OnePlus Nord vs Huawei Nova 7 5G - Specs Comparison - Android

Just in the last few weeks, we’ve seen a couple of 5G-enabled devices entered the premium-midrange space. One of them is the brand new OnePlus Nord.

OnePlus rarely makes a midrange phone. In fact, the Nord is only their second non-flagship device, so you know it’s really special.

Besides having 5G, it has other almost-flagship specs — just like its competition, the Huawei Nova 7 5G.

Both devices are expected to retail for around Php23,000 in the Philippines, making them a great option for those who want a flagship-like performance, minus the wallet-wrenching price tag. But the question is, which between the two should you get? We’ll find out in our OnePlus Nord versus Huawei Nova 7 5G specifications and features comparison.

Design and Build Quality

Weather a smartphone looks appealing or not will depend on your personal preference. But between the OnePlus Nord and Huawei nova 7 5G, it’s safe to say that the latter has more flare.

It’s available in a clean Space Silver and Black, but there’s also the unique Midnight Purple with printed Nova logo on the back. It also has a reflective surface, although Huawei didn’t mention if it’s plastic or glass. Although, we suspect it’s 3D glass, just like the Nova 7 SE 5G.

On the other hand, OnePlus Nord is only available in two colors. However, they do contrast each other very well. There’s the Gray Onyx model if you want something more subtle, while a Blue Marble option is also available which has an eye-catching teal color that looks really interesting.

Screen grab | MKBHD

Personally, we prefer the OnePlus Nord thanks to its cleaner look. Plus, the company did mention that it’s sandwiched with sturdy Gorilla Glass 5 and has a solid aluminum frame. This should really provide a premium look and feel.

Display and Audio

The Huawei Nova 7 5G and OnePlus Nord have similar screen sizes at about 6.5-inches, and both use an AMOLED panel with TÜV Rheinland certification to save your eyes from blue light.

However, the OnePlus Nord takes home the win thanks to its 90Hz refresh rate, the same feature found on the flagship OnePlus 8. It also has sRGB coverage for better coverage. Clearly, OnePlus wants to offer a no-compromise performance, even on their budget release.

On the downside, both devices lacks a headphone jack and stereo speakers. We have to test both units to see how their single speakers perform, but on paper, the super linear speakers on the OnePlus Nord looks like it should sound better.

Processor and Software

This is where things will get a bit complicated. The Huawei Nova 7 comes with a Kirin 985 processor which, as per AnTuTu and other performance tests, performs better than the Snapdragon 765G chipset of the OnePlus Nord.

However, it’s no secret that most developers optimize their apps and games for Snapdragon processors. Qualcomm processors are also more power-efficient and the 90Hz screen on the OnePlus will make everything look smoother and faster.

But for raw performance, the Nova 7 clearly takes the lead. For 5G, well, both handsets have it so no worries there. They also come with NFC, the latest Bluetooth 5.1 standard, USB Type-C, and dual-band WiFi.

Still one of the main issues on Huawei smartphones is the lack of Google Mobile Services support. But the thing is, their hardware is just too hard to pass up to just dismiss their releases.

Besides, the company’s own Huawei Mobile Services and App Gallery are improving rapidly, and downloading apps from third-party app stores are much easier now, as you can see in the video above.

But if you don’t want to go through the hassle, the OnePlus Nord has support for GMS and Google Play Store out of the box to save you the hassle.

Battery

The OnePlus Nord has a 4,115mAh battery, which is slightly higher than the 4,000mAh capacity of the latter. But since it has a power-demanding 90Hz screen, we expect the battery life to be identical — if not worse for the OnePlus device.

With that, we might have to hand the win to the Huawei Nova 7 5G on this one. Most specially since it has a faster 40W fast charger. It promises 75% of charge in only half an hour. Meanwhile, OnePlus’s intelligent Warp Charge 30T comes in close at 70% for 30 minutes.

Related

• OnePlus Nord vs Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite: Specs Comparison
• Huawei Nova 7 SE 5G vs Nova 5T: What’s the difference?

Camera

The Huawei Nova 7 5G comes with a sharper 64-megapixel main camera. However, the optical image stabilization on the 48-megapixel sensor of the OnePlus Nord is really giving that high-end appeal. This allows you to take steady videos and better images at low-light.

Although, the Nova 7 5G gives you a lot of flexibility with its 8-megapixel telephoto lens and a dedicated 2-megapixel macro camera. It also has a Dual-View video feature that lets you record videos using the front and back cameras at the same time.

Speaking of the front camera, this is where the OnePlus Nord shines. While the two phones have the same 32-megapixel sensor for selfies, the Nord has a secondary 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera. It’s great for taking group photos, no selfie stick needed.

Unless you really think you’d be using the telephoto and macro lens of the Nova 7, then you might want to go with the OnePlus Nord instead. The OIS and front-facing ultra-wide will help you take better pictures — images that you’d be actually taking on a normal basis.

Conclusion

The Huawei Nova 7 5G is only available in an 8GB/256GB configuration for a price of Php25,990, but with a special intro price of Php23,990. On the other hand, the OnePlus Nord is rumored to arrive in the Philippines for Php22,000 for the 8GB/128GB model and Php26,000 for the 12GB/256GB variant. Bear in mind that both devices lack a microSD card so pick your storage properly.

So, which one is right for you? If raw performance is what you’re after, the Huawei Nova 7 5G offers a more powerful processor and faster-charging support. The flexible rear cameras are also a nice bonus.

However, the lack of GMS might be too cumbersome for most people. So if you want an Android phone that works like a normal one out of the box, then going with the OnePlus Nord might be a better idea. Besides, its processor is still one of the best in its category. Plus, it has a sturdier build, an ultra-wide selfie camera, and a smooth 90Hz display.

This article, OnePlus Nord vs Huawei Nova 7 5G: Specs Comparison, was originally published at NoypiGeeks | Philippines Technology News, Reviews and How to's.