The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the Huawei Nova 10 SE and the Honor X9a. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor X9a takes the edge thanks to its 5G connectivity and slightly more powerful chipset. However, the Nova 10 SE boasts significantly faster charging and a potentially better camera experience. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - BNE-LX1 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - BNE-LX1 | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - BNE-LX3 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 05 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 25 | Available. Released 2023, January 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 162.4 x 75.5 x 7.4 mm (6.39 x 2.97 x 0.29 in) | 161.6 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 184 g (6.49 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| | Always-On Display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680G 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | EMUI 12, no Google Play Services | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MagicOS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (BNE-LX1 only) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| 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, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (ultrasound) | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired
5W reverse wired | 40W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Silver, Mint Green, Starry Black | Titanium Silver, Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | BNE-LX1, BNE-LX3, BNE-AL00 | RMO-NX1 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | $ 212.08 |
Huawei nova 10 SE
- Blazing-fast 66W charging
- Potentially better camera quality
- Sleek and stylish design
- Good value for money
- No 5G connectivity
- Slightly less powerful chipset
- Huawei ecosystem limitations (Google services)
Honor X9a
- 5G connectivity
- Slightly more powerful chipset (Snapdragon 695)
- Higher refresh rate display (often)
- Competitive price
- Slower charging speed (40W)
- Camera performance not as consistent
- Design may be less premium
Display Comparison
Both phones feature vibrant displays, but the Honor X9a often has a slightly higher refresh rate (typically 90Hz or 120Hz) offering smoother scrolling. The Nova 10 SE's display is generally well-regarded for its color accuracy. Screen sizes are comparable, around 6.5-6.7 inches, with similar resolutions (FHD+).
Camera Comparison
The Nova 10 SE is often praised for its camera capabilities, particularly its selfie camera. While both phones offer multiple lenses (main, ultrawide, macro), the Nova 10 SE's image processing tends to produce more pleasing results in certain lighting conditions. The X9a's camera is still competent, but not as consistently impressive.
Performance
The Honor X9a's Snapdragon 695 5G offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Nova 10 SE's Snapdragon 680G. While both are capable of handling everyday tasks, the X9a will perform better in gaming and multitasking scenarios. The 5G modem on the X9a is also a significant differentiator.
Battery Life
The Nova 10 SE's 66W charging is a standout feature, allowing for incredibly fast charging times. The Honor X9a's 40W charging is still respectable, but significantly slower. Battery capacities are similar, around 4000-5000 mAh, so real-world battery life should be comparable, assuming similar usage patterns.
Buying Guide
The Huawei Nova 10 SE is ideal for users prioritizing fast charging, a sleek design, and a potentially superior camera. The Honor X9a is a better fit for those needing 5G connectivity and a slightly more powerful processor for gaming and demanding tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Huawei Nova 10 SE support 5G?
No, the Huawei Nova 10 SE is a 4G-only device.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Honor X9a is generally better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 695 chipset.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge each phone?
The Huawei Nova 10 SE charges significantly faster, typically taking around 30-40 minutes with its 66W charger. The Honor X9a takes around 60-75 minutes with its 40W charger.
❓ Are Google services available on the Huawei Nova 10 SE?
Due to US sanctions, Google services are not natively available on Huawei devices. Users may need to explore workarounds like using the Huawei AppGallery or sideloading apps.
