The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and two contenders vying for your attention are the Huawei nova 9 SE 5G and the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G. Both offer compelling features at accessible prices, but which one truly comes out on top? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G edges out the Huawei nova 9 SE 5G thanks to its superior display brightness, longer software support, and more established ecosystem. However, the nova 9 SE 5G boasts significantly faster charging, making it a strong contender for those prioritizing speed.
| 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, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 20 | 2022, March 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 23 | Available. Released 2022, April 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.6 x 7.9 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.31 in) | 159.7 x 74 x 8.1 mm (6.29 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 186 g (6.56 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~387 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | Super AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) - unconfirmed | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 |
| OS | Android 11, EMUI 12, no Google Play Services | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 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 | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Unspecified | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 100% in 35 min | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Pearl White, Crystal Blue | Black, White, Blue, Peach |
| Models | - | SM-A336E, SM-A336B, SM-A336B/DS, SM-A336B/DSN, SM-A336E/DS, SM-A336M, SM-A3360 |
| Price | About 370 EUR | £ 174.99 / € 187.50 / ₹ 21,999 |
| SAR | - | 0.35 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 1.59 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 104h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.5 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 354420 (v8), 394918 (v9)
GeekBench: 1900 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 20fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 9 SE 5G
- 66W Fast Charging
- Sleek Design
- 5G Connectivity
- Unconfirmed Chipset Details
- Potential Software Limitations
- Unknown Display Brightness
Samsung Galaxy A33 5G
- Excellent Battery Life (104h Endurance)
- Bright Display (728 nits)
- Reliable Performance (Exynos 1280)
- Guaranteed Software Updates
- 25W Slow Charging
- Less Powerful Processor than some competitors
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G takes the lead here. Its measured 728 nits max brightness offers significantly better visibility in sunlight compared to the nova 9 SE 5G (brightness data unavailable, assumed lower). The A33's 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests excellent image depth, while the nova 9 SE 5G's display, while likely good, lacks concrete brightness specifications. Both likely feature OLED panels for vibrant colors.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the Galaxy A33 5G likely has a slight edge due to Samsung's established camera processing expertise. While specific camera specs are missing for the nova 9 SE 5G, the A33's camera is known for its versatility and good image quality in various conditions. Both likely offer a main wide-angle lens, ultrawide, and macro lens.
Performance
The Snapdragon 695 5G in the nova 9 SE 5G is a capable chip, but the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A33 5G generally offers better overall performance. The A33's Cortex-A78 cores provide a noticeable boost in demanding tasks. While both have octa-core CPUs, the A33's architecture is more modern and efficient.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A33 5G shines in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 104 hours. The nova 9 SE 5G's battery capacity is unknown, but its 66W charging speed is a significant advantage, allowing for incredibly fast top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Huawei nova 9 SE 5G is ideal for users who prioritize fast charging and a sleek design, and are comfortable with potential software limitations. The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G is a better choice for those seeking a reliable, long-lasting device with a vibrant display, excellent camera, and guaranteed software updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G is expected to receive longer software updates and security patches due to Samsung's commitment to Android updates.
❓ Is the Huawei nova 9 SE 5G worth buying if I need fast charging?
Absolutely! The 66W charging is a standout feature, making it ideal for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
