Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G vs Huawei nova 9 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Huawei nova 9
Huawei nova 9
Huawei

General

Launch Date October 13, 2020 September 30, 2021
Release Year 2020 2021

Physical

Volume 117.31 cm³ 91.98 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.09 "/g 3.75 "/g
Weight 216 g 175 g
Height 165.1 mm 160 mm
Width 76.4 mm 73.7 mm
Thickness 9.3 mm 7.8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Cosmic Black
  • Lunar Silver
  • Black
  • Green
  • Violet
  • Starry Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.67 " 6.57 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2340
Aspect Ratio 20:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 85.2 % 89.9 %
Pixel Density 395 PPI 392 PPI
Refresh Rate 144 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness 500 nits N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness 650 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 112.39 mAh/in² 99.62 mAh/in²
Battery Density 42.62 mAh/cm³ 46.75 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 4300 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)
GPU Adreno 650 Adreno 642L

Connectivity

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

Software

Operating System Android N/A
Initial OS Version 10 N/A
Maximum OS Version 11

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureXiaomi Mi 10T 5GHuawei nova 9Practical Impact
Dimensions165.1 × 76.4 × 9.3 mm160 × 73.7 × 7.8 mmMi 10T 5G is larger and bulkier, less pocketable and harder to use one-handed.
Weight216g175gNova 9 is significantly lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use.

Display

FeatureXiaomi Mi 10T 5GHuawei nova 9Practical Impact
Size6.67"6.57"Negligible difference in screen real estate.
Resolution1080x24001080x2340Visually indistinguishable sharpness for most users.
TechnologyIPS LCDOLEDNova 9 offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors.
Refresh Rate144Hz120HzMi 10T 5G provides slightly smoother scrolling and gaming experience, though the difference may be subtle.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsSpecification missing

Performance

FeatureXiaomi Mi 10T 5GHuawei nova 9Practical Impact
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)Mi 10T 5G offers significantly better performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
AnTuTu Score742,400578,555Mi 10T 5G has a noticeable performance advantage in benchmarks, translating to snappier performance.
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 642LMi 10T 5G provides better graphics performance, crucial for gaming at higher settings and smoother frame rates.

Camera

FeatureXiaomi Mi 10T 5GHuawei nova 9Practical Impact
Main Camera64MP, f/1.89, 1/1.7"50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56"Nova 9's larger sensor size tends to capture more light, potentially resulting in better low-light performance, despite the lower megapixel count. Mi 10T 5G allows higher resolution shots if lighting is optimal.
Selfie Camera20MP, f/2.4, 1/3.4"32MP, f/2.0Nova 9 likely captures brighter selfies with more detail due to the wider aperture and higher resolution.
Wide-Angle Lens13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.06"8MP, f/2.2Mi 10T 5G captures wider angle shots with more detail. Nova 9 has a wider aperture.
Portrait ModeN/A2MP, f/2.4Nova 9 offers a dedicated depth sensor for potentially better bokeh effect in portrait shots.
Macro Lens5MP, f/2.4, 1/5"2MP, f/2.4Mi 10T 5G captures macro shots with more detail.
Video RecordingUp to 8K@30fpsUp to 4KMi 10T 5G allows for recording videos at a much higher resolution.

Battery

FeatureXiaomi Mi 10T 5GHuawei nova 9Practical Impact
Capacity5000mAh4300mAhMi 10T 5G generally offers longer battery life, especially for power users.
Charging33W Fast Charging66W Fast ChargingNova 9 charges much faster, minimizing downtime.

Other

FeatureXiaomi Mi 10T 5GHuawei nova 9Practical Impact
Operating SystemAndroid 10, upgradable to 11Android 11 (likely with Huawei's EMUI skin)Nova 9 likely offers a more modern user interface, though this is subjective and depends on software support from Huawei.
5G SupportYesNoMi 10T 5G provides access to faster 5G networks where available.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: Snapdragon 865 offers significantly better processing and graphics power. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
  • Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery provides longer battery life, important for heavy users.
  • 8K Video Recording: Ability to record video in 8K resolution for professional-grade video.
  • 5G Connectivity: Supports 5G networks for faster data speeds.
  • Stereo Speakers: Offers better audio quality for media consumption and gaming.
  • More advanced GPS: Supports more satelite systems for better location accuracy

Huawei nova 9 Advantages:

  • Lighter and Thinner Design: More comfortable to hold and carry.
  • OLED Display: Offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors.
  • Faster Charging: 66W charging significantly reduces charging time.
  • Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and wider aperture for improved selfie quality.
  • Portrait Mode Depth Camera: Dedicated depth sensor for portrait photography.
  • Newer Bluetooth version: Better compatibility with some devices

Trade-offs:

  • Mi 10T 5G sacrifices portability and comfort for performance and battery life.
  • Nova 9 prioritizes design, camera (selfies), and charging speed over raw performance and battery capacity.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G is ideal for:

  • Gamers: Demanding games run smoother and at higher settings.
  • Power Users: Benefit from the faster processor and longer battery life for multitasking and demanding apps.
  • Video Creators: 8K video recording provides higher resolution footage.
  • Users in 5G areas: Can take advantage of faster network speeds.

Huawei nova 9 is ideal for:

  • Photography Enthusiasts (Selfies): Prioritizes selfie quality and portrait mode.
  • Users who value design: Lighter, thinner, and more stylish design.
  • Users who need fast charging: 66W charging is a major convenience.
  • Casual Users: Who prioritize a good looking phone.

4. Decision Framework

Consider these questions:

  1. How important is raw performance? If you play demanding games or use resource-intensive apps, the Mi 10T 5G is the better choice.
  2. How important is portability and design? If you want a lighter and more comfortable phone, the Nova 9 is better.
  3. How important are selfies? If you take a lot of selfies, the Nova 9 will provide more detail.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Mobile Gaming: Choose Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G for smoother gameplay.
  • Scenario 2: All-Day Battery Life: Choose Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G for better endurance.
  • Scenario 3: Frequent Selfie-Taking: Choose Huawei nova 9 for better selfie quality.
  • Scenario 4: Fast Charging on the go: Choose Huawei Nova 9 for faster charging speeds.

At the end, write what you would choose and explain why!

If I were to choose between the Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G and the Huawei Nova 9, I would personally pick the Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G. My primary reasons are its superior performance due to the Snapdragon 865 chipset and its larger battery capacity. I frequently use my phone for tasks like video editing, playing graphic-intensive games, and multitasking with several apps open at once. The Mi 10T 5G is better suited to handle these tasks without lag or performance issues. Furthermore, the larger battery provides assurance that my phone will last through a full day of heavy use. While I appreciate the Nova 9's lighter design and faster charging, those benefits do not outweigh the performance and battery advantages of the Mi 10T 5G for my specific needs.

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.

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  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.