Huawei's nova series consistently delivers stylish phones at competitive prices. The nova 10z and nova 10 SE are the latest contenders, but which one offers the best value? This comprehensive comparison will help you navigate their differences and choose the perfect device for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei nova 10 SE emerges as the stronger contender thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 680G chipset, faster 66W charging, and reverse charging capability. While the nova 10z has a slightly better charging speed, the SE's overall performance and features make it the more compelling choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - BNE-LX1 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - BNE-LX1 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 / 1900 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - BNE-LX3 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 06 | 2022, October 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 26 | Available. Released 2022, October 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 160.7 x 73.3 x 8.4 mm (6.33 x 2.89 x 0.33 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 |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 184 g (6.49 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz |
| | - | Always-On Display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680G 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 610 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0 | EMUI 12, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, Panorama, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro), PDAF | 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/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (BNE-LX1 only) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (ultrasound) |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired | 66W wired
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Green | Starry Silver, Mint Green, Starry Black |
| Models | CHA-AL80 | BNE-LX1, BNE-LX3, BNE-AL00 |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 170 EUR |
Huawei nova 10z
- Sleek design
- 40W fast charging
- Potentially good display
- Likely weaker performance
- Missing chipset details
- Slower charging than SE
Huawei nova 10 SE
- Snapdragon 680G chipset (strong performance)
- 66W fast charging
- 5W reverse charging
- Potentially better camera
- Design might be less premium
- 4G connectivity only
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature OLED displays with a 90Hz refresh rate, offering smooth visuals. However, the nova 10 SE might have a slightly larger screen size. Expect vibrant colors and good viewing angles on both, but resolution and brightness levels should be verified for a definitive comparison.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are not fully available for the nova 10z. However, the nova 10 SE is expected to have a versatile camera system, potentially including a 108MP main sensor. Image quality will depend on software processing, but the SE's hardware advantage suggests potentially better results, especially in low light.
Performance
The nova 10 SE's Qualcomm Snapdragon 680G 4G chipset is a clear winner here. It offers significantly better performance than the nova 10z's likely Dimensity processor (specs are missing, but generally less powerful). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the SE.
Battery Life
The nova 10 SE's 66W wired charging is faster than the nova 10z's 40W. The inclusion of 5W reverse wired charging on the SE is a valuable bonus for topping up accessories like earbuds. Battery capacity is likely similar on both, but the SE's faster charging gives it an edge.
Buying Guide
The Huawei nova 10z is ideal for users prioritizing a sleek design and decent charging speed, but who aren't heavily reliant on demanding apps or games. The Huawei nova 10 SE is perfect for those seeking a balance of performance, battery life, and fast charging, especially gamers or power users on a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Huawei nova 10 SE 5G compatible?
No, the Huawei nova 10 SE is a 4G-only device.
❓ What is reverse charging and why is it useful?
Reverse charging allows you to use your phone to charge other devices wirelessly or via a cable, useful for charging earbuds or other accessories on the go.
