Huawei nova 11 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S23+: A Detailed Comparison

The smartphone landscape offers choices at every price point. Here, we pit the Huawei nova 11 Pro, a stylish mid-ranger with blazing-fast charging, against the Samsung Galaxy S23+, a premium flagship boasting the latest Snapdragon silicon. This comparison isn't about declaring a definitive 'winner,' but rather identifying which device best suits your needs and budget.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and long-term software support, the Samsung Galaxy S23+ is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset delivers significantly faster processing and graphics, coupled with a longer battery life. However, the Huawei nova 11 Pro offers a compelling value proposition with its 100W charging and attractive design.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 11 Pro Samsung Galaxy S23+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (Dual SIM model only)
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 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, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE-A (up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x 1, 7, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2023, April 172023, February 01
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, April 27Available. Released 2023, February 17
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back or eco leather backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Dimensions164.3 x 74.4 x 7.9 mm (6.47 x 2.93 x 0.31 in)157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm (6.21 x 3.00 x 0.30 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM and eSIM or Dual SIM (2 Nano-SIMs and eSIM, dual stand-by)
Weight188 g or 193 g (6.63 oz)196 g (6.91 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)
Display
ProtectionKunlun GlassCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1200 x 2652 pixels (~429 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~91.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 105.3 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120HzDynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1750 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LAdreno 740
OSHarmonyOS 3.0Android 13, One UI 5.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 4.0
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, auto-HDR, panorama
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video
Video4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual8 MP, f/2.2, 52mm (telephoto), AF, 2x optical zoom 60 MP, f/2.4, 17mm, 100˚ (ultrawide), AF-
FeaturesHDRDual video call, Auto-HDR, HDR10+
Single-12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNo-
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Virtual proximity sensingSamsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging100W wired, 50% in 15 min Reverse wired45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min (advertised) 15W wireless (Qi/PMA) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Ion 4700 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, Green, White, GoldPhantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender, Graphite, Lime
ModelsGOA-AL80, GOA-LX9SM-S916B, SM-S916B/DS, SM-S916U, SM-S916U1, SM-S916W, SM-S916N, SM-S9160, SM-S916E, SM-S916E/DS
PriceAbout 500 EUR$ 780.00 / C$ 1,399.99 / £ 919.08 / € 1,185.89 / ₹ 94,999
SAR-0.95 W/kg (head)     1.04 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.77 W/kg (head)     1.45 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life-Endurance rating 111h
Camera-Photo / Video
Display-Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker--26.5 LUFS (Good)
Performance-AnTuTu: 1234077 (v9) GeekBench: 5073 (v5.1) GFXBench: 110fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei nova 11 Pro

  • Incredibly fast 100W wired charging
  • Stylish and eye-catching design
  • Competitive price point

  • Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset is less powerful
  • Limited 4G connectivity
  • Software ecosystem and update support are less robust

Samsung Galaxy S23+

  • Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
  • Excellent camera system with advanced features
  • Longer battery life and wireless charging support

  • Higher price tag
  • 45W charging is slower than the nova 11 Pro
  • Larger size and weight

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S23+ benefits from Samsung’s display expertise, boasting an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, implying excellent black levels and vibrant colors. While the Huawei nova 11 Pro’s 702 nits of measured peak brightness is respectable, it falls short of the S23+'s likely higher output (Samsung doesn't publish measured nits). Both phones are capable of displaying vivid content, but the S23+ likely offers a more immersive viewing experience, especially in bright sunlight. The absence of refresh rate information for the nova 11 Pro is a key omission, while the S23+ is expected to have an adaptive 120Hz panel for smoother scrolling.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but the specifics are crucial. Without detailed sensor information for the nova 11 Pro, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, Samsung’s flagship typically features larger sensors and more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The S23+'s image processing prioritizes natural colors and detail, while Huawei’s tends towards more saturated and stylized images. The absence of telephoto lens details for the nova 11 Pro suggests a reliance on digital zoom, which will result in lower-quality zoomed images compared to the S23+'s likely optical zoom capabilities. We'd expect the S23+ to excel in low-light photography due to its superior sensor and processing.

Performance

The performance gap is substantial. The Samsung Galaxy S23+’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) is a generational leap ahead of the Huawei nova 11 Pro’s Snapdragon 778G 4G (6nm). The 8 Gen 2’s Cortex-X3 prime core, coupled with its more efficient 4nm process, translates to significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. The 778G is a capable chip, but it will struggle with the most demanding mobile games at maximum settings. The S23+'s LPDDR5x RAM further enhances performance, while the nova 11 Pro's RAM specification is unknown. The 4G limitation on the nova 11 Pro is a significant drawback for users in areas with robust 5G infrastructure.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy S23+ boasts an endurance rating of 111 hours, significantly exceeding the Huawei nova 11 Pro’s 89-hour rating. This suggests the S23+ offers considerably longer battery life under typical usage. While the nova 11 Pro’s 100W wired charging is incredibly fast – promising 50% charge in just 15 minutes – the S23+'s 45W charging, while slower, is still respectable and benefits from the wider compatibility of the PD3.0 standard. The inclusion of 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging on the S23+ adds convenience, features absent on the nova 11 Pro.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei nova 11 Pro if you prioritize incredibly fast charging, a sleek aesthetic, and are comfortable with the Huawei ecosystem and potential software limitations. This phone is ideal for users who frequently top up their battery and value style. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23+ if you demand top-tier performance for gaming and demanding applications, require a consistently excellent camera experience, and value long-term software updates and broader app compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Huawei nova 11 Pro's 4G limitation significantly impact performance in areas with 5G coverage?
Yes, the 4G limitation on the nova 11 Pro means you won't be able to take advantage of the faster speeds offered by 5G networks. This will result in slower download and upload speeds, and potentially increased latency, especially when streaming or gaming online. If you live in an area with widespread 5G coverage, this is a significant drawback.
❓ How does Huawei's camera processing differ from Samsung's, and which style is more accurate?
Huawei's camera processing generally emphasizes vibrant colors and increased contrast, often resulting in images that 'pop' but may not be entirely representative of the scene. Samsung, on the other hand, typically aims for more natural colors and greater detail preservation. 'Accuracy' is subjective, but Samsung's approach is generally considered more realistic, while Huawei's is more geared towards social media sharing.
❓ Is the 100W charging on the Huawei nova 11 Pro safe for long-term battery health?
While 100W charging is incredibly fast, concerns about long-term battery health are valid. Huawei employs various technologies to mitigate heat and optimize charging, but consistently using extremely fast charging *can* contribute to faster battery degradation over time. However, the convenience and speed often outweigh these concerns for many users.
❓ What software updates can I expect on the Huawei nova 11 Pro, given the ongoing restrictions?
Huawei's software update situation is complex due to ongoing restrictions. While the nova 11 Pro runs on EMUI, access to the latest Android versions and security patches may be delayed or limited compared to Samsung devices. Samsung provides a more consistent and predictable software update schedule.