Huawei nova 9 Pro vs nova 7 5G: A Detailed Comparison

Huawei's nova series consistently delivers stylish phones with impressive features. Choosing between the nova 9 Pro and the older nova 7 5G can be tricky. This comprehensive comparison will help you understand the key differences and determine which device best suits your needs and budget.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The nova 9 Pro takes the lead with its significantly faster 100W charging, more modern chipset, and improved display. However, the nova 7 5G offers 5G connectivity and a Kirin chipset, potentially appealing to users prioritizing those features and finding a good deal.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 9 Pro Huawei nova 7 5G
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, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands-1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2021, September 232020, April 23. Released 2020, April 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 30Discontinued
Body
Dimensions163.4 x 74.4 x 8 mm (6.43 x 2.93 x 0.31 in)160.6 x 74.3 x 8 mm (6.32 x 2.93 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight186 g (6.56 oz)180 g (6.35 oz)
Display
Resolution1236 x 2676 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~439 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size6.72 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~86.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120HzOLED
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)Octa-core (1x2.58 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x2.40 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)Kirin 985 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LMali-G77 (8-core)
OSHarmonyOS 2.0Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFSUFS 3.0
Main Camera
Dual32 MP, f/2.0, (wide) 32 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide)-
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 lens64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), PDAF, 3x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.4, 17mm (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)
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)-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
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/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging100W wired, 100% in 20 min Reverse wired40W wired, 75% in 30 min 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, Green, VioletBlack, Space Silver, Midsummer Purple, Red, Green
ModelsRTE-AL00, Hebe-BD00JEF-TN00, JEF-AN00, JEF-NX9, JEF-AN20
PriceAbout 460 EURAbout 390 EUR

Huawei nova 9 Pro

  • 100W SuperCharge
  • Snapdragon 778G 4G for better performance
  • 120Hz OLED Display
  • Modern Design
  • Reverse Wired Charging

  • No 5G connectivity
  • Potentially higher price

Huawei nova 7 5G

  • 5G Connectivity
  • Kirin 985 5G Chipset
  • Generally more affordable
  • Reverse Wired Charging

  • Slower 40W Charging
  • 60Hz Display
  • Older Hardware
  • Potentially less efficient

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 7 5G's 6.53-inch OLED display with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. The Pro's display also likely has better peak brightness.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems. The nova 9 Pro generally has a more versatile setup, often including a higher resolution main sensor and improved image processing. Expect better low-light performance and more detailed photos from the nova 9 Pro. Specific camera specs vary, but the Pro typically has an edge.

Performance

The nova 9 Pro's Snapdragon 778G 4G provides a noticeable performance boost over the nova 7 5G's Kirin 985 5G, especially in graphics-intensive tasks. While both are capable of handling everyday use, the Pro offers a more fluid and responsive experience. The Pro's 6nm process also contributes to better power efficiency.

Battery Life

The nova 9 Pro's 100W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging times. The nova 7 5G's 40W charging is still respectable, but significantly slower. Both phones likely have similar battery capacities (around 4000mAh), but the Pro's charging speed makes a huge difference in usability.

Buying Guide

The Huawei nova 9 Pro is ideal for users who prioritize fast charging, smooth performance, and a vibrant display. It's a great choice for those who don't need 5G. The Huawei nova 7 5G is a good option for budget-conscious buyers who want 5G connectivity and are comfortable with slightly older hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the nova 9 Pro support 5G?
No, the nova 9 Pro does not support 5G connectivity. It's a 4G-only device.
❓ Is the Kirin 985 5G chipset still good?
The Kirin 985 5G is a capable chipset, but it's older technology compared to the Snapdragon 778G 4G. It's sufficient for everyday tasks but may struggle with demanding games or applications.
❓ Which phone has better battery life overall?
While both have similar battery capacities, the nova 9 Pro's faster charging makes it feel like it has better battery life due to the convenience of quickly topping up.