Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro vs Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G: A Clash of Titans

The Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro and Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G were top contenders in their respective years, boasting impressive specs and features. But which phone truly delivers the best overall experience? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Mate 30 Pro 5G edges out the Mi 9 Pro thanks to its superior camera system and 5G connectivity. However, the Mi 9 Pro offers a slightly faster chipset and potentially better value, depending on current pricing. Ultimately, camera enthusiasts will favor the Huawei.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 41 - China1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Global
5G bands-1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/150 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
Launch
Announced2019, September. Released 2019, September2019, September 19. Released 2019, October 23
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame (7000 series)Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions157.2 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm (6.19 x 2.94 x 0.33 in)158.1 x 73.1 x 8.8 mm (6.22 x 2.88 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight196 g (6.91 oz)198 g (6.98 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 2m for 30 mins)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)1176 x 2400 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.53 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~94.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, HDR10OLED, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm)Kirin 990 5G (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 640 (700 MHz)Mali-G76 MP16
OSAndroid 10, MIUI 11Android 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNoNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLeica optics, color spectrum sensor, dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 12 MP, f/2.2, 54mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm, PDAF40 MP, f/1.6, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 40 MP, f/1.8, 18mm (ultrawide), 1/1.54", PDAF TOF 3D, (depth)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@960fps, 720p@7680fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
 -32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFace ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging40W wired, QC4 30W wireless 10W reverse wireless40W wired 27W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsDream White, Titanium BlackBlack, Space Silver, Cosmic Purple, Emerald Green, Orange, Forest Green
Models-LIO-N29, LIO-AL10, LIO-TL10
PriceAbout 500 EURAbout 1440 EUR

Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro

  • Faster chipset (Snapdragon 855+)
  • Potentially better value
  • 90Hz display
  • Fast charging (40W wired, 30W wireless)
  • Reverse wireless charging

  • Camera not as good as Mate 30 Pro
  • No 5G connectivity
  • Design less distinctive

Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G

  • Superior camera system
  • 5G connectivity
  • Premium design
  • 90Hz display
  • Fast charging (40W wired, 27W wireless)

  • Potentially higher price
  • Kirin chipset can be less optimized than Snapdragon
  • Software support concerns (due to Huawei's situation)

Display Comparison

Both phones feature excellent AMOLED displays with vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Mate 30 Pro 5G has a slightly curved display, offering a more immersive experience, while the Mi 9 Pro has a flatter display, which some users prefer for usability. Both have high refresh rates (90Hz on the Mi 9 Pro, 90Hz on the Mate 30 Pro 5G) for smooth scrolling.

Camera Comparison

The Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G's camera system is the clear winner. Its RYYB sensor technology and advanced image processing algorithms produce stunning photos with excellent detail, dynamic range, and low-light performance. The Mi 9 Pro's camera is good, but doesn't match the Mate 30 Pro's capabilities.

Performance

The Snapdragon 855+ in the Mi 9 Pro generally offers slightly better raw performance in benchmarks. However, the Kirin 990 5G in the Mate 30 Pro 5G is no slouch and provides a fluid user experience. Real-world performance differences are minimal for most users.

Battery Life

Both phones offer all-day battery life with moderate usage. The Mate 30 Pro 5G has a slightly larger battery capacity, potentially giving it a slight edge in longevity. Both support fast wired and wireless charging.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro if you prioritize raw performance and a slightly more affordable price point. Buy the Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G if you demand a top-tier camera, 5G capabilities, and a premium design, even if it means a higher investment.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G still worth buying?
Despite its age, the Mate 30 Pro 5G remains a compelling option, especially for its camera. However, consider the potential lack of future software updates due to Huawei's situation.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro generally receives more consistent software updates and support compared to the Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G.