Huawei Nova 9 vs Nova 10 SE: A Detailed Comparison

Huawei's Nova series consistently delivers stylish phones with impressive features. The Nova 9 and Nova 10 SE are two compelling options, but cater to slightly different needs. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one is right for you.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nova 9 takes the lead with its significantly faster Snapdragon 778G chipset and superior display brightness. However, the Nova 10 SE offers a more modern design and potentially better value depending on pricing. Ultimately, the Nova 9 is the performance champion, while the Nova 10 SE prioritizes aesthetics.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 9 Huawei nova 10 SE
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - BNE-LX1
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - BNE-LX1
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - BNE-LX3
Launch
Announced2021, September 232022, October 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 30Available. Released 2022, October 25
Body
Dimensions160 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm (6.30 x 2.90 x 0.31 in)162.4 x 75.5 x 7.4 mm (6.39 x 2.97 x 0.29 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight175 g (6.17 oz)184 g (6.49 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 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz
 -Always-On Display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 680G 4G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LAdreno 610
OSHarmonyOS 2.0 (China), EMUI 12 (Europe), no Google Play ServicesEMUI 12, 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, HDRDual-LED dual-tone 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)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)
Video4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@240fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (BNE-LX1 only)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
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/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (ultrasound)
Battery
Charging66W wired, 60% in 18 min, 100% in 38 min Reverse wired66W wired 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4300 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsStarry Blue, Black, Green, VioletStarry Silver, Mint Green, Starry Black
ModelsNAM-AL00, NAM-LX9BNE-LX1, BNE-LX3, BNE-AL00
PriceAbout 120 EURAbout 170 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

  • Superior Performance (Snapdragon 778G)
  • Brighter Display (608 nits)
  • Exceptional Battery Life (96h Endurance)
  • Fast 66W Charging
  • Reverse Wired Charging

  • Potentially Older Design
  • Missing Detailed Camera Specs

Huawei nova 10 SE

  • Modern Design (Likely)
  • Potentially More Affordable
  • 66W Fast Charging
  • 5W Reverse Wired Charging

  • Weaker Performance (Snapdragon 680G)
  • Less Bright Display
  • Unknown Battery Life
  • Missing Detailed Camera Specs

Display Comparison

The Nova 9 boasts a measured peak brightness of 608 nits, offering a noticeably brighter and more vibrant viewing experience, especially outdoors. While the Nova 10 SE's display has an 'infinite' contrast ratio (likely a marketing term), it's expected to be less bright. Both phones likely feature OLED panels for excellent color accuracy and deep blacks.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed camera specs are missing. The Nova 9 likely has a more advanced image processing pipeline due to its more powerful chipset. Expect both to offer good image quality in well-lit conditions, but the Nova 9 may have an edge in low-light performance and video recording capabilities. Further testing would be needed to determine the exact differences.

Performance

Here's where the Nova 9 truly shines. Its Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset is significantly more powerful than the Nova 10 SE's Snapdragon 680G 4G. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Nova 9. The Nova 10 SE is still capable for everyday tasks, but will struggle with more demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Nova 9's endurance rating of 96 hours is exceptional, suggesting outstanding battery life. The Nova 10 SE's battery capacity and endurance are unknown, but it's likely to be good, though not as impressive as the Nova 9. Both phones offer 66W wired charging, which is incredibly fast, with the Nova 9 charging to 60% in 18 minutes and 100% in 38 minutes. The Nova 10 SE has 5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Nova 9.

Buying Guide

The Huawei Nova 9 is ideal for users who prioritize performance, a brighter display, and fast charging. It's a great choice for those who enjoy gaming or multitasking. The Huawei Nova 10 SE is better suited for users who value a sleek design, a more recent aesthetic, and a potentially more affordable price point, while still offering a solid overall experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Huawei Nova 9 worth the extra cost over the Nova 10 SE?
If performance and a brighter display are your priorities, then yes. The Nova 9's Snapdragon 778G offers a significant performance boost. However, if you're on a tighter budget and prefer a more modern design, the Nova 10 SE is a viable option.
❓ What is the camera quality like on each phone?
Detailed camera specifications are not fully available. Both phones are expected to produce good images in well-lit conditions, but the Nova 9's more powerful chipset likely gives it an edge in low-light performance and video recording.