The Huawei nova 9 SE 5G and Motorola Edge 20 Pro represent distinct approaches to the mid-range 5G smartphone market. The nova 9 SE focuses on rapid charging and a sleek design, while the Edge 20 Pro, though older, aims for near-flagship performance with its Snapdragon 870 chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 870 chipset provides a substantial performance advantage over the nova 9 SE’s Snapdragon 695, making it better suited for demanding tasks and gaming. While the nova 9 SE boasts faster charging, the Edge 20 Pro’s overall capabilities justify the trade-off.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 20 | 2021, July 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 23 | Available. Released 2021, August 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) or eco leather back |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.6 x 7.9 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.31 in) | 163 x 76 x 8 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 185/190 g (depending on color) (6.53 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent design |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~387 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) - unconfirmed | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 11, EMUI 12, no Google Play Services | Android 11, planned upgrade to Android 13 |
| 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, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-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) | - |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/3.4, 126mm (periscope telephoto), 1.0µm, 5x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS
16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240/960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Unspecified | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.4 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 100% in 35 min | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Pearl White, Crystal Blue | Midnight Blue, Blue Vegan Leather, Iridescent Cloud |
| Models | - | XT2153-1 |
| Price | About 370 EUR | About 330 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 112h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.2 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 711090 (v9)
GeekBench: 3140 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 49fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 9 SE 5G
- Extremely fast 66W charging
- Sleek and modern design (assumed based on brand aesthetic)
- Competitive 5G connectivity
- Significantly weaker processor compared to the Edge 20 Pro
- Limited performance for demanding games and applications
- Camera specs are currently unknown
Motorola Edge 20 Pro
- Powerful Snapdragon 870 5G chipset
- Excellent performance for gaming and multitasking
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Slower 30W charging
- May be harder to find at retail due to age
- Larger size and weight compared to the nova 9 SE (likely)
Display Comparison
The Motorola Edge 20 Pro’s display achieves a measured peak brightness of 673 nits, offering a noticeably brighter viewing experience than what is likely available on the nova 9 SE (spec not provided, but typically lower in this segment). While both displays feature an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, the Edge 20 Pro’s higher brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. The absence of LTPO technology on either device suggests standard refresh rate management, impacting power consumption during dynamic content.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but details are limited. Without specific sensor size or aperture information for the nova 9 SE, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, the Edge 20 Pro, being positioned as a more premium device, likely features a more capable main sensor and image processing pipeline. The absence of details regarding OIS on either device makes it impossible to assess stabilization performance. Focusing on the main sensors is crucial, as the inclusion of 2MP macro lenses on either phone adds little practical value.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Edge 20 Pro’s Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) is a significant step up from the Huawei nova 9 SE’s Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm). The 870 features a 1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 prime core, compared to the 695’s 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold cores. This translates to a substantial performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The 695 is designed for efficiency, while the 870 prioritizes power. The Edge 20 Pro will handle demanding applications and multitasking with greater ease.
Battery Life
Both phones boast an endurance rating of 112 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite differing charging speeds. However, the Huawei nova 9 SE’s 66W wired charging is a major advantage, achieving a full charge in just 35 minutes. The Motorola Edge 20 Pro’s 30W charging is considerably slower. This means the nova 9 SE is more forgiving if you frequently run low on battery, while the Edge 20 Pro may require longer charging times.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 9 SE 5G if you prioritize extremely fast 66W charging and a modern aesthetic, and your usage primarily revolves around social media, light browsing, and casual gaming. Buy the Motorola Edge 20 Pro if you demand significantly more processing power for gaming, multitasking, or content creation, and value a more robust overall performance profile, even with slower 30W charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 695 in the nova 9 SE 5G sufficient for playing games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 695 can run PUBG Mobile, it will likely require lower graphics settings and may experience occasional frame drops, especially during intense firefights. The Edge 20 Pro’s Snapdragon 870 will provide a much smoother and more consistent gaming experience at higher settings.
❓ How does the charging speed of the nova 9 SE 5G compare to other phones in its price range?
The 66W charging on the nova 9 SE 5G is exceptionally fast for its price range. Most competitors offer 33W or 25W charging, making the nova 9 SE a standout choice for users who prioritize quick top-ups.
❓ Will the Motorola Edge 20 Pro receive software updates and security patches?
Motorola’s software update track record is generally less consistent than some other brands. While the Edge 20 Pro launched with Android 11, it has received updates. However, long-term support may be limited compared to newer devices.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 870 in the Edge 20 Pro get hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 870 is known for its efficient thermal management. While it will generate heat during extended gaming, it’s less prone to significant throttling compared to more powerful chipsets like the Snapdragon 888. The Edge 20 Pro’s cooling system should be adequate for most gaming scenarios.
