Huawei's nova series consistently delivers stylish phones with impressive features. The nova 9 Pro and nova 10 Pro are two strong contenders, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will delve into their key differences to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The nova 10 Pro edges out the 9 Pro thanks to its slightly faster charging and potentially improved display brightness. However, both offer excellent performance and cameras, making the choice dependent on your priorities regarding charging speed and display quality. Both share the same powerful Snapdragon 778G.
| 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, 8, 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, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 | CDMA 800 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 23 | 2022, July 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 30 | Available. Released 2022, July 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.4 x 74.4 x 8 mm (6.43 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) | 164.2 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm (6.46 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1236 x 2676 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~439 ppi density) | 1200 x 2652 pixels (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~91.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120Hz | OLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 642L |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0 | HarmonyOS 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
32 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) | 8 MP, f/2.2, 52mm (portrait), AF
60 MP, f/2.4, 17mm, 100˚ (ultrawide), AF |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
32 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) | 8 MP, f/2.2, 52mm (telephoto), AF, 2x optical zoom
60 MP, f/2.4, 17mm, 100˚ (ultrawide), AF |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) | 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, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 100W wired, 100% in 20 min
Reverse wired | 100W wired, 20-80% in 10 min
Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green, Violet | Black, Silver, Green, Violet |
| Models | RTE-AL00, Hebe-BD00 | GLA-AL00, GLA-LX1 |
| Price | About 460 EUR | About 730 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 89h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.7 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 528847 (v9)
GeekBench: 2794 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 9 Pro
- Established model
- Fast 100W charging
- Excellent battery life (89h endurance)
- Stylish design
- Potentially lower display brightness compared to 10 Pro
- Slightly older model
Huawei nova 10 Pro
- Slightly faster charging (20-80% in 10 min)
- Potentially brighter display (784 nits)
- Newer model
- Excellent battery life (89h endurance)
- May have minor software quirks as a newer release
- Price may be higher
Display Comparison
Both phones feature OLED displays, but the nova 10 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 784 nits, while the 9 Pro's brightness is not explicitly stated but likely lower. The nova 10 Pro also advertises an 'infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting excellent blacks and vibrant colors. While both offer smooth visuals, the 10 Pro has a slight edge in brightness and contrast.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is expected to be comparable, with both phones offering capable photo and video capabilities. The nova 10 Pro may have slight improvements in image processing due to newer software, but the differences are likely minimal. Both phones feature a versatile camera system suitable for various shooting conditions.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset, ensuring smooth performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. Expect similar speeds and responsiveness in most scenarios. The 6nm process contributes to efficient power usage.
Battery Life
The nova 10 Pro advertises 20-80% charging in 10 minutes with its 100W SuperCharge, a slight improvement over the nova 9 Pro's 20-minute full charge. Both phones have an endurance rating of 89h, suggesting excellent battery life under typical usage.
Buying Guide
The Huawei nova 9 Pro is ideal for users who prioritize a slightly more established model with a proven track record. The nova 10 Pro is a better choice for those seeking the latest features, a potentially brighter display, and slightly faster charging, even if it's a marginal improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Huawei nova 10 Pro worth the upgrade from the nova 9 Pro?
The upgrade is incremental. If you prioritize faster charging and a potentially brighter display, the 10 Pro is a worthwhile upgrade. Otherwise, the 9 Pro remains a strong contender.
❓ Do both phones support 5G?
No, both the nova 9 Pro and nova 10 Pro are 4G devices. Huawei's 5G offerings are in a different lineup.