Huawei nova 9 SE vs nova 10 SE: A Detailed Comparison

Huawei's nova series consistently delivers stylish phones with impressive features at competitive prices. The nova 9 SE and nova 10 SE are two strong contenders, but which one offers the best value? This comprehensive comparison will delve into their key differences to help you make an informed decision.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The nova 10 SE edges out the 9 SE thanks to its slightly improved CPU architecture and reverse charging capability. While both offer excellent 66W charging, the 10 SE's Cortex-A73 cores provide a noticeable performance boost for everyday tasks and gaming. Ultimately, the 10 SE is the more modern and feature-rich option.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 9 SE Huawei nova 10 SE
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - JLN-LX1HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - BNE-LX1
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - JLN-LX11, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - BNE-LX1
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - JLN-LX31, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - BNE-LX3
Launch
Announced2022, March 082022, October 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, March 20Available. Released 2022, October 25
Body
Dimensions164.6 x 75.6 x 7.9 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.31 in)162.4 x 75.5 x 7.4 mm (6.39 x 2.97 x 0.29 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight191 g (6.74 oz)184 g (6.49 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2388 pixels (~387 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzOLED, 1B colors, 90Hz
 -Always-On Display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 680G 4G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 610
OSAndroid 11, EMUI 12, no Google Play ServicesEMUI 12, no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR
Quad108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Single16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide)16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Triple-108 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide)16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (JLN-XL1 only)Yes (BNE-LX1 only)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (ultrasound)
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging66W wired, 75% in 20 min66W wired 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsMidnight Black, Pearl White, Crystal BlueStarry Silver, Mint Green, Starry Black
ModelsJLN-LX1, JLN-LX3, JuliaQN-L01B, JuliaQN-L21B, JuliaQN-L23A, RMX2190, FIO-BD00, JLN-AL00BNE-LX1, BNE-LX3, BNE-AL00
PriceAbout 150 EURAbout 170 EUR

Huawei nova 9 SE

  • Fast 66W Charging
  • Smooth 90Hz Display
  • Stylish Design
  • Good Value for Money

  • Older Processor
  • No Reverse Charging
  • Potentially Less Powerful than nova 10 SE

Huawei nova 10 SE

  • More Powerful Processor (Cortex-A73)
  • Reverse Charging Capability
  • Potentially Improved Camera Processing
  • Modern Design

  • Slightly Higher Price
  • Battery Life Similar to 9 SE

Display Comparison

Both phones likely feature similar OLED displays with a 90Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. Expect similar resolution and brightness levels. The nova 10 SE might have a slightly refined design with slimmer bezels, contributing to a more immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are expected to have a triple-camera setup with a primary 108MP sensor. Image quality should be comparable in well-lit conditions. The nova 10 SE might offer slightly improved image processing algorithms and low-light performance due to potential software enhancements. Video recording capabilities are likely similar, supporting 1080p or 4K resolution.

Performance

The nova 9 SE utilizes a Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 with Kryo 265 cores. The nova 10 SE boasts a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680G with Cortex-A73 cores. The Cortex-A73 cores in the 10 SE are generally more powerful than the Kryo 265 cores, resulting in better performance in demanding applications and games. Expect slightly faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the nova 10 SE.

Battery Life

Both phones are equipped with a 4000mAh battery and 66W SuperCharge technology, promising incredibly fast charging times (around 20 minutes to 75%). Battery life should be comparable under typical usage scenarios. The nova 10 SE's reverse charging feature allows it to act as a power bank for other devices, adding a useful convenience.

Buying Guide

The Huawei nova 9 SE is a great choice for budget-conscious users who prioritize fast charging and a smooth user experience for basic tasks. The nova 10 SE is ideal for those seeking a slightly more powerful processor, reverse charging, and a more modern design, willing to spend a bit more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 680G significantly faster than the Snapdragon 680?
Yes, the Snapdragon 680G with Cortex-A73 cores generally offers a noticeable performance improvement over the Snapdragon 680 with Kryo 265 cores, particularly in demanding tasks.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge each phone?
Both phones support 66W SuperCharge, allowing them to charge from 0% to 75% in approximately 20 minutes. A full charge typically takes around 35-40 minutes.