Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming. The Huawei Nova 9 Pro and Realme 8 both offer compelling features, but cater to different priorities. This comprehensive comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to help you make the right decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei Nova 9 Pro boasts significantly faster charging and a more powerful chipset, offering a smoother experience. However, the Realme 8 excels in battery endurance and often presents a more budget-friendly option. Ultimately, the Nova 9 Pro wins for performance, while the Realme 8 is a strong contender for longevity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 23 | 2021, March 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 30 | Available. Released 2021, March 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.4 x 74.4 x 8 mm (6.43 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) | 160.6 x 73.9 x 8 mm (6.32 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 177 g (6.24 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1236 x 2676 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~439 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120Hz | Super AMOLED, HDR10, 1000 nits (peak) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0 | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB 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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
32 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 100W wired, 100% in 20 min
Reverse wired | 30W wired, 50% in 26 min, 100% in 65 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green, Violet | Cyber Silver, Cyber Black |
| Models | RTE-AL00, Hebe-BD00 | RMX3085 |
| Price | About 460 EUR | € 98.43 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 127h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.6 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 298328 (v8)
GeekBench: 6779 (v4.4), 1690 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 9 Pro
- Blazing-fast 100W charging
- Powerful Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset
- Likely vibrant OLED display
- Premium design and build quality
- Potentially shorter battery life
- Higher price point
- Huawei ecosystem limitations (Google services)
Realme 8
- Exceptional battery life (127h endurance rating)
- Affordable price
- Reliable camera performance
- Decent display brightness
- Less powerful chipset
- Slower charging speed
- Plastic build quality
Display Comparison
The Nova 9 Pro likely features a vibrant OLED display with a high refresh rate (likely 120Hz, based on typical Nova Pro specs), offering smoother visuals and deeper blacks. The Realme 8 has a respectable 657 nits brightness and an infinite contrast ratio, but lacks the OLED advantage. Color accuracy and viewing angles are likely superior on the Nova 9 Pro.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer capable camera systems. The Nova 9 Pro likely has a more advanced main sensor and image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in better low-light performance and more detailed photos. The Realme 8's camera is still quite good, offering consistent results in well-lit conditions. Video recording capabilities are likely comparable.
Performance
The Snapdragon 778G 4G in the Nova 9 Pro is a clear winner here. It's significantly more powerful than the Helio G95 in the Realme 8, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The Nova 9 Pro's 6nm process also contributes to better power efficiency despite the performance boost.
Battery Life
The Realme 8's endurance rating of 127h suggests significantly better battery life than the Nova 9 Pro. While the Nova 9 Pro's 100W charging is incredibly fast, it may require more frequent top-ups to compensate for its potentially lower battery capacity. The Realme 8's 30W charging is slower, but the larger battery mitigates this.
Buying Guide
The Huawei Nova 9 Pro is ideal for users who prioritize performance, fast charging, and a premium feel. The Realme 8 is a great choice for those seeking exceptional battery life, a reliable camera, and a more affordable price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Huawei Nova 9 Pro worth the extra cost?
If performance and fast charging are your top priorities, the Nova 9 Pro is worth the investment. However, if you're on a budget and prioritize battery life, the Realme 8 is a compelling alternative.
❓ Does the Huawei Nova 9 Pro have Google Play Services?
No, due to US sanctions, the Huawei Nova 9 Pro does not come with Google Play Services pre-installed. Users will need to rely on Huawei's AppGallery and potentially sideload apps.
