Huawei nova 9 smartphone review: Without 5G but with some special camera features
Those who read our test of the Honor 50 should be familiar with a lot of things about the nova 9. Despite the separation of the two companies, Huawei delivers an almost identical smartphone. However, it only makes do without 5G and Google Services, since those are still impacted by the trade limitations against the Chinese vendor.
For about 500 Euros (~$566), the Huawei smartphone is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 4G, a Qualcomm Adreno-642L graphics unit, 8GB of RAM, and 128 GB internal storage. Equipped with this hardware, it has to compete against the comparison devices listed below.
Possible Competitors for Comparison
Rating | Date | Model | Weight | Drive | Size | Resolution | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85.3 % v7 (old) | 12 / 2021 | Huawei Nova 9 SD 778G 5G, Adreno 642L | 175 g | 128 GB UFS 3.1 Flash | 6.57" | 2340x1080 | |
| 85.5 % v7 (old) | 12 / 2021 | Honor 50 SD 778G 5G, Adreno 642L | 175 g | 256 GB UFS 2.1 Flash | 6.57" | 2340x1080 | |
| 84.2 % v7 (old) | 11 / 2021 | Motorola Edge 20 SD 778G 5G, Adreno 642L | 163 g | 128 GB UFS 2.1 Flash | 6.70" | 2400x1080 | |
| 85.1 % v7 (old) | 09 / 2021 | Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G SD 778G 5G, Adreno 642L | 189 g | 128 GB UFS 2.1 Flash | 6.50" | 2400x1080 | |
| 86.6 % v7 (old) | 10 / 2021 | Xiaomi 11T Dimensity 1200, Mali-G77 MP9 | 203 g | 128 GB UFS 3.1 Flash | 6.67" | 2400x1080 |
Case - A high-quality Huawei smartphone
The Huawei nova 9 case is made with a metal frame and glass back. The latter is dominated by the camera system designed with a frame that forms a double circle, which can also be found in the Honor 50. The workmanship shows a very high quality, and all the keys sit in their frames tightly. The manufacturer forgoes an IP certification. Compared to other smartphones of its class, the nova 9 is relatively light at 175 g (~6.2 oz) and very compact due to its small frame.
Equipment - The nova 9 does not offer an audio port
In addition to the hardware already mentioned, the Huawei nova 9 offers space for two NanoSIM cards that each support VoLTE and VoWLAN. There is no microSD card slot, and it also lacks a 3.5-mm audio port. However, external headphones can be connected to the smartphone via the USB-C 2.0 connection. DRM Widevine L1 is not supported, and the Camera2 API is available at "Full" level.
Software - No Google Services in a Huawei phone
The nova 9 contains EMUI version 12.0.1, which is based on Android 11 and appears visually identical to HarmonyOS, with the security patches on the level of November 1, 2021. Since Huawei has to make do without Google Services, it offers some useful alternatives with the Huawei AppGallery, Petal Maps, and other apps. The home screen of the smartphone also shows download links to numerous third-party apps such as Check24, Stepstone, Snapchat, and others.
The system operation is almost identical to that of other Android systems, and you only need to invest some time to get used to the alternative apps.
Communication and GNSS - No 5G in the Huawei nova 9
The nova 9 is able to create mobile connections via GSM, 3G, and LTE. With LTE Cat. 11/12, download rates up to 600 Mbit/s and upload rates of up to 100 Mbit/s are possible.
For close range communication, the Huawei smartphone can use NFC, Bluetooth 5.2, and WiFi 6. In combination with our reference router, we measure speeds of 692 Mbit/s on average when transferring and 727 Mbit/s on average when receiving data, placing the nova 9 second to last in our test field.
| Networking | |
| iperf3 transmit AX12 | |
| Xiaomi 11T | |
| Honor 50 | |
| Motorola Edge 20 | |
| Huawei Nova 9 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G | |
| iperf3 receive AX12 | |
| Xiaomi 11T | |
| Motorola Edge 20 | |
| Honor 50 | |
| Huawei Nova 9 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G | |
The Huawei nova 9 is able to determine its location using GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, and QZSS. With this, we measure a locating accuracy of up to 4 m (~13 ft) outdoors with the "GPS Test" app.
In our mandatory bike tour, the nova 9 records some slightly more sweeping curve lines compared to our Garmin Edge 500 reference device.
Telephone Functions and Voice Quality - Good connections with the Huawei
When making phone calls, the nova 9 produces a high volume and offers good noise suppression. Both conversation partners are easy to understand, and their voices are transferred clearly.
The phone app offers quick access to recent calls and a number keyboard, and you can also access favorites and stored contacts from here.
Cameras - Extensive Vlog functions
The front camera of the Huawei nova 9 is able to record selfies with a resolution of 32 MP. Details are well-delineated and colors reproduced relatively naturally. Various filters and color modes allow you to adjust the resulting images. However, the professional mode is only available for the main camera.
A 50-MP sensor in the back of the nova 9 ensures that closeup shots are very rich in detail. Colors appear very vibrant and our test object is reproduced sharply and with rich details. Our panorama picture also shows vibrant colors, but the objects appear slightly blurry on overcast days. Pictures taken with the 8-MP ultra-wide angle lens also show the bright colors already mentioned, but the object edges and details also don't appear very well-delineated here.
Objects enlarged with the digital zoom show the same blurriness that can also be seen on the panorama shot. Under bad light conditions, the nova 9 is able to record details sharply in the center of the image. However, the colors appear too dark and the edges of the image turn out black. In addition to the sensors already mentioned, the Huawei smartphone also includes a 2-MP sensor for depth information and a 2-MP sensor for macro recordings. The pro mode of the camera software allows you to manually adjust the focus area, ISO value, exposure, illumination, and white balance.
Video recordings show the same quality as our test pictures. You can select a resolution of 4K at 30 fps or 1080p and 720p at either 30 or 60 fps. A special VLOG mode allows you to create recordings that seamlessly change between the front and back camera. Picture within picture and simultaneous display of the front and back camera objects is also possible seamlessly.
Image Comparison
Choose a scene and navigate within the first image. One click changes the position on touchscreens. One click on the zoomed-in image opens the original in a new window. The first image shows the scaled photograph of the test device.
NahaufnahmePanoramabildUltraweitwinkelZoom (5-Fach)LowLight
The image of the ColorChecker Passport shows that the nova 9 records colors slightly brighter than they should be. The test chart shows many details and vibrant colors. In the lower corners, we see a slight weakness in the contrasts.
Accessories and Warranty - Protective cover included
In addition to the quick charger with the corresponding USB-C cable, the box of the nova 9 also includes a SIM tool and a protective cover made of silicone. You can also purchase additional accessories directly from the manufacturer.
Huawei offers a 24-month warranty for the nova 9.
Input Devices and Operation - SwiftKey as GBoard replacement
The nova 9 uses SwiftKey as the standard keyboard for text input. This can be adjusted individually and is suitable for longer text input. The touchscreen responds very directly to touch inputs and is also suited for frequent swipe movements.
To unlock the smartphone, you can either use the in-screen fingerprint sensor, which responds reliably, or face recognition, which is also suitable for everyday use.
Display - An OLED panel with 120 Hz
The display of the nova 9 consists of a 6.57-inch OLED panel that offers a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels. With the activated brightness sensor, we measure an average brightness of up to 632 cd/m², and without the brightness sensor, the maximum value is 449 cd/m². In the APL50 test, the Huawei smartphone achieves a very good 834 cd/m², and the lowest brightness level you can adjust it to is 1.59 cd/m². At 96%, the brightness distribution is at the level of our test field.
Below brightness levels of 42%, the brightness control uses PWM at a frequency between 163.4 and 500 Hz. Above that, we measure a constant level of 120 Hz. While you can activate a flicker reduction in the settings menu, this shows no measurable effect.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brightness Distribution: 96 %
Center on Battery: 621 cd/m²
Contrast: ∞:1 (Black: 0 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 1.7 | 0.5-29.43 Ø4.91
ΔE Greyscale 2.2 | 0.5-98 Ø5.2
100% sRGB (Calman 2D)
Gamma: 2.17
| Huawei Nova 9 OLED, 2340x1080, 6.6" | Honor 50 OLED, 2340x1080, 6.6" | Motorola Edge 20 OLED, 2400x1080, 6.7" | Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G AMOLED, 2400x1080, 6.5" | Xiaomi 11T AMOLED, 2400x1080, 6.7" | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | -41% | -32% | -15% | 4% | |
| Brightness middle | 621 | 731 18% | 479 -23% | 736 19% | 781 26% |
| Brightness | 632 | 722 14% | 480 -24% | 751 19% | 782 24% |
| Brightness Distribution | 96 | 97 1% | 94 -2% | 96 0% | 94 -2% |
| Black Level * | |||||
| Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 1.7 | 3.1 -82% | 2.06 -21% | 2.18 -28% | 2 -18% |
| Colorchecker dE 2000 max. * | 2.8 | 5.8 -107% | 4.54 -62% | 5.69 -103% | 2.9 -4% |
| Greyscale dE 2000 * | 2.2 | 4.2 -91% | 3.5 -59% | 2.1 5% | 2.3 -5% |
| Gamma | 2.17 101% | 2.19 100% | 2.205 100% | 2.27 97% | 2.28 96% |
| CCT | 6806 96% | 6818 95% | 6794 96% | 6563 99% | 6852 95% |
* ... smaller is better
Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)
| Screen flickering / PWM detected | 500 Hz | ≤ 100 % brightness setting |   |
The display backlight flickers at 500 Hz (worst case, e.g., utilizing PWM) Flickering detected at a brightness setting of 100 % and below. There should be no flickering or PWM above this brightness setting. The frequency of 500 Hz is relatively high, so most users sensitive to PWM should not notice any flickering. However, there are reports that some users are still sensitive to PWM at 500 Hz and above, so be aware. In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 8705 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 343500) Hz was measured. | |||
As typical for OLED displays, the nova 9 display delivers an excellent contrast ratio and a very good black value. In the "Normal" color mode preset and "Standard" color temperature, colors are reproduced very balanced. Alternatively, the "Vivid," "Warm," and "Cold" color modes are also available. In addition, a freely adjustable color scale allows you to manually adjust the display.
Display Response Times
| ↔ Response Time Black to White | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2.8 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 1.6 ms rise |  |
| ↘ 1.2 ms fall | ||
| The screen shows very fast response rates in our tests and should be very well suited for fast-paced gaming. In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.1 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 10 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is better than the average of all tested devices (20.9 ms). | ||
| ↔ Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey | ||
| 2.8 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 1.6 ms rise |  |
| ↘ 1.2 ms fall | ||
| The screen shows very fast response rates in our tests and should be very well suited for fast-paced gaming. In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.165 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 9 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is better than the average of all tested devices (32.8 ms). | ||
Outdoors, the Huawei nova 9 can also be easily used in very bright light surroundings. The contents are easily readable, and there are only few reflections.
The OLED panel of the nova 9 offers very stable viewing angles and only shows a slight green tint from very steep viewing angles.
Performance - A good everyday performance
Huawei uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 4G and 8 GB of RAM to ensure smooth system operation in the nova 9. In the benchmarks, the Android smartphone delivers an average good result, only faring slightly worse in the graphics-heavy tests than the rest of the smartphones in our test field. The performance is identical to that of the 5G version of the Snapdragon 778.
In everyday operation, even more demanding apps start quickly and the system can always be operated smoothly. Due to the lack of Play Store support, we were unable to run some of our standard tests, such as Geekbench 5.4 or the current versions of 3D and PCMark.
| PCMark for Android - Work 2.0 performance score (sort by value) | |
| Huawei Nova 9 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G | |
| Xiaomi 11T | |
| Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (8501 - 11645, n=2) | |
| GFXBench 3.1 | |
| on screen Manhattan ES 3.1 Onscreen (sort by value) | |
| Huawei Nova 9 | |
| Honor 50 | |
| Motorola Edge 20 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G | |
| Xiaomi 11T | |
| Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (48 - 53, n=11) | |
| Average of class Smartphone (3.7 - 166, n=172, last 2 years) | |
| 1920x1080 Manhattan ES 3.1 Offscreen (sort by value) | |
| Huawei Nova 9 | |
| Honor 50 | |
| Motorola Edge 20 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G | |
| Xiaomi 11T | |
| Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (56 - 58, n=11) | |
| Average of class Smartphone (8.3 - 341, n=172, last 2 years) | |
| AnTuTu v8 - Total Score (sort by value) | |
| Huawei Nova 9 | |
| Motorola Edge 20 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G | |
| Xiaomi 11T | |
| Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (422597 - 452805, n=5) | |
In the browser benchmarks, the Huawei nova 9 only places at the lower end of our test field. However, in everyday operation, websites are still rendered quickly and media content also loads fast. In addition, smooth scrolling is also possible without any problems.
| Jetstream 2 - Total Score | |
| Average of class Smartphone (13.8 - 387, n=164, last 2 years) | |
| Motorola Edge 20 (Chrome 95) | |
| Honor 50 (Chrome 96) | |
| Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (58.8 - 86.8, n=11) | |
| Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G (Chrome 93) | |
| Huawei Nova 9 (Huawei Browser 12.0.0.303) | |
| Xiaomi 11T (Chrome 94.0.4606.85) | |
| JetStream 1.1 - Total Score | |
| Motorola Edge 20 (Chrome 95) | |
| Honor 50 (Chrome 96) | |
| Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (102.6 - 155.3, n=7) | |
| Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G (Chrome 93) | |
| Xiaomi 11T (Chrome 94.0.4606.85) | |
| Huawei Nova 9 (Huawei Browser 12.0.0.303) | |
| WebXPRT 3 - Overall | |
| Average of class Smartphone (38 - 347, n=79, last 2 years) | |
| Motorola Edge 20 (Chrome 95) | |
| Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G (Chrome 93) | |
| Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (93 - 131, n=10) | |
| Honor 50 (Chrome 96) | |
| Huawei Nova 9 (Huawei Browser 12.0.0.303) | |
| Xiaomi 11T (Chrome 94.0.4606.85) | |
| Octane V2 - Total Score | |
| Average of class Smartphone (2228 - 100368, n=205, last 2 years) | |
| Motorola Edge 20 (Chrome 95) | |
| Honor 50 (Chrome 96) | |
| Xiaomi 11T (Chrome 94.0.4606.85) | |
| Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (23915 - 31915, n=11) | |
| Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G (Chrome 93) | |
| Huawei Nova 9 (Huawei Browser 12.0.0.303) | |
| Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Total | |
| Huawei Nova 9 (Huawei Browser 12.0.0.303) | |
| Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G (Chrome 93) | |
| Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (1323 - 1893, n=11) | |
| Average of class Smartphone (277 - 28190, n=163, last 2 years) | |
| Xiaomi 11T (Chrome 94.0.4606.85) | |
| Honor 50 (Chrome 96) | |
| Motorola Edge 20 (Chrome 95) | |
* ... smaller is better
The 128-GB storage of the nova 9 shows fast access rates at the level of the competitors in our test. It is not possible to expand the storage via microSD card.
| Huawei Nova 9 | Honor 50 | Motorola Edge 20 | Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G | Xiaomi 11T | Average 128 GB UFS 3.1 Flash | Average of class Smartphone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AndroBench 3-5 | 0% | -17% | -23% | 4% | 16% | 56% | |
| Sequential Read 256KB | 1030 | 984 -4% | 1011 -2% | 951 -8% | 1790 74% | 1602 ? 56% | 1863 ? 81% |
| Sequential Write 256KB | 759 | 609 -20% | 471.4 -38% | 486.5 -36% | 942 24% | 748 ? -1% | 1446 ? 91% |
| Random Read 4KB | 229.6 | 245.7 7% | 190.2 -17% | 168.2 -27% | 139.3 -39% | 243 ? 6% | 278 ? 21% |
| Random Write 4KB | 239.2 | 280.2 17% | 210.6 -12% | 192.5 -20% | 133.3 -44% | 244 ? 2% | 309 ? 29% |
Games - The Huawei nova 9 is suitable for gaming
The internal Qualcomm Adreno 642L graphics unit of the Huawei nova 9 is able to run even more demanding games at high graphics settings smoothly. The games we tested did not show any micro stutters or anything like that, and the control always worked easily and smoothly.
Emissions - The speaker is suitable for voices
Temperatures
Under load, the surfaces of the Huawei nova 9 warm up to a maximum of 34.1 °C (93.4 °F). With this, the smartphone feels merely warm and never gets too hot to hold it in the hand, for example.
(+) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 34.1 °C / 93 F, compared to the average of 35.1 °C / 95 F, ranging from 21.9 to 63.7 °C for the class Smartphone.
(+) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 31.9 °C / 89 F, compared to the average of 33.9 °C / 93 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 29.4 °C / 85 F, compared to the device average of 32.8 °C / 91 F.
Speaker
The nova 9 produces a relatively loud volume and a sound spectrum that emphasizes the high frequencies. This allows it to reproduce voice content relatively well, but for more complex media content external speakers or headphones are recommended. The Huawei smartphone has an earpiece and a speaker for sound output.
Huawei Nova 9 audio analysis
(+) | speakers can play relatively loud (90.5 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 26.7% lower than median
(+) | bass is linear (6.6% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(±) | reduced mids - on average 5.3% lower than median
(+) | mids are linear (4.1% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(±) | higher highs - on average 5.3% higher than median
(+) | highs are linear (4.5% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (18% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 13% of all tested devices in this class were better, 8% similar, 79% worse
» The best had a delta of 12%, average was 37%, worst was 134%
Compared to all devices tested
» 34% of all tested devices were better, 8% similar, 58% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%
Xiaomi 11T audio analysis
(+) | speakers can play relatively loud (88.6 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 24.1% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (9.6% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(±) | reduced mids - on average 5.1% lower than median
(+) | mids are linear (4.6% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 1.9% away from median
(+) | highs are linear (4% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (15.9% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 3% of all tested devices in this class were better, 4% similar, 93% worse
» The best had a delta of 12%, average was 37%, worst was 134%
Compared to all devices tested
» 22% of all tested devices were better, 5% similar, 73% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%
Battery Life - It doesn't last as long as the competitors
Power Consumption
Our measurements attest the nova 9 with a power consumption that is similar to the rest of the smartphones in our test field. It only uses slightly more power in our idle-max scenario.
| Off / Standby |   0.04 / 0.29 Watt |
| Idle |  0.96 / 2.47 / 2.55 Watt |
| Load |
3.85 / 7.43 Watt |
    
| |
Key:
min: ,
med: ,
max: Metrahit Energy | |
| Huawei Nova 9 4300 mAh | Honor 50 4300 mAh | Motorola Edge 20 4000 mAh | Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G 4500 mAh | Xiaomi 11T 5000 mAh | Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G | Average of class Smartphone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Runtime | |||||||
| WiFi v1.3 | 652 | 907 39% | 716 10% | 721 11% | 813 25% | 760 ? 17% | 985 ? 51% |
| Power Consumption | -8% | 16% | 13% | 10% | -1% | -4% | |
| Idle Minimum * | 0.96 | 1.02 -6% | 1 -4% | 1.2 -25% | 0.78 19% | 1.106 ? -15% | 0.885 ? 8% |
| Idle Average * | 2.47 | 2.98 -21% | 1.3 47% | 1.4 43% | 1.86 25% | 2.07 ? 16% | 1.451 ? 41% |
| Idle Maximum * | 2.55 | 3.11 -22% | 1.6 37% | 1.7 33% | 1.88 26% | 2.32 ? 9% | 1.608 ? 37% |
| Load Average * | 3.85 | 3.59 7% | 3.9 -1% | 3.6 6% | 3.98 -3% | 4.17 ? -8% | 6.55 ? -70% |
| Load Maximum * | 7.43 | 7.12 4% | 7.2 3% | 6.9 7% | 8.78 -18% | 7.81 ? -5% | 9.92 ? -34% |
| Total Average (Program / Settings) | 16% /
0% | 13% /
15% | 12% /
13% | 18% /
12% | 8% /
2% | 24% /
6% |
* ... smaller is better
Power Consumption: Geekbench (150 cd/m²)
Power Consumption: GFXBench (150 cd/m²)
Battery Life
In our realistic WLAN test, the Huawei nova 9 achieves a runtime of almost 11 hours. With this, it doesn't make quite as good use of its 4300-mAh battery as the similarly equipped Honor 50, for example.
Using the included 66-Watt quick charger, the battery can be completely recharged within about 1 hour.
| Huawei Nova 9 4300 mAh | Honor 50 4300 mAh | Motorola Edge 20 4000 mAh | Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G 4500 mAh | Xiaomi 11T 5000 mAh | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Runtime | |||||
| WiFi v1.3 | 652 | 907 39% | 716 10% | 721 11% | 813 25% |
Pros
Cons
Verdict - No Google but with a price advantage
With the nova 9, Huawei introduces a smartphone that is visually identical to the Honor 50. The specifications also read the same, with the exception that you have to make do without 5G and Google Services. While you hardly have to make any compromises in terms of the performance, there are some deficits mainly in the battery life and software.
The Huawei nova 9 is similarly well-equipped and more affordable than the Honor 50 but shows some weaknesses in the battery life.
The nova 9 is still a smartphone with good technology and it is suitable for all those who don't want to use Google Services and 5G anyways. In addition, the price is about 100 Euros (~$113) lower than that of the Honor 50, while still offering the same camera equipment. This should also have an effect on the purchase decision. However, those who can live with less RAM can already get the Honor 50 with 6 GB of RAM for less money than the nova 9.
On the other hand, with the Motorola Edge 20 and Xiaomi 11T, similar and in parts more powerful smartphones are also available from the competitors.
Price and Availability
The Huawei nova 9 is available for example from the Huawei Global Shop in various countries or Amazon for ~$515.
Huawei Nova 9
- 08/30/2022 v7 (old)
Mike Wobker
Price comparison
