Huawei Nova 9 Pro vs Nova 9: The Ultimate Showdown

Huawei's Nova series consistently delivers stylish phones with impressive features. The Nova 9 Pro and Nova 9 are two compelling options, but which one offers the best value? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nova 9 Pro takes the lead with its significantly faster 100W charging and potentially improved overall performance due to optimizations. However, the Nova 9 boasts exceptional battery endurance and a potentially better display contrast. It depends on your priorities: speed or longevity.

PHONES
Phone Names	Huawei nova 9 Pro	Huawei nova 9

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, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
	CDMA 800	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China

Launch
Announced	2021, September 23	2021, September 23
Status	Available. Released 2021, September 30	Available. Released 2021, September 30

Body
Dimensions	163.4 x 74.4 x 8 mm (6.43 x 2.93 x 0.31 in)	160 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm (6.30 x 2.90 x 0.31 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	186 g (6.56 oz)	175 g (6.17 oz)

Display
Resolution	1236 x 2676 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~439 ppi density)	1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~392 ppi density)
Size	6.72 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio)	6.57 inches, 106.0 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	OLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120Hz	OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10

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 (China), EMUI 12 (Europe), no Google Play Services

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
	UFS	UFS

Main Camera
Dual	32 MP, f/2.0, (wide) 32 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide)	-
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	50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single	-	32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
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)	-
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	-	32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@240fps, 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), 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, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	100W wired, 100% in 20 min Reverse wired	66W wired, 60% in 18 min, 100% in 38 min Reverse wired
Type	Li-Po 4000 mAh	Li-Po 4300 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Blue, Green, Violet	Starry Blue, Black, Green, Violet
Models	RTE-AL00, Hebe-BD00	NAM-AL00, NAM-LX9
Price	About 460 EUR	About 120 EUR

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 96h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-27.3 LUFS (Good)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 469798 (v9) GeekBench: 2973 (v5.1) GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei nova 9 Pro

Blazing-fast 100W charging
Potentially better sustained performance
Sleek design
Reverse wired charging

Potentially shorter battery life compared to Nova 9
Missing specific display brightness data

Huawei nova 9

Exceptional 96-hour battery endurance
Potentially superior display contrast ratio
Stylish design
Reverse wired charging

Slower 66W charging
Missing specific display brightness data

Display Comparison

Both phones feature OLED displays, but the Nova 9 Pro likely has a slightly brighter panel (though specific brightness figures are missing). The Nova 9's 'infinite' contrast ratio suggests excellent blacks and vibrant colors, though this is a nominal claim. Refresh rates are likely similar, offering smooth scrolling and animations.

Camera Comparison

Camera specs are listed as 'Photo / Video' for both, suggesting similar hardware. Image processing and software features will likely differentiate the two. Expect comparable image quality in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance could vary based on software algorithms.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Snapdragon 778G 4G, ensuring smooth performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. The Nova 9 Pro *might* have slightly better thermal management or software optimizations leading to marginally better sustained performance, but real-world differences are likely minimal.

Battery Life

This is a key differentiator. The Nova 9 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 96 hours, indicating exceptional battery life. The Nova 9 Pro, while offering incredibly fast 100W charging, may not match the Nova 9's overall battery longevity.

Buying Guide

The Huawei Nova 9 Pro is ideal for users who prioritize fast charging and don't mind potentially shorter battery life. The Huawei Nova 9 is a great choice for those who value long-lasting battery performance and appreciate a potentially superior display contrast ratio.