Huawei Nova 9 review. How does it work every day?

When it comes to catching Huawei Nova 9, it is a relatively light smartphone (by current standards) - it weighs 175 grams and well balanced.Sure, it is quite large, because the 6.57-inch screen obliges to do so, but at the same time it can be operated quite well with one hand-if you get used to the fact that you need to do a little gymnastic.

Going to the edge - on the right we have volume control buttons and switch.To be able to distinguish them from each other, the first is longer and clickable on two sides (VOL+ / VOL-), while the second-shorter and has an oblong cavity.The left side remained undeveloped.At the bottom there is a place for a drawer for two nanosim cards (unfortunately, there is no microSD card slot here), USB type C, microphone and speaker.At the top we have a second microphone.

What does the smartphone look like after a month of daily use?I still like as elegant as at the beginning - and I still like the irregularly cut right edge.And since we are already at the edges - during the press meeting Huawei assured that the smartphone frame is aluminum, but from the outside it is varnished plastic.The glass housing does not get dirty, nor does it collect fingerprints, while the edges like to collect smaller scratches.Apart from this, the smartphone actually does not wear major signs of use.

I will add that Huawei Nova 9 cannot boast of any waterproof certificate, but - as you can see in the pictures - it has a sealed nanosim slot.In addition, it is worth noting that the sales set includes a basic, silicone protective case.

Display

Huawei Nova 9 is equipped with a great OLED display with a 6.57 "diagonal, a resolution of 2340 × 1080 pixels and a refresh rate of 120 Hz (and in this setting I used Nova 9 for almost all the time).

The last parameter can be set in one of three modes:

I don't have much to say about the Huawei Nova 9 screen itself - and all because it's really good.Saturated colors, high maximum brightness, excellent black, trouble -free visibility regardless of the angle - what more could you want.In addition, the screen brightness regulation, which works without problems, not too fast or too late to change the lighting of the environment and a trouble -free response to touch.It's really good.

Of course, we must not forget about the fact that Huawei Nova 9 has a curved screen, which will not suit everyone.This is associated with the existing light breakdowns on the edges of the screen, as well as sometimes problems with entering the text maximally on the left or right side of the keyboard (I do not know why I have a permanent problem with clicking Enter - instead I always wrap in delete.

In the screen settings, we can turn on dark mode, eye protection (blue light filter-can work according to schedule or throughout the day; you can change its level and include reduction of image flickering) and e-book mode (changes the displayed colors in shades of gray), screen resolution(to choose: intelligent resolution, high - 1080 × 2340 or low - 720 × 1560).We also have color modes (normal / expressive) and color temperature modifier - default, warm, cold or chosen from the Color Circle.

Always on Display could not be missing, or "always on the screen".On the blank screen, information such as date, time, notifications, day of the week and the percentage of battery charge are displayed.AOD can work in continuous mode, according to the schedule or only after touching the screen.There are many different AOD templates to choose from, which can also be slightly modified - there is a chance that everyone will find something interesting for themselves.

A protective film is founded on the screen.Until he starts to leave the edges - I recommend leaving her.It protects the display from scratches well enough, at the same time I have to point out that she loves fingerprints and all streaks - it lacks an oleophobic coating.It is not surprising, however - it is a simple protective film, not a screen glass.

Operation, software

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G octa -core processor in combination with 8 GB RAM works perfectly - during everyday use Nova 9 did not give me reason to feel that it does not work based on the flagship unit, which Snap 778g is not.All tasks were performed immediately, and the liquidity effect was additionally increased by the higher frequency of screen refreshment.

In synthetic tests, Huawei Nova 9 obtained the following results:

In China, Huawei Nova 9 works under the control of the Harmony OS system, which can introduce little confusion - you must know that the smartphone version sold in Europe, including of course in Poland, is only available from EMUI.As Huawei informed, the update of the brand's smartphones to Harmony OS in Europe is to start in 2022 - then Nova 9 should receive an appropriate update.

Meanwhile, you have to remember that Huawei Nova 9 works based on Android 11 with the EMUI 12 overlay - without Google services, i.e. GMS (Google Mobile Services), and with HMS (Huawei Mobile Services).And now it's time to go to the most important part of this review ...

Does the lack of Google services bother?

The answer to this question is difficult and simple at the same time, and it sounds: it depends!The truth is that some people do not need Google services and they will find themselves here without any problem.Others will divide into two camps - or will be installed by applications with.APK, or will use the GSPACE application, which allows you to install Google applications - including YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail or Drive (while they are always opened by GSPACE, not directly).

The lack of support for Google services also has its consequences - you will not use the option of auto -complete passwords, you will not pay through Google Pay, you will not be able to log in using a Google account in services or you will run out of contacts, if you have them saved on Google account and notyou will transfer them from another phone.

Personally, I have a problem with the use of Huawei Mobile Services mainly due to the lack of available notifications in the Discord application.This is used for work - communication with the editors, so I have to be up to date;Unfortunately, there is no way to force these notifications.It is similar with Twitter notifications.

Until the discovery of Gspace (greetings to the scythe!), I missed Google Drive very.pl.The ability to synchronize on all devices I want is at a premium for me - unfortunately, on Huawei Nova 9 it doesn't work.However, Microsoft 365 works, so if you use the Microsoft system, i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint or OneDrive - you'll find yourself here without much problem.

What else can I miss?Lack of support for applications such as Revolut, YouTube Studio or Freenow.To my surprise, the application supporting the Tedee's intelligent castle, which I use every day, works without a problem.Spotify also works, like Feedly, Canva, Netflix (but without maximum quality service) or ING Mobile.

What I got used to, however, is the use of programs from the browser level - Google calendar or mail, to which you can add shortcuts to the home screen.In the same way, you can add shortcuts to specific websites to the home screen - for me they were primarily login pages to both portals that I run.

Petal maps more and more mature

Last year I wrote a very negative text about maps of Petal - I had a whole ton of reservations about them.And before I finally find a moment to refer to it in a separate material after a year (because it's really worth doing!), It's a few words to mention in the review of the smartphone itself.

I admit, after more than a year from the previous adventure with the maps of Petal I reached for them very reluctantly.But that's how I am - if I test something, that's exactly, so I didn't combine the use of Google Maps (because it can be!), And I decided to use pre -installed navigation on Nova 9.

And you know what?A lot has changed.Navigation has grown - it is more mature in terms of appearance and functions, which are simply more.In addition, it seems that the problems of childhood disappeared - just as if Huawei had listed my comments and tiss you to solve them in turn.

For now, I actually have one basic attention to the maps - the search engine works strongly randomly.By entering the street name and the city often pops up a completely different result than we expected - it is difficult in such conditions to get to the destination, since you can't even search for it.The problem also occurred last year, but now it seems less burdensome.

There have even been restaurants nearby with user ratings - it is worth being aware that they are based on TripAdvisor and here maps here.You can also go to the Pyszne portal directly from their level to order online.

It is great to watch these maps develop - I keep my fingers crossed so that they can solve all problems.A little more and can really become a real alternative to Google Maps - after all, they work not only on Huawei smartphones with HMS.In the Android version, more than 100 million times have been downloaded (!).

Literally a few days ago, a new Petal map update appeared - with the Offline map option (works only on Huawei smartphones), a refreshed look and lane assistant.I will test a bit and refer to their action - after updating - in a separate text.

Communication facilities

On board Huawei Nova 9 we have dual SIM, GPS, NFC (no Google Pay service), Bluetooth 5.2, two -band WiFi and GPS.I have no objections to the action of any of the modules - I have not encountered the slightest problems with a mobile or wireless network, navigation or connection with headphones / smartwatches.Everything worked flawlessly.

The biggest lack in terms of communication in Huawei Nova 9 seems to be the lack of a 5G module - especially in relation to the competition (which I will refer to in the summary of this review).Therefore, we can only use 4G - and if it may not matter now, so buying a smartphone for longer - it may start to be felt.

As for the quality of conversations, the one provided by Huawei Nova 9 is simply good - without fireworks in any side.My interlocutors heard me correctly, I also, with this provision, that it was not always loud enough.

Internal memory in Huawei Nova 9 we have 128 GB, of which the user has 105 GB at his disposal and, unfortunately, cannot expand this space with additional gigabytes, because the phone does not offer microSD cards socket.For people using the cloud, it is not a problem - the others may feel the lack of this lack more.

The speed of memory is as follows (Androbench):

Biometric security

Fingerprint reader and face recognition - these are two available in Huawei Nova 9 Biometric Security.Both work quickly and effectively.

The fingerprint scanner is placed quite close to the bottom edge of the phone, and this place in my opinion requires some time to get used to it.During the first week of tests, I reached with my thumb at the height of the fingerprint higher - because it is this place that in my opinion is more intuitive.Later, however, it ceased to be a problem for me.

And after turning on the face recognition, I practically did not have the opportunity to use a fingerprint reader - all you have to.After a while, the authorized user is recognized and accessed to data on the smartphone.

Remember, however, that this is a less safe way to secure the phone - face recognition is only done with the help of the front camera.When configuring this solution, you can immediately register your two images - e.g..in glasses and without that it is easier to do the smartphone deal with us regardless of the assumed glasses.However, it is not said that it must be the face of the same person - you can register e.g..your face and your other half.

In the settings you will also find an option that allows you to use face recognition only when the device is added as trusted nearby - e.g..smartwatch or headphones.And it actually works without any problems and further increases safety.

Audio

The speaker in Nova 9 is a small disappointment.First of all - no stereo.Second - no bass.Interestingly, the speaker is loud and loud, but the sound itself is flat and even irritating.Even for this price shelf, it is simply very medium.

3.5 mm Jacek Audio No - you can connect the headphones either wireless or wired, but using a USB C adapter.

Working time

As for the time of Huawei Nova 9 on a single charge, it all depends on how intensively you use it - and for what.On less demanding days in the evening I could become 30-45% of the energy supply for the next day, having 2-2.5 hours SOT (screen on time, time on the screen on).Moving around the city with the navigation on the petal, the smartphone discharge in one day was not difficult-ending the day with 5.6 hours SOT.

I also have to admit to the fact that I really don't like the way Huawei shows battery statistics.After going into the details of energy consumption, we only have a chart showing how the battery has discharged, below applications that have used the most energy, while above - time of the screen turned on.One word is important there: today.

This means that - still pull the same battery cycle when it is after midnight - SOT statistics are reset.Probably ordinary users will not pay attention to this, but for reviewers, believe me, this is a terribly annoying thing - how many times did I want to do a screen of battery statistics for review right after midnight ...

A 66-watt charger is added in the set with the phone, which charges the smartphone in OK.40 minutes.At the same time, it is a pity that the smartphone does not support induction charging (although it is known that it would be much slower than wired).

The camera

Huawei Nova 9 is a smartphone equipped with a set of cameras consisting of four modules: main 50 MpixF/1.9 (1/1.56 ″), ultra -ultrazerocal 8 Mpix f/2.2, macro 2 Mpix f/2.2 + depth detection 2 Mpix f/2.2.What are his possibilities in practice?I don't keep you in uncertainty - let's check it!

The main camera Huawei Nova 9 is undoubtedly the best page of this model in terms of the quality of photography - the colors are saturated, good detail, and the tonal range is surprisingly large.Automatic HDR works fine, but if you want to get more information from the shadows, switch switching on HDR manually.

I am not able to figure out artificial intelligence - once it actually introduces a lot of corrections to the automatic mode, at other times - the difference is not visible.Of course, wanting to show it to you, and it didn't make it:

As for the night possibilities or in artificial lighting, it is correct, but without much surprise - there is no WOW effect, as in the case of more expensive smartphones.If you expect miracles, then you get to the wrong address.You won't experience these here.In automatic mode, he likes to develop sharpness, which fortunately night mode can improve.The truth is, however, that often the machine (with AI on) and night mode give very similar results.

Huawei Nova 9 was not equipped with a telephoto lens.The close-up is implemented digitally and if it looks really good 2 times, so maximum (and only 10 times available) is useless.

The ultra -angle camera allows you to take cool photos, but you need to be aware that the detail is lower than in the pictures from the main camera and the white balance is different - and it is very noticeably noticeably.In addition, it does not offer the possibility of using the night mode, so if you use an ultrashherok angle for night photos, you will certainly be disappointed with the quality of the photo received.

At the end there is a macro, which I am definitely not a fan of.The 2 Mpix matrix does not bode well and, as you can expect, the effects in the form of resulting photos are just as bad.Using the macro does not make much fun - in this respect, even such Xiaomi 11t is much better.

Selfie?In conditions in which we photograph ourselves, for example.Against the background of heaven, the frame preview is completely different than the final photograph - an example of this is my photo taken against the background of the Vienna cathedral.Cloudy sky, I in the foreground.After taking a photo, the phone processes them to ultimately show an unknown sky, which was visible in the preview.

The portrait mode cuts out the form from the background well, but it can't cope not only with hair, but also often with wardrobe elements (and this is a piece of hood, and it's sweatshirts).In general, however, photos are calmly suitable for publication in social media.

Huawei Nova 9 during video recording works well - it offers very good stabilization, color reproduction and sharpness, and the microphones correctly collect sound.The maximum quality with which it records a test smartphone is 4K 30 FPS with the main camera and the same front.

Summary

Huawei Nova 9 is a smartphone that I used really nice.It has a lot of important advantages - flagship display and work culture, excellent design, good operation time or very fast charging.At the same time, it is a model that is currently not easy on the market.

The biggest disadvantage of Huawei Nova 9 is ... its price, which is definitely too high.For the same money - or even up to PLN 300 cheaper - you can buy, among others, Xiaomi 11T, Realme GT, OnePlus 8T, Samsung Galaxy A52S, as well as Samsung Galaxy S0 Fe.From all this rate of competitive models, only the last of them - like Huawei Nova 9 - does not offer a 5G module (with this version is also available - but much more expensive).

There is no 5G, probably resulting from American sanctions imposed on Huawei, at the turn of 2021 and 2022 may seem insignificant to you, but take into account that most of us buy smartphones for 2-3 years.Therefore, looking perspective, the fifth generation network module seems to be more and more huawei nova 9 in a very difficult position.

Let's add the lack of Google (Google Mobile Services) services, without what - believe me, you can live - but mainly how you are a less advanced user.And here comes the basic question ... Do such people look for a smartphone for over two thousand zlotys?The answer seems to be obvious.

Especially since the list of deficiencies does not end there.Some will be less bothersome, others more, but above all it is worth being aware of their existence.