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HUAWEI Nova 9 launches: Decent mid-ranger for under €500 with EMUI onboard

Can it rise above HUAWEI's Google roadblocks, though?
By
October 21, 2021
HUAWEI Nova 9 2
Tristan Rayner / Android Authority
TL;DR
  • HUAWEI just launched the HUAWEI Nova 9 in Europe.
  • The mid-ranger has a Snapdragon 778G chipset and super-fast wired charging.
  • The phone costs €499 and will start to hit shelves in November.

Today, at a launch event in a skate park for some reason, HUAWEI launched a new mid-range smartphone. The company says this is a “flagship phone for the younger generation,” so it has a unique look and a focus on camera features.

See also: A complete timeline of the HUAWEI ban with everything you need to know

The HUAWEI Nova 9 will likely turn some heads if you take it out on the street. The Starry Blue colorway (pictured) has a sparkly finish that screams “I am on TikTok 24 hours a day.” The rear camera module also has a funky look to it.

Speaking of cameras, there are some decent specs here. The main rear sensor is a 50MP RYYB shooter paired with an 8MP ultra-wide. There are also depth and macro sensors thrown in for fun. On the front, there’s a 32MP lens that supports 4K video.

Other specs include a 6.67-inch 1080p display that supports a 120Hz refresh rate. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G powers the device paired with 8GB of RAM and a 4,300mAh battery. You can charge that battery at a blazing 66W with a cable.

Most interestingly, though, the phone comes with EMUI onboard and not Harmony OS. Neither Android skin has access to Google apps, so it doesn’t really matter, but it seems HUAWEI might be adopting a strategy of using the more familiar EMUI in the West and Harmony OS for its local China.

HUAWEI Nova 9: Price and availability

HUAWEI Nova 9 1
Tristan Rayner / Android Authority

The HUAWEI Nova 9 won’t break the bank at €499 (~$581). Still, that’s a lot of scratch for a phone that doesn’t have any Google apps on board, let alone things like wireless charging or a telephoto lens. This will be an especially hard sell with the Google Pixel 6 out now for $599, which obviously has all the Google you can handle.

If you’re interested, though, the Nova 9 is available to pre-order now. General sales start on November 2, 2021. There are two colorways: Starry Blue and black.