Huawei Nova 11 Pro vs Honor X9a: A Head-to-Head Showdown

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, with both Huawei and Honor consistently releasing compelling devices. Today, we're pitting the Huawei Nova 11 Pro against the Honor X9a to see which phone offers the best overall package. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you make an informed decision.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Huawei Nova 11 Pro takes the lead thanks to its significantly faster charging, brighter display, and more powerful chipset. However, the Honor X9a offers a more budget-friendly option with 5G connectivity, making it a solid choice for those prioritizing affordability.

PHONES
Phone Names	Huawei nova 11 Pro	Honor X9a

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 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International	LTE
5G bands	-	SA/NSA
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	CDMA2000 1x	-

Launch
Announced	2023, April 17	2023, January 04
Status	Available. Released 2023, April 27	Available. Released 2023, January 06

Body
Build	Glass front, glass back or eco leather back	-
Dimensions	164.3 x 74.4 x 7.9 mm (6.47 x 2.93 x 0.31 in)	161.6 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.31 in)
SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	188 g or 193 g (6.63 oz)	175 g (6.17 oz)

Display
Protection	Kunlun Glass	-
Resolution	1200 x 2652 pixels (~429 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size	6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~91.1% screen-to-body ratio)	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	OLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120Hz	AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)	Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPU	Adreno 642L	Adreno 619
OS	HarmonyOS 3.0	Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MagicOS 7

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM	128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM

Main Camera
Dual	50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide), AF	64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)
Features	Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR	LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single	-	16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Video	4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Dual	8 MP, f/2.2, 52mm (telephoto), AF, 2x optical zoom 60 MP, f/2.4, 17mm, 100˚ (ultrawide), AF	-
Features	HDR	-
Single	-	16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	5.2, A2DP, LE	5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared port	-	Yes
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
	Virtual proximity sensing	24-bit/192kHz audio

Battery
Charging	100W wired, 50% in 15 min Reverse wired	40W wired
Type	Li-Po 4500 mAh	Li-Po 5100 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Green, White, Gold	Titanium Silver, Emerald Green, Midnight Black
Models	GOA-AL80, GOA-LX9	RMO-NX1
Price	About 500 EUR	$ 212.08

Huawei nova 11 Pro

Faster Charging (100W)
Brighter Display (702 nits)
More Powerful Chipset (Snapdragon 778G)
Likely Superior Camera

4G Connectivity Only
Potentially Higher Price

Honor X9a

5G Connectivity
More Affordable
Large Display (Likely)

Slower Charging (40W)
Less Powerful Chipset (Snapdragon 695)
Likely Inferior Camera
Lower Display Brightness

Display Comparison

The Huawei Nova 11 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 702 nits, significantly brighter than the Honor X9a. Both phones likely feature OLED displays offering vibrant colors and deep blacks, but the Nova 11 Pro's brightness advantage makes it better for outdoor visibility. The Honor X9a likely has a slightly larger display, but the Nova 11 Pro's quality is superior.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is a key differentiator. While specific camera specs are missing, the Nova 11 Pro is expected to have a more advanced camera system, potentially with better image processing and low-light capabilities. The Honor X9a likely offers a decent camera, but it won't match the Nova 11 Pro's potential.

Performance

The Nova 11 Pro's Snapdragon 778G 4G is a noticeable step up from the Honor X9a's Snapdragon 695 5G. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Nova 11 Pro. While the X9a is capable, the Nova 11 Pro offers a more premium experience.

Battery Life

The Nova 11 Pro's 100W wired charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging speeds (50% in 15 minutes). The Honor X9a's 40W charging is respectable, but significantly slower. Both phones likely have similar battery capacities, but the Nova 11 Pro's charging speed gives it a clear advantage.

Buying Guide

The Huawei Nova 11 Pro is ideal for users who value fast charging, a vibrant display, and smooth performance. The Honor X9a is a great pick for budget-conscious buyers who need 5G and a large display for media consumption.