Specs Comparison: Huawei Nova 2 Lite vs Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus

We recently provided you a specs comparison of the Nova 2 Lite versus the OPPO A83 and the ASUS ZenFone Max M1. This time, we’re going to put it against another crowd favorite, the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus. Check out our specs comparison below.

Huawei Nova 2 Lite	Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus
5.99-inch HD+ (1440 x 720) IPS 18:9 display, 269ppi	5.99-inch FHD+ (2160 x 1080) IPS 18:9 display, 403ppi
2.5D curved glass	2.5D Gorilla Glass
Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 1.4GHz octa-core processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 2.0GHz octa-core processor
Adreno 505 GPU	Adreno 506 GPU
3GB RAM	3GB/4GB RAM
32GB storage	32GB/64GB storage
microSD up to 256GB (dedicated slot)	microSD up to 128GB (uses SIM 2 slot)
13MP + 2MP rear cameras w/ LED flash	12MP rear camera w/ LED flash
8MP f/2.0 aperture, 77-degree field of view front camera w/ soft light LED flash	5MP front camera with soft-light LED
Dual-SIM	Dual-SIM (hybrid)
4G LTE	4G LTE
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n	WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.2	WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
microUSB	microUSB
GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS	GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS
Fingerprint sensor	Fingerprint sensor
	Ir Blaster
Face Unlock
Android 8.0 Oreo w/ EMUI 8	MIUI 9 (Android 7.1.2 Nougat)
3,000mAh battery	4,000mAh Battery
158.3 x 76.7 x 7.8 mm	158.5 x 75.5 x 8.1 mm
155 g	180 g
Blue, Black, Gold	Black, Gold, Light Blue, Rose Gold

Summary of advantages

Huawei Nova 2 Lite:
* Dedicated microSD card slot
* Dual-rear cameras w/ higher main camera resolution
* Higher front camera resolution
* Face Unlock
* Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box
* Slimmer and lighter

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus:
* Higher display pixel density
* Gorilla Glass
* Better processor and GPU
* Bigger RAM option
* Bigger storage option
* IR Blaster
* Bigger battery

Although of different caliber, both phones edge each other out depending on the feature. The Redmi 5 Plus, obviously, has a more powerful processor and bigger RAM option, putting it in the mid-range category. The Nova 2 Lite, on the other hand, is on the entry-level side.

Both devices sport the same screen size but the Redmi 5 Plus has a higher resolution with Gorilla Glass. It also has a higher storage option, but the Nova 2 Lite counters with a dedicated slot versus the Redmi’s hybrid setup.

When it comes to the camera, the Nova 2 Lite has the advantage in terms of resolution. In addition, it has a secondary camera for bokeh effects. It also has a higher front camera resolution for those who are into selfies.

When it comes to other features, the Nova 2 Lite has Face Unlock. The Redmi 5 Plus, on the other hand, has an IR blaster which is a handy tool to have if you have plenty of IR-supported appliances at home.

The Redmi 5 Plus is the clear winner when it comes to battery, but software-wise, the Nova 2 Lite takes the cake for having Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box. The Redmi could get Oreo, but it might take a while.

When it comes to availability, the Redmi 5 Plus is being offered in online stores but yet to be available in Xiaomi’s first authorized store in the Philippines. The Nova 2 Lite, is expected to launch this month.

Given the points mentioned, which smartphone are you going to pick? The Nova 2 Lite or the Redmi 5 Plus?

2 Comments

rrr says:

7 years ago

seriously it’s obvious that redmi 5 plus is in the upper hand Huawei don’t even stand a chance haha joke
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dukha says:

7 years ago

There’s this site that mentioned the Nova lite to be priced at P11,990. Xiaomi takes home the bacon. The only downside of the 5 Plus is the micro usb instead of the usb type c. Don’t matter the Nougat, I’m still using a Kitkat, Lollipop, and a Marshmallow phones and yet my world didn’t crack. Savings matter.
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