The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we pit two popular contenders against each other: the Huawei nova 9 SE 5G and the Realme GT Master. Both promise a blend of style, performance, and affordability, but which one truly delivers?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme GT Master edges out the nova 9 SE 5G thanks to its superior chipset (Snapdragon 778G vs. 695), potentially better camera performance, and slightly faster charging. However, the nova 9 SE 5G might appeal to those prioritizing Huawei's design aesthetic and software experience.
| 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 20 | 2021, July 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 23 | Available. Released 2021, July 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.6 x 7.9 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.31 in) | 159.2 mm x 73.5 mm x 8.0/8.7 mm (depending on color) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 174/180 g (depending on color) (6.14 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~387 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) - unconfirmed | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 11, EMUI 12, no Google Play Services | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| 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 |
| | - | UFS |
| 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 | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Unspecified | Yes |
| 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/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 | 65W wired, 100% in 33 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Pearl White, Crystal Blue | Black, Gray, White, Aurora |
| Models | - | RMX3363, RMX3360, RMX3361 |
| Price | About 370 EUR | $ 142.99 / € 128.55 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.2 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 529263 (v9)
GeekBench: 2917 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 27fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 9 SE 5G
- Stylish design
- Fast charging (66W)
- Compact size (likely)
- Good value
- Potentially weaker chipset
- Unconfirmed chipset details
- Software limitations (Huawei ecosystem)
- Camera performance potentially behind GT Master
Realme GT Master
- Powerful Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset
- Bright display (634 nits)
- Excellent battery life (114h endurance)
- Fast charging (65W)
- Design might not appeal to everyone
- Older model (potential software update concerns)
Display Comparison
The Realme GT Master boasts a measured peak brightness of 634 nits, offering better outdoor visibility than the nova 9 SE 5G (brightness data unavailable). While the nova 9 SE 5G likely has a good display, the GT Master's 'infinite' contrast ratio suggests excellent image quality. Both likely feature OLED panels for vibrant colors.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Snapdragon 778G in the Realme GT Master generally allows for better image processing and potentially improved low-light performance. The nova 9 SE 5G's camera is likely competent, but the GT Master has the edge in overall camera quality.
Performance
Here, the Realme GT Master takes a clear lead. The Snapdragon 778G 5G is significantly more powerful than the Snapdragon 695 5G, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance. The GT Master's CPU architecture also contributes to its superior processing capabilities.
Battery Life
Both phones offer respectable battery life, with the Realme GT Master boasting an endurance rating of 114 hours. The charging speeds are also comparable, with the GT Master offering 65W charging (33 minutes to 100%) versus the nova 9 SE 5G's 66W charging (35 minutes to 100%).
Buying Guide
The Huawei nova 9 SE 5G is ideal for users who appreciate Huawei's design language, prefer a more compact phone, and are comfortable with potential software limitations. The Realme GT Master is a better choice for those prioritizing raw performance, a vibrant display, and a more established software ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Huawei nova 9 SE 5G good for gaming?
While it can handle casual games, the nova 9 SE 5G's chipset isn't as powerful as the Realme GT Master's, so demanding games might experience lower frame rates or require reduced graphics settings.
❓ Does the Realme GT Master still receive software updates?
As an older model, software update support for the Realme GT Master might be limited compared to newer devices. Check Realme's website for the latest update information.
