Huawei Y9 (2019) vs Nova 3i specs comparison

Huawei Y9 (2019) vs Huawei Nova 3i specs comparison

The Huawei Nova 3i made a huge impact in the premium mid-range smartphone segment thanks to competitive hardware and pricing. But it looks like it’s facing a challenger from its own ranks, specifically the Y9 (2019) which carries the same chip and lower price. So which smartphone has the upper hand based on specs? Find out below

Here are their detailed specs:

Specification	Huawei Y9 (2019)	Huawei Nova 3i
Display	6.5-inch 19.5:9 Full HD+ IPS display @2340 x 1080px, 396ppi	6.3-inch 19.5:9 IPS LCD display @ 2340 x 1080 pixels, 409ppi
Glass type	3D Curved Glass	2.5D Curved Glass
CPU	HiSilicon Kirin 710 4x cortex a73 2.2ghz + 4x cortex a53 1.7ghz Octa-core Processor	HiSilicon Kirin 710 4x cortex a73 2.2ghz + 4x cortex a53 1.7ghz Octa-core Processor
GPU	Mali-G51 MP4	Mali-G51 MP4 w/ GPU Turbo Tech
RAM	3GB + 4GB RAM	4GB RAM
Storage	64GB internal storage	128GB internal storage
SIM	Dual-SIM (nano, nano)	Dual-SIM (nano, hybrid)
MicroSD	Expandable via microSD (dedicated)	Expandable via microSD (SIM 2)
Rear Camera	16MP f/2.0 + 2MP f/2.4 AI dual rear cameras	16MP f/2.2 + 2MP AI dual rear cameras
Front Camera	13MP f/1.8 + 2MP f/2.4 dual front cameras	24MP f/2.0 + 2MP AI dual front cameras
LTE	Dual 4G LTE	Dual 4G LTE
WiFi	WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, 2.4GHz	WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, 2.4GHz
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.2	Bluetooth 4.2
GPS	GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS	GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS
Port	Micro USB 2.0	Micro USB 2.0
3.5mm audio port	Yes	Yes
Biometrics	- Fingerprint scanner - Face Unlock	- Fingerprint scanner - Face Unlock
OS	EMUI 8.2 (Android 8.1 Oreo)	EMUI 8.2 (Android 8.1 Oreo)
Battery	4,000mAh battery	3,340mAh battery

Here are the advantages of each smartphone:

Huawei Y9 (2019)

Larger screen size
3D Curved Glass
Dedicated microSD card slot
Wider main rear camera aperture
Larger battery capacity

Huawei Nova 3i

Higher pixel density
Larger internal storage
Higher front camera resolution

The Y9 (2019) has a larger screen size with a 3D curved glass. The Nova 3i, on the other hand, has a slightly higher pixel density, but not by a mile. Both have IPS panels so we can expect good viewing angles and nice colors from both devices.

Both phones have the Kirin 710 chipset which has been proven capable of running basic to heavy tasks including gaming. One big advantage of the Nova 3i though is the 128GB storage which is good for users who need to take lots of photos and videos and have plenty of apps to install.

When it comes to cameras, the Y9 (2019) has a wider main rear camera aperture which allows it to perform better in low-light. The Nova 3i, on the other hand, has a higher front camera resolution for sharper selfies. We’ve yet to test the former’s capabilities but you can check our sample photos for the Huawei Nova 3i here.

The Y9 (2019) carries a larger battery capacity so we could expect it to outlast the Nova 3i, but we’ll confirm once we’re done with our review.

The Huawei Y9 (2019) is priced at PHP 12,990USD 221INR 18,765EUR 211CNY 1,612 while the Nova 3i is priced at PHP 15,990USD 272INR 23,099EUR 260CNY 1,984. Based on the advantages and value for money, the Y9 (2019) looks like a more attractive option if they don’t mind the smaller storage and front camera resolution.

What do you guys think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Vaughn Chua

Vaughn is your go-to person when it comes to comparing gadgets especially smartphones. He's also a gamer by heart and the "Hackerman" of the team.

7 Comments

Giorgiooo says:

6 years ago

Y9 is a good shot. Hmm wait till i have the money hahaha
- Reply
Sheryl says:

6 years ago

I bought Y9 on Nov 16 and so far it’s good on performance and no bad issues going on during my usage of it. It has a tiny led indicator when charging at the top right area though it doesn’t light up for notifications. I like the way it sits around my hand and one-hand typing is possible despite the size of the phone. It comes with pre-installed screen protector and jelly case plus a speaker freebie. This is my first Huawei phone and I’m glad I made a switch.
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Chris says:

6 years ago

Have you try Y9 gps apps,like waze?Ive heard there is a problem using waze,delay ditections
- Reply
Abu says:

6 years ago

Thanks a lot for giving information.
- Reply
Laudino Bayang says:

6 years ago

Comparing the two phone Nova 3i is still preferable if you like taking pictures. I bought Nova 3i because of its camera and its internal storage. If the battery is at 4000mAh it could operate longer but it might increase the price.
- Reply
CJ Paez says:

5 years ago

I have both the 3i and the Y9. Overall I like the Y9, bigger screen, larger battery. Performance-wise, they`re the same. Plays PUBG, NBA2k19, Life After, Honkai Impact, without any lags, but I prefer the Y9 prime since there’s no notch and the screen is larger. Nanga is also better on the Y9. But for photos, clearly the 3i wins this one. Though they both have 16mp at the back, turning on the ai for the Y9 lowers down the quality of the shots since it uses the 8mp camera instead of the 16. I recommend turning ai off.
- Reply