The mid-range 5G market is fiercely competitive, and the Huawei nova 7 SE and Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G represent compelling options. The nova 7 SE, leveraging Huawei’s Kirin 820 5G chipset, aims for a balance of performance and style. Meanwhile, the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G counters with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 750G, prioritizing efficiency and widespread 5G band support. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Huawei nova 7 SE emerges as the winner. Its Kirin 820 5G chipset offers a noticeable edge in processing power, and the 40W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G provides a strong alternative with its efficient Snapdragon 750G and broader 5G compatibility.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 23. Released 2020, April 28 | 2020, November 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, December 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) |
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 75 x 8.6 mm (6.39 x 2.95 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 | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, HDR10 | IPS LCD, HDR10, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x2.22 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Kirin 820 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 (6-core) | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, Panorama, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 17mm (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 |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p | 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 | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | 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, 70% in 30 min
5W reverse wired | 33W wired, 100% in 58 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4820 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Space Silver, Midsummer Purple, Crush Green | Gray, Blue, Red/Mint |
| Models | CDY-AN00, CDY-NX9B, CDY-TN00, CDY-AN20, CDL-AN50 | M2007J17C |
| Price | About 320 EUR | About 370 EUR |
Huawei nova 7 SE
- Faster initial charging speed (40W)
- Potentially superior CPU performance with Kirin 820
- More powerful ISP for potentially better image processing
- Charging only reaches 70% in 30 minutes
- Potential software ecosystem limitations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G
- Full charge in under an hour (33W)
- Efficient Snapdragon 750G chipset
- Wider 5G band support (likely)
- Slightly less powerful CPU compared to Kirin 820
- Image processing may not be as refined as Huawei
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific display specs (resolution, panel type) are absent, both likely feature LCD panels typical of this price bracket. The focus here shifts to processing power, as display quality is unlikely to be a deciding factor. Bezels are expected to be comparable, and color accuracy will likely be tuned for vibrant, rather than accurate, reproduction.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the chipset’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) plays a crucial role. The Kirin 820’s ISP is likely more sophisticated, potentially leading to better image processing, especially in low-light conditions. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s camera performance will rely heavily on Qualcomm’s image processing algorithms. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the quality will depend on sensor size and lens apertures, information not provided. We can assume both will include standard wide, ultrawide, and macro lenses, but the primary sensor’s capabilities will be the key differentiator.
Performance
The core battleground is the chipset. Huawei’s Kirin 820 5G (7nm) utilizes a tri-cluster CPU configuration – 1x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76, 3x2.22 GHz Cortex-A76, and 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55 – offering a performance advantage over the Xiaomi’s Snapdragon 750G (8nm) with its 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570. The 7nm process of the Kirin 820 generally translates to higher peak performance and potentially better efficiency, though the 8nm Snapdragon 750G is optimized for power efficiency. The Kirin 820’s more complex CPU core arrangement suggests superior multi-tasking capabilities. The Snapdragon 750G, however, benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized software and modem integration.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s 33W charging, achieving 100% in 58 minutes, offers a more complete charge cycle compared to the nova 7 SE’s 40W charging, which only reaches 70% in 30 minutes. While the nova 7 SE charges faster initially, the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G provides a full charge in a reasonable timeframe. Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but the Snapdragon 750G’s efficiency may translate to longer real-world battery life, offsetting any potential capacity differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 7 SE if you need a phone that excels in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, and if rapid charging is a priority. You’ll benefit from the Kirin 820’s more powerful CPU cores. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G if you prioritize battery life, wider 5G network compatibility, and a more streamlined software experience, potentially avoiding the complexities of Huawei’s ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 820 in the nova 7 SE get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions compared to the Snapdragon 750G?
The Kirin 820, while powerful, is known to generate more heat under sustained load than the Snapdragon 750G. While both phones will experience some warming, the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s Snapdragon 750G, built on an 8nm process, is generally more thermally efficient, potentially leading to less throttling during prolonged gaming.
❓ Which phone is more likely to support a wider range of 5G bands for international travel?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G, leveraging Qualcomm’s modem technology, typically offers broader 5G band support compared to Huawei devices. Due to geopolitical factors and Huawei’s reliance on its own modem solutions, the nova 7 SE may have limited 5G compatibility in certain regions.
❓ Is the 70% charge in 30 minutes with the nova 7 SE sufficient for a full day of moderate use?
For moderate users (social media, messaging, light browsing), 70% charge in 30 minutes on the nova 7 SE is likely sufficient to last a full day. However, heavy users engaging in gaming or video streaming may find themselves needing to top up before the end of the day.
