Huawei nova 9 SE review
The Huawei Nova 9 SE is the latest addition to the Nova series, offering impressive features at an affordable price point. With its sleek design and advanced camera capabilities, this phone promises to deliver high-quality visuals and seamless performance. The device boasts a 6.78-inch LCD display, a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 processor, and a long-lasting battery that can be quickly topped up with the included 66W superfast charger. In this review, we'll dive into the details of what makes the Nova 9 SE tick.
Build Quality and Design
The Huawei Nova 9 SE is the latest addition to the Nova series lineup, and I've had the chance to put it through its paces for a bit. While it's not a bad device by any stretch, it's also not particularly impressive in terms of build quality and design. Out of the box, the Nova 9 SE feels like a typical Huawei smartphone - solidly built, but lacking in flair. The Crystal Blue version I have on hand is actually quite pretty, with a unique light beam effect emanating from the camera module when you turn it or move it around. However, this same design also makes it a fingerprint magnet, which can be frustrating to deal with. The build quality itself is decent, but not particularly premium. The device feels substantial in your hand, and the materials used are of good quality. However, the design language is very much in line with previous Huawei devices - familiar, yet uninspired. Speaking of ports and buttons, the Nova 9 SE has a Type-C input at the bottom, along with a pair of bottom-firing speakers that deliver decent sound quality. On the right side, you'll find the power button integrated with a fingerprint sensor, which works well enough, if not particularly quickly. The volume rocker is situated nearby, and on top, you'll find the SIM card tray. In terms of display, I won't get into too much detail here - suffice it to say that the 6.78-inch IPS LCD screen is decent for casual content viewing or gaming, but may struggle in bright light situations. Overall, while the Huawei Nova 9 SE is a solid device, its build quality and design are not particularly memorable. If you're looking for a reliable, no-frills smartphone experience, this might be worth considering - but if you want something that really stands out from the crowd, you may want to look elsewhere.
Battery Life
Battery life is an area where the Huawei Nova 9 SE falls short. With a 4,000mAh battery, you might expect a decent day's use, but unfortunately, that's not the case. While the phone can last through a typical day of casual usage, its performance drops significantly when pushed to more demanding tasks like gaming or heavy camera use. In such situations, the Nova 9 SE's battery life is barely sufficient, and you may find yourself needing to top up mid-day. However, the silver lining here is the inclusion of a 66W fast charger, which can refill the battery from 0-75% in just 20 minutes. This quick charging capability makes up for some of the battery life's shortcomings. While not the longest-lasting phone in its class, the Nova 9 SE's battery performance is still respectable in moderation. However, if you're a heavy user who relies on their smartphone throughout the day, this may be a consideration worth keeping in mind when deciding whether to purchase the Huawei Nova 9 SE. In terms of actual numbers, you can expect around 6-7 hours of screen-on time from the Nova 9 SE's battery, depending on your usage patterns. This is a respectable figure for an Android mid-ranger, but not outstanding by any means. Overall, while the Nova 9 SE's battery life might be its most significant drawback, it's still a solid device with many redeeming qualities.
Display
The display on the Huawei Nova 9 SE is a 6.78-inch IPS LCD screen with a 90Hz refresh rate. While it's not a standout feature, it gets the job done for casual content viewing and gaming. The pixel density of 388 PPI is also respectable. One thing to note is that the display can struggle in bright light situations, making it difficult to view content clearly. This was one of the aspects I didn't particularly like about the phone's display. However, for everyday usage, social media scrolling, and gaming, it's not terrible. The screen-to-body ratio is a reasonable 89.5%, which means there's some bezel space around the edges. While it's not an OLED panel, the LCD display does have its strengths, particularly in processing images quickly and smoothly. In terms of image quality, the camera samples I took showed that the processing on the back camera was commendable. The 108MP primary sensor with f/1.9 aperture produced good results, making the image turn out better than expected. However, the front camera was mediocre at best, even for a phone in this price range. Another drawback is that the ultra-wide and main lens lack HDR capabilities, resulting in blown-out highlights in some cases. The auto mode is decent but inferior to the main camera. Video recording maxes out at 1080p, which might be disappointing in today's age of higher video resolutions. Overall, while the display on the Huawei Nova 9 SE is not exceptional, it's adequate for everyday use and gaming. However, its limitations become more apparent when using the phone in bright light conditions or demanding camera features.
Camera
The camera system on the Huawei Nova 9 SE is a highlight of the device. The phone features a pill-shaped camera module at the back, housing a 108-megapixel primary sensor with an f/1.9 aperture. This is complemented by an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens with an f/2.2 aperture, a 2-megapixel macro lens, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The image quality from the back camera is quite impressive, especially considering the device's price point. The images produced are detailed, with good dynamic range and minimal noise. The processing on this camera system is also noteworthy, as it effectively enhances the images without over-processing them. In particular, the 108-megapixel primary sensor takes excellent photos in well-lit conditions, with good color accuracy and minimal artifacts. The ultra-wide-angle lens adds a useful feature to the phone's photography capabilities, allowing for wider shots that would otherwise be difficult to capture. However, there are some limitations to the camera system. The front camera is somewhat disappointing, producing mediocre images that don't quite match up to the quality of the rear camera. Furthermore, the ultra-wide-angle and macro lenses seem to lack HDR support, resulting in blown-out highlights and reduced dynamic range in certain situations. In terms of video recording, the Nova 9 SE can only manage up to 1080p resolution, which is somewhat underwhelming given the current market standards. This being said, the camera's auto mode works well for casual users, producing acceptable footage without too much effort required. The dual-view shooting feature, which allows simultaneous capture from both front and rear cameras, also works as expected and might appeal to those interested in vlogging or creating creative content. Overall, while not perfect, the camera system on the Huawei Nova 9 SE is a solid offering that should satisfy casual users looking for a good primary camera experience without breaking the bank.
Price and Value
The Huawei Nova 9 SE is the latest addition to the Nova series lineup, and it's available at an affordable price point. At first glance, it seems like a solid device that offers good value for money. One of the standout features of this phone is its design. The Crystal Blue variant I had is quite visually appealing, with a light beam-like effect emanating from the camera module. However, it does attract fingerprints, so be prepared to wipe it clean regularly. The Nova 9 SE's display is another highlight. It boasts a 6.78-inch IPS LCD screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, which makes for smooth content consumption and gaming experiences. While it may not be the most impressive display in its class, it gets the job done for casual users. The camera setup on this phone is decent, with a primary sensor, ultra-wide lens, macro lens, and depth sensor. Image quality is good, especially when using the main camera. However, the front camera leaves something to be desired, and HDR capabilities are limited to the auto mode only. Battery life, however, is where this phone falls short. With a 4,000mAh battery, you might expect decent longevity, but the reality is that it drains quickly, especially when using the camera or gaming extensively. Thankfully, the 66W super-fast charger can top it up to almost 80% in just 20 minutes. Overall, while the Huawei Nova 9 SE offers good value for its price point, it's not without its flaws. If you're a casual user who wants a solid phone with decent specs and features, this might be worth considering. However, gamers and heavy users may find it wanting in terms of battery life and performance.
Performance
The Huawei Nova 9 SE is a mid-range smartphone that boasts impressive performance capabilities, making it a great option for those seeking a reliable device without breaking the bank. One of the standout features of this phone is its gaming prowess. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G processor delivers smooth and lag-free experiences, even in demanding titles like Call of Duty Mobile. While it may not be possible to run at extreme graphics settings, the option to play at high frame rates with lower graphics quality makes up for it. In terms of overall performance, the Nova 9 SE handles multitasking and day-to-day tasks with ease, making it a great choice for those who want a phone that can keep up with their busy lifestyle. The device's EMUI 12 interface provides a seamless user experience, complete with snappy animations and responsive UI. While the phone may not be perfect, its performance is undoubtedly one of its strongest suits. The inclusion of an 8GB RAM and 128GB storage combination ensures that the Nova 9 SE can handle even the most demanding tasks without breaking a sweat. In terms of camera capabilities, the phone's processing quality is impressive, making it a great option for those who want to capture high-quality images on-the-go. However, as with many mid-range devices, the front camera may not be the best in its class. Overall, the Huawei Nova 9 SE delivers solid performance that makes it a compelling choice for anyone seeking a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank. While it may have some minor flaws, the phone's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, making it a great option for those who value performance above all else.
Pros
1. The phone's design is sleek and modern, with a unique light beam effect on the Crystal Blue model.
2. The camera processing quality is excellent, producing great results from the 108MP primary sensor.
3. Gaming performance is decent, with smooth gameplay and no noticeable lag or stuttering.
4. The phone's UI is snappy and responsive, making it a pleasure to use.
5. The 66W superfast charger is incredibly fast, getting you up to 75% charge in just 20 minutes.
Cons
1. The display is an LCD panel with a relatively low pixel density, which can make it difficult to view in bright light situations.
2. The front camera is mediocre and doesn't quite live up to expectations, especially considering the price range.
3. The phone lacks a dual speaker setup, instead opting for bottom-facing speakers that are not as immersive.
4. Battery life is on the lower side, with a 4000mAh battery that can drain quickly if used intensively.
5. The chipset, although capable, doesn't quite keep up with other mid-range phones in terms of graphics quality and frame rate options.