Motorola Moto G 5G vs Huawei nova 9 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Huawei nova 9
Huawei nova 9
Huawei

General

Launch Date December 7, 2020 September 30, 2021
Release Year 2020 2021

Physical

Volume 125.14 cm³ 91.98 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.16 "/g 3.75 "/g
Weight 212 g 175 g
Height 166.1 mm 160 mm
Width 76.1 mm 73.7 mm
Thickness 9.9 mm 7.8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Frosted Silver
  • Volcanic Gray
  • Black
  • Green
  • Violet
  • Starry Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.57 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2340
Aspect Ratio 20:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 85.7 % 89.9 %
Pixel Density 393 PPI 392 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 111.38 mAh/in² 99.62 mAh/in²
Battery Density 39.96 mAh/cm³ 46.75 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 4300 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)
GPU Adreno 619 Adreno 642L

Connectivity

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

Software

Operating System Android N/A
Initial OS Version 10 N/A
Maximum OS Version

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureMotorola Moto G 5GHuawei nova 9Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm160 × 73.7 × 7.8 mmHuawei nova 9 is noticeably smaller and thinner, making it easier to handle and more pocketable. The Moto G 5G is larger, potentially less comfortable for some users.
Weight212g175gHuawei nova 9 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use, while Motorola Moto G 5G is heavier and might feel bulky.
Display
Size6.7"6.57"Motorola Moto G 5G has a slightly larger display, which some may prefer for media consumption.
Resolution1080x24001080x2340Both are very similar in sharpness; differences are minor and likely imperceptible in daily use.
Pixel Density393 PPI392 PPIBoth have comparable pixel densities, resulting in similar image clarity.
TechnologyIPS LCDOLEDHuawei nova 9's OLED panel offers deeper blacks, richer colors, and potentially better viewing angles than the Moto G 5G's IPS LCD.
Refresh Rate60Hz120HzHuawei nova 9's 120Hz refresh rate provides significantly smoother scrolling, animations, and a more fluid user experience than Motorola's 60Hz display.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsBrightness is not available for either phone, so difficult to assess real-world impact.
Performance
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)Huawei nova 9's chipset is more powerful, offering better overall performance, faster app loading, and smoother operation than the Moto G 5G's Snapdragon 750G. Note that the Huawei's Chipset is 4G, not 5G.
AnTuTu Score390,000578,555Huawei nova 9 demonstrates much better performance in benchmarks, translating to smoother and faster real-world use.
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 642LHuawei nova 9's GPU is more powerful, leading to better gaming performance.
Battery
Capacity5000mAh4300mAhMotorola Moto G 5G's larger battery is expected to offer longer battery life than the Huawei nova 9.
Charging20W Fast Charging66W Fast ChargingHuawei nova 9's significantly faster charging replenishes the battery much quicker than Moto G 5G.
Camera
Main Camera Resolution48MP f/1.750MP f/1.9Huawei nova 9 has a slightly higher resolution, while Motorola Moto G 5G has a wider aperture which lets in more light.
Main Camera Sensor1/1.56" Sony IMX766, 1.00 µm pixel sizeHuawei nova 9's larger sensor and larger pixel size should result in better low-light performance.
Selfie Camera Resolution16MP f/2.232MP f/2.0Huawei nova 9 has a higher resolution and wider aperture, potentially offering better detail and low-light performance for selfies.
Wide Angle Lens8MP f/2.28MP f/2.2Both phones have similar wide-angle capabilities.
Portrait Mode (depth)N/A2MP f/2.4Huawei nova 9 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, enabling better background blur effects.
Macro Lens2MP f/2.42MP f/2.4Both phones have similar macro lens capabilities.
Video Recording4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps with EIS720p@960fps with EISMotorola Moto G 5G can record at 4K resolution, while Huawei nova 9 records in super slow motion.
Camera FeaturesDigital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, LAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode4K Video, Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, CDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timerMotorola has more photography features, while the Huawei has a dedicated 4K video mode.
Software
OSAndroid 10Not specifiedThe OS for Huawei nova 9 is missing which makes comparison difficult.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi802.11a/b/g/n/ac802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6)Huawei nova 9 supports newer Wi-Fi 6 standard, offering faster speeds and better performance.
Bluetooth5.1 LE5.2Huawei nova 9 has a newer version with potentially better performance and range.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GalileoHuawei nova 9 supports more satellite systems, potentially offering more accurate location tracking.
SIMDual SIM (Nano + Nano)Dual SIM (Micro + Nano)Both phones have dual-SIM capabilities, but Huawei nova 9 supports Micro SIM instead of a second Nano SIM
Storage
Internal Storage64/128 GB128/256 GBHuawei nova 9 offers larger storage options than the Moto G 5G, with twice the maximum storage.
RAM4/6 GB8 GBHuawei nova 9 has more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phone supports microSD card expansion, limiting available storage.
Audio
Audio Quality2 microphonesBasic Audio FeaturesMotorola Moto G 5G features 2 microphones for better voice capture
Security
Fingerprint SensorRear-mountedBasicBoth phones provide similar fingerprint sensor based biometric security
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionUnknownUnknownScreen protection information is not provided for either phone, making comparison difficult
Sensors
SensorsFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, GyroscopeFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, GravityBoth have a comprehensive suite of sensors with the Huawei also including Gravity sensor.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:

  • Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery should provide better battery life for heavy users than the Huawei's 4300mAh, reducing the need for frequent charging.
  • 4K Video Recording: This allows higher-quality video capture, suitable for vlogging and preserving memories in more detail.
  • RAW Photo Capture: This gives users more flexibility to edit images after taking them.
  • Laser Autofocus: Provides more precise and rapid focusing in various scenarios.

Huawei nova 9 Advantages:

  • Superior Display: The OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate offers a significantly better visual experience with richer colors, smoother scrolling, and deeper blacks.
  • Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset provides noticeably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
  • Faster Charging: 66W fast charging significantly reduces charging times, which is highly convenient for users always on the go.
  • Better Main Camera Sensor: The larger sensor and pixel size should result in superior low-light photography and better detail.
  • Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and wider aperture makes this phone better for selfies.
  • More Storage & RAM: The 8GB of RAM and higher storage options ensure smoother multitasking and provide more space for files and apps.
  • Newer Connectivity Standards: The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 provides a better overall experience when connecting to devices or networks.

Significant Trade-offs:

  • The Huawei nova 9's battery is smaller than the Motorola Moto G 5G, leading to potentially shorter battery life.
  • The Huawei nova 9 is a 4G phone, which can be an issue for people living in places with a well developed 5G infrastructure.
  • The Huawei nova 9 has a micro SIM instead of a second nano SIM

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Motorola Moto G 5G is ideal for:

  • Budget-conscious users: Those looking for a reliable 5G phone with a long-lasting battery at a more affordable price point.
  • Users prioritizing battery life: Individuals who need their phone to last through a full day of heavy use without needing to recharge frequently.
  • Users with a preference for photography: Those interested in detailed photos and the flexibility of shooting in RAW.

Use Cases:

  • Daily communication, social media, and browsing with extended use without needing frequent charging.
  • Basic photography needs, with the added flexibility of RAW format for post-processing.
  • Casual gaming and media consumption, where battery life is more important than high-end graphics.

Huawei nova 9 is ideal for:

  • Users prioritizing display quality and performance: Those who value a smooth and immersive visual experience and appreciate fast app loading and responsiveness.
  • Users who value fast charging: Those who need their phone to charge quickly for on-the-go lifestyles.
  • Users looking for better camera performance: Individuals who want better low-light performance and quality from selfies.
  • Users who do not need a 5G phone.

Use Cases:

  • Mobile gaming, video streaming, and heavy social media use.
  • Photography enthusiasts who want better low-light performance.
  • Power users who need their device to keep up with fast-paced lifestyles.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions:

  1. Do you prioritize battery life or fast charging?
    • If battery life is more important, the Motorola Moto G 5G is the better choice. If faster charging is needed, the Huawei nova 9 wins.
  2. How important is display quality and performance?
    • If you value a great display and smoother performance, the Huawei nova 9 is superior.
  3. Do you need a 5G connection?
    • If 5G is essential, the Motorola Moto G 5G is a better fit, as the Huawei nova 9 is a 4G phone.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Long Battery Life on a Budget: If you prioritize battery life and are looking for a more affordable option, and don't mind the LCD display, the Motorola Moto G 5G is the better choice.
  • Scenario 2: Top-Tier Display and Performance: If you value a high-quality display, faster performance, and don't mind slightly less battery life, the Huawei nova 9 is superior.
  • Scenario 3: Speed and Convenience: If you need the phone to charge quickly, the Huawei nova 9's 66W fast charging is the winning factor.
  • Scenario 4: 5G connectivity If you need to be able to connect to 5G networks, then the Motorola Moto G 5G is the only choice as the Huawei is a 4G phone.

What I Would Choose and Why:

Personally, I would choose the Huawei nova 9. While the Motorola Moto G 5G has a larger battery and 5G support, the OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate on the Huawei is a game-changer, providing a much more enjoyable and immersive experience for everyday usage.

The faster charging is also a significant advantage, as it allows me to quickly replenish the battery without having to wait around for hours. Finally, the superior performance due to the Snapdragon 778G chipset means smoother multitasking and better gaming performance, which is essential for how I use my phone. Although the lack of 5G is a downside, the other improvements justify the choice for me. The lack of 5G can be an issue for those living in places where 5G is widespread, so this would not be a recommendation for them.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Digital media communication
  • Technical storytelling
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.