Huawei nova 9 SE 5G vs nova 10: A Detailed Comparison

Huawei's nova series consistently delivers stylish phones with impressive features. The nova 9 SE 5G and nova 10 are two compelling options, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will delve into their specs, performance, and overall value to help you make an informed decision.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Huawei nova 10 edges out the nova 9 SE 5G thanks to its more powerful chipset and 4G connectivity. While the 9 SE 5G offers 5G, the 10's Snapdragon 778G provides a smoother experience, especially for demanding tasks. Both offer excellent charging speeds and attractive designs.

PHONES
Phone Names	Huawei nova 9 SE 5G	Huawei nova 10

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	LTE	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
5G bands	SA/NSA	-
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
	CDMA2000 1x	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China

Launch
Announced	2022, April 20	2022, July 04
Status	Available. Released 2022, April 23	Available. Released 2022, July 10

Body
Dimensions	164.6 x 75.6 x 7.9 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.31 in)	162.2 x 73.9 x 6.9 mm (6.39 x 2.91 x 0.27 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	191 g (6.74 oz)	168 g (5.93 oz)

Display
Resolution	1080 x 2388 pixels (~387 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size	6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio)	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 120Hz	OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)	Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) - unconfirmed	Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)
GPU	Adreno 619	Adreno 642L
OS	Android 11, EMUI 12, no Google Play Services	HarmonyOS 2.0 (China), EMUI 12 (Europe), no Google Play Services

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	No
Internal	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM	128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad	108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens	-
Single	16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide)	60 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide)
Triple	-	50 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video	1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS	4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	-	HDR
Single	16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide)	60 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide)
Video	1080p@30fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE	5.2, A2DP, LE
NFC	Unspecified	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS	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/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
	Virtual proximity sensing	Virtual proximity sensing

Battery
Charging	66W wired, 100% in 35 min	66W wired 5W reverse wired
Type	Li-Po 4000 mAh	Li-Po 4000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Midnight Black, Pearl White, Crystal Blue	Black, Silver, Green, Violet
Models	-	NCO-AL00, NCO-LX1, NCO-LX3
Price	About 370 EUR	About 500 EUR

Huawei nova 9 SE 5G

Fast 66W charging
5G connectivity
Stylish design
Good value for money

Less powerful chipset
90Hz refresh rate
Unconfirmed chipset details

Huawei nova 10

More powerful Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset
120Hz refresh rate
Reverse wired charging
Slightly improved camera

No 5G connectivity
Potentially higher price

Display Comparison

Both phones feature OLED displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The nova 10 typically has a slightly higher refresh rate (120Hz vs 90Hz on the 9 SE 5G), resulting in smoother scrolling and animations. Screen sizes are similar, around 6.5 inches, making them both comfortable to hold and use.

Camera Comparison

Both phones boast impressive camera setups. The nova 10 generally has a slightly more advanced main camera sensor, potentially resulting in better low-light performance and more detailed images. Both offer multiple lenses (wide, ultrawide, macro) for versatility. Video recording capabilities are comparable.

Performance

The nova 10's Snapdragon 778G 4G is significantly more powerful than the nova 9 SE 5G's Snapdragon 695 5G. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better performance in graphically intensive games on the nova 10. The 9 SE 5G is still capable for everyday tasks, but may struggle with more demanding applications.

Battery Life

Both phones offer excellent 66W fast charging, allowing for a full charge in around 35-40 minutes. Battery capacities are similar, around 4000mAh, so expect comparable battery life under typical usage scenarios.

Buying Guide

The Huawei nova 9 SE 5G is ideal for budget-conscious users who prioritize 5G connectivity and fast charging. The Huawei nova 10 is a better choice for those seeking a more powerful processor, a slightly improved camera system, and reverse charging capabilities, even if it lacks 5G.