Huawei's nova series consistently delivers stylish phones with impressive features. But with multiple models, choosing the right one can be tricky. This comparison dives deep into the Huawei nova 9 SE 5G and the Huawei nova 9, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei nova 9 offers a more powerful chipset and potentially better camera performance, while the nova 9 SE 5G boasts 5G connectivity and incredibly fast charging. The nova 9 is the overall winner for performance, but the SE is a compelling option for budget-conscious users prioritizing speed and 5G.
| 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 | 2021, September 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 23 | Available. Released 2021, September 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.6 x 7.9 mm (6.48 x 2.98 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 | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~387 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.57 inches, 106.0 cm2 (~89.9% 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 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS |
| 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 | 50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| 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, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 100% in 35 min | 66W wired, 60% in 18 min, 100% in 38 min
Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Pearl White, Crystal Blue | Starry Blue, Black, Green, Violet |
| Models | - | NAM-AL00, NAM-LX9 |
| Price | About 370 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 SE 5G
- Fast 66W Charging
- 5G Connectivity
- More Affordable
- Stylish Design
- Potentially Less Powerful Chipset
- Unconfirmed Chipset Specs
- Limited Camera Details
Huawei nova 9
- More Powerful Snapdragon 778G 4G
- Potentially Better Camera
- Reverse Wired Charging
- Premium Feel
- Higher Price
- No 5G Connectivity
- Slightly Slower Charging (compared to SE)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature OLED displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The nova 9 boasts a measured 608 nits max brightness, which is respectable. While the nova 9 SE 5G's display specs are less detailed, OLED technology generally provides excellent viewing experiences. The 'Infinite' contrast ratio mentioned for the nova 9 is a nominal value, suggesting very high contrast, but not a measurable standard.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited for both devices, but the nova 9 is expected to have a slight edge due to the more powerful chipset and potentially better image processing capabilities. Both phones likely offer versatile camera setups, but the nova 9's hardware and software should provide slightly better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Further testing would be needed for a definitive comparison.
Performance
The Huawei nova 9 takes a clear lead in performance thanks to its Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset. This chip is significantly more powerful than the unconfirmed Snapdragon 695 5G in the nova 9 SE 5G. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the nova 9. The nova 9 SE 5G is still capable for everyday tasks, but may struggle with demanding games or applications.
Battery Life
Both phones offer excellent battery life, with an endurance rating of 96 hours. The nova 9 SE 5G's 66W charging is exceptionally fast, reaching 100% in just 35 minutes. The nova 9 also has 66W charging, but takes slightly longer (38 minutes for 100%). The nova 9 also features reverse wired charging, a useful addition.
Buying Guide
The Huawei nova 9 SE 5G is ideal for users who want 5G connectivity, fast charging, and a more affordable price point. The Huawei nova 9 is better suited for those who prioritize performance, a potentially superior camera system, and a slightly more premium experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the nova 9 SE 5G support 5G?
Yes, the nova 9 SE 5G is designed for 5G connectivity.
❓ Is the Huawei nova 9 waterproof?
Neither phone is officially rated for water resistance. It's best to avoid exposing them to water.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Huawei nova 9, with its Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset, will offer significantly better gaming performance.
