Huawei's nova series consistently delivers stylish phones at competitive prices. The nova 9 SE 5G and nova Y90 are two compelling options, but which one reigns supreme? This in-depth comparison will help you decide which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The nova 9 SE 5G takes the lead thanks to its 5G connectivity and faster charging. While the Y90 offers a slightly more powerful CPU, the 9 SE 5G's overall package, including its potential for future-proofing, makes it the better choice for most users.
| 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 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 20 | 2022, June 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 23 | Available. Released 2022, July 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.6 x 7.9 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.31 in) | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~387 ppi density) | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~89.1% 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 | EMUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 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) | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Unspecified | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, 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, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 100% in 35 min | 40W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Pearl White, Crystal Blue | Crystal Blue, Pearl White, Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | - | CTR-LX2, CTR-LX1, CTR-LX3 |
| Price | About 370 EUR | About 160 EUR |
Huawei nova 9 SE 5G
- 5G Connectivity
- 66W Fast Charging
- Potentially better camera system
- Modern Design
- Efficient 6nm chipset
- Potentially slightly less powerful CPU than Y90
- Unconfirmed chipset details
Huawei nova Y90
- Slightly more powerful CPU
- Potentially larger screen
- Good value for money
- No 5G connectivity
- Slower 40W charging
- Less information available on camera specs
Display Comparison
Both phones feature OLED displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The nova Y90 likely has a slightly larger screen size (estimated 6.7 inches) compared to the nova 9 SE 5G (estimated 6.5 inches), providing a more immersive viewing experience. Resolution is likely FHD+ on both.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are crucial. The nova 9 SE 5G is expected to have a versatile triple-camera system, potentially including a 108MP main sensor. The nova Y90 likely features a similar setup, but details are less clear. Image quality will depend on software processing and sensor size, which are currently unknown.
Performance
The nova Y90's Snapdragon 680 boasts a slightly more powerful CPU configuration, potentially offering a marginal edge in demanding tasks. However, the nova 9 SE 5G's Snapdragon 695 5G, while slightly less powerful on paper, benefits from 5G capabilities and a more efficient 6nm process. Real-world performance will likely be similar for everyday use.
Battery Life
The nova 9 SE 5G's 66W charging is a significant advantage, allowing for incredibly fast charging times. The nova Y90's 40W charging is still respectable, but slower. Battery capacity is likely similar (around 4000-4500mAh) on both devices, so the 9 SE 5G will offer significantly faster top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Huawei nova 9 SE 5G is ideal for users who want 5G connectivity, faster charging, and a modern design. The Huawei nova Y90 is a good option for those prioritizing a slightly more powerful CPU and a larger screen, and who don't need 5G.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the nova 9 SE 5G support 5G?
Yes, the nova 9 SE 5G is designed for 5G connectivity, offering faster download and upload speeds where available.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
While both likely have similar battery capacities, the nova 9 SE 5G's faster charging means it will be quicker to top up, potentially making it feel like it has better overall battery usability.
