The Huawei nova 5i and Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The nova 5i aimed for a balance of style and affordability, while the Mi 9T Pro aggressively targeted performance with a flagship-level chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value in 2024.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 855 chipset offers a substantial leap in processing power and gaming capabilities compared to the Huawei nova 5i’s Kirin 710F. While both phones boast similar battery endurance ratings, the Mi 9T Pro’s 27W fast charging is a significant advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, June. Released 2019, June | 2019, August 21. Released 2019, August 21 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 159.1 x 75.9 x 8.3 mm (6.26 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) | 156.7 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, HDR |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710F (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 24 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 53mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom
13 MP, f/2.4, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm | Motorized pop-up 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | FM radio | Yes |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 27W wired, QC4 |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gradient Blue, Red | Carbon black, Red flame, Glacier blue |
| Models | GLK-LX1, GLK-LX2, GLK-LX3, GLK-LX1U, GLK-AL00, GLK-TL00 | M1903F11G |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.03 W/kg (head) 0.72 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.30 W/kg (head) 1.51 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.9dB / Crosstalk -94.2dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 103h |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.9 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 368846 (v7), 437823 (v8)
GeekBench: 10684 (v4.4), 2732 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 36fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 5i
- More affordable price point
- Stylish design
- Decent battery endurance
- Significantly weaker processor
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited gaming performance
Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro
- Flagship-level Snapdragon 855 processor
- Fast 27W charging with QC4
- Superior gaming performance
- Higher price compared to nova 5i
- May be harder to find new
- Potentially larger physical size
Display Comparison
Both devices share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting both utilize IPS panels. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are missing. Given the Mi 9T Pro’s positioning, it likely benefits from a slightly more refined panel. The absence of high refresh rate technology on either device is typical for their release window, but limits their appeal to gamers.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications beyond the presence of sensors, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Mi 9T Pro, being a higher-tier device, likely features a more capable primary sensor and superior image processing algorithms. The nova 5i likely relies on software enhancements to compensate for its less powerful hardware. The prevalence of 2MP macro/depth sensors on both devices suggests limited utility; image quality from these sensors is often underwhelming.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm) is a flagship-class processor, featuring an octa-core configuration with a prime Kryo 485 core clocked at 2.84 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the Huawei nova 5i’s Kirin 710F (12nm). The Snapdragon 855’s smaller 7nm process node translates to greater efficiency and sustained performance under load, minimizing thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The CPU architecture also favors the Mi 9T Pro, with more powerful Kryo cores. This difference will be immediately noticeable in demanding tasks and graphically intensive games.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 103 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage. However, the Mi 9T Pro’s 27W wired charging with Quick Charge 4 (QC4) support is a game-changer. The nova 5i’s 10W charging is significantly slower, requiring considerably more time to reach a full charge. This means the Mi 9T Pro offers a more convenient charging experience, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 5i if you need a stylish, functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media, and are on a very tight budget. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro if you prioritize gaming, demanding applications, and faster charging speeds, and are willing to spend a bit more for a significantly improved user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 855 in the Mi 9T Pro still a good performer in 2024?
Absolutely. While newer chipsets have emerged, the Snapdragon 855 remains a very capable processor for most tasks, including gaming and demanding applications. It offers a significant performance advantage over the Kirin 710F found in the nova 5i, ensuring a smooth and responsive user experience for years to come.
❓ How much faster is the 27W charging on the Mi 9T Pro compared to the 10W charging on the nova 5i?
The difference is substantial. 27W charging can typically charge a phone from 0% to 100% in around 60-90 minutes, while 10W charging can take upwards of 3-4 hours. This means the Mi 9T Pro allows for quick top-ups, minimizing downtime.
❓ Will I notice a difference in gaming performance between these two phones?
Yes, significantly. The Snapdragon 855 in the Mi 9T Pro is designed for gaming, offering much higher frame rates and smoother gameplay in demanding titles compared to the Kirin 710F. The Mi 9T Pro will be able to handle graphically intensive games at higher settings without significant lag or stuttering.
❓ Does the Mi 9T Pro support software updates?
Software update support for the Mi 9T Pro is limited at this point, as it is an older device. While it likely received several updates during its lifespan, it may not receive the latest Android versions or security patches. This is a consideration for users concerned about long-term software support.
