Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro vs Huawei nova 9 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Huawei nova 9
Huawei nova 9
Huawei

General

Launch Date March 24, 2021 September 30, 2021
Release Year 2021 2021

Physical

Volume 101.62 cm³ 91.98 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.46 "/g 3.75 "/g
Weight 193 g 175 g
Height 164 mm 160 mm
Width 76.5 mm 73.7 mm
Thickness 8.1 mm 7.8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Glacier Blue
  • Onyx Gray
  • Gradient Bronze
  • 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 85.6 % 89.9 %
Pixel Density 395 PPI 392 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness 450 nits N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness 1200 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 112.84 mAh/in² 99.62 mAh/in²
Battery Density 49.4 mAh/cm³ 46.75 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5020 mAh 4300 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM7150 Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)
GPU Adreno 618 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 11 N/A
Maximum OS Version 13

Comparison Summary

Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro vs. Huawei nova 9

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureXiaomi Redmi Note 10 ProHuawei nova 9Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions164 × 76.5 × 8.1 mm160 × 73.7 × 7.8 mmXiaomi is slightly larger and thicker, may feel less comfortable in hand for smaller hands.
Weight193g175gHuawei is noticeably lighter, more comfortable for long use.
Display
Size6.67"6.57"Very similar size; minimal practical difference in screen real estate.
Resolution1080x24001080x2340Negligible difference in sharpness; both offer crisp images.
Pixel Density395 PPI392 PPIVirtually identical; both offer excellent sharpness.
TechnologyAMOLEDOLEDSimilar quality; both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks.
Refresh Rate120Hz120HzBoth offer smooth scrolling and gaming.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsXiaomi screen is much brighter; better visibility in direct sunlight (Note: 0 nits is likely an error, but without correct value, it highlights potential weakness of Huawei display).
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 732G (8 nm)Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)Huawei has a faster chip, offering better app loading and smoother performance.
AnTuTu Score397,200578,555Huawei is significantly faster, better for demanding tasks and gaming.
GPUAdreno 618Adreno 642LHuawei has a more powerful GPU, better for graphics-intensive apps.
Camera
Main Camera108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52", Samsung S5KHM2, 0.70µm50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766, 1.00µmXiaomi captures more detail in good lighting, while Huawei uses larger pixels for better low-light performance.
Selfie Camera16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 1.00µm32MP, f/2.0Huawei has a higher resolution and wider aperture; better selfies, especially in low light.
Wide-Angle8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355, 1.14µm8MP, f/2.2Similar performance, both adequate for landscape shots
Portrait2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", GalaxyCore GC02M1, 1.75µm2MP, f/2.4Similar performance for depth sensing, not primary photo taking lens.
Macro5MP, f/2.4, 1/5", Omnivision OV5675, 1.12µm2MP, f/2.4Xiaomi has higher resolution for macro detail.
Video Recording4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, Slow-motion: 960 fps720p@960fps with EIS Slow-motion: 30fpsXiaomi has higher video resolution; Huawei has electronic image stabilization.
Battery
Capacity5020mAh4300mAhXiaomi has a larger battery; likely better battery life.
Charging33W Fast Charging66W Fast ChargingHuawei charges much faster; less time tethered to charger.
Software
OSAndroid 11 (upgradable to 13)Android 13Huawei has the newer software out of the box, longer term software support is unknown.
Connectivity
Wi-FiWi-Fi 5Wi-Fi 6Huawei offers faster Wi-Fi speeds and better handling of congested networks.
Bluetooth5.15.2Huawei has slightly better Bluetooth technology.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GalileoHuawei offers more satellite support for more accurate location tracking.
SIMDual Nano SIMMicro SIM + Nano SIMBoth offer Dual SIM functionality, but Huawei uses one older Micro SIM slot.
Storage
Internal64/128/256 GB128/256 GBBoth offer adequate storage options, no expansion for either.
RAM6/8 GB8 GBHuawei provides 8 GB of RAM which is good for multitasking and gaming.
ExpandableNoNoNeither has expandable storage.
Audio
QualityDolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo SpeakersBasic AudioXiaomi has superior audio for more immersive sound.
Security
FeaturesSide-mounted fingerprint sensorBasic fingerprint sensorXiaomi's side-mounted fingerprint sensor may be more ergonomic.
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionGorilla Glass 5UnknownXiaomi screen is more resistant to scratches and cracks.
Sensors
SensorsFingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic ProximityFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, GyroscopeXiaomi has an ultrasonic sensor and Huawei has a physical proximity sensor (likely no real functional difference).

2. Key Differences Analysis

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Advantages:

  • Brighter Display: Significantly brighter screen (1200 nits), much better for outdoor visibility and direct sunlight use.
  • Larger Battery: Larger 5020mAh battery for potentially longer battery life.
  • Superior Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and Stereo Speakers provide enhanced audio experience.
  • Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides more scratch resistance and drop protection.
  • More Versatile Video Capture: Higher resolution video capture (4K) and high frame rate slow motion.

Huawei nova 9 Advantages:

  • Faster Processor: Snapdragon 778G offers better performance for gaming and demanding tasks.
  • Faster Charging: 66W fast charging fills the battery much quicker.
  • Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution, wider aperture selfie camera for better quality in various lighting.
  • Newer Bluetooth and Wi-Fi: Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6 for enhanced connectivity.
  • Better GPS: QZSS satellite support provides slightly improved location accuracy.
  • Newer Software: ships with a newer version of Android.
  • More Efficient Sensor: the inclusion of a proximity sensor is more reliable than the virtual implementation of the Xiaomi

Trade-offs:

  • Xiaomi: sacrifices processing power and charging speed for better display brightness, audio, and larger battery.
  • Huawei: sacrifices battery life, screen brightness and audio capabilities for faster performance and charging.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro:

  • Ideal User: A user who prioritizes media consumption, enjoys watching videos and listening to music, or spends a lot of time in bright sunlight.
  • Use Cases:
    • Outdoor use and video recording where visibility is important.
    • Long trips or days away from a charger where battery life is key.
    • Enjoying movies or music with high-quality audio.
    • Users looking for a very durable screen.
  • Price-to-Value: Offers good value for media-focused users on a budget.

Huawei nova 9:

  • Ideal User: A user who prioritizes performance, speed and quick charging and takes many selfies.
  • Use Cases:
    • Gaming and running demanding applications.
    • Users who need to charge their phone quickly.
    • Users who value connectivity with newer Bluetooth and Wi-Fi standards.
    • Users who value a lighter phone.
  • Price-to-Value: Good option for users who want flagship-level performance on a mid-range budget.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. Do you prioritize display visibility and battery life, or raw performance and fast charging? (Xiaomi excels in the first, Huawei in the second).
  2. How important is audio quality and screen durability? (Xiaomi has a more advanced sound system and more durable screen.)
  3. Do you prioritize connectivity or a larger battery? (Huawei has a more modern standard for wifi and bluetooth but a smaller battery)

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • For the Outdoor Photographer: Choose the Xiaomi for its brighter screen, ensuring you can see what you are shooting even in direct sunlight, and the more versatile video capture.
  • For the Mobile Gamer: Choose the Huawei for its faster processor and GPU, ensuring smoother gameplay.
  • For the Commuter/Traveler: The Xiaomi is a better choice due to larger battery, potentially reducing the need for frequent charging, and more durable screen. If you tend to spend more time on your phone and need to charge it quickly, the Huawei would be better.
  • For the Audiophile: Choose the Xiaomi for its superior audio quality, better stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos.
  • For the Social Media User: Choose the Huawei for its faster speed and better selfie camera.

My Choice

Based on my priorities, I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro. While the Huawei nova 9 has a faster processor and faster charging, I value the Xiaomi's brighter screen for better outdoor visibility, the larger battery for longer use, and the higher quality audio experience. I also prefer the more durable screen of the Xiaomi and the more versatile video capture. While the performance difference is noticeable, the benefits of the Xiaomi align more with my regular use, which involves a lot of media consumption and general use in diverse lighting conditions. I also value a more reliable sensor suite for proximity detection which the Xiaomi lacks. For me the trade offs of the Huawei do not outweigh the benefits of the Xiaomi.

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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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.