Huawei offers a range of compelling smartphones, and choosing between models can be tricky. Today, we're pitting the newer Huawei nova 9 Pro against the refreshed Huawei P30 Pro New Edition. Both offer premium features, but cater to slightly different needs. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is the better fit.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The nova 9 Pro boasts significantly faster charging and a more modern chipset, offering better performance. However, the P30 Pro New Edition retains its excellent camera and a more established reputation. For speed and future-proofing, the nova 9 Pro wins, but camera enthusiasts might lean towards the P30 Pro.
| 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 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat21 1400/200 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 23 | 2020, May 12. Released 2020, June 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 30 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Aluminosilicate glass), glass back (Aluminosilicate glass), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.4 x 74.4 x 8 mm (6.43 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) | 158 x 73.4 x 8.4 mm (6.22 x 2.89 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 2m for 30 mins)
|
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1236 x 2676 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~439 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.47 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120Hz | OLED, HDR10 |
| 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 10, EMUI 10.1, Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS | UFS 3.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
32 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Leica optics, color spectrum sensor, dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 40 MP, f/1.6, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom, 10x hybrid zoom
20 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.7", PDAF
TOF 3D, (depth) |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps |
| 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 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 32-bit/384kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| 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 3.1 |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 100W wired, 100% in 20 min
Reverse wired | 40W wired, 70% in 30 min
15W wireless
Reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green, Violet | Aurora, Black, Silver Frost |
| Models | RTE-AL00, Hebe-BD00 | - |
| Price | About 460 EUR | About 820 EUR |
Huawei nova 9 Pro
- Blazing-fast 100W charging
- Modern Snapdragon 778G chipset
- Sleek and contemporary design
- Likely higher refresh rate display
- Camera may not match P30 Pro's zoom capabilities
- Software support may be limited compared to other brands
Huawei P30 Pro New Edition
- Excellent camera system with impressive zoom
- Refined design and build quality
- Established reputation for camera performance
- Wireless charging
- Slower 40W charging
- Older Kirin 980 chipset
- Less future-proofed compared to nova 9 Pro
Display Comparison
Both phones feature OLED displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The nova 9 Pro likely has a slightly higher resolution and refresh rate (assumed 120Hz), providing a smoother visual experience. The P30 Pro's display is still excellent, but may lack the latest refresh rate technology. Size is similar, around 6.5 inches.
Camera Comparison
The P30 Pro New Edition is renowned for its exceptional camera system, particularly its zoom capabilities. It features a 40MP main sensor, a 20MP monochrome sensor, and a 8MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. The nova 9 Pro also has a capable camera setup, but likely doesn't match the P30 Pro's zoom prowess or overall image quality in certain scenarios. Both offer good low-light performance.
Performance
The nova 9 Pro's Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset is a significant upgrade over the P30 Pro's Kirin 980. While the Kirin 980 was a flagship chip in its time, the Snapdragon 778G offers better CPU and GPU performance, resulting in smoother multitasking and improved gaming capabilities. The nova 9 Pro also benefits from a more modern 6nm process, leading to better power efficiency.
Battery Life
The nova 9 Pro's 100W wired charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging times. The P30 Pro's 40W charging is considerably slower. Both phones have similar battery capacities (around 4000mAh), but the nova 9 Pro's charging speed gives it a clear advantage.
Buying Guide
The Huawei nova 9 Pro is ideal for users prioritizing fast charging, smooth performance for everyday tasks and gaming, and a more contemporary design. The Huawei P30 Pro New Edition is a great choice for photography enthusiasts who value a proven camera system and a more refined, classic aesthetic, especially if budget is a concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the nova 9 Pro worth the extra cost over the P30 Pro?
If fast charging and performance are your priorities, the nova 9 Pro is worth the investment. However, if you're primarily focused on photography and want a more established camera system, the P30 Pro remains a strong contender, especially at a potentially lower price point.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Huawei's software support has been a challenge. While both phones will receive updates, the nova 9 Pro, being newer, is likely to receive updates for a slightly longer period. However, both rely on Huawei's proprietary EMUI, which may lack some Google services.
