some competitors
Display Comparison
The Nokia 7.2 boasts a measured peak brightness of 585 nits and a 1342:1 contrast ratio, providing a noticeably more vibrant and visible display, especially outdoors. While the Huawei Y8s’ display specifications are not provided, the Nokia 7.2’s higher brightness is a significant advantage for users who frequently consume media in bright environments. The contrast ratio, while nominally the same, benefits from the brighter panel, resulting in deeper blacks and more vivid colors. We can infer the Y8s display is likely adequate, but doesn't offer the same visual punch.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the market positioning, it’s safe to assume both utilize budget-oriented camera modules. The absence of details suggests neither phone is a standout performer in photography. Focusing on the chipset, the Snapdragon 660’s image signal processor (ISP) is generally considered more capable than the Kirin 710’s, potentially leading to slightly better image processing and dynamic range in the Nokia 7.2.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: Huawei’s Kirin 710 (12nm) versus Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 660 (14nm). Both are octa-core CPUs with similar clock speeds (2.2 GHz for the A73/Kryo 260 Gold cores), but the Snapdragon 660 benefits from Qualcomm’s more mature architecture and optimization. The 14nm process, while larger than the Kirin 710’s 12nm, doesn’t necessarily equate to lower efficiency; Qualcomm’s design often compensates. This translates to potentially better sustained performance and thermal management on the Nokia 7.2, particularly during gaming or demanding applications. The Kirin 710 may offer a slight edge in single-core tasks, but the Snapdragon 660’s overall stability is more valuable.
Battery Life
Both the Huawei Y8s and Nokia 7.2 share an endurance rating of 69 hours and 10W wired charging. This suggests similar battery life in typical usage scenarios. The 10W charging is slow by modern standards, requiring a significant amount of time to fully charge from 0-100%. The identical endurance rating implies that despite the different chipsets and manufacturing processes, power consumption is comparable. Users should expect several hours of usage, but not rapid charging capabilities.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Y8s if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and are comfortable with the Kirin 710’s performance characteristics, understanding it may exhibit more throttling under sustained load. Buy the Nokia 7.2 if you value a more refined user experience, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660’s generally more efficient architecture for everyday tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 660 in the Nokia 7.2 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 660 can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to use medium graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. The chipset isn't designed for ultra settings, and prolonged gaming may lead to some thermal throttling. The Nokia 7.2’s thermal management is generally better than the Y8s, offering a more stable frame rate.
❓ How significant is the difference in display quality between the Nokia 7.2 and the Huawei Y8s?
The Nokia 7.2’s measured 585 nits peak brightness is a substantial advantage, especially for outdoor use. While the Y8s’ display quality is unknown, the Nokia 7.2 offers a more vibrant and visible viewing experience due to its higher brightness and 1342:1 contrast ratio.
❓ Is the 10W charging speed on either phone acceptable in 2024?
No, 10W charging is quite slow by today’s standards. Expect a full charge to take over 2 hours. Neither phone is ideal for users who prioritize fast charging, but it’s a common compromise in this price segment.
