Huawei nova 9 SE vs Motorola Edge 30 Neo: A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo is the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset provides future-proofing and faster data speeds, while the comparable charging speeds and battery endurance make it a well-rounded package. The nova 9 SE remains a viable option for those prioritizing a potentially lower price point and aren't concerned with 5G.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Huawei nova 9 SE | Motorola Edge 30 Neo |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - JLN-LX1 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - JLN-LX1 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - JLN-LX3 | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 08 | 2022, September 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 20 | Available. Released 2022, October 07 |
| 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) | 152.9 x 71.2 x 7.8 mm (6.02 x 2.80 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 155 g (5.47 oz) |
| - | Splash and dust resistant | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~387 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~419 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.28 inches, 95.2 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | P-OLED, 120Hz |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, EMUI 12, no Google Play Services | Android 12, planned upgrade to Android 15 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-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) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30/60/120fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.0", 0.7µm |
| Video | 1080p@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, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes (JLN-XL1 only) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, 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, proximity, compass |
| Virtual proximity sensing | - | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 75% in 20 min | 68W wired 5W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4020 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Pearl White, Crystal Blue | Very Peri, Black Onyx, Ice Palace, Aqua Foam |
| Models | JLN-LX1, JLN-LX3, JuliaQN-L01B, JuliaQN-L21B, JuliaQN-L23A, RMX2190, FIO-BD00, JLN-AL00 | XT2245-1 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | € 156.44 / $ 185.00 / £ 229.00 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 104h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -26.4 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 380818 (v9) GeekBench: 1964 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 9 SE
- Potentially lower price point
- Fast 66W wired charging
- Reliable Snapdragon 680 performance for basic tasks
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Older chipset architecture
- No wireless charging
Motorola Edge 30 Neo
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- More modern Snapdragon 695 chipset
- Wireless charging support
- May be slightly more expensive
- Similar battery endurance to the nova 9 SE
- Wireless charging is slow at 5W
Display Comparison
The Motorola Edge 30 Neo boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 1004 nits, which translates to better visibility outdoors compared to the nova 9 SE (brightness data unavailable). While both likely utilize OLED panels given the 'infinite' contrast ratio claim for the Motorola, the Edge 30 Neo’s higher brightness is a tangible advantage. Bezels are expected to be similar on both devices, targeting a modern, immersive viewing experience. Color accuracy data is missing for both, but Motorola typically calibrates its displays for reasonably accurate color reproduction.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the market positioning suggests the Edge 30 Neo may have a slight edge. Motorola often prioritizes computational photography, potentially leading to better image processing. The absence of details on Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) for either device suggests reliance on software stabilization. The usefulness of any 2MP macro lens on either phone is questionable, serving primarily as a marketing feature.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Edge 30 Neo’s Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) offers a performance uplift over the Huawei nova 9 SE’s Snapdragon 680 (6nm). The 695 features a more modern CPU architecture – 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold vs 4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold – and crucially, integrated 5G connectivity. While the nova 9 SE’s Kryo 265 cores clock higher, the architectural improvements in the 695, coupled with 5G support, provide a more future-proof experience. Both devices likely utilize LPDDR4X RAM, but the 695’s GPU will handle graphics-intensive tasks and gaming more effectively.
Battery Life
Both the Huawei nova 9 SE and Motorola Edge 30 Neo share an endurance rating of 104 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage. The Edge 30 Neo adds the convenience of 5W wireless charging, a feature absent on the nova 9 SE. Both support fast wired charging – 68W for the Edge 30 Neo and 66W for the nova 9 SE – promising a 75% charge in approximately 20 minutes for the nova 9 SE. The slightly faster charging on the Motorola, combined with wireless charging, provides greater flexibility.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 9 SE if you need a reliable smartphone for everyday tasks and prioritize a potentially lower upfront cost, and 5G connectivity isn't a necessity. Buy the Motorola Edge 30 Neo if you prefer a device with 5G support for faster download speeds, slightly better performance for gaming and multitasking, and the convenience of wireless charging.