1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Huawei nova 9 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 158.3 x 73.3 x 8.2 mm | 160 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm | Huawei nova 9 is slightly taller and thinner, potentially feeling more modern and sleek. The difference is minimal. |
| Weight | 184g | 175g | Huawei nova 9 is slightly lighter, which might be noticeable during extended use, especially one-handed. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Huawei nova 9 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.44" | 6.57" | Huawei nova 9 offers a slightly larger viewing area, which can be better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Negligible difference in sharpness. Both offer a crisp viewing experience. |
| PPI | 408 | 392 | Almost identical pixel density, meaning both screens will appear equally sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar display technologies, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. Differences are likely subtle. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Huawei nova 9 has a smoother scrolling experience and more responsive gaming due to the higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits. This is likely missing data and should be verified from other sources. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus Nord offers known scratch and impact resistance, while the Huawei's screen protection is unconfirmed. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Huawei nova 9 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | Huawei nova 9's chipset is newer, potentially offering better power efficiency and slightly improved performance, but it lacks 5G connectivity. The OnePlus Nord has 5G but the Antutu score is higher. |
| AnTuTu Score | 714,400 | 578,555 | OnePlus Nord has a higher AnTuTu score, suggesting better overall performance, faster app loading times, and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 642L | Huawei nova 9 should have a more powerful GPU for better gaming performance. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Huawei nova 9 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | Similar main sensors. OnePlus Nord's slightly wider aperture (f/1.8) might allow for slightly better low-light performance. |
| Ultrawide Camera | 8MP, f/2.25 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Huawei nova 9 has a slightly wider aperture (f/2.25 vs f/2.2) |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/2.74", Sony IMX615 | 32MP, f/2.0 | Huawei nova 9's wider aperture (f/2.0) should capture brighter and better selfies, especially in low light. |
| Additional Cameras | 2MP Black & White | 2MP Depth, 2MP Macro | Huawei nova 9 offers more versatile photography with dedicated depth and macro lenses. OnePlus Nord's black and white camera is less useful for most users. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 720p@960fps with EIS | OnePlus Nord records higher resolution videos with better stabilization. Huawei nova 9 records slow-motion videos, but at a lower resolution. |
| Camera Features | OIS, RAW | CDAF | OnePlus Nord's OIS offers superior stability in videos and low-light photos. Huawei nova 9 includes CDAF. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Huawei nova 9 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4300mAh | OnePlus Nord has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering a bit longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W | 66W | Both offer very fast charging, reaching full charge in a similar time, though Huawei is slightly faster. |
Storage
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Huawei nova 9 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | Not specified | 128/256 GB | Huawei nova 9 provides a confirmed storage option, though the specifications don't mention what the OnePlus Nord offers. |
| RAM | Not specified | 8GB | The Huawei offers 8GB of RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | No storage expansion available on either device. |
Connectivity
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Huawei nova 9 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | No | OnePlus Nord supports 5G networks, offering significantly faster data speeds where available. Huawei nova 9 is limited to 4G. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual SIM (Micro SIM + Nano SIM) | The oneplus offers two nano sims. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus Nord Advantages:
- 5G Connectivity: Future-proofs the device for faster network speeds as 5G becomes more widespread.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Provides better image and video stability, especially in low light.
- Higher AnTuTu Score: Better performance.
- Stereo Speakers: Better audio.
- Confirmed Screen Protection: Uses Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
Practical Implications:
- The OnePlus Nord is better for users who want to take advantage of 5G networks and prioritize camera stability.
- The OnePlus Nord provides better audio experience.
Huawei nova 9 Advantages:
- 120Hz Display: Smoother scrolling and animations.
- Slightly Newer Chipset: Potentially better power efficiency and slightly improved performance in some tasks.
- Better Selfie Camera: Wider aperture for brighter selfies.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up shots.
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use.
- More RAM and Storage: Great for multitasking.
Practical Implications:
- The Huawei nova 9 is better for users who prioritize a smooth visual experience, like taking selfies, and want a lighter device with plenty of storage.
- The Huawei nova 9 offers increased versatility in its photography capabilities with the inclusion of a macro lens.
Significant Trade-offs:
- OnePlus Nord: Lacks a dedicated macro lens and has a lower refresh rate display.
- Huawei nova 9: Lacks 5G connectivity and OIS.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus Nord:
- Ideal User: Tech enthusiasts who want 5G connectivity, appreciate good camera stability, and value overall performance.
- Use Cases:
- Streaming high-resolution videos on the go.
- Taking stable videos in low-light conditions.
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- General daily usage requiring speed and responsiveness.
- Frequent travelers who need 5G access abroad.
Huawei nova 9:
- Ideal User: Social media users who take a lot of selfies, casual gamers, and those who prefer a lighter, sleeker device.
- Use Cases:
- Taking high-quality selfies.
- Taking close-up photos of small objects.
- Enjoying smoother scrolling on social media feeds.
- General multimedia consumption.
- Users who prioritize design and comfort in hand.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Is 5G connectivity important to you? (If yes, OnePlus Nord is the better choice)
- Do you prioritize camera stability and video quality, or selfie quality and macro photography? (Camera stability: OnePlus Nord, Selfies/Macro: Huawei nova 9)
- Do you value a smoother display experience over slightly better overall performance? (Smoother display: Huawei nova 9, performance: OnePlus Nord)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent traveler who needs the fastest possible mobile data speeds: OnePlus Nord (5G).
- Scenario 2: Social media influencer who prioritizes taking high-quality selfies: Huawei nova 9 (better selfie camera).
- Scenario 3: Mobile gamer who wants the smoothest possible visual experience: Huawei nova 9 (120Hz display).
- Scenario 4: User who takes a lot of videos and wants stable footage: OnePlus Nord (OIS).
My Choice
Given the information available, I would choose the OnePlus Nord. While the Huawei nova 9 has some attractive features like a 120Hz display and a better selfie camera, the OnePlus Nord's support for 5G connectivity is a significant advantage for future-proofing. Also, I value the OIS in the main camera for taking stable videos, and the higher AnTuTu score suggests better overall performance. While I do take some selfies from time to time, the video and performance benefits would be a great use for my usecase. Also, the gorilla glass gives me a piece of mind.
