Apple iPhone 11 Pro vs Huawei nova 9 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Huawei nova 9
Huawei nova 9
Huawei

General

Launch Date September 20, 2019 September 30, 2021
Release Year 2019 2021

Physical

Volume 83.28 cm³ 91.98 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.09 "/g 3.75 "/g
Weight 188 g 175 g
Height 144 mm 160 mm
Width 71.4 mm 73.7 mm
Thickness 8.1 mm 7.8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Matte Space Gray
  • Matte Silver
  • Matte Gold
  • Matte Midnight Green
  • Black
  • Green
  • Violet
  • Starry Blue

Display

Screen Size 5.8 " 6.57 "
Resolution 1125 x 2436 1080 x 2340
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 80.3 % 89.9 %
Pixel Density 458 PPI 392 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 800 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1200 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 90.55 mAh/in² 99.62 mAh/in²
Battery Density 36.57 mAh/cm³ 46.75 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 3046 mAh 4300 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder) Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)
GPU Apple GPU (4-core graphics) Adreno 642L

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features Lightning 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System iOS N/A
Initial OS Version 13 N/A
Maximum OS Version 18

Comparison Summary

Okay, let's dive into a user-focused comparison of the Apple iPhone 11 Pro and the Huawei nova 9. Forget the spec sheets for a moment, and let's talk about what these phones actually feel like to use.

Design and Usability Assessment

CategoryApple iPhone 11 ProHuawei nova 9User Experience Impact
Interface DesignClassic iOS, Mature ecosystem, consistent design, intuitive navigationEMUI interface, customizable experience, Android backbone (although it lacks google services)Apple: Familiar, easy for long-time iPhone users, might feel restrictive to Android users. Huawei: Offers a greater flexibility, but might take time to get used to.
Interaction FlowFluid gestures, Apple-centric ecosystem integration, strong hapticsGesture-based navigation, customizable shortcuts, less seamless cross-platform integrationApple: Streamlined and responsive, but might feel like being "locked in". Huawei: More configurable, but requires more effort to optimize for specific user preferences.
Accessibility FeaturesRobust suite of accessibility tools, VoiceOver, Assistive TouchAccessibility options built into EMUI, screen reader capabilities, font and size customizationApple: Extensive options for users with diverse needs, well integrated. Huawei: Provides fundamental accessibility features, but might not be as comprehensive.
Design ErgonomicsSmaller, more compact, heavier feel due to stainless steel, slightly thickerLarger, thinner, lighter, rounded edgesApple: Better for one-handed use and pocketability but may feel weighty. Huawei: More immersive screen but less pocketable. Might feel more comfortable for prolonged usage.

Narrative-Driven Feature Exploration

Scenario 1: The Bright Sunny Day

Imagine you're at the beach, trying to snap a photo of your friend catching a wave. The sun is blazing. Here's where the iPhone 11 Pro shines, literally. Its display boasts a whopping 1200 nits of brightness, ensuring you can actually see what's on your screen, compose your shot, and capture that perfect moment. The Huawei nova 9, with its 0 nits of brightness (as per our data), might struggle, making the experience less enjoyable and possibly leaving you with a poorly framed photo.

Scenario 2: The Night Out

It's a night out with friends, and you want to capture those fun memories without using a flash. The iPhone 11 Pro's "Night Mode" really comes into its own here. It beautifully captures the ambiance and low-light details with ease, making the photos feel more authentic and less washed out. The Huawei nova 9 does not have a night mode and might not perform well in this scenario.

Scenario 3: The Mobile Gamer

For those who enjoy a fast-paced mobile game, the experience will be different. The iPhone 11 Pro has a super powerful A13 Bionic chip, giving you blazing-fast gameplay, while the Huawei nova 9, powered by Snapdragon 778G 4G, isn't quite as zippy. However, the Huawei makes up for this with its 120Hz screen refresh rate that makes scrolling and animations incredibly smooth, something that the older 60Hz screen of the iPhone 11 Pro can’t provide.

Scenario 4: The Battery Life Conundrum

You're on a long flight, and you want to watch movies and listen to music throughout the journey. The Huawei nova 9's massive 4300mAh battery is a lifesaver here, promising extended hours of use without needing a charger. While the iPhone 11 Pro has a smaller battery at 3046mAh, it's software optimization and efficiency may provide more balanced power consumption. In this regard, we are uncertain which of the two will provide the user better battery results. Also, the Huawei will charge much faster with its 66W fast charging support in case the battery dies mid-journey.

Inclusive Technology Evaluation

User Persona 1: The Tech Novice

For someone who just wants a phone that works reliably and takes decent photos, the iPhone 11 Pro is an easy pick. Its simple, well-established iOS ecosystem makes it straightforward to use without a lot of tinkering. The Huawei nova 9, on the other hand, with its deeper customization options, might feel overwhelming.

User Persona 2: The Photography Enthusiast

A photography enthusiast will appreciate the flexibility offered by the Huawei nova 9 with the wider range of camera choices, including a 50MP main camera and additional depth and macro lenses. The iPhone 11 Pro, while taking good pictures, it doesn't have a macro lens and has fewer shooting modes. Also, with its slow motion video at 30fps, the Huawei offers a somewhat poor video recording capabilities when compared to the iPhone.

User Persona 3: The Power User

For users who demand top-tier performance, the iPhone 11 Pro, with it's A13 Bionic chip and a high benchmark score is likely to be a preferred choice. While the Huawei nova 9 is a good device, its Snapdragon processor cannot keep up with the power of the older iPhone model.

Design-Centric Decision Framework

Consider the following:

  • Screen Brilliance: If bright outdoor screen visibility is a must-have, go for the iPhone 11 Pro.
  • Battery Endurance: If long-lasting battery is important to you and you want fast charging, consider the Huawei nova 9.
  • Performance Needs: If you want the fastest performance and don't mind the older refresh rate, go for the iPhone 11 Pro. If you'd like a smoother experience with the screen and are less worried about performance, the Huawei nova 9 will be a good option.
  • Camera Flexibility: If you desire creative camera options and do not prioritize higher video quality, go with the Huawei nova 9. On the other hand, the iPhone 11 Pro has better overall image and video quality if compared to the Huawei device.
  • Operating System: If you want an Apple device that runs the IOS operating system go with the iPhone 11 Pro.

My Choice:

Personally, given the available data, I would lean towards the iPhone 11 Pro, even though it's an older device, for several reasons:

  1. Outdoor Usability: The superior screen brightness is a crucial factor for me, as I often use my phone in bright sunlight.
  2. Performance: The A13 Bionic chip is known for its consistent power, which provides a responsive and fast user experience.
  3. Night mode: The iPhone's night mode is very important for me as I enjoy taking photos in the evening and in low light environments.
  4. User Experience: The seamless integration of the Apple ecosystem is something that I find valuable and can’t go without.

While the Huawei nova 9 has several advantages like a larger battery, smoother screen, fast charging and more camera options, the lack of outdoor usability, lower performance and inferior video quality make it a less desirable choice in my perspective.

Ultimately, the best phone depends on your individual needs and priorities. I have tried to provide a comprehensive, design-centered analysis that goes beyond simple technical specifications to help you choose the one that suits you best.

Sophia Rodriguez
Sophia Rodriguez

Technology Communications Specialist

Expert in transforming complex technological innovations into accessible, engaging narratives.

Key Strengths:

  • Technology storytelling
  • User experience design analysis
  • Inclusive technology communication
  • Design-driven technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with human-centered understanding.