Huawei Nova 9

The Huawei Nova 9 is available in Qatar at a starting price of QAR 904 for 128 GB variant.

Huawei Nova 9 Specifications

Feature	Specification
Display	6.57-inch OLED, 1080 x 2340 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 4G
RAM	8GB
Storage	128GB or 256GB
Rear Camera	50MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP depth, 2MP macro
Front Camera	32MP
Battery	4300mAh, 66W fast charging
Operating System	HarmonyOS 2.0 (China), EMUI 12 (Global)

 

Release Date and Availability

Huawei announced the Nova 9 on September 23, 2021, and released it on September 30, 2021. The phone is available in Qatar through various retailers and online stores. Customers can choose from different color options, including Black, Blue, Green, and Violet.

Design and Build

The Huawei Nova 9 features a sleek design with dimensions of 160 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm and weighs 175 grams. Its slim profile and lightweight build make it comfortable to hold and use. The phone has a glass front and back with an aluminum frame, giving it a premium look and feel.

Display

One of the standout features of the Huawei Nova 9 is its 6.57-inch OLED display. The screen boasts a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, resulting in a sharp 392 pixels per inch (ppi) density. With a 120Hz refresh rate, the display offers smooth scrolling and responsive touch interactions. The high screen-to-body ratio of approximately 89.9% provides an immersive viewing experience.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Huawei Nova 9 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset. This octa-core processor features four high-performance Kryo 670 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz and four efficiency cores at 1.8 GHz. The Adreno 642L GPU handles graphics tasks, ensuring smooth performance for games and multimedia applications.

The phone comes with 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for multitasking and running demanding applications. Storage options include 128GB and 256GB variants, providing ample space for apps, photos, and videos. However, it’s worth noting that the Nova 9 does not have a microSD card slot for expandable storage.

Camera System

Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the Huawei Nova 9’s versatile camera setup. The rear quad-camera system includes:

1. A 50MP main camera with an f/1.9 aperture and PDAF
2. An 8MP ultrawide camera with an f/2.2 aperture
3. A 2MP depth sensor
4. A 2MP macro camera

This combination allows users to capture a wide range of scenes, from sweeping landscapes to detailed close-ups. The main camera’s high resolution ensures sharp and detailed images, while the ultrawide lens is perfect for group shots or expansive vistas.

For selfies and video calls, the Nova 9 features a 32MP front-facing camera with an f/2.0 aperture. This high-resolution selfie camera can capture detailed self-portraits and is capable of recording 4K video at 30 frames per second.

The camera system also supports various features such as LED flash, panorama mode, and HDR (High Dynamic Range) for improved image quality in challenging lighting conditions.

Battery Life and Charging

The Huawei Nova 9 is equipped with a 4300mAh non-removable Li-Po battery. While this capacity is slightly lower than some competitors, the phone’s efficient processor and software optimizations help maintain good battery life for everyday use.

One of the standout features is the 66W fast charging capability. Huawei claims that this technology can charge the phone from 0% to 60% in just 18 minutes, and a full charge takes only 38 minutes. This rapid charging feature is particularly useful for users who need quick power boosts throughout the day.

The Nova 9 also supports reverse wired charging, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices in emergencies.

Software and User Interface

The Huawei Nova 9 runs on different operating systems depending on the region. In China, it uses HarmonyOS 2.0, while global versions come with EMUI 12. Both interfaces offer a smooth and intuitive user experience with various customization options.

It’s important to note that due to ongoing restrictions, the global version of the Nova 9 does not come with Google Play Services pre-installed. This means users may need to rely on Huawei’s AppGallery or alternative methods to access certain apps and services.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The Huawei Nova 9 supports 4G LTE networks, ensuring fast mobile data speeds in areas with good coverage. It also features dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC for contactless payments and quick device pairing.

For navigation, the phone supports multiple satellite systems, including GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, and NavIC, ensuring accurate location tracking across various regions.

The Nova 9 includes an under-display optical fingerprint sensor for secure and convenient unlocking. Additional sensors include an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and compass, enhancing the phone’s functionality for various applications and games.

Audio and Multimedia

While the Huawei Nova 9 does not feature a 3.5mm headphone jack, it does come with a USB Type-C port that supports audio output. The phone includes a single loudspeaker, which provides decent audio quality for casual listening and speakerphone calls.

For those who prefer wireless audio, the Nova 9’s Bluetooth 5.2 support ensures compatibility with a wide range of wireless headphones and speakers, offering low-latency and high-quality audio streaming.

Storage and Memory Management

With 8GB of RAM, the Huawei Nova 9 handles multitasking efficiently, allowing users to switch between apps smoothly. The available storage options of 128GB and 256GB provide ample space for most users’ needs. However, the lack of expandable storage means users should carefully consider their storage requirements when choosing between the two variants.

Network and Connectivity

The Huawei Nova 9 supports various network bands, ensuring wide compatibility across different regions. It includes:

• GSM bands: 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
• CDMA band: 800 MHz
• HSPA bands: 800, 850, 900, 1700(AWS), 1900, 2100 MHz
• LTE bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 (Europe model)

This wide range of supported bands makes the Nova 9 a suitable choice for international travelers or users in areas with diverse network infrastructures.

Gaming Performance

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset, coupled with the Adreno 642L GPU, provides solid gaming performance for the Huawei Nova 9. Most popular mobile games run smoothly on medium to high settings. The 120Hz display enhances the gaming experience by offering fluid animations and responsive touch controls.

However, for the most demanding games at the highest settings, users may notice some frame rate drops or heating issues during extended gaming sessions. Overall, the Nova 9 offers a satisfactory gaming experience for casual to moderate gamers.

Camera Performance and Features

The Huawei Nova 9’s camera system performs well in various lighting conditions. The 50MP main camera captures detailed images with good color accuracy in daylight. In low-light situations, the night mode helps improve image quality by reducing noise and enhancing brightness.

The 8MP ultrawide camera is useful for capturing expansive scenes, though it may show some distortion at the edges. The 2MP depth sensor aids in creating a natural bokeh effect for portrait shots, while the 2MP macro lens allows for close-up photography of small subjects.

Some notable camera features include:

1. AI scene recognition: Automatically adjusts camera settings based on the subject
2. Pro mode: Offers manual control over ISO, shutter speed, and focus
3. 4K video recording: Captures high-resolution videos with good detail
4. Slow-motion video: Records at up to 960 fps for creative slow-motion effects

The 32MP front-facing camera takes detailed selfies and performs well in video calls. It also supports various beautification features and AI enhancements for portrait shots.

Software Updates and Long-term Support

Huawei has committed to providing regular software updates for the Nova 9, including security patches and feature enhancements. However, due to ongoing restrictions, users should be aware that the global version may not receive Google services or apps through official channels.

Huawei’s AppGallery continues to grow, offering alternatives to many popular apps. The company also provides tools like Petal Search to help users find and install apps from various sources.

Comparison with Other Smartphones

When comparing the Huawei Nova 9 to other smartphones in its price range and with similar specifications, several factors stand out:

1. Display: The Nova 9’s 120Hz OLED display is competitive with phones like the Samsung Galaxy A52 and OnePlus Nord 2, offering smooth scrolling and vibrant colors.
2. Camera: The 50MP main camera performs well against competitors like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro and Realme GT Master Edition, offering good detail and color reproduction.
3. Processor: The Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset provides solid performance, comparable to phones like the Oppo Reno6 and vivo V21.
4. Charging Speed: The 66W fast charging is a standout feature, outpacing many competitors in its price range.
5. Software: The lack of Google services may be a drawback for some users compared to Android phones from Nokia, Samsung, or Google.

Compared to the Huawei Nova 8i and Nova 8, the Nova 9 offers improvements in display technology, camera capabilities, and charging speed. However, the Nova 8 features a more powerful Kirin 985 chipset, which may appeal to users seeking higher performance.

When considering alternatives from other brands:

• Nokia offers phones with clean Android experiences and guaranteed updates, but may lag in terms of hardware specifications.
• OnePlus devices like the Nord series provide a balance of performance and software experience with OxygenOS.
• Samsung’s Galaxy A series offers robust ecosystems and feature-rich interfaces but may be pricier for similar specifications.
• Google Pixel phones excel in camera performance and software updates but may have limited availability in some regions.
• Tecno, Infinix, and Realme often provide competitive specifications at lower price points but may compromise on build quality or long-term software support.