Huawei Nova 9 vs Nova 9 Pro: A Detailed Comparison

The Huawei Nova 9 series offers stylish design and impressive features, but choosing between the standard Nova 9 and the Pro model can be tricky. Both phones pack a punch, but cater to slightly different users. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nova 9 Pro takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster 100W charging and potentially improved camera system (though details are limited). However, the Nova 9 offers excellent battery life and a slightly brighter display, making it a strong contender for budget-conscious users.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 9 Huawei nova 9 Pro
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, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - ChinaCDMA 800
Launch
Announced2021, September 232021, September 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 30Available. Released 2021, September 30
Body
Dimensions160 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm (6.30 x 2.90 x 0.31 in)163.4 x 74.4 x 8 mm (6.43 x 2.93 x 0.31 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight175 g (6.17 oz)186 g (6.56 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~392 ppi density)1236 x 2676 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~439 ppi density)
Size6.57 inches, 106.0 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.72 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10OLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120Hz
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
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFSUFS
Main Camera
Dual-32 MP, f/2.0, (wide) 32 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide)
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 lens50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)-
Video4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual-32 MP, f/2.0, (wide) 32 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide)
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@240fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
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, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired, 60% in 18 min, 100% in 38 min Reverse wired100W wired, 100% in 20 min Reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4300 mAhLi-Po 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsStarry Blue, Black, Green, VioletBlack, Blue, Green, Violet
ModelsNAM-AL00, NAM-LX9RTE-AL00, Hebe-BD00
PriceAbout 120 EURAbout 460 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

  • Excellent battery life (96h endurance)
  • Bright display (608 nits)
  • Fast 66W charging
  • Stylish design

  • Slower charging compared to Pro
  • Camera details are unclear

Huawei nova 9 Pro

  • Incredibly fast 100W charging
  • Potentially improved camera system
  • Stylish design

  • Likely smaller battery capacity
  • Higher price point
  • No endurance rating provided

Display Comparison

Both phones feature OLED displays, but the Nova 9 boasts a measured peak brightness of 608 nits, slightly edging out the Pro. The contrast ratio is listed as 'infinite' for both, indicating excellent blacks and vibrant colors. While the Pro might have a slightly different panel or calibration, concrete differences are difficult to ascertain without further testing.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are somewhat limited in the provided specs. Both are listed as 'Photo / Video' but the Pro likely has a more advanced camera system, potentially with a higher resolution main sensor or improved image processing. Further reviews are needed to confirm this.

Performance

Both devices share the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset and CPU configuration. Performance should be very similar in everyday tasks and gaming. Differences, if any, would likely stem from software optimization or RAM management.

Battery Life

The Nova 9 shines here with an impressive endurance rating of 96 hours. The Nova 9 Pro, while still offering good battery life, doesn't have a specified endurance rating, but its 100W charging capability suggests a smaller battery capacity to enable that speed.

Buying Guide

The Huawei Nova 9 is ideal for users prioritizing long battery life, a bright display, and a more affordable price point. The Nova 9 Pro is best suited for those who value incredibly fast charging speeds and potentially a more advanced camera experience, willing to pay a premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Huawei Nova 9 Pro worth the extra money?
If fast charging is a top priority and you suspect the camera is significantly better, then yes. Otherwise, the Nova 9 offers excellent value with its long battery life and bright display.
❓ Do both phones support 5G?
No, both the Nova 9 and Nova 9 Pro are 4G-only devices, despite using the Snapdragon 778G chipset.