Huawei nova 11 Pro vs nova 9: A Detailed Comparison

Huawei's nova series consistently delivers stylish phones with impressive features. The nova 11 Pro and nova 9 are two strong contenders, but which one offers the best overall experience? This comprehensive comparison will delve into their key differences to help you make an informed decision.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Huawei nova 11 Pro takes the lead with its significantly faster 100W charging and brighter display. However, the nova 9 boasts slightly better battery endurance and a potentially superior contrast ratio. Ultimately, the nova 11 Pro is the better choice for those prioritizing charging speed and screen visibility.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 11 Pro Huawei nova 9
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1x 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
Launch
Announced2023, April 172021, September 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, April 27Available. Released 2021, September 30
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back or eco leather back-
Dimensions164.3 x 74.4 x 7.9 mm (6.47 x 2.93 x 0.31 in)160 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm (6.30 x 2.90 x 0.31 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight188 g or 193 g (6.63 oz)175 g (6.17 oz)
Display
ProtectionKunlun Glass-
Resolution1200 x 2652 pixels (~429 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~392 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~91.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.57 inches, 106.0 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120HzOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LAdreno 642L
OSHarmonyOS 3.0HarmonyOS 2.0 (China), EMUI 12 (Europe), no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide), AF-
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single-32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual8 MP, f/2.2, 52mm (telephoto), AF, 2x optical zoom 60 MP, f/2.4, 17mm, 100˚ (ultrawide), AF-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@240fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging100W wired, 50% in 15 min Reverse wired66W wired, 60% in 18 min, 100% in 38 min Reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4300 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Green, White, GoldStarry Blue, Black, Green, Violet
ModelsGOA-AL80, GOA-LX9NAM-AL00, NAM-LX9
PriceAbout 500 EURAbout 120 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 96h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -27.3 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 469798 (v9) GeekBench: 2973 (v5.1) GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei nova 11 Pro

  • 100W Super Fast Charging
  • Brighter Display (702 nits)
  • Potentially Improved Camera (low-light)
  • Reverse Wired Charging

  • Slightly Lower Battery Endurance (89h)
  • Price (likely higher than nova 9)

Huawei nova 9

  • Excellent Battery Endurance (96h)
  • Potentially Superior Contrast Ratio
  • Reverse Wired Charging
  • Generally More Affordable

  • Slower Charging (66W)
  • Lower Display Brightness (608 nits)

Display Comparison

The nova 11 Pro shines with a measured peak brightness of 702 nits, significantly exceeding the nova 9's 608 nits. This translates to better visibility in bright sunlight. While the nova 9 advertises an 'infinite' contrast ratio (likely a marketing term), the nova 11 Pro's higher brightness likely contributes to a more impactful visual experience. Both phones feature OLED panels, ensuring vibrant colors and deep blacks.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is a key area where differences might emerge. While both are marketed for 'Photo / Video', specific sensor sizes, aperture values, and image processing algorithms are crucial. The nova 11 Pro is expected to have improvements in low-light photography and video stabilization based on typical generational upgrades. Detailed camera comparisons require extensive testing, but initial impressions suggest the nova 11 Pro has a slight edge.

Performance

Both devices share the same Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset and CPU configuration. Therefore, expect similar performance in everyday tasks, gaming, and multitasking. Real-world performance differences will likely be minimal and depend more on software optimization.

Battery Life

The nova 9 holds a slight advantage in battery endurance, boasting an 89h vs 96h rating. However, the nova 11 Pro's 100W wired charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging times (50% in just 15 minutes). This significantly reduces downtime and offsets the slightly lower battery life.

Buying Guide

The Huawei nova 11 Pro is ideal for users who value rapid charging and a vibrant display, even if it means a slightly shorter battery life. The Huawei nova 9 is a great option for those prioritizing longevity and potentially better contrast, and who don't mind slower charging speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Huawei nova 11 Pro worth the extra cost?
If fast charging and a brighter display are priorities, then yes. The 100W charging is a significant advantage. However, if you prioritize battery life and a potentially better contrast ratio, the nova 9 offers excellent value.
❓ Do both phones support 5G?
No, both the Huawei nova 11 Pro and nova 9 are 4G devices. Huawei's 5G phones often have different model numbers.