Huawei's nova series offers compelling mid-range options, and the Y90 and 9 SE are two popular contenders. Both boast the Snapdragon 680, but key differences in charging speed, design, and potentially camera capabilities make choosing between them a bit tricky. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei nova 9 SE takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster 66W charging, which is a game-changer. While both phones share the same chipset, the 9 SE's likely superior camera system and potentially more premium design give it an edge, despite a potentially higher price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - JLN-LX1 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - JLN-LX1 |
| 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, June 23 | 2022, March 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 27 | Available. Released 2022, March 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.94 x 0.33 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 | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~387 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | EMUI 12 | Android 11, EMUI 12, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | 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 |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide) |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (JLN-XL1 only) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | 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/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, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired, 50% in 30 min | 66W wired, 75% in 20 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Crystal Blue, Pearl White, Emerald Green, Midnight Black | Midnight Black, Pearl White, Crystal Blue |
| Models | CTR-LX2, CTR-LX1, CTR-LX3 | JLN-LX1, JLN-LX3, JuliaQN-L01B, JuliaQN-L21B, JuliaQN-L23A, RMX2190, FIO-BD00, JLN-AL00 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Huawei nova Y90
- More affordable
- Large display
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- 40W fast charging
- Slower charging compared to nova 9 SE
- Potentially less advanced camera
- May have a less premium design
Huawei nova 9 SE
- 66W SuperCharge (very fast charging)
- Potentially better camera system
- Likely more premium design
- Potentially higher refresh rate display
- Higher price
- Similar chipset performance to Y90
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar OLED displays, potentially around 6.5-6.7 inches. The nova 9 SE might offer a slightly higher refresh rate (90Hz vs. 60Hz on the Y90, based on typical nova series trends) for smoother scrolling and animations. We'll need official specs to confirm.
Camera Comparison
While both likely have a multi-lens setup, the nova 9 SE is expected to have a more advanced camera system. Expect better image processing, potentially a higher resolution main sensor, and improved low-light performance. The Y90 might focus on offering a versatile lens selection.
Performance
Sharing the Snapdragon 680 chipset means similar performance in everyday tasks and moderate gaming. However, RAM and storage configurations could differ, impacting multitasking capabilities. The nova 9 SE might have slightly better thermal management due to potentially improved design.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 4000-5000mAh. However, the nova 9 SE's 66W charging is a massive advantage, allowing for significantly faster top-ups compared to the Y90's 40W charging.
Buying Guide
The Huawei nova Y90 is ideal for budget-conscious users who prioritize a large display and decent performance for everyday tasks. The nova 9 SE is for those who value fast charging, a potentially better camera experience, and a more refined design, and are willing to spend a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 680 chipset good enough for gaming?
The Snapdragon 680 is capable of handling most games at medium settings. Don't expect high-end gaming performance, but it's suitable for casual gaming.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
While both have similar battery capacities, the nova 9 SE's faster charging means you'll spend less time plugged in, effectively making it more convenient.
❓ Does Huawei's software still have limitations due to US sanctions?
Yes, Huawei phones still face limitations regarding Google Mobile Services (GMS). They use Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) instead, which has its own app store and ecosystem. Some popular apps may not be available natively.
