Huawei's Nova series consistently delivers stylish phones with impressive features. But with multiple generations, choosing the right model can be tricky. We're pitting the newer Nova 9 Pro against the still-capable Nova 5T to see which one reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nova 9 Pro is the clear winner thanks to its significantly faster charging (100W!), more modern chipset, and improved camera capabilities. However, the Nova 5T remains a solid option, especially if budget is a primary concern and you don't need the absolute latest tech.
| 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, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 23 | 2019, August 27. Released 2019, September 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 30 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.4 x 74.4 x 8 mm (6.43 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) | 154.3 x 74 x 7.8 mm (6.07 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 174 g (6.14 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1236 x 2676 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~439 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | Kirin 980 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G76 MP10 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
32 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1"
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
32 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 32-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, 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 (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+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/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 100W wired, 100% in 20 min
Reverse wired | 22.5W wired, 50% in 24 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 3750 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green, Violet | Black, Crush Blue, Midsummer Purple, Crush Green |
| Models | RTE-AL00, Hebe-BD00 | YAL-L21, YAL-L61, YAL-L71, YAL-L61D |
| Price | About 460 EUR | About 340 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 313024 (v7), 395503 (v8)
GeekBench: 10013 (v4.4), 2504 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 29fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 9 Pro
- 100W SuperCharge
- Snapdragon 778G 4G
- Improved Camera System
- 120Hz OLED Display
- Modern Design
- Potentially Higher Price
- Limited Google Services (due to restrictions)
Huawei nova 5T
- More Affordable
- Decent Performance for the Price
- Vibrant Display
- Good Value
- Slower Charging
- Older Chipset
- Less Powerful Camera
- 60Hz Display
Display Comparison
The Nova 9 Pro boasts a 6.57-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering smoother scrolling and more vibrant colors compared to the Nova 5T's 6.26-inch IPS LCD display with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. While both offer Full HD+ resolution, the OLED panel on the 9 Pro provides better contrast and deeper blacks.
Camera Comparison
The Nova 9 Pro features a more versatile camera system, typically including a higher resolution main sensor and improved image processing. While the Nova 5T's camera is still capable, the 9 Pro generally produces better photos, especially in low-light conditions, and offers more advanced features.
Performance
The Nova 9 Pro's Snapdragon 778G 4G delivers a noticeable performance boost over the Nova 5T's Kirin 980. The 778G is more efficient and handles demanding tasks and games with greater ease. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading times on the 9 Pro.
Battery Life
The Nova 9 Pro's 100W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging times. The Nova 5T's 22.5W charging is considerably slower. While battery capacities are similar, the 9 Pro's charging speed provides a significant advantage.
Buying Guide
The Huawei Nova 9 Pro is ideal for users who prioritize fast charging, smooth performance, and a modern camera system. The Nova 5T is a good choice for budget-conscious buyers who still want a capable smartphone with a decent camera and a vibrant display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Huawei Nova 9 Pro worth the extra cost over the Nova 5T?
If you value fast charging, a smoother display, and improved performance, the Nova 9 Pro is worth the investment. However, if you're on a tight budget, the Nova 5T remains a capable option.
❓ Do both phones have Google Play Store access?
Due to US trade restrictions, neither phone officially comes with Google Play Store access. Users may need to explore alternative app stores or sideload apps.
