Huawei nova 7i vs. Infinix S5 Pro: A Detailed Comparison for Budget Buyers

The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Infinix S5 Pro, known for its endurance, faces off against the Huawei nova 7i, which prioritizes charging speed and a more modern chipset. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you choose the right device for your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Huawei nova 7i is the superior choice. Its Kirin 810 chipset delivers significantly better performance than the Infinix S5 Pro’s Helio P35, and the 40W fast charging is a game-changer. While the S5 Pro boasts impressive battery endurance, the nova 7i’s efficiency and quicker top-ups offer a more convenient experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Infinix S5 Pro Huawei nova 7i
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - JNY-L21A, JNY-L01A, JNY-L21B
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/75 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - JNY-L22A, JNY-L02A, JNY-L22B
Launch
Announced2020, March 06. Released 2020, March 132020, January 30. Released 2020, February 14
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions162.5 x 76.9 x 9 mm (6.40 x 3.03 x 0.35 in)159.2 x 76.3 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 3.00 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight195 g (6.88 oz)183 g (6.46 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density)
Size6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm)Kirin 810 (7 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Mali-G52 MP6
OSAndroid 10Android 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF Auxiliary lenses-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
SingleMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioFM radioFM radio (market/region dependent)
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging-40W wired, 70% in 30 min
Type4000 mAhLi-Po 4200 mAh
Misc
ColorsNebula Black, Quetzal Cyan, VioletMidnight Black, Crush Green, Sakura Pink
ModelsX660, X660C, X660BJNY-L22B, JNY-L21A, JNY-L01A, JNY-L21B, JNY-L22A, JNY-L02A, JNY-LX2
PriceAbout 120 EURAbout 240 EUR
SAR0.79 W/kg (head)     0.90 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 106h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 1677:1 (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -29.5 LUFS (Average) -
Performance AnTuTu: 90446 (v7), 117533 (v8) GeekBench: 4226 (v4.4), 1039 (v5.1) GFXBench: 3.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Infinix S5 Pro

  • Exceptional battery endurance (106h)
  • Decent contrast ratio (1677:1)
  • Lower price point (likely)

  • Outdated Helio P35 chipset
  • Slow charging speeds (unspecified)
  • Limited performance for demanding tasks

Huawei nova 7i

  • Powerful Kirin 810 chipset
  • Ultra-fast 40W charging (70% in 30min)
  • More efficient 7nm process

  • Battery endurance likely lower than S5 Pro
  • Potentially higher price
  • Display specs not fully detailed

Display Comparison

The Infinix S5 Pro features a display with a 1677:1 contrast ratio and a measured peak brightness of 336 nits. While adequate for indoor use, this falls short of modern standards. The nova 7i’s display specifications are not provided, but Huawei typically employs IPS LCDs in this price range. Given the lack of detailed display data for the nova 7i, the S5 Pro’s contrast ratio is the only quantifiable metric. However, the nova 7i likely benefits from Huawei’s color calibration expertise, potentially offering more accurate colors, even if peak brightness is similar.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing information, a direct comparison is impossible. However, given Huawei’s strong camera reputation, the nova 7i likely benefits from more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on many phones in this segment is often a marketing gimmick, offering limited real-world benefit. The absence of OIS on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Infinix S5 Pro utilizes the Mediatek Helio P35, a 12nm process chip with an octa-core configuration split between 2.3 GHz and 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. This is a budget-oriented processor designed for efficiency, not raw power. Conversely, the Huawei nova 7i is powered by the Kirin 810, fabricated on a more efficient 7nm process. Its CPU features a more potent combination of 2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Cortex-A76 cores represent a significant architectural leap over the A53, delivering substantially improved single-core and multi-core performance. This translates to smoother app launches, faster multitasking, and a more responsive user experience on the nova 7i.

Battery Life

The Infinix S5 Pro boasts an impressive endurance rating of 106 hours, indicating excellent battery life for moderate usage. However, the Huawei nova 7i compensates for potentially lower capacity with its 40W wired charging, capable of reaching 70% charge in just 30 minutes. This drastically reduces downtime compared to the S5 Pro’s slower charging. While the S5 Pro excels in longevity, the nova 7i prioritizes convenience, allowing users to quickly top up their battery when needed. The 7nm Kirin 810’s efficiency also contributes to better overall power management.

Buying Guide

Buy the Infinix S5 Pro if your absolute priority is maximizing screen-on time and you primarily use your phone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media. You’ll appreciate the 106-hour endurance rating. Buy the Huawei nova 7i if you value performance for gaming and multitasking, and if you frequently find yourself needing to quickly recharge your device. The Kirin 810 and 40W charging make it a more versatile option.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Kirin 810 in the Huawei nova 7i powerful enough for modern mobile games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Kirin 810 is a capable chipset for gaming. While not a flagship-level processor, it can handle PUBG and Call of Duty at medium to high settings with reasonable frame rates. The 7nm process also helps to manage thermals during extended gaming sessions, preventing significant throttling.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to fully charge the Huawei nova 7i with the 40W charger?
Huawei claims 70% charge in 30 minutes. Based on this, a full 0-100% charge should take approximately 45-60 minutes, depending on background processes and battery temperature. This is significantly faster than the Infinix S5 Pro, which likely takes over 2 hours to fully charge.
❓ Does the Infinix S5 Pro support fast charging at all?
The context data does not specify fast charging support for the Infinix S5 Pro. It's likely to use standard 5W or 10W charging, resulting in a much slower charging time compared to the Huawei nova 7i's 40W capability.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Helio P35 and Kirin 810 noticeable in everyday tasks?
Absolutely. While both phones can handle basic tasks, the Kirin 810 provides a much smoother and more responsive experience when multitasking, opening apps, and browsing the web. The Helio P35 may exhibit noticeable lag or slowdowns with multiple apps running simultaneously.