The Huawei Y8s and Oppo A9 (2020) represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dives deep into their core specifications, focusing on the key differences between Huawei’s Kirin 710 and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 665, and how those differences translate to real-world user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and battery endurance, the Oppo A9 (2020) emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 665, built on an 11nm process, offers a slight efficiency advantage, coupled with a reported 69-hour endurance rating, making it better suited for all-day use. While the Y8s offers a comparable experience for basic tasks, the A9 provides a more robust foundation for multitasking and light gaming.
| 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 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 - JKM-LX2 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - JKM-LX1 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, May 6. Released 2020, May 21 | 2019, September 10. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.4 x 77.1 x 8.1 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.32 in) | 163.6 x 75.6 x 9.1 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 180 g (6.35 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1, Google Play Services | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, ColorOS 7.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.25", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF
2 MP, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.75µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 12 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.8", 1.25µm, PDAF, Laser AF
12 MP B/W, f/2.0, 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF, Laser AF |
| 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 | HDR |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| 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 a/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
Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Emerald Green, Midnight Black | Marine Green, Space Purple, Vanilla Mint |
| Models | JKM-LX1, JKM-LX2, JKM-LX3 | CPH1937, CPH1939, CPH1941 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.87 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.41 W/kg (head) 1.45 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 69h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 68dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 86dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 209779 (v7)
GeekBench: 6629 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei Y8s
- Clean, minimalist design (assumed based on Huawei’s aesthetic)
- Potentially slightly faster single-core performance (Kirin 710)
- Affordable price point
- Less power-efficient chipset (Kirin 710, 12nm)
- No reverse wired charging
- Likely shorter battery life
Oppo A9 (2020)
- More power-efficient chipset (Snapdragon 665, 11nm)
- Longer battery life (69h endurance rating)
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Potentially slightly lower single-core performance
- May lack the aesthetic appeal of the Y8s (subjective)
- Software experience can be heavily customized
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. The absence of detailed display specifications necessitates a focus on processing power as the differentiating factor. Bezels are likely comparable, and color accuracy is expected to be standard for budget phones. The user experience will be largely defined by the software optimization rather than inherent display quality.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are limited. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the quality will heavily depend on sensor size and image processing. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner. The Oppo A9 (2020) mentions 'Photo/Video' capabilities, suggesting a focus on multimedia, but this is a standard feature. The Y8s’ camera performance will likely be adequate for casual snapshots, but the A9’s Snapdragon ISP may offer slightly better image processing capabilities.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A9 (2020) utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm), while the Huawei Y8s features the Kirin 710 (12nm). While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 665’s 11nm fabrication process generally translates to better power efficiency. The Kirin 710’s Cortex-A73 cores offer a slight theoretical advantage in single-core performance, but the Snapdragon 665’s Kryo cores, combined with Qualcomm’s software optimizations, provide a more balanced and consistent experience. This means the A9 is likely to exhibit less throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Oppo A9 (2020) has a significant advantage in battery endurance, boasting a reported 69-hour rating. Both devices support 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow by today’s standards. However, the A9’s larger battery capacity (likely around 5000mAh, typical for the A-series) combined with the more efficient Snapdragon 665 chipset, results in a considerably longer runtime. The A9 also includes reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Y8s, allowing it to function as a power bank for other devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Y8s if you prioritize a clean, minimalist aesthetic and are primarily focused on basic smartphone functions like calling, texting, and light social media browsing. Buy the Oppo A9 (2020) if you need a phone that can handle more demanding tasks, such as extended gaming sessions or running multiple apps simultaneously, and if long battery life is a critical requirement. The A9’s reverse wired charging is also a unique benefit for users who need to top up other devices on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 665 in the Oppo A9 (2020) struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 665 isn't a gaming powerhouse, it's capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with a stable frame rate. The 11nm process helps mitigate throttling, allowing for longer gaming sessions compared to the Kirin 710. Expect some frame drops during intense firefights, but overall, the gaming experience should be acceptable for casual players.
❓ Is the 10W charging on either phone sufficient for quick top-ups throughout the day?
No, 10W charging is relatively slow. Expect a full charge to take over 2 hours. Both phones are best charged overnight. The Oppo A9 (2020)'s longer battery life mitigates the slow charging somewhat, as you'll need to charge it less frequently.
❓ How does Huawei’s EMUI compare to Oppo’s ColorOS in terms of user experience and bloatware?
Both EMUI and ColorOS are heavily customized Android skins. Historically, EMUI has been criticized for being more aggressive with battery optimization, potentially impacting background app performance. ColorOS is generally considered to be more visually appealing and offers a wider range of customization options. Both typically include pre-installed apps (bloatware), but the amount can vary depending on the region.
