Hands-on review: Huawei nova 9 SE

The recently launched Huawei nova 9 SE raises the bar for mid-range smartphones with great camera capabilities, a competitive price and features like a 66W Huawei SuperCharge. It’s also said that the smartphone’s 108MP AI Quad Camera system combines hardware and software, allowing users to take advantage of the ultimate benefits.

We got the device for a hands-on review, and here’s what it looks like.

Design and display
Featuring an ultra-thin design, the Huawei nova 9 SE is equipped with a 6.78–inch display while measuring only 7.94mm thin. Weighing 191gms, it has a comfortable grip and fits easily into a handbag or pocket.

The smartphone has a high-quality screen with a resolution of 2388×1080 pixels and a P3 colour gamut. The display has a refresh rate of 90Hz and a touch sampling rate of 270Hz. Furthermore, the display is surrounded by ultra-thin bezels – the top bezel is 1.1mm thin, while the two on the sides are 1.05mm wide. Meanwhile, the back of the phone is crafted with 3D glass, which has a glossy effect and crystal-clear texture.

Smart collaboration
The smartphone is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 processor and runs on EMUI 12 operating system. The operating system offers a smooth, safe and reliable user experience whether for working, studying, gaming, or entertainment.

Huawei has unified menus under the Control Panel in EMUI 12. Users may have quick access to music playback, Wi-Fi, and bluetooth settings without leaving the current screen when they slide to activate the Control Panel, as well as manage multiple devices as if they were handling just one. Although the device does not support Google Play Services, apps can be downloaded via the Huawei App gallery. Talking about storage, it features 8GB RAM and 128GB ROM. Performance was smooth, and there was plenty of power to run most games without a hitch.

Camera capabilities
The Huawei nova 9 SE packs a powerful 108MP AI Quad Camera system. It lets you capture high-quality images with crystal-clear detail, whether you’re shooting landscapes, portraits, architecture, night photos, or close-ups in the microscopic world. The 108MP AI Quad Camera system comprises a 108MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, a 2MP Bokeh lens, and a macro lens.

The smartphone is also equipped with a multi-frame fusion algorithm, which ensures that every photo is of the highest quality possible, thanks to a broader dynamic range that adjusts to both high and low light scenarios, eliminates noise, and increases the quality of images taken in low light.

Battery life
The Huawei nova 9 SE comes with a 4,000mAh battery and supports 66W Huawei SuperCharge. It took only 15 minutes to charge the smartphone up to 60 per cent and 36 minutes to charge it completely. The smartphone is also certified by the TÜV Rheinland Safe Fast Charge Certification for its ability to charge quickly and safely.

Pricing and availability
The Huawei nova 9 SE, priced at Dhs1199, is available in colours Midnight Black, Crystal Blue and Pearl White in stores and online for orders.

Read: Hands-on review: Huawei P50 Pro

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