Huawei's nova series consistently delivers stylish phones with impressive features. The nova 11 Ultra and nova 11i are the latest additions, but cater to different users. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which one best fits your budget and priorities.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The nova 11 Ultra is the clear winner for performance and charging speed, thanks to its Snapdragon 778G chipset and 100W charging. However, the nova 11i offers excellent value for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize a sleek design and decent camera capabilities.
| 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, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 20, 28, 66, 26, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 17 | 2023, May 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 27 | Available. Released 2023, May 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.4 x 7.9 mm (6.47 x 2.93 x 0.31 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 | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 193 g (6.81 oz) |
| | - | Splash and dust resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Kunlun Glass | - |
| Resolution | 1200 x 2652 pixels (~429 ppi density) | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~91.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 610 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 3.0 | EMUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | Unspecified |
| Internal | 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 25mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide), AF | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| 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/2.2, (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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC | 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/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing
BDS Satellite Message (Emergency SOS service) | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 100W wired, 20-80% in 10 min
Reverse wired | 40W wired, 60% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green | Starry Black, Mint Green |
| Models | GOA-AL80U | MAO-LX9, MAO-LX9N |
| Price | About 590 EUR | About 140 EUR |
Huawei nova 11 Ultra
- Significantly faster performance
- Blazing-fast 100W charging
- Likely superior camera system
- Premium design and build quality
- Reverse wired charging
- Higher price point
- Potentially limited software support (due to Huawei's situation)
Huawei nova 11i
- More affordable
- Stylish design
- Decent camera performance
- Good battery life
- Lightweight and portable
- Slower performance
- Slower charging speed
- Less powerful camera compared to Ultra
- May lack some advanced features
Display Comparison
Both phones feature OLED displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The nova 11 Ultra likely boasts a slightly higher resolution and potentially a higher refresh rate (speculative, as official details are limited), resulting in a sharper and smoother visual experience. The nova 11i's display is still excellent for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer capable camera systems, the nova 11 Ultra is expected to have a more advanced setup, potentially including a higher resolution main sensor and improved image processing. The 11i's camera is still good for capturing decent photos and videos in various conditions, but the Ultra should offer superior image quality and features.
Performance
The nova 11 Ultra's Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset is significantly more powerful than the nova 11i's Snapdragon 680 4G. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Ultra. The 11i is adequate for everyday tasks but may struggle with demanding games or heavy applications.
Battery Life
The nova 11 Ultra's 100W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging times. The nova 11i's 40W charging is still respectable, but it takes considerably longer to fully charge the battery. Battery capacity is likely similar between the two, but the Ultra's charging speed provides a significant advantage.
Buying Guide
The Huawei nova 11 Ultra is ideal for users who demand fast performance, quick charging, and a premium experience. The nova 11i is a great choice for those seeking a stylish and capable phone without breaking the bank, prioritizing aesthetics and a good all-around experience over raw power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Huawei nova 11 Ultra worth the extra cost?
If performance and charging speed are your top priorities, then yes. The Ultra offers a significant upgrade over the 11i in these areas. However, if you're on a budget, the 11i provides excellent value.
❓ Does the Huawei nova 11 series support Google services?
Due to ongoing restrictions, Huawei phones do not natively support Google services. They utilize Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and AppGallery as alternatives. Users can explore workarounds, but full Google service integration is not guaranteed.
