Huawei Nova 9 test: without 5G, difficult to emerge

The Nova 9 relies on a 50 megapixel main photo sensor, with its wide-angle f / 1.9 (equivalent to 23 mm) optics, widely honored in terms of design. It is accompanied by an ultra-wide-angle module (8 megapixels, f / 2.2 optical) and two sensors of 2 megapixels each, one dedicated to depth measurement, and the other fitted with an optical macro (f / 2.4). A set altogether classic, and which also allows the Nova 9 to deviate from the Honor 50, which is based on a main sensor of 108 megapixels.

Main module: 50 megapixels, eq. 23mm, f / 1.9

In broad daylight, we can salute the choice made by Huawei, which favors fine details and contrast, which avoids excessive smoothing. On the other hand, we observed a moiré effect (striped bands) at least present on different elements of our test scene. However, the smartphone manages to deliver precise shots, a little saturated in certain areas.

enlarge

At night, the Huawei model shows a better controlled treatment than that of Honor. The colors remain rather bright, and even if a smoothing attenuates the sharpness of the whole, the whole is far from unworthy.

enlarge

50 megapixel mode

The 50 megapixel mode, for its part, was not really relevant in our tests. By day, the result is comparable, even slightly less convincing, the contrasts losing emphasis. Night shots suffer from a smoothing such that it seems much more appropriate to be satisfied with the pixel-binning.

enlarge

enlarge

Ultra wide-angle: 8 Mpx, f / 2.2

We do not generally expect a miracle from such an ultra-wide-angle module. And it is fortunate, that of the Nova 9 offering passable results. To its credit, we note a slightly better controlled exposure than that of competing models (the playing card of our scene is little overexposed), but the whole lacks details.

enlarge

If it ranks in the average for the exercise of daytime photos, the night does not succeed in the Nova 9. Generalized smoothing makes most of the information in the image disappear, and the processing to correct it distorts many elements. . See the characters on the book cover of our test scene …

enlarge

Front and video module

The Nova 9 offers a 32 megapixel front module for taking selfies. These have the merit of being detailed, even if we noted a hot colorimetry applied by default. This module, like the one on the back, allows you to shoot up to 4K at 30 fps (60 fps in Full HD). Huawei is following the current trend, and allows social media followers to simultaneously use the front and rear sensors to create videos in various formats.