Realme X50 5G vs Huawei nova 7 5G: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range 5G Contenders

The Realme X50 5G and Huawei nova 7 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver 5G connectivity and solid performance 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 help you determine which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a more open software experience, the Realme X50 5G (China) emerges as the better choice. While the Huawei nova 7 5G boasts faster 40W charging, the Snapdragon 765G’s CPU architecture and potential for broader software compatibility give it a slight edge in overall usability.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme X50 5G (China) Huawei nova 7 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G (1.9 Gbps DL)HSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2020, January 07. Released 2020, January2020, April 23. Released 2020, April 28
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame-
Dimensions163.8 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)160.6 x 74.3 x 8 mm (6.32 x 2.93 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight202 g (7.13 oz)180 g (6.35 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5-
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size6.57 inches, 104.2 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~86.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzOLED
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)Kirin 985 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 620Mali-G77 (8-core)
OSAndroid 10, ColorOS 7Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, Panorama, HDR
Quad64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 12 MP, f/3.0, 54mm (telephoto), 2x optical zoom, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 13mm (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)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)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm 8 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired, 70% in 30 min40W wired, 75% in 30 min 5W reverse wired
Type4200 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGlacier, PolarBlack, Space Silver, Midsummer Purple, Red, Green
ModelsRMX2051, RMX2025JEF-TN00, JEF-AN00, JEF-NX9, JEF-AN20
PriceAbout 680 EURAbout 390 EUR

Realme X50 5G (China)

  • Potentially better gaming performance due to Adreno GPU.
  • More open Android ecosystem and software support.
  • Qualcomm’s optimized software and drivers.

  • Slower charging speed (30W vs 40W).
  • Lacks reverse wireless charging.

Huawei nova 7 5G

  • Faster 40W wired charging.
  • 5W reverse wired charging.
  • Potentially stronger multi-threaded performance.

  • Potential software limitations due to Huawei’s situation.
  • Image processing may be overly aggressive for some users.

Display Comparison

Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the market positioning, both likely feature LCD panels with 120Hz refresh rates. The Realme X50 5G, being a slightly older model, may have slightly larger bezels. Color accuracy will likely be tuned for vibrant visuals on both, typical of Chinese smartphone manufacturers. Without specific data, it's reasonable to assume similar viewing experiences.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs are absent, but we can infer some differences. Huawei is known for its image processing prowess, and the nova 7 5G likely emphasizes computational photography. The Kirin 985’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is likely more advanced than the one found in the Snapdragon 765G. However, the Realme X50 5G may offer a more natural image profile. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively say which phone captures better images, but Huawei’s history suggests a stronger emphasis on software-driven image enhancement.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme X50 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with a 2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime core, a 2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold core, and six 1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver cores. The Huawei nova 7 5G is powered by the Kirin 985 5G (7nm), employing an octa-core configuration with a 2.58 GHz Cortex-A76 core, three 2.40 GHz Cortex-A76 cores, and four 1.84 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. While both are 7nm chips, the Kirin 985’s reliance on multiple Cortex-A76 cores suggests a focus on multi-threaded performance, potentially benefiting tasks like video editing. However, the Snapdragon 765G’s Kryo cores are optimized for Qualcomm’s Adreno GPU, potentially offering a smoother gaming experience. The Snapdragon also benefits from Qualcomm’s extensive software optimizations.

Battery Life

The Huawei nova 7 5G has a clear advantage in charging speed with its 40W wired charging, capable of reaching 75% charge in 30 minutes. The Realme X50 5G supports 30W charging, achieving 70% in the same timeframe. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the nova 7 5G is a significant benefit for users who frequently need to top up their devices. The nova 7 5G also includes 5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Realme X50 5G, allowing it to charge other devices wirelessly.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme X50 5G (China) if you need a phone with a focus on gaming and sustained performance, and prefer a more open Android ecosystem. Buy the Huawei nova 7 5G if you prioritize faster charging speeds and appreciate Huawei’s distinct user interface and camera processing style, understanding potential limitations with Google Mobile Services.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 985 in the Huawei nova 7 5G suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 985 is a capable chip, Huawei’s thermal management has historically been less aggressive than Qualcomm’s. This means the nova 7 5G may experience more noticeable performance throttling during prolonged gaming compared to the Realme X50 5G, which benefits from Qualcomm’s thermal optimization.
❓ How does the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) on the Huawei nova 7 5G impact the user experience?
The Huawei nova 7 5G does not come with Google Mobile Services pre-installed. This means users will need to rely on Huawei’s AppGallery and alternative methods for accessing popular apps like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps. While Huawei has been actively expanding AppGallery, the app selection is still limited compared to the Google Play Store.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the Realme X50 5G sufficient for daily use, or is the 40W on the nova 7 5G a necessity?
30W charging on the Realme X50 5G is still reasonably fast and should be sufficient for most users. However, if you frequently find yourself needing to quickly top up your phone, the 40W charging on the Huawei nova 7 5G offers a noticeable time saving.