Huawei Nova 9 SE 5G vs Nova 9 SE: The Ultimate Showdown

Huawei's nova series consistently delivers stylish and feature-packed smartphones at competitive prices. The Nova 9 SE and Nova 9 SE 5G are two such contenders, but what are the key differences? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which one is right for you.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nova 9 SE 5G offers the advantage of 5G connectivity and a slightly more powerful chipset. However, the Nova 9 SE boasts faster charging and potentially better overall optimization. Ultimately, the 5G connectivity is the deciding factor for many, making the Nova 9 SE 5G the winner for future-proofing.

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

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - JLN-LX1
4G bands	LTE	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - JLN-LX1
5G bands	SA/NSA	-
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	CDMA2000 1x	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - JLN-LX3

Launch
Announced	2022, April 20	2022, March 08
Status	Available. Released 2022, April 23	Available. Released 2022, March 20

Body
Dimensions	164.6 x 75.6 x 7.9 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.31 in)	164.6 x 75.6 x 7.9 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.31 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	191 g (6.74 oz)	191 g (6.74 oz)

Display
Resolution	1080 x 2388 pixels (~387 ppi density)	1080 x 2388 pixels (~387 ppi density)
Size	6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio)	6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 120Hz	IPS LCD, 90Hz

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)	Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) - unconfirmed	Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)
GPU	Adreno 619	Adreno 610
OS	Android 11, EMUI 12, no Google Play Services	Android 11, EMUI 12, no Google Play Services

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM	128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, HDR, panorama
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	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)	16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide)
Video	1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS	1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Single	16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide)	16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide)
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE	5.0, A2DP, LE
NFC	Unspecified	Yes (JLN-XL1 only)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
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/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

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

Battery
Charging	66W wired, 100% in 35 min	66W wired, 75% in 20 min
Type	Li-Po 4000 mAh	Li-Po 4000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Midnight Black, Pearl White, Crystal Blue	Midnight Black, Pearl White, Crystal Blue
Models	-	JLN-LX1, JLN-LX3, JuliaQN-L01B, JuliaQN-L21B, JuliaQN-L23A, RMX2190, FIO-BD00, JLN-AL00
Price	About 370 EUR	About 150 EUR

Huawei nova 9 SE 5G

5G Connectivity
Slightly more powerful chipset
Stylish Design
Good Camera System

Slower Charging Speed
Unconfirmed Chipset Details
Potential Software Optimization Issues

Huawei nova 9 SE

Faster Charging Speed
Potentially better software optimization
Stylish Design
Good Camera System

No 5G Connectivity
Less Powerful Chipset
Limited Future-Proofing

Display Comparison

Both phones likely feature a similar 6.5-inch OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. Expect similar resolution and brightness levels. Differences might lie in minor calibration or protective glass.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are expected to feature a similar quad-camera setup, likely including a 50MP main sensor, an ultrawide lens, a macro lens, and a depth sensor. Image quality should be comparable in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance and video recording capabilities may differ slightly due to the different chipsets' image signal processors.

Performance

The Nova 9 SE 5G's Snapdragon 695 5G chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the Nova 9 SE's Snapdragon 680 4G. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the 5G model. However, Huawei's EMUI software optimization plays a crucial role, so real-world performance may vary.

Battery Life

While both phones have a 4000mAh battery, the Nova 9 SE demonstrates faster charging (75% in 20 minutes) compared to the Nova 9 SE 5G (100% in 35 minutes). This is a significant advantage for users who need a quick power boost.

Buying Guide

The Huawei Nova 9 SE 5G is ideal for users who prioritize 5G connectivity and a bit more processing power for gaming or demanding apps. The Huawei Nova 9 SE is a great choice for those who value faster charging speeds and a potentially more refined software experience, especially if 5G isn't a necessity.