Huawei nova 11 Ultra vs Honor Magic5 Pro: A Detailed Comparison

The Huawei nova 11 Ultra and Honor Magic5 Pro represent distinct approaches to the premium smartphone market. The nova 11 Ultra aims for a balance of style and performance at a more accessible price point, while the Magic5 Pro positions itself as a no-compromise flagship, leveraging the latest Qualcomm silicon. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your priorities.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and longevity, the Honor Magic5 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset delivers significantly faster processing and superior efficiency, complemented by excellent battery life and a brighter display. However, the nova 11 Ultra’s 100W charging offers a compelling advantage for those who value speed above all else.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 11 Ultra Honor Magic5 Pro
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, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2023, April 172023, February 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, April 27Available. Released 2023, March 31
Body
Build-Glass 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)162.9 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.41 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight188 g (6.63 oz)219 g (7.72 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionKunlun Glass-
Resolution1200 x 2652 pixels (~429 ppi density)1312 x 2848 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~91.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.81 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~91.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120HzLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1800 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)Octa-core (1x3.2 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-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LAdreno 740
OSHarmonyOS 3.0Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, MagicOS 8
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal512GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 -UFS 4.0
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 25mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide), AF-
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Triple-50 MP, f/1.6, 23mm (wide), 1/1.12" 1.4µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/3.0, 90mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 13mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", AF TOF 3D (depth)
Video4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10-bit video
Selfie camera
Dual8 MP, f/2.2, 52mm (telephoto), AF, 2x optical zoom 60 MP, f/2.4, 17mm, 100˚ (ultrawide), AF-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit audio stereo recording
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared port-Yes
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)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Virtual proximity sensing BDS Satellite Message (Emergency SOS service)-
Battery
Charging100W wired, 20-80% in 10 min Reverse wired66W wired 50W wireless Reverse wireless 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Po 5100 mAh (Global)· Si/C Li-Ion 5450 mAh (China only)
Misc
ColorsBlack, GreenBlack, Meadow Green, Blue, Purple, Orange
ModelsGOA-AL80UPGT-AN10, PGT-N19
PriceAbout 590 EUR£ 799.99 / € 407.79
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 109h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- GeekBench: 4378 (v5.1), 5096 (v6)

Huawei nova 11 Ultra

  • Incredibly fast 100W wired charging
  • Stylish design and build quality
  • Reverse wired charging capability

  • Less powerful Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset
  • Limited 4G connectivity
  • Potentially inferior camera performance

Honor Magic5 Pro

  • Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
  • Excellent battery life and efficiency
  • Brighter and higher-quality display

  • Slower 66W wired charging compared to nova 11 Ultra
  • Higher price point
  • Wireless charging is slower than wired

Display Comparison

The Honor Magic5 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1227 nits, compared to an unspecified peak brightness for the nova 11 Ultra. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both likely utilize OLED panels, the Magic5 Pro’s infinite contrast ratio suggests a more refined panel with deeper blacks. The absence of refresh rate data for the nova 11 Ultra suggests it may not match the Magic5 Pro’s likely 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, impacting smoothness during scrolling and gaming.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are advertised as having strong camera systems, but specifics are limited. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Magic5 Pro’s flagship positioning suggests a more advanced camera system with larger sensors and more sophisticated image processing. The absence of details regarding OIS on the nova 11 Ultra raises concerns about low-light performance and video stabilization. The focus should be on comparing image samples to assess real-world performance, as megapixel counts alone are not indicative of quality.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Magic5 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) is a generational leap ahead of the Huawei nova 11 Ultra’s Snapdragon 778G 4G (6nm). The 8 Gen 2’s Cortex-X3 prime core, coupled with its more efficient 4nm process, delivers substantially higher CPU and GPU performance. This means faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a significantly better gaming experience. The 778G is a capable mid-range chip, but it will struggle to keep pace with demanding applications and titles. The 4G limitation on the nova 11 Ultra is also a significant drawback in areas with 5G coverage.

Battery Life

The Honor Magic5 Pro demonstrates superior battery endurance, achieving an active use score of 12:06h and an endurance rating of 115h. While the nova 11 Ultra’s battery capacity is unknown, the Magic5 Pro’s efficiency gains from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 are substantial. The nova 11 Ultra compensates with incredibly fast 100W wired charging, capable of charging from 20-80% in just 10 minutes. The Magic5 Pro offers 66W wired and 50W wireless charging, which are still fast, but slower than the nova 11 Ultra. The inclusion of reverse wireless charging on both devices is a convenient feature, though the Magic5 Pro’s 5W wired reverse charging is significantly slower than the nova 11 Ultra’s offering.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei nova 11 Ultra if you prioritize incredibly fast charging and a stylish design, and are willing to compromise on raw processing power. It’s ideal for users who frequently top up their phones and don’t engage in demanding tasks like heavy gaming or video editing. Buy the Honor Magic5 Pro if you demand the best possible performance, extended battery life, and a top-tier display. This phone is geared towards power users, mobile gamers, and those who want a future-proofed flagship experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 778G 4G in the nova 11 Ultra limit its usefulness in areas with 5G coverage?
Yes, the 4G limitation is a significant drawback. In areas with 5G networks, the nova 11 Ultra will be unable to take advantage of the faster speeds, resulting in slower download and upload times compared to 5G-enabled devices like the Honor Magic5 Pro.
❓ How does the 100W charging on the nova 11 Ultra compare to the 66W charging on the Magic5 Pro in a typical use case?
While 66W is still fast, 100W charging on the nova 11 Ultra provides a substantial speed advantage. The ability to gain a significant charge in just 10 minutes is ideal for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery, even if the overall battery capacity is smaller.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance between the Snapdragon 778G and 8 Gen 2 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
For basic tasks, the difference may not be immediately apparent. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s superior processing power will result in snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience, especially when running multiple apps simultaneously.
❓ Does the Honor Magic5 Pro experience any thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is known for its improved thermal efficiency compared to previous generations. While some throttling is inevitable during prolonged, demanding gaming, the Magic5 Pro is likely to maintain higher sustained performance levels than the nova 11 Ultra due to its more efficient chipset and potentially better cooling system.