The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO Neo6 SE and Huawei nova 8 SE are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but cater to slightly different user needs. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iQOO Neo6 SE takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 870 chipset and blazing-fast 80W charging. While the nova 8 SE boasts a sleek design and potentially better camera software, the Neo6 SE's raw performance and charging speed make it the more appealing choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 06 | 2020, November 06. Released 2020, November 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 11 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 163 x 76.2 x 8.5 mm (6.42 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 161.1 x 74.8 x 7.5 mm (6.34 x 2.94 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) | OLED, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - standard modelOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - premium model |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm) - standard modelMediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) - premium model |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G57 MC3 |
| OS | Android 12, OriginOS Ocean | Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 17mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm | - |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | 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 | 80W wired, 50% in 12 min, 100% in 32 min | 66W wired, 60% in 15 min, 100% in 35 min |
| Type | 4700 mAh | Li-Po 3800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Orange, Gradient | Black, Deep Blue, Blue, Silver |
| Models | V2199A | JSC-AN00 |
| Price | About 290 EUR | About 330 EUR |
vivo iQOO Neo6 SE
- Significantly faster performance (Snapdragon 870)
- Blazing-fast 80W charging
- Likely higher refresh rate display
- Good value for money
- Camera software might not be as refined as Huawei's
- Design might be less premium than the nova 8 SE
Huawei nova 8 SE
- Sleek and stylish design
- Potentially better camera software processing
- Good battery life
- Slower performance (Dimensity 720/800U)
- Slower charging speed
- Less competitive performance for gaming
Display Comparison
Both phones feature OLED displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The iQOO Neo6 SE likely has a slightly higher refresh rate (likely 120Hz vs. 60Hz on the nova 8 SE), resulting in smoother scrolling and animations. Screen size is likely similar, around 6.5-6.6 inches, with a Full HD+ resolution.
Camera Comparison
The Huawei nova 8 SE often excels in camera software processing, potentially delivering more pleasing images straight out of the camera. The iQOO Neo6 SE likely has a capable camera setup, but Huawei's image processing is often praised. Both phones likely feature a main sensor around 64MP, with ultrawide and macro lenses. Low-light performance will depend heavily on software optimization.
Performance
This is where the iQOO Neo6 SE truly shines. The Snapdragon 870 is a flagship-level chipset that significantly outperforms the Dimensity 720/800U found in the nova 8 SE. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a much better gaming experience on the iQOO Neo6 SE. The premium nova 8 SE with the Dimensity 800U offers a slight improvement over the standard model, but still falls short of the 870.
Battery Life
The iQOO Neo6 SE's 80W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast top-ups. The nova 8 SE's 66W charging is still respectable, but not as impressive. Both phones likely have a similar battery capacity (around 4500-5000mAh), so the iQOO Neo6 SE's faster charging will result in significantly less time spent plugged in.
Buying Guide
The vivo iQOO Neo6 SE is ideal for gamers, power users, and anyone prioritizing performance and fast charging. The Huawei nova 8 SE is a good fit for users who value aesthetics, a potentially more refined camera experience (depending on software), and are less concerned with raw processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The iQOO Neo6 SE is significantly better for gaming due to its Snapdragon 870 chipset, which offers much higher performance than the Dimensity 720/800U in the nova 8 SE.
❓ Does the Huawei nova 8 SE have Google Play Services?
Due to US sanctions, the Huawei nova 8 SE does not natively include Google Play Services. Users may need to explore alternative app stores or sideload apps.
