Honor 30S vs Huawei nova 11i: A Detailed Comparison

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor 30S and Huawei nova 11i are two strong contenders. Both offer attractive designs and compelling features, but cater to slightly different user priorities. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Honor 30S takes the lead thanks to its significantly faster 5G Kirin 820 chipset. While the nova 11i boasts a more efficient Snapdragon 680 and potentially better camera software, the 30S's raw power makes it the better choice for performance-focused users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Honor 30S	Huawei nova 11i

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 20, 28, 66, 26, 38, 40, 41
5G bands	1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA	-
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA	-

Launch
Announced	2020, March 30. Released 2020, April 07	2023, May 01
Status	Discontinued	Available. Released 2023, May 11

Body
Build	Glass front (Aluminosilicate glass), glass back, aluminum frame	-
Dimensions	162.3 x 75 x 8.6 mm (6.39 x 2.95 x 0.34 in)	164.6 x 75.6 x 8.6 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	190 g (6.70 oz)	193 g (6.81 oz)
	-	Splash and dust resistant

Display
Protection	Aluminosilicate glass	-
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)	1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density)
Size	6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio)	6.8 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, HDR10	IPS LCD, 90Hz

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x2.22 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)
Chipset	Kirin 820 5G (7 nm)	Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)
GPU	Mali-G57 6	Adreno 610
OS	Android 10, Magic UI 3, no Google Play Services	EMUI 13

Memory
Card slot	Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)	Unspecified
Internal	128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
	UFS 2.1	-

Main Camera
Dual	-	48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad	64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), AF, 3x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.4, 17mm (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens	-
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	-
Single	16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)	16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	No
35mm jack	Yes	No
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes
	32-bit/192kHz audio	-

Comms
Bluetooth	5.1, A2DP, LE	5.0, A2DP, LE
NFC	No	No
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	USB Type-C 2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass

Battery
Charging	40W wired, 70% in 30 min	40W wired, 60% in 30 min
Type	Li-Po 4000 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Blue, Green, Gradient, Butterfly Feather Red	Starry Black, Mint Green
Models	CDY-AN90, CDY-AN95, CDY-TN90	MAO-LX9, MAO-LX9N
Price	About 310 EUR	About 140 EUR

Honor 30S

Faster Processor (Kirin 820 5G)
5G Connectivity
Potentially Higher Refresh Rate Display
Faster Charging (70% in 30 min)

Camera may not be as refined as Huawei's
Software support might be less extensive than Huawei's

Huawei nova 11i

Efficient Processor (Snapdragon 680)
Excellent Camera Software
Stylish Design
Good Battery Life

Slower Processor
No 5G Connectivity
Slower Charging (60% in 30 min)

Display Comparison

Both phones feature OLED displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Honor 30S likely has a slightly higher refresh rate (assumed 60Hz, needs confirmation), providing smoother scrolling. The nova 11i's display is known for its color accuracy and brightness, making it suitable for outdoor use. Screen size is similar, around 6.5 inches.

Camera Comparison

The Huawei nova 11i is expected to have a slight edge in camera performance, thanks to Huawei's image processing algorithms. While the Honor 30S has a capable camera setup (likely a 48MP main sensor), Huawei's software often produces more pleasing results, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Both offer multiple lenses for versatility.

Performance

This is where the Honor 30S shines. The Kirin 820 5G chipset is considerably more powerful than the Snapdragon 680 4G. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the 30S. The nova 11i's Snapdragon 680 is efficient but lacks the raw horsepower of the Kirin.

Battery Life

The nova 11i's Snapdragon 680 chipset is more power-efficient, potentially leading to slightly longer battery life. Both phones support 40W fast charging, but the nova 11i charges to 60% in 30 minutes, while the Honor 30S reaches 70% in the same timeframe, suggesting slightly faster charging overall.

Buying Guide

The Honor 30S is ideal for gamers and users who prioritize speed and 5G connectivity. The Huawei nova 11i is a great option for those seeking a stylish phone with a good camera and longer battery life, especially if 5G isn't a necessity.