High midrange smartphones blur the line between actual midrange devices and high-end ones. These type of handsets boasts top-caliber specs, without the flagship-level price tags.
One of the device to have these characteristics is the Huawei Nova 5T. Launched in the country only a few days ago, this one uses the same processor that’s found on Huawei’s flagship line-up, like the popular P30 Pro.
The best part is, this thing only retails for under Php20k – which really begs the question if you still really need to spend twice as much for a great smartphone.
But if you don’t mind spending above the Php20k mark, then you also might want to check out the OnePlus 7. Just like the former, this thing also has top-caliber specs that we never thought we’d see at this price tag.
With that, our Huawei Nova 5T vs OnePlus 7 specs comparison shall help you decide which between the two is right for you. Let’s start!
| Huawei Nova 5T | OnePlus 7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 9 Pie EMUI 9.1 | Android 9 Pie OxygenOS |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM |
| Display | 6.26-inch FHD+ IPS 2340 x 1080 pixel resolution ~412ppi NTSC 96% | 6.41-inch FHD+ Optic AMOLED 2340 x 1080 pixel resolution 402ppi Corning Gorilla Glass DCI-P3 HDR |
| Processor | 2.6GHz Kirin 980 octa-core | 2.8GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 octa-core |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MP10 GPU Turbo 3.0 | Adreno 640 GPU |
| Storage | 128GB UFS 2.1 non-expandable | 256GB UFS 3.0 non-expandable |
| Front camera | 32-megapixel Punch-hole f/2.0 | 16-megapixel Waterdrop notch f/2.0 |
| Rear Camera | 48-megapixel (Sony IMX 586, f/1.8) 16-megapixel (ultra wide) 2-megapixel (macro) 2-megapixel (depth sensor) PDAF LED flash | 48-megapixel (Sony IMX586, f/1.7, OIS) 5-megapixel (depth sensor) PDAF LED flash |
| Audio | Single loudspeaker No headphone jack | Stereo speakers No headphone jack Dolby Atmos |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint scanner Face unlock | In-display fingerprint scanner Face unlock |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, VoLTE WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band Bluetooth 5.0 Dual-band GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS, QZSS NFC USB Type-C | 4G LTE Cat.18 WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, 2×2 MIMO Bluetooth 5.0 Dual-band GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, SBAS, A-GPS NFC USB Type-C |
| Dimensions | 154.25 x 73.97 x 7.87mm | 157.7 × 74.8 × 8.2mm |
| Weight | 174g | 182g |
| Colors | Midsummer Purple Crush Blue Black | Mirror Gray Red |
| Battery | 3,750mAh 22.5W Huawei SuperCharge | 3,700mAh 20W fast charging |
| Price | Php18,990 | Php26,990 |
The OnePlus 7 sure has some higher-end features than the Nova 5T, which makes it a better option if you really want that full flagship treatment.
For starters, there’s the 6.41-inch Optic AMOLED display. This one has HDR support and offers more vibrant colors than the IPS panel on the latter.
OnePlus’ offering also has a stereo speaker setup, which comes standard in most high-end smartphones today. Meanwhile, you have to settle with the mediocre, bottom-firing, mono loudspeaker on the Huawei Nova 5T.
Also, the Adreno 640 GPU on the OnePlus 7 provides better performance in gaming than the Mali-G76 MP10 graphics on the former.
However, in terms of overall performance — productivity, photography, and more — the Kirin 980 is on par with the Snapdragon 855. In fact, this is one of the highlights of this device. Huawei was able to cram a flagship chipset on a smartphone that’s under Php20k.
Both devices also come with 8GB of RAM, although the OnePlus 7 has a bigger and faster 256GB of UFS 3.0 storage, while Huawei’s offering only has 128GB UFS 2.1.
While the OnePlus 7 has some key flagship-level features, the Huawei Nova 5T does have some extra feature that outshines the more expensive option.
For starters, there are the cameras. With the OnePlus 7, you’re getting a 48-megapixel Sony IMX 586 primary camera and a 5-megapixel depth sensor.
The Nova 5T features the same camera (minus the OIS). But, the best part is the addition of a 16-megapixel ultra-wide shooter and a dedicated macro camera.
You’d also be getting a more pixel-packed 32-megapixel selfie camera on the Huawei Nova 5T, while the OnePlus 7 has 16-megapixel.
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It may not have an AMOLED screen, but its punch-hole cutout is a more clever and cleaner solution to keep the screen-to-body ratio to a minimum than the waterdrop notch on the OnePlus 7.
Lastly, there’s the battery. The Huawei Nova 5T has a marginally bigger 3,750mAh battery (versus 3,700mAh) and a faster 22.5W (versus 20W) charging support.
To sum it up, if reliable and flagship-level performance is only what you’re after, then there’s no reason to spend Php8,000 more for the OnePlus 7. For a way cheaper price, the Huawei Nova 5T already offers an identical performance, and even has better camera features and battery.
But if extra features like an AMOLED screen, in-display fingerprint scanner, and stereo speakers really appeals you — and you have the money for it— then we can’t stop you on getting the OnePlus 7.