Huawei Nova 9 vs Nova 9 SE: A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nova 9 takes the crown with its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 778G chipset and superior camera capabilities. However, the Nova 9 SE offers a more budget-friendly option with decent performance and fast charging, making it a solid choice for cost-conscious buyers.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Huawei nova 9 | Huawei nova 9 SE |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - JLN-LX1 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - JLN-LX1 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - JLN-LX3 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 23 | 2022, March 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 30 | Available. Released 2022, March 20 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm (6.30 x 2.90 x 0.31 in) | 164.6 x 75.6 x 7.9 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~387 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.57 inches, 106.0 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10 | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 610 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0 (China), EMUI 12 (Europe), no Google Play Services | Android 11, EMUI 12, no Google Play Services |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | 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 | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide) |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@240fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (JLN-XL1 only) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| - | Virtual proximity sensing | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 60% in 18 min, 100% in 38 min Reverse wired | 66W wired, 75% in 20 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4300 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Starry Blue, Black, Green, Violet | Midnight Black, Pearl White, Crystal Blue |
| Models | NAM-AL00, NAM-LX9 | JLN-LX1, JLN-LX3, JuliaQN-L01B, JuliaQN-L21B, JuliaQN-L23A, RMX2190, FIO-BD00, JLN-AL00 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 150 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)
- Excellent Battery Life (96h Endurance)
- Potentially Better Camera System
- Faster Charging (18 min to 60%)
- Premium Feel
- Higher Price
- May be Overkill for Basic Users
Huawei nova 9 SE
- More Affordable
- Fast Charging (20 min to 75%)
- Stylish Design
- Good Everyday Performance
- Weaker Performance (Snapdragon 680)
- Less Capable Camera
- Potentially Shorter Battery Life
Display Comparison
Both phones feature OLED displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Nova 9 boasts a slightly higher measured brightness of 608 nits compared to the Nova 9 SE, potentially offering better visibility in direct sunlight. The Nova 9 also has a contrast ratio of 'Infinite' (nominal), suggesting excellent contrast. However, both phones likely share similar resolution and refresh rate (likely 6.53-inch, FHD+, 60Hz).
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer capable cameras, the Nova 9 is expected to have a more advanced camera system. The Nova 9 likely features a higher resolution main sensor and potentially additional lenses for improved versatility. The Nova 9 SE's camera is still decent for casual photography, but it won't match the Nova 9's image quality, especially in low light.
Performance
This is where the Nova 9 truly shines. Its Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset is a significant upgrade over the Nova 9 SE's Snapdragon 680 4G. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Nova 9. The Nova 9 SE is adequate for everyday tasks but may struggle with demanding games or heavy multitasking.
Battery Life
The Nova 9 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 96 hours, suggesting exceptional battery life. The Nova 9 SE also offers good battery life, but the Nova 9's superior efficiency likely gives it the edge. Both phones feature 66W wired charging, with the Nova 9 SE charging to 75% in 20 minutes, while the Nova 9 reaches 60% in 18 minutes – a slight advantage for the Nova 9.
Buying Guide
The Huawei Nova 9 is ideal for users who prioritize performance, camera quality, and a smoother overall experience. It's great for gaming, content creation, and those who want a premium feel. The Nova 9 SE is a good fit for budget-minded individuals who still want a stylish phone with fast charging and reliable everyday performance.