Huawei Nova 10 vs Nova 10 SE: A Detailed Comparison

The Huawei Nova series consistently delivers stylish phones with impressive features. The Nova 10 and Nova 10 SE are the latest additions, but cater to slightly different needs. This comparison will break down the key differences to help you decide which one is the perfect fit.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nova 10 boasts a significantly faster Snapdragon 778G chipset, resulting in smoother performance and better gaming. However, the Nova 10 SE offers excellent value with its efficient Snapdragon 680G and similar charging capabilities. The Nova 10 is the performance champion, while the SE is the budget-friendly choice.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 10 Huawei nova 10 SE
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - BNE-LX1
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - BNE-LX1
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - BNE-LX3
Launch
Announced2022, July 042022, October 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 10Available. Released 2022, October 25
Body
Dimensions162.2 x 73.9 x 6.9 mm (6.39 x 2.91 x 0.27 in)162.4 x 75.5 x 7.4 mm (6.39 x 2.97 x 0.29 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight168 g (5.93 oz)184 g (6.49 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz
 -Always-On Display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 680G 4G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LAdreno 610
OSHarmonyOS 2.0 (China), EMUI 12 (Europe), no Google Play ServicesEMUI 12, no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR
Single60 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide)16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens108 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)
Video4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single60 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide)16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (BNE-LX1 only)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
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/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (ultrasound)
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging66W wired 5W reverse wired66W wired 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, Green, VioletStarry Silver, Mint Green, Starry Black
ModelsNCO-AL00, NCO-LX1, NCO-LX3BNE-LX1, BNE-LX3, BNE-AL00
PriceAbout 500 EURAbout 170 EUR

Huawei nova 10

  • Superior Performance (Snapdragon 778G)
  • Potentially better display calibration
  • Stylish Design
  • Fast 66W Charging

  • Higher Price
  • May not offer significant camera advantage over SE

Huawei nova 10 SE

  • Excellent Value for Money
  • High-Resolution Main Camera (108MP)
  • Fast 66W Charging
  • Efficient Snapdragon 680G

  • Lower Performance than Nova 10
  • May struggle with demanding games
  • Potentially less refined display

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.67-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. While both are excellent, the Nova 10 might have slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to its higher-tier chipset allowing for better display calibration. Resolution is likely to be FHD+ on both.

Camera Comparison

The Nova 10 typically features a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens. The Nova 10 SE often has a 108MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens. While megapixels aren't everything, the Nova 10 SE's higher resolution main sensor *could* offer more detail in well-lit conditions. Both phones likely offer similar selfie camera capabilities (around 32MP). Image processing and software optimization will be key differentiators.

Performance

This is where the Nova 10 shines. The Snapdragon 778G 4G is a considerably more powerful chipset than the Snapdragon 680G 4G. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better performance in demanding games on the Nova 10. The Nova 10 SE is still capable for everyday tasks, but will struggle with more intensive applications.

Battery Life

Both phones have a similar battery capacity (around 4000mAh) and support 66W wired charging, promising quick top-ups. Battery life should be comparable in real-world usage, though the Nova 10 SE's more efficient chipset *might* offer slightly better longevity under light usage.

Buying Guide

The Huawei Nova 10 is ideal for users who prioritize performance, enjoy mobile gaming, and want a smoother overall experience. The Nova 10 SE is a great option for budget-conscious buyers who still want a stylish phone with a good camera and fast charging, and don't need top-tier processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Huawei Nova 10 waterproof?
Neither the Nova 10 nor the Nova 10 SE are officially rated for water resistance. While they may offer some splash resistance, they should not be submerged in water.
❓ What software do these phones run?
Both phones run EMUI, Huawei's custom Android skin. However, due to US trade restrictions, they do not have access to Google Mobile Services (GMS). They rely on Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and AppGallery for apps.