Huawei Nova 10 Pro vs Nova 9: The Ultimate Showdown

Huawei's Nova series consistently delivers stylish phones with impressive features. The Nova 10 Pro and Nova 9 are two strong contenders, but which one offers the best overall experience? This in-depth comparison will help you decide which phone is right for you.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nova 10 Pro boasts significantly faster 100W charging and a brighter display, while the Nova 9 edges out with slightly better battery endurance. Ultimately, the Nova 10 Pro is the winner for those prioritizing charging speed, but the Nova 9 remains a compelling choice for longer battery life.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 10 Pro Huawei nova 9
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA 800 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
Launch
Announced2022, July 042021, September 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 10Available. Released 2021, September 30
Body
Dimensions164.2 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm (6.46 x 2.93 x 0.31 in)160 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm (6.30 x 2.90 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight191 g (6.74 oz)175 g (6.17 oz)
Display
Resolution1200 x 2652 pixels (~429 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~392 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~91.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.57 inches, 106.0 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120HzOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LAdreno 642L
OSHarmonyOS 2.0HarmonyOS 2.0 (China), EMUI 12 (Europe), no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS
Main Camera
Dual8 MP, f/2.2, 52mm (portrait), AF 60 MP, f/2.4, 17mm, 100˚ (ultrawide), AF-
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single-32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide), AF Auxiliary lens-
Video4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual8 MP, f/2.2, 52mm (telephoto), AF, 2x optical zoom 60 MP, f/2.4, 17mm, 100˚ (ultrawide), AF-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@240fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging100W wired, 20-80% in 10 min Reverse wired66W wired, 60% in 18 min, 100% in 38 min Reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4300 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, Green, VioletStarry Blue, Black, Green, Violet
ModelsGLA-AL00, GLA-LX1NAM-AL00, NAM-LX9
PriceAbout 730 EURAbout 120 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 89h Endurance rating 96h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -27.7 LUFS (Good) -27.3 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 528847 (v9) GeekBench: 2794 (v5.1) GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 469798 (v9) GeekBench: 2973 (v5.1) GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei nova 10 Pro

  • Significantly faster 100W charging
  • Brighter display (784 nits)
  • Stylish design

  • Slightly lower battery endurance (89h)
  • Potentially higher price

Huawei nova 9

  • Slightly better battery endurance (96h)
  • Good value for money
  • Reverse wired charging

  • Slower 66W charging
  • Lower display brightness (608 nits)

Display Comparison

The Nova 10 Pro takes the lead in display brightness, measuring 784 nits compared to the Nova 9's 608 nits. Both phones feature an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (likely a marketing term indicating very high contrast), and offer vibrant colors. While both are excellent, the Nova 10 Pro's higher brightness makes it more usable outdoors.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is likely comparable given the similar hardware. Both phones offer versatile camera systems, but detailed image quality comparisons would require a more in-depth test. Expect good results in various lighting conditions, with Huawei's image processing algorithms likely playing a significant role.

Performance

Both devices share the same Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset and CPU configuration. Expect similar performance in everyday tasks, gaming, and multitasking. Neither phone is a powerhouse, but they are more than capable for typical smartphone usage.

Battery Life

The Nova 9 holds a slight advantage in battery endurance, boasting an 89h endurance rating compared to the Nova 10 Pro's 96h. However, the Nova 10 Pro's 100W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging times (20-80% in just 10 minutes). The Nova 9's 66W charging is still fast, but not as impressive.

Buying Guide

The Huawei Nova 10 Pro is ideal for users who value rapid charging and a vibrant display. It's a great choice for those who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. The Huawei Nova 9 is better suited for users who prioritize battery longevity and don't mind a slightly slower charging experience. It's a solid option for everyday use and extended periods away from a charger.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 778G 4G good for gaming?
The Snapdragon 778G 4G is a capable mid-range chipset that can handle most mobile games at medium to high settings. However, don't expect flagship-level performance.
❓ Does Huawei's software still have Google app limitations?
Yes, Huawei phones still lack direct access to Google services. They rely on Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and AppGallery. Users can sideload some apps, but compatibility isn't guaranteed.