The Huawei nova series consistently delivers stylish design and capable performance in the mid-range. The nova 8 Pro 4G, with its Kirin 985, established a strong foundation. Now, the nova 9 Pro arrives with a significant chipset shift to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 778G 4G and a dramatically faster 100W charging solution. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which nova best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Huawei nova 9 Pro is the superior choice. The Snapdragon 778G offers a more efficient and consistently powerful experience than the Kirin 985, and the 100W charging is a game-changer, fully charging the device in just 20 minutes. While the nova 8 Pro remains a capable device, the 9 Pro’s advancements justify the upgrade.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 | CDMA 800 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 26 | 2021, September 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 18 | Available. Released 2021, September 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 74.1 x 7.9 mm (6.43 x 2.92 x 0.31 in) | 163.4 x 74.4 x 8 mm (6.43 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 184 g (6.49 oz) | 186 g (6.56 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1236 x 2676 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~439 ppi density) | 1236 x 2676 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~439 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~91.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120Hz | OLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.58 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x2.40 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670) |
| Chipset | Kirin 985 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G77 (8-core) | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 11, no Google Play Services | HarmonyOS 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS | UFS |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
32 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
32 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 17mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
32 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
32 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| 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/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 60% in 15 min, 100% in 35 min
5W reverse wired | 100W wired, 100% in 20 min
Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green, White | Black, Blue, Green, Violet |
| Models | BRQ-AN00 | RTE-AL00, Hebe-BD00 |
| Price | - | About 460 EUR |
Huawei nova 8 Pro 4G
- Potentially lower price point
- Strong multi-core CPU performance (on paper)
- Established Huawei camera processing style
- Less efficient Kirin 985 chipset
- Slower 66W charging
- Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load
Huawei nova 9 Pro
- More efficient Snapdragon 778G chipset
- Ultra-fast 100W charging
- Improved GPU performance for gaming
- Potentially higher price
- Qualcomm image processing may not appeal to all Huawei users
- 4G connectivity only
Display Comparison
Both devices likely feature OLED displays, a staple of the nova series. However, specific details like peak brightness and color gamut coverage aren't provided. The focus here is on the internal changes. The nova 9 Pro benefits from the more efficient Snapdragon 778G, potentially allowing for slightly better sustained brightness without overheating. Bezels are expected to be similar, maintaining the modern aesthetic of the series.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, but the image processing will differ significantly. Huawei’s Kirin-based phones historically emphasize vibrant, sometimes oversaturated colors, while Qualcomm-powered devices tend towards a more natural look. The Snapdragon 778G’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is capable of excellent image quality, and its efficiency contributes to better low-light performance. The absence of specific sensor details makes it difficult to declare a clear winner, but the 9 Pro’s ISP has a slight edge.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset. The Huawei nova 8 Pro 4G utilizes the Kirin 985 5G (despite the 4G model name), a 7nm chip with a complex CPU configuration – a mix of Cortex-A76 and A55 cores. The nova 9 Pro, however, switches to the Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G, fabricated on a more efficient 6nm process. This smaller node generally translates to better power efficiency and thermal performance. While the Kirin 985 boasts a higher clock speed on its prime core (2.58 GHz vs 2.4 GHz), the Snapdragon 778G’s Kryo 670 cores offer a more balanced and sustained performance profile. The Snapdragon’s Adreno 642L GPU is also a step up from the Kirin 985’s integrated GPU, providing a smoother gaming experience.
Battery Life
The battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, but the real differentiator is charging speed. The nova 8 Pro 4G supports 66W wired charging, reaching 100% in 35 minutes. The nova 9 Pro leaps ahead with 100W wired charging, achieving a full charge in just 20 minutes. This is a substantial improvement, significantly reducing downtime. While a larger battery capacity on the 8 Pro could partially offset this, the 9 Pro’s charging speed is a clear advantage for users who prioritize convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 8 Pro 4G if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and are comfortable with the Kirin 985’s performance characteristics, which lean towards strong multi-core scores but may exhibit more thermal throttling under sustained load. Buy the Huawei nova 9 Pro if you value consistent performance, faster charging speeds, and a more modern chipset architecture, making it ideal for power users and those who frequently game or create content on their phones.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 778G in the nova 9 Pro get noticeably warmer than the Kirin 985 during extended gaming sessions?
Generally, the Snapdragon 778G’s 6nm process is more thermally efficient than the Kirin 985’s 7nm process. This means the nova 9 Pro is likely to maintain higher sustained performance for longer periods without significant throttling, and should run cooler overall during demanding tasks like gaming.
❓ I'm concerned about the lack of 5G on both models. Will I experience a significant slowdown in data speeds compared to 5G?
While 5G offers theoretical speed advantages, real-world 5G coverage and speeds can vary greatly. In many areas, the difference between 4G+ and 5G is minimal. Both the nova 8 Pro and 9 Pro support 4G LTE, which remains a fast and reliable connection for most users. The absence of 5G is a trade-off to keep the price competitive.
❓ Is the 100W charging on the nova 9 Pro safe for the battery's long-term health?
Huawei employs sophisticated charging algorithms and safety mechanisms to protect the battery during fast charging. While fast charging generates more heat, the 100W SuperCharge system is designed to minimize any potential long-term degradation. The phone dynamically adjusts the charging rate to optimize battery health.
