The Oppo K7 5G and Huawei nova 7 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, but they achieve this through different approaches – Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 765G versus Huawei’s in-house Kirin 985. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a more open software ecosystem, the Oppo K7 5G emerges as the stronger choice. While the Huawei nova 7 5G boasts faster charging, the Snapdragon 765G’s optimized architecture and wider app compatibility give the K7 5G a slight edge in overall usability.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G (1.9 Gbps DL) | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 04. Released 2020, August 11 | 2020, April 23. Released 2020, April 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 160.3 x 74.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) | 160.6 x 74.3 x 8 mm (6.32 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) |
| 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 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~86.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 430 nits (typ) | OLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.58 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x2.40 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Kirin 985 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Mali-G77 (8-core) |
| OS | Android 10, ColorOS 7 | Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 3.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP B/W, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.75µm
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), PDAF, 3x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.4, 17mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS | 4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 50% in 20 min | 40W wired, 75% in 30 min
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4025 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Moonlight Black, Pearl White, Blue, Blue/Red | Black, Space Silver, Midsummer Purple, Red, Green |
| Models | A1554 | JEF-TN00, JEF-AN00, JEF-NX9, JEF-AN20 |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 390 EUR |
Oppo K7 5G
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G offers strong performance.
- Wider app compatibility due to full Google Play Store access.
- Generally better gaming performance.
- Slower charging speed compared to the nova 7 5G.
- Potentially less refined camera image processing.
Huawei nova 7 5G
- 40W fast charging provides rapid top-ups.
- Huawei’s EMUI software offers unique features.
- Potentially better camera image processing (speculative).
- Limited access to Google Mobile Services.
- Kirin 985 may exhibit more thermal throttling under sustained load.
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given their market positioning, both likely feature FHD+ LCD panels. The absence of details like refresh rate or peak brightness suggests neither prioritizes display quality as a key selling point. Users should expect a standard viewing experience, adequate for everyday tasks but not exceptional for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a precise comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature multi-camera setups geared towards social media sharing. The absence of sensor size information suggests neither device will excel in low-light photography. The focus will likely be on computational photography and scene optimization. Given Huawei’s historical strength in camera technology, the nova 7 5G *may* offer slightly more refined image processing, but this is speculative without further data.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo K7 5G utilizes the Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G, built on a 7nm process, featuring an octa-core CPU with a 2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime core. Conversely, the Huawei nova 7 5G is powered by the Kirin 985 5G, also on a 7nm node, but with a different CPU configuration: 1x2.58 GHz Cortex-A76, 3x2.40 GHz Cortex-A76, and 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55. While the Kirin 985’s peak clock speed is slightly higher, the Snapdragon 765G benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized CPU architecture and Adreno 620 GPU, generally translating to smoother gaming and better sustained performance. The Snapdragon’s superior software optimization and wider compatibility with game engines are also significant advantages.
Battery Life
The Huawei nova 7 5G takes a clear lead in charging speed with its 40W wired charging, capable of reaching 75% charge in just 30 minutes. The Oppo K7 5G’s 30W charging, while respectable, is slower, achieving 50% in 20 minutes. This means the nova 7 5G is significantly more convenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. The absence of battery capacity information makes it difficult to assess overall battery life; however, the faster charging of the nova 7 5G partially mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo K7 5G if you need a reliable all-rounder with a proven chipset and access to the full Google Play Store. It’s ideal for users who frequently game, stream media, or rely on a broad range of apps. Buy the Huawei nova 7 5G if you prioritize extremely fast charging and prefer Huawei’s EMUI software experience, understanding the limitations regarding Google Mobile Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 985 in the Huawei nova 7 5G suffer from overheating during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 985 is a capable chipset, Huawei’s Kirin processors have historically been more prone to thermal throttling under sustained load compared to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon counterparts. This means that while the nova 7 5G can handle gaming, you might experience performance drops after extended play sessions. The Snapdragon 765G in the Oppo K7 5G is generally better at maintaining consistent performance over longer periods.
❓ How does the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) on the Huawei nova 7 5G affect app availability?
The Huawei nova 7 5G does not come with Google Mobile Services (GMS) pre-installed. This means you won’t have direct access to the Google Play Store or popular Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps. Huawei provides its own app ecosystem, AppGallery, and allows sideloading of apps, but compatibility and functionality can be limited. The Oppo K7 5G, with full GMS support, offers a seamless app experience.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the Oppo K7 5G slow compared to other phones in this price range?
30W charging is reasonably fast, but the Huawei nova 7 5G’s 40W charging is noticeably quicker. While 30W will still provide a decent charge overnight, the nova 7 5G’s faster charging is a significant advantage for users who need to quickly top up their battery during the day. It takes approximately 20 minutes to reach 50% on the K7 5G, while the nova 7 5G reaches 75% in 30 minutes.
