The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor 50 SE and Huawei nova 9 SE 5G are two strong contenders. Both offer attractive designs and compelling features, but which one truly comes out on top? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor 50 SE boasts a slightly more powerful chipset and faster charging, offering a smoother experience for demanding tasks. However, the Huawei nova 9 SE 5G’s 5G connectivity and potentially better camera software make it a strong alternative, especially for those prioritizing future-proofing and image processing.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 16 | 2022, April 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 02 | Available. Released 2022, April 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.7 x 75.6 x 8 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.31 in) | 164.6 x 75.6 x 7.9 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~387 ppi density) | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~387 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) - unconfirmed |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MC4 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 4.2 | Android 11, EMUI 12, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide) |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 17mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Unspecified |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 75% in 20 min | 66W wired, 100% in 35 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Silver | Midnight Black, Pearl White, Crystal Blue |
| Models | JLH-AN00 | - |
| Price | About 310 EUR | About 370 EUR |
Honor 50 SE
- More powerful chipset
- Faster charging
- Stylish design
- Good value for money
- Camera software may not be as refined as Huawei's
- Potential software update concerns (due to geopolitical factors)
Huawei nova 9 SE 5G
- 5G connectivity
- Potentially better camera software
- Sleek design
- Huawei's brand recognition
- Slightly slower charging
- Snapdragon 695 5G is less powerful than Dimensity 900
- Potential software update concerns (due to geopolitical factors)
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature OLED displays with vibrant colors and deep blacks, typical of their price range. Screen sizes are expected to be around 6.5-6.7 inches. We'll need to confirm specific resolutions and refresh rates for a more accurate comparison.
Camera Comparison
While both phones likely feature a multi-lens camera system, Huawei's reputation for camera software processing gives the nova 9 SE 5G a potential edge. The Honor 50 SE's camera hardware is likely competitive, but Huawei's algorithms could produce more pleasing results. Detailed camera tests are needed for a definitive answer.
Performance
The Honor 50 SE's Dimensity 900 generally outperforms the Snapdragon 695 5G in raw processing power. Expect smoother multitasking and better gaming performance on the Honor. However, software optimization can play a significant role, so real-world performance may vary.
Battery Life
Both offer 66W fast charging, but the Honor 50 SE charges slightly faster (20 minutes to 75% vs 35 minutes to 100%). Battery capacities are likely similar, around 4000-4500 mAh, suggesting comparable battery life under normal usage.
Buying Guide
The Honor 50 SE is ideal for users who prioritize raw performance and fast charging speeds. The Huawei nova 9 SE 5G is a better choice for those who want 5G connectivity, potentially improved camera capabilities, and a sleek design, even if it means slightly slower charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better 5G support?
The Huawei nova 9 SE 5G explicitly supports 5G, while the Honor 50 SE may or may not have 5G capabilities depending on the specific model and region.
❓ Are software updates a concern for either phone?
Due to geopolitical factors, both Honor and Huawei may face challenges regarding timely software updates. It's advisable to research the current update situation before purchasing.
