Huawei's 2019 lineup offered a diverse range of smartphones. The nova 5T aimed for a compelling mid-range experience with flagship-level processing power, while the Y9 Prime (2019) focused on delivering essential features at a more accessible price point. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two devices, helping you determine which best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Huawei nova 5T is the superior choice. Its Kirin 980 chipset delivers significantly faster performance, making it ideal for demanding tasks and gaming. While the Y9 Prime (2019) offers good value, the performance gap is substantial enough to justify the price difference for those prioritizing speed and responsiveness.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August 01. Released 2019, August 05 | 2019, August 27. Released 2019, September 05 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.5 x 77.3 x 8.9 mm (6.44 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 154.3 x 74 x 7.8 mm (6.07 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196.8 g (6.95 oz) | 174 g (6.14 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710F (12 nm) | Kirin 980 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Mali-G76 MP10 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Magic UI 2.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1"
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0 | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 32-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 22.5W wired, 50% in 24 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3750 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Emerald Green, Midnight Black, Sapphire Blue | Black, Crush Blue, Midsummer Purple, Crush Green |
| Models | STK-L21, STK-L22, STK-LX3 | YAL-L21, YAL-L61, YAL-L71, YAL-L61D |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 340 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 313024 (v7), 395503 (v8)
GeekBench: 10013 (v4.4), 2504 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 29fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei Y9 Prime (2019)
- More affordable price point
- Potentially larger display size
- Good for basic smartphone tasks
- Significantly slower performance
- Less efficient chipset
- Inferior camera capabilities
Huawei nova 5T
- Much faster performance with Kirin 980
- Faster 22.5W charging
- Superior camera image processing
- Higher price tag
- Potentially smaller display
- May not offer expandable storage
Display Comparison
While both devices likely feature LCD panels (specific panel tech is not provided), the focus here is on performance. The Y9 Prime (2019) likely prioritizes screen size for its target audience, but lacks the processing power to fully utilize high refresh rates if present. The nova 5T, with its more powerful chipset, could potentially handle higher refresh rates more effectively, though this isn't confirmed. Bezels are likely comparable given the market segment, and color accuracy is expected to be standard for the price range of both devices.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct comparison is limited. However, the nova 5T, being a more premium device, likely features a superior main camera sensor and image signal processor (ISP) integrated within the Kirin 980. While both phones likely include multiple rear cameras, the Y9 Prime (2019) may rely on lower-resolution sensors for depth and wide-angle shots. The Kirin 980’s image processing capabilities will result in better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality on the nova 5T. The presence of OIS is unknown for both, but more likely on the nova 5T.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The nova 5T’s Kirin 980 (7nm) is a significant leap over the Y9 Prime (2019)’s Kirin 710F (12nm). The Kirin 980 utilizes a more advanced architecture with 2x Cortex-A76 cores alongside 2x Cortex-A76 cores and 4x Cortex-A55 cores, compared to the Y9 Prime’s 4x Cortex-A73 and 4x Cortex-A53. This translates to a roughly 75% performance increase in CPU-intensive tasks for the nova 5T. The 7nm process also provides better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The nova 5T will handle demanding games and applications with far greater ease.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified, but the nova 5T’s 22.5W wired charging is a clear advantage. Reaching 50% charge in just 24 minutes significantly reduces downtime. The Y9 Prime (2019) likely supports slower charging speeds. While a larger battery capacity on the Y9 Prime could offset the slower charging, the Kirin 980’s efficiency means the nova 5T will likely deliver comparable, if not better, real-world battery life despite potentially having a smaller battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Y9 Prime (2019) if you prioritize a larger screen for media consumption and require a functional smartphone for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light photography, all while staying within a tight budget. Buy the Huawei nova 5T if you demand smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more enjoyable gaming experience, and are willing to invest a bit more for a noticeable performance boost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the nova 5T handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty smoothly?
Yes, the Kirin 980 in the nova 5T is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty at high settings with stable frame rates. The improved GPU and thermal management prevent significant throttling, providing a consistently smooth gaming experience.
❓ Is the Kirin 710F in the Y9 Prime (2019) sufficient for everyday social media and browsing?
The Kirin 710F is adequate for basic tasks like social media, web browsing, and messaging. However, you may experience occasional lag or slowdowns when multitasking or running more demanding applications.
❓ Does the nova 5T support fast charging with any standard charger, or do I need Huawei's proprietary charger?
While the nova 5T supports 22.5W fast charging, achieving that speed requires using a compatible Huawei charger or a Power Delivery (PD) charger that supports the same wattage. Using a standard 5W charger will significantly increase charging time.
❓ How does the image processing differ between the two phones, and will I notice a significant difference in photo quality?
The Kirin 980 in the nova 5T has a more advanced ISP, resulting in better dynamic range, noise reduction, and color accuracy. You'll likely notice a significant improvement in photo quality, especially in low-light conditions, compared to the Y9 Prime (2019).
