Huawei nova 9 Pro vs nova 10 Pro: A Detailed Comparison

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.
Phones Images

🏆 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.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 9 Pro Huawei nova 10 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA 800 CDMA 800
Launch
Announced2021, September 232022, July 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 30Available. Released 2022, July 10
Body
Dimensions163.4 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)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight186 g (6.56 oz)191 g (6.74 oz)
Display
Resolution1236 x 2676 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~439 ppi density)1200 x 2652 pixels (~429 ppi density)
Size6.72 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~91.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120HzOLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LAdreno 642L
OSHarmonyOS 2.0HarmonyOS 2.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS-
Main Camera
Dual32 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
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad50 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
Video4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual32 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
FeaturesHDRHDR
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (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)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging100W wired, 100% in 20 min Reverse wired100W wired, 20-80% in 10 min Reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, Green, VioletBlack, Silver, Green, Violet
ModelsRTE-AL00, Hebe-BD00GLA-AL00, GLA-LX1
PriceAbout 460 EURAbout 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.