The Huawei nova 6 SE and Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly crowded mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they take distinctly different approaches, primarily revolving around their chipset choices and charging implementations. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and faster charging, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 750G, built on a more efficient 8nm process, offers a slight edge in sustained performance, while the 33W charging completes a full charge in a competitive 58 minutes.
| 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 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December. Released 2019, December | 2020, November 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, December 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 76.3 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 3.00 x 0.34 in) | 165.4 x 76.8 x 9 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR10, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Kirin 810 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP6 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play Services | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 108 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired | 33W wired, 100% in 58 min |
| Stand-by | Up to 386 h (2G) / Up to 386 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 16 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 11 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 4200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4820 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Emerald Green, Light Pink/Blue | Gray, Blue, Red/Mint |
| Models | JNY-AL10, JNY-TL10 | M2007J17C |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 370 EUR |
Huawei nova 6 SE
- Potentially more vibrant display (Huawei color science)
- Faster peak charging wattage (40W)
- Sleek design (based on Huawei's aesthetic)
- Kirin 810 may throttle under sustained load
- 7nm process less efficient than Snapdragon's 8nm
- Potential software limitations due to Huawei's situation
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G
- More efficient Snapdragon 750G chipset
- Faster and more consistent performance
- Competitive 33W charging with a known 58-minute 0-100% time
- Display may be less vibrant than the nova 6 SE
- Xiaomi's MIUI software can be polarizing
- Design may be less premium feeling
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the market positioning, both likely feature LCD panels with FHD+ resolution. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G, being a newer device, *may* benefit from slightly improved color accuracy and brightness. Huawei historically focuses on color science, so the nova 6 SE could offer a more vibrant, albeit potentially less accurate, display. Bezels are likely comparable, typical of this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the chipset plays a role. The Snapdragon 750G’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally considered more advanced, potentially leading to better image processing, especially in low-light conditions. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the quality will depend heavily on sensor size and lens apertures, which are currently unknown. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device would be a significant advantage, but is not specified.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Huawei nova 6 SE utilizes the Kirin 810, fabricated on a 7nm process, featuring a dual-cluster CPU configuration with 2x 2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x 1.88 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G counters with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G, built on a more refined 8nm process, and employing 2x 2.2 GHz Kryo 570 cores and 6x 1.8 GHz Kryo 570 cores. While clock speeds are similar, the 8nm process of the Snapdragon 750G generally translates to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during extended gaming or demanding tasks. The Snapdragon 750G also benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized software and GPU drivers, potentially offering a smoother gaming experience.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not provided for either device. However, the charging speeds are a clear differentiator. The Huawei nova 6 SE supports 40W wired charging, while the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G offers 33W wired charging, reaching 100% in 58 minutes. While 40W appears faster on paper, the efficiency of the charging circuitry and battery capacity play crucial roles. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s 33W charging, combined with the Snapdragon 750G’s better power efficiency, could result in comparable real-world charging times and potentially better overall battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 6 SE if you prioritize a sleek design and are comfortable with the potential limitations of the Kirin 810 chipset, particularly regarding sustained gaming performance. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G if you value a more efficient processor, faster charging speeds, and a generally smoother user experience, especially for demanding tasks and longer gaming sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Kirin 810 in the nova 6 SE struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
The Kirin 810 is capable of running these games, but it may exhibit more noticeable frame drops and throttling during extended sessions compared to the Snapdragon 750G in the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G. The 7nm process and less efficient thermal management of the Kirin 810 are the primary contributing factors.
❓ How does the 33W charging on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G compare to other phones with similar wattage?
The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G's 33W charging is relatively efficient, achieving a full charge in 58 minutes. This is competitive with other phones utilizing similar wattage, and the Snapdragon 750G's power efficiency helps minimize heat buildup during charging, potentially prolonging battery health.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 750G support all 5G bands available in the US?
The Snapdragon 750G supports a wide range of 5G bands, but compatibility varies by carrier and region. It's crucial to check with your specific carrier to ensure the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G is fully compatible with their 5G network before purchasing.
