The Huawei nova 5 Pro and vivo Z5x represent interesting points in the mid-range smartphone landscape. The nova 5 Pro, leveraging Huawei’s Kirin 980, aimed for near-flagship performance, while the Z5x focused on delivering a solid experience with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 710 at a more accessible price point. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and fast charging, the Huawei nova 5 Pro is the clear winner. Its Kirin 980 chipset and 40W charging significantly outperform the Z5x’s Snapdragon 710 and 18W charging. However, the Z5x remains a viable option for budget-conscious users who don't demand top-tier processing power.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, May. Released 2019, June | 2019, June. Released 2019, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 162.4 x 77.3 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 157.4 x 74.8 x 7.3 mm (6.20 x 2.94 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 204.1 g (7.20 oz) | 171 g (6.03 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | OLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM710 Snapdragon 710 (10 nm) | Kirin 980 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Mali-G76 MP10 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9 | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 19 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", predictive PDAF, Laser AF |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm, AF
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 40W wired, 85% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Dark Gray, Blue | Black, Purple, Green, Orange |
| Models | V1911A, V1919A, 1919 | SEA-AL10, SEA-TL10 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 390 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -92.7dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 73h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1223:1 (nominal), 3.818 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 62dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 73dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 170766 (v8)
GeekBench: 808 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 21fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Z5x
- More affordable price point
- Functional and reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Decent battery life (assuming typical Snapdragon 710 efficiency)
- Significantly slower charging speed (18W)
- Less powerful chipset compared to the Kirin 980
- Limited camera capabilities (based on chipset and market segment)
Huawei nova 5 Pro
- Superior performance with the Kirin 980 chipset
- Ultra-fast 40W charging (85% in 30 minutes)
- Better display contrast and sunlight readability
- Longer battery endurance (73h)
- Higher price compared to the vivo Z5x
- Potential for software restrictions depending on region
Display Comparison
The Huawei nova 5 Pro boasts a contrast ratio of 1223:1 (nominal) and a significantly higher 3.818 contrast ratio in sunlight, suggesting superior visibility in bright outdoor conditions. While the Z5x’s display specifications are not provided, the nova 5 Pro’s higher contrast ratios indicate a more vibrant and readable screen, particularly for media consumption. The improved sunlight readability is a key advantage for outdoor users.
Camera Comparison
While both phones feature camera systems, detailed sensor information for the Z5x is unavailable. The nova 5 Pro’s camera capabilities are likely more advanced due to the processing power of the Kirin 980, enabling more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The absence of specific details on the Z5x’s camera makes a direct comparison difficult, but the nova 5 Pro’s chipset provides a clear advantage in computational photography and video recording.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Huawei nova 5 Pro’s Kirin 980, fabricated on a 7nm process, offers a substantial performance advantage over the vivo Z5x’s Snapdragon 710 (10nm). The Kirin 980’s octa-core configuration, with two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.6 GHz, delivers significantly faster processing speeds compared to the Snapdragon 710’s Kryo 360 Gold cores at 2.2 GHz. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a better gaming experience on the nova 5 Pro. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
The Huawei nova 5 Pro’s 40W wired charging is a game-changer, capable of reaching 85% charge in just 30 minutes. This is a significant advantage over the vivo Z5x’s 18W charging, which will take considerably longer to fully charge the battery. While the Z5x’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the nova 5 Pro’s faster charging mitigates any potential disadvantage in battery size, offering a more convenient charging experience. The nova 5 Pro also boasts an endurance rating of 73h, suggesting excellent battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Z5x if you need a reliable daily driver for basic tasks, social media, and light gaming, and are on a strict budget. It offers a functional experience without breaking the bank. Buy the Huawei nova 5 Pro if you prioritize smoother multitasking, more demanding games, and significantly faster charging speeds, and are willing to spend a bit more for a more premium experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Kirin 980 in the nova 5 Pro prone to overheating during extended gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 980 is a powerful chipset, Huawei implemented thermal management solutions to mitigate overheating. The 7nm process contributes to better thermal efficiency compared to the Snapdragon 710’s 10nm process, reducing the likelihood of significant throttling during prolonged gaming. However, sustained high loads will inevitably generate heat.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 710 in the Z5x handle graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 710 can run PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to compromise on graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. Expect to play at medium settings for a smoother experience. The Kirin 980 in the nova 5 Pro offers a significantly better gaming experience, allowing for higher graphics settings and more consistent performance.
❓ Does the Huawei nova 5 Pro support Huawei's SuperCharge protocol, and what charger is required to achieve the 40W charging speed?
Yes, the Huawei nova 5 Pro supports Huawei's SuperCharge protocol. To achieve the advertised 40W charging speed, you *must* use a compatible Huawei SuperCharge charger and cable. Using a standard charger will result in significantly slower charging times.
