Due to insistent reader demand, we’ll be putting Huawei’s newest mid-range smartphone, the Nova 3i against the ASUS ZenFone 5 (2018). Place your bets because we’re about to begin this specs comparison!
The Huawei Nova 3i is currently one of the most hyped smartphones in the country as it sports a 6.3-inch 19.5:9 display with 2340 x 1080 resolution, Kirin 710 processor, 4GB RAM, 128GB internal storage, 16MP + 2MP dual rear cameras, 24MP + 2MP dual front, and 3,340mAh battery.
The ASUS ZenFone 5 (2018) is the company’s latest mid-range device to sport a Snapdragon 636 processor. It also comes with a 6.2-inch 19:9 display with 2246 x 1080 resolution, 4GB RAM, 64GB internal storage, 12MP + 8MP dual rear cameras, 8MP front camera, and 3,300mAh battery with BoostMaster and Smart Charging technology.
Here are their detailed specs:
| Specifications | Huawei Nova 3i | ASUS ZenFone 5 (2018) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.3-inch 19.5:9 IPS LCD FullView display 2.0 @ 2340 x 1080 pixels, 409ppi | 6.2-inch FHD+ (2246 x 1080) IPS 19:9 display, 402ppi |
| CPU | HiSilicon Kirin 710 2.2GHz octa-core | Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 1.8GHz octa-core processor |
| GPU | Mali-G51 w/ GPU Turbo Tech | Adreno 509 |
| RAM | 4GB RAM | 4GB RAM |
| Storage | 128GB internal storage, Expandable via microSD (hybrid) | 64GB internal storage, Expandable microSD up to 2TB (uses SIM 2 slot) |
| Rear camera | 16MP + 2MP AI dual rear cameras w/ Super slow mo 480fps | 12MP + 8MP (120-degrees) dual rear camera w/ LED flash |
| Front camera | 24MP + 2MP AI dual front cameras | 8MP f/2.0 front camera |
| SIM | Dual-SIM (nano, hybrid) | Dual-SIM (nano, hybrid) |
| Network | Dual 4G, Dual-VoLTE | 4G LTE |
| WiFi | WiFi 802.11 b/g/n | WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.2, BLE, HWA, aptX, and aptX HD | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS |
| USB interface | Micro USB 2.0 | USB Type-C |
| Audio | 3.5mm audio port | - Dual speakers with Smart Amp Audio Wizard - 3.5mm audio port |
| Scanners | Fingerprint scanner, Face Unlock | Fingerprint scanner, Face Unlock |
| OS | EMUI 8.2 (Android 8.1 Oreo) | Zen UI 5.0 (Android 8.0 Oreo) |
| Battery | 3,340mAh Li-Po battery | 3,300mAh battery with BoostMaster & Smart Charging |
Here are their benchmark scores:
| Specifications | Huawei Nova 3i | ASUS ZenFone 5 (2018) |
|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu | 138,548 | 136,645 (w/ AI Boost), 124,293 (w/o AI Boost) |
| PC Mark | 5,624(Work 1.0) 4,338 (Work 2.0) | 5,749 (Work 2.0) 6,389 (Work 1.0) |
| Geekbench | 1,590 (Single-core) 5,594 (Multi-core) | 1,326 (Single-Core), 4,893 (Multi-Core) |
| 3D Mark | 943 (Sling Shot Extreme - OpenGL ES 3.1) 1,125 (SSE - Vulkan) | 949 (SSE – OpenGL ES 3.1) 760 (SSE – Vulkan) |
| Androbench | 308.28 MB/s (Read) 227.33 MB/s (Write) | 281.08 MB/s (Read), 203.73 MB/s (Write) |
| PC Mark Battery Test | 8 hours and 46 minutes | 12 hours and 9 minutes |
Here are the advantages of each smartphone:
Huawei Nova 3i
Higher aspect ratio
Higher pixel density
Better Performing CPU
Better performing GPU
Larger internal storage
Higher main rear resolution
Higher front camera resolution
Android 8.1 Oreo out-of-the-box
ASUS ZenFone 5 (2018)
Dual Speakers w/ Smart Amp
Bluetooth 5.0
USB Type-C
Longer lasting battery life
Faster charging speed
Both smartphones have excellent display specs, however, the Nova 3i came out on top with only a slight lead. Having a better screen size, aspect ratio, resolution, and pixel density means that viewing experience will be a bit more enjoyable.
Performance is the most demanded comparison by our readers so let’s jump right to it. The ZenFone 5 has an AI boost which increases the overall performance and management of resources. Based on the AnTuTu benchmarking app, however, the Nova 3i’s score still beats it even with the boost enabled. This simply means that in overall performance, the latter wins. If users prefer faster performance and better gaming experience, they should already know which to choose.
While it is true that a higher camera resolution is an advantage, it always doesn’t mean that it has better overall shooting performance. The ZenFone 5 proves that statement as it is listed as the top 11 best performing smartphone shooter in DxOMark (see article here). The Nova 3i, on the other hand, also produces excellent images (check here) but we’ve yet to know its placement in the camera benchmarking platform.
Moving on, the ZenFone 5 lasted longer in PC Mark’s Battery Test by a significant time compared to the Nova 3i. Those who are looking for longer battery life should put their money on ASUS’ mid-range star.
For this comparison, the Nova 3i wins in most of the key specs (see advantages), however, the ZenFone 5 does not fall far behind as it has its own perks as well. The Huawei Nova 3i is priced at Php15,990 while the ASUS ZenFone 5 (2018) is priced at Php19,995. It will now come down to what users are looking for — camera, performance, or battery life.
What do you guys think? Let us know your thoughts on this comparison in the comments section below.
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RCB says:
Can you also do a comparison of Asus max pro M1 vs Nova 3i..
Plan to buy pero nagdadalawang isip ako sa dalawa.. Mahilig ako maglaro sa mobile phone ko. World of tanks addict kasi.. Hehehe
Jan says:
You forgot to mention that Zenfone 5 has optical image stabilization and electronic image stabilization and uses Sony Sensors for the Cameras. You also forgot to mention that Zenfone 5 has DTS Headphone X audio,Type C USB Cable and NFC. You also forgot to mention that Nova 3i doesn’t have gorilla glass protection.
Kiro Ro says:
Dual 4G sim standby din ba angyung Nova 3i?
Ryan says:
Hi, yung Huawei nova 3i, meron na po ba GPU turbo out of the box?
Kiro Ro says:
Kung mag price drop ang Zenfone 5, baka yun na bilhin ko.
Kiro Ro says:
Thanks. Nice one Sir Vaughn. Heto talaga hinihintay ko na comparison. Hindi namention yung corning gorilla glass protection ng asus zenfone 5. Dual 4G standy ang both sims sa nova 3i?