vivo X50 5G vs Huawei nova 7 5G: Which 5G Mid-Ranger Reigns Supreme?

The vivo X50 5G and Huawei nova 7 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly crowded 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.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a well-rounded experience, the Huawei nova 7 5G emerges as the stronger contender. Its Kirin 985 chipset offers a slight edge in CPU performance, coupled with significantly faster 40W charging, making it ideal for power users and those on the go.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo X50 5G Huawei nova 7 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2020, June 01. Released 2020, June 062020, April 23. Released 2020, April 28
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame-
Dimensions159.5 x 75.4 x 7.6 mm (6.28 x 2.97 x 0.30 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
Weight174.5 g (6.17 oz)180 g (6.35 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2376 pixels (~398 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size6.56 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~86.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+OLED
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, Funtouch 10.5Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, Panorama, HDR
Quad48 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.5, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 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@30fps, gyro-EIS4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, 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, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging33W wired40W wired, 75% in 30 min 5W reverse wired
Type4200 mAhLi-Po 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGlaze Black, Frost Blue, PinkBlack, Space Silver, Midsummer Purple, Red, Green
ModelsV2001A, 2005JEF-TN00, JEF-AN00, JEF-NX9, JEF-AN20
PriceAbout 440 EURAbout 390 EUR

vivo X50 5G

  • Guaranteed Google Mobile Services access
  • Qualcomm’s optimized 5G modem
  • Potentially more efficient processor

  • Slower 33W charging
  • Slightly less powerful CPU
  • Software updates may be less frequent

Huawei nova 7 5G

  • Faster 40W charging with 75% in 30 minutes
  • Potentially more powerful Kirin 985 chipset
  • 5W reverse wired charging

  • Potential GMS restrictions and reliance on AppGallery
  • Software update uncertainty
  • May run warmer under sustained load

Display Comparison

Neither vivo nor Huawei provided display specs beyond the devices themselves. However, both likely utilize AMOLED panels given the market segment. The key difference lies in processing power needed to drive the display, which is tied to the chipset. While both are 7nm, the Kirin 985’s CPU architecture may offer a slight advantage in display rendering. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of mid-range devices. Color accuracy will likely be good on both, but independent testing is needed to confirm.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs are missing, but both phones are marketed with a focus on photography. The image processing philosophies will likely differ – vivo typically aims for vibrant, social media-ready images, while Huawei often leans towards more natural color reproduction. The Kirin 985’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is likely more advanced, potentially offering better noise reduction and dynamic range. Without sensor size information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Kirin 985’s processing capabilities give the nova 7 5G a potential advantage. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the main sensor of either device would be a significant benefit, but is unconfirmed.

Performance

The core battleground is the chipset. The Huawei nova 7 5G’s Kirin 985, with its 2.58 GHz Cortex-A76 core, boasts a higher clock speed than the vivo X50 5G’s Snapdragon 765G’s 2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime. The Kirin 985 also features a tri-core A76 setup, potentially offering better multi-core performance. While the Snapdragon 765G benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized software and modem integration, the Kirin 985’s raw CPU power gives it an edge in benchmarks. Both utilize 7nm fabrication, but the architectural differences favor Huawei. The Snapdragon 765G’s Adreno 620 GPU is a capable performer, but the Kirin 985’s Mali-G77 MP6 GPU is likely to deliver slightly better graphics performance. RAM speed is not specified, but both likely use LPDDR4X, limiting the performance gap.

Battery Life

The Huawei nova 7 5G’s 40W wired charging is a clear advantage over the vivo X50 5G’s 33W charging. Huawei claims 75% charge in 30 minutes, a substantial time saving. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery. The nova 7 5G also offers 5W reverse wired charging, a convenient feature for topping up accessories. The Snapdragon 765G is generally more power-efficient, potentially offsetting the charging difference slightly, but the nova 7 5G’s faster charging is a more impactful real-world benefit.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo X50 5G if you prioritize a more established software ecosystem with guaranteed Google Mobile Services and a focus on camera versatility. Buy the Huawei nova 7 5G if you prefer a potentially more powerful processor for demanding tasks, faster charging speeds, and don't mind the limitations of Huawei's AppGallery and potential GMS restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 985 chipset in the Huawei nova 7 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 985 is a capable chipset, it's known to run slightly warmer than the Snapdragon 765G under sustained load. Huawei employs thermal management solutions, but extended gaming at maximum settings may result in some throttling. The vivo X50 5G’s Snapdragon 765G is generally more thermally efficient.
❓ How significant is the impact of lacking Google Mobile Services on the Huawei nova 7 5G?
The absence of GMS is a major consideration. Users rely on the AppGallery and third-party app stores for apps, which may not always have the latest versions or full functionality. Workarounds exist, but they add complexity. If access to Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, and Maps is essential, the vivo X50 5G is the better choice.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed between 33W and 40W noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the 7W difference is quite noticeable. The Huawei nova 7 5G’s 40W charging can add a significant amount of battery life in a short period, making it ideal for users who frequently need to top up their phone quickly. The vivo X50 5G’s 33W charging is still respectable, but slower.