Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming. The Huawei Nova 9 SE and Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro are both compelling mid-range options, but cater to different needs. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you make the best decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi Note 10 Pro generally offers more value with its superior chipset, better camera system, and longer battery life. However, the Nova 9 SE boasts significantly faster charging. Ultimately, the Redmi Note 10 Pro is the stronger all-rounder, especially for those prioritizing performance and photography.
| 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, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - JLN-LX3 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 08 | 2021, March 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 20 | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.6 x 7.9 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.31 in) | 164 x 76.5 x 8.1 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 193 g (6.81 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~387 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10, 450 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7150 Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 11, EMUI 12, no Google Play Services | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| 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 | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (JLN-XL1 only) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 75% in 20 min | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5020 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Pearl White, Crystal Blue | Onyx Gray, Glacier Blue, Gradient Bronze |
| Models | JLN-LX1, JLN-LX3, JuliaQN-L01B, JuliaQN-L21B, JuliaQN-L23A, RMX2190, FIO-BD00, JLN-AL00 | M2101K6G, M2101K6R |
| Price | About 150 EUR | $ 107.43 / £ 163.94 / € 144.87 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.06 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 6GB RAM | - | $ 189.99 |
| 128GB 8GB RAM | - | $ 209.99 |
| 64GB 6GB RAM | - | $ 221.00 |
| RENEWED | - | £ 348.00 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 118h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.7 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 295442 (v8)
GeekBench: 1780 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 9 SE
- Fast 66W Charging
- Sleek Design
- Good Front Camera (likely)
- Compact Size
- Less Powerful Chipset
- Potentially Less Capable Camera
- Limited Availability (Huawei)
- Software Support Concerns
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro
- Powerful Snapdragon 732G
- Excellent Battery Life
- Versatile Camera System
- High-Resolution Display
- Competitive Price
- Slower Charging (33W)
- Design Less Distinctive
- Software Bloat (potential)
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 10 Pro features a 6.67-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a measured peak brightness of 725 nits, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The Nova 9 SE likely has an OLED display, but details on refresh rate and brightness are less readily available. The Redmi Note 10 Pro's higher brightness and refresh rate give it a noticeable edge.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi Note 10 Pro typically features a versatile quad-camera system, often including a high-resolution main sensor, ultrawide lens, macro lens, and depth sensor. The Nova 9 SE's camera setup is likely less sophisticated, focusing on a more streamlined approach. The Redmi Note 10 Pro generally delivers superior image quality and more creative options.
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro's Snapdragon 732G chipset is considerably more powerful than the Nova 9 SE's Snapdragon 680. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Redmi Note 10 Pro. While the Nova 9 SE is adequate for everyday tasks, it will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 10 Pro excels in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 118 hours. While the Nova 9 SE's battery capacity is likely similar, the Redmi Note 10 Pro's efficient chipset contributes to its exceptional longevity. The Nova 9 SE's 66W charging is a significant advantage, allowing for rapid top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Huawei Nova 9 SE is ideal for users who prioritize fast charging and a sleek design, and are less concerned about raw performance. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro is a better choice for those seeking a well-rounded experience with a strong camera, good battery life, and a more powerful processor, all at a competitive price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro's Snapdragon 732G chipset provides significantly better gaming performance than the Huawei Nova 9 SE's Snapdragon 680.
❓ Is the Huawei Nova 9 SE worth buying if fast charging is a priority?
Yes, the Nova 9 SE's 66W charging is a major selling point. However, consider if the trade-offs in performance and camera are acceptable for that benefit.