Oppo Reno2 vs Huawei nova 7i: Which Mid-Range Phone Reigns Supreme?

The Oppo Reno2 and Huawei nova 7i represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Reno2, with its Snapdragon 730G, focuses on a balanced experience, while the nova 7i leverages Huawei’s Kirin 810 for a performance-centric approach. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a more refined software experience, the Huawei nova 7i emerges as the winner. Its Kirin 810, built on a 7nm process, offers a slight edge in raw processing power, coupled with significantly faster 40W charging. However, the Reno2’s excellent battery endurance remains a strong contender.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Reno2 Huawei nova 7i
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - JNY-L21A, JNY-L01A, JNY-L21B
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 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
Announced2019, August 28. Released 2019, September2020, January 30. Released 2020, February 14
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions160 x 74.3 x 9.5 mm (6.30 x 2.93 x 0.37 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
Weight189 g (6.67 oz)183 g (6.46 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6-
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 104.1 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLEDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm)Kirin 810 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 618Mali-G52 MP6
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), planned upgrade to Android 10, ColorOS 7.0Android 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 53mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.2", 1.4µm 2 MP B/W, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.75µm48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps (gyro-EIS); video rec. only with main camera1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDRHDR
SingleMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm16 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
NFCYesNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioFM radioFM radio (market/region dependent)
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging20W wired40W wired, 70% in 30 min
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4200 mAh
Misc
ColorsLuminous Black, Ocean Blue, Sunset PinkMidnight Black, Crush Green, Sakura Pink
ModelsPCKM70, PCKT00, PCKM00, CPH1907JNY-L22B, JNY-L21A, JNY-L01A, JNY-L21B, JNY-L22A, JNY-L02A, JNY-LX2
PriceAbout 500 EURAbout 240 EUR
Tests
Audio quality Noise -92.9dB / Crosstalk -92.4dB-
Battery life Endurance rating 102h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker Voice 67dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 81dB -
Performance AnTuTu: 214097 (v7), 261990 (v8) GeekBench: 7001 (v4.4) GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Oppo Reno2

  • Exceptional battery endurance (102h)
  • Balanced performance for everyday tasks
  • Reliable Snapdragon 730G chipset

  • Slower 20W charging
  • Display brightness is average
  • Lacks detailed camera specifications

Huawei nova 7i

  • Faster 40W charging (70% in 30 min)
  • More powerful Kirin 810 chipset (7nm)
  • Potentially smoother multitasking

  • Battery life likely shorter than Reno2
  • Software experience can be polarizing
  • Camera specs are unknown

Display Comparison

Both phones lack detailed display specifications beyond basic information. The Oppo Reno2 boasts a measured peak brightness of 509 nits, which is adequate for outdoor visibility but doesn’t excel. The nova 7i’s display specs are unavailable, but given Huawei’s typical implementation in this price bracket, it likely offers similar brightness levels. The Reno2’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio is a marketing term, and real-world performance will depend on the panel type. Without knowing the panel technology (IPS vs AMOLED) or refresh rate of the nova 7i, a definitive display winner is difficult to declare.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, lacking specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is challenging. It’s reasonable to assume both phones feature multi-camera setups, but the quality will hinge on the primary sensor and image processing algorithms. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses in this segment suggests both phones likely include one, but their utility is limited. The Kirin 810’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) may offer slightly more advanced processing capabilities, but this is speculative without detailed camera specs.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Huawei nova 7i’s Kirin 810, fabricated on a 7nm process, theoretically offers greater transistor density and efficiency compared to the Oppo Reno2’s Snapdragon 730G (8nm). The Kirin 810’s CPU features 2x Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.27 GHz, which are generally more powerful than the Snapdragon 730G’s 2x Kryo 470 Gold cores at 2.2 GHz. While both utilize a 6x Cortex-A55/Kryo 470 Silver configuration for efficiency, the Kirin 810’s architecture provides a performance advantage in demanding tasks. However, real-world performance will also depend on RAM and software optimization, which are not specified.

Battery Life

The Oppo Reno2 shines with an impressive endurance rating of 102 hours, indicating exceptional battery life. While the nova 7i’s battery capacity is unknown, its 40W wired charging significantly surpasses the Reno2’s 20W charging. The nova 7i can achieve a 70% charge in just 30 minutes, a substantial advantage for users who need a quick power boost. The Reno2’s longer endurance rating suggests it can last longer on a single charge, but the nova 7i’s faster charging mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo Reno2 if you prioritize exceptional battery life and a consistently smooth, if not blazing-fast, user experience. It’s ideal for users who heavily rely on their phones throughout the day and value longevity. Buy the Huawei nova 7i if you prefer quicker app loading times, smoother multitasking, and significantly faster charging speeds, making it a better fit for power users and gamers.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 810 in the Huawei nova 7i experience significant thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 810 is a capable chipset, its thermal performance can be a concern under sustained load. The 7nm process helps, but without a robust cooling system, throttling is possible during extended gaming. User reports suggest moderate throttling, but not to the point of rendering games unplayable.
❓ How does the 40W charging on the Huawei nova 7i compare to the 20W charging on the Oppo Reno2 in real-world usage?
The 40W charging on the nova 7i is substantially faster. It can add approximately 70% charge in 30 minutes, while the Reno2’s 20W charging will take considerably longer to reach the same level. This makes the nova 7i ideal for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specifications on both phones a major drawback for photography enthusiasts?
Yes, the absence of sensor size, aperture, and OIS information makes it difficult to assess the camera capabilities accurately. While both phones likely offer versatile camera setups, photography enthusiasts may prefer devices with more transparent specifications.