Huawei Nova 9 vs Nova 10: A Detailed Comparison

Huawei's Nova series consistently delivers stylish phones with impressive features. The Nova 9 and Nova 10 are the latest contenders, offering a blend of design and performance. But which one is the better choice? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nova 10 offers a slightly refined design and potentially improved camera features, while the Nova 9 boasts a superior battery endurance rating. Ultimately, the Nova 10 is a worthwhile upgrade if camera and design are priorities, but the Nova 9 remains a strong contender for battery life.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 9 Huawei nova 10
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
Launch
Announced2021, September 232022, July 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 30Available. Released 2022, July 10
Body
Dimensions160 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm (6.30 x 2.90 x 0.31 in)162.2 x 73.9 x 6.9 mm (6.39 x 2.91 x 0.27 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight175 g (6.17 oz)168 g (5.93 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~392 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.57 inches, 106.0 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LAdreno 642L
OSHarmonyOS 2.0 (China), EMUI 12 (Europe), no Google Play ServicesHarmonyOS 2.0 (China), EMUI 12 (Europe), no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)60 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide)
Triple-50 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)60 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@240fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging66W wired, 60% in 18 min, 100% in 38 min Reverse wired66W wired 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4300 mAhLi-Po 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsStarry Blue, Black, Green, VioletBlack, Silver, Green, Violet
ModelsNAM-AL00, NAM-LX9NCO-AL00, NCO-LX1, NCO-LX3
PriceAbout 120 EURAbout 500 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 96h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -27.3 LUFS (Good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 469798 (v9) GeekBench: 2973 (v5.1) GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Huawei nova 9

  • Exceptional battery life (96h endurance)
  • Fast 66W wired charging
  • Reverse wired charging
  • Solid performance with Snapdragon 778G

  • Design may feel slightly dated compared to Nova 10
  • Camera potentially less advanced than Nova 10

Huawei nova 10

  • Potentially improved camera system
  • Modern design
  • Fast 66W wired charging
  • Likely 120Hz refresh rate display

  • Battery life potentially less than Nova 9
  • 5W reverse wired charging (slower than Nova 9's)
  • Performance identical to Nova 9

Display Comparison

Both phones feature OLED displays, likely with similar resolutions (FHD+). The Nova 9's measured 608 nits max brightness is a good starting point, but the Nova 10 may have slightly improved color accuracy or a higher refresh rate (likely 120Hz, based on typical Nova series trends). Contrast ratio is listed as 'infinite' for the Nova 9, which is a nominal value indicating excellent contrast.

Camera Comparison

While both phones have 'Photo / Video' capabilities listed, the Nova 10 is expected to have a more advanced camera system. This likely includes improvements to the main sensor, potentially a periscope telephoto lens (common in Nova 10 series), and enhanced image processing algorithms. The Nova 9's camera is still capable, but the Nova 10 should offer a noticeable upgrade.

Performance

Both devices share the same Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset and CPU configuration. Performance should be virtually identical in everyday tasks and most games. Software optimization will play a larger role in the perceived smoothness.

Battery Life

The Nova 9's endurance rating of 96h is exceptionally impressive, suggesting outstanding battery life. The Nova 10's battery capacity is likely similar, but the Nova 9's software optimization or slightly larger battery may contribute to its superior endurance. The Nova 10 has 66W wired charging, while the Nova 9 has 66W wired charging with reverse wired charging.

Buying Guide

The Huawei Nova 9 is ideal for users prioritizing long battery life and a reliable all-around experience. The Huawei Nova 10 is best suited for those who value a more modern design, potentially improved camera capabilities, and faster charging (though the Nova 9's charging is still very fast).

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Huawei Nova 10 worth upgrading from the Nova 9?
If you prioritize camera improvements and a more modern design, the Nova 10 is a worthwhile upgrade. However, if battery life is your top concern, the Nova 9 remains an excellent choice.
❓ Do both phones support 5G?
No, both the Huawei Nova 9 and Nova 10 utilize the Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset, meaning they do not support 5G connectivity.