Huawei-Nova-3-vs-Xiaomi-Mi-8-Specs-Comparison-NoypiGeeks

There a blurry line between midrange and flagship smartphones right now. Some midrange devices are starting to have really powerful hardware, which inevitably increases their price tag.

One example of that is the new Huawei Nova 3. This device packs flagship-caliber hardware that it has the potential of stealing the spotlight from the Mate 10 and P20 series  —  Huawei’s current high-end offerings.

But flagship-like features come at a price. Despite its midrange status, the Nova 3 has a retail price that’s identical to some flagship smartphones today.

huawei-nova-3-philippines

One notable competition is the Xiaomi Mi 8. As you all know, this is currently one of the best smartphones from Xiaomi.  Just like the Nova 3, it comes with top-end specs to lure in people from the premium smartphone market. The only difference is, the Mi 8 is actually considered as a flagship device.

But do these classifications really matter? Is the Mi 8 actually better than the Nova 3? Or will this premium midrange smartphone put this flagship device to shame? Let’s all figure that out in our Huawei Nova 3 versus Xiaomi Mi 8 specifications and features comparison.

Xiaomi-Mi-8-NoypiGeeks

Huawei Nova 3Xiaomi Mi 8
Operating SystemAndroid 8.1 Oreo
EMUI 8.2
Android 8.0 Oreo
MIUI 10
SIMDual SIM
Dual Standby
Hybrid
Dual SIM
Dual Standby
Display6.3-inch Full HD+ IPS
2340 × 1080 pixel resolution
~409ppi
19:9 aspect ratio
6.21-inch Full HD+ AMOLED
2280 × 1080 pixel resolution
~401ppi
19:9 aspect ratio
DCI-P3 color gamut
Processor2.4GHz HiSilicon Kirin 970 octa-core2.8GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 octa-core
RAM6GB6GB
GPUMali-G72 MP12Adreno 630
Storage128GB
expandable via microSD up to 256GB
64GB/128GB
non-expandable
Front camera24-megapixel +
2-megapixel
f/2.0
20-megapixel
f/2.0
Rear Camera24-megapixel (monochrome) + 16-megapixel (RGB)
f/1.8
PDAF
AI scene detection
LED flash
12-megapixel (f/1.8) +
12-megapixel (f/2.4)
Dual Pixel
PDAF
OIS
2x optical zoom
AI scene detection
LED flash
SecurityFingerprint scanner
Infrared Face Unlock
Fingerprint scanner
Infrared Face Unlock
Others3D Qmoji86.68% screen-to-body ratio
Always On display
AudioSingle loudspeaker
Headphone jack
Single loudspeaker
No headphone jack
ConnectivityHSPA+, 4G LTE
WiFi 802.11 ac, hotspot
Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP
GPS, A-GPS, BDS, GLONASS
USB Type-C
HSPA+, 4G LTE
WiFi 802.11 ac, hotspot
Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP
Dual-frequency GPS, QZSS, GALILEO, GLONASS
NFC
FM Radio
USB Type-C
Dimensions157 x 73.7 x 7.3mm154.9 x 74.8 x 7.6mm
Weight166g175g
ColorPurple
Blue
Black
Gold
Gold
Black
White
Blue
Battery3,750mAh
non-removable
Fast charging
3,400mAh
non-removable
Quick Charge 4.0+
PricePhp25,9906GB/64GB: Php25,990
6GB/128GB: Php27,990

The Huawei Nova 3 does have a decent set of specs and features as it is. However, the Xiaomi Mi 8’s absurdly competitive pricing was able to easily outshine it.

Both devices use some of the most powerful processors in the industry today. However, there’s more to a smartphone than just its performance, and that’s where the Mi 8 excels over the Nova 3.

huawei-nova-3

Xiaomi’s offering uses an AMOLED display with a large DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, which is obviously better than the IPS screen found on the Nova 3.

And since it uses an AMOLED panel, it offers better color vibrancy with deep contrasts. It also allows the Mi 8 to have an Always-on display feature, which isn’t really possible without too much battery drain on the Nova.

The 24-megapixel + 16-megapixel rear cameras on the Huawei Nova 3 might sound more appealing than the dual 12-megapixel sensors found on the competition. However, the Mi 8 has 2x optical zoom and optical image stabilization, which the former clearly lacks.

Xiaomi-Mi-8-Price-Philippines

Related: Vivo X21 vs Xiaomi Mi 8: Specs Comparison

This might sound unexciting, but the Xiaomi Mi 8 is the first device to have a dual-frequency GPS. It also has NFC and FM radio built-in — some of the omitted features on the Huawei Nova 3.

It’s a relatively close fight, though, as Huawei’s premium midrange smartphone managed to steal the win in some rounds of this specs battle. For one, it runs on a newer version of Android, has a higher storage configuration on the base model, better selfie camera and AI features, and a slightly bigger battery.

xiaomi-mi-8-philippines

But at the end of the day, Xiaomi Mi 8’s superior display, rear cameras, connectivity features, and flagship status ultimately makes it the winner in today’s comparison.

The Xiaomi Mi 8’s price starts at Php25,990 for the 6GB/64GB model, exactly the same price as the Huawei Nova 3 6GB/128GB. You can also get the Mi 8 on a 128GB configuration, but you have to pay extra as it costs Php27,990.

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