The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and two contenders are vying for your attention: the Huawei Nova 11 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy A54. Both offer compelling features, but cater to slightly different needs. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one deserves your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A54 takes the crown for overall value and longevity, boasting exceptional battery life and a brighter display. However, the Huawei Nova 11 Ultra shines with its blazing-fast 100W charging and potentially unique design, appealing to users prioritizing speed and aesthetics.
| 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, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 17 | 2023, March 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 27 | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.4 x 7.9 mm (6.47 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) | 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm (6.23 x 3.02 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Kunlun Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1200 x 2652 pixels (~429 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~91.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120Hz | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 3.0 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB 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 | - |
| Features | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.X", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps, gyro-EIS |
| 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 | - | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| | Virtual proximity sensing
BDS Satellite Message (Emergency SOS service) | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 100W wired, 20-80% in 10 min
Reverse wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green | Lime, Graphite, Violet, White |
| Models | GOA-AL80U | SM-A546V, SM-A546U, SM-A546U1, SM-A546B, SM-A546B/DS, SM-A546E, SM-A546E/DS, SM-A5460, SM-A546M, SM-A546M/DS, SM-A546W |
| Price | About 590 EUR | € 210.00 / $ 119.11 / £ 169.95 / ₹ 28,999 |
| SAR | - | 0.81 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.69 W/kg (head) 1.34 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 119h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.6 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 506678 (v9)
GeekBench: 2703 (v5.1), 2797 (v6)
GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 11 Ultra
- Blazing-fast 100W charging
- Potentially unique and stylish design
- High-resolution main camera sensor
- Reverse wired charging
- Potentially shorter battery life
- Limited Google Services support
- 4G connectivity only
- Software ecosystem limitations
Samsung Galaxy A54
- Exceptional battery life (119h endurance)
- Bright and vibrant display (980 nits)
- Reliable camera performance
- Samsung's software support and updates
- 5G connectivity
- Slower charging speed (25W)
- Design may be considered less exciting
- Exynos chip may not be as powerful as some competitors
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A54's 980 nits peak brightness gives it a clear advantage in outdoor visibility. While the Nova 11 Ultra's display is likely good, specific brightness figures are harder to find. The A54's 'infinite' contrast ratio suggests excellent blacks and vibrant colors, though this is a nominal value. Both phones likely offer vibrant color reproduction, but the A54 wins on sheer brightness.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer capable camera systems. The Galaxy A54 is known for its consistently good photo and video quality, with reliable image processing. The Nova 11 Ultra likely features a high-resolution main sensor, potentially offering more detail in well-lit conditions. However, Samsung's software optimization often results in more pleasing and shareable images straight out of the camera. Low-light performance is likely comparable.
Performance
The Snapdragon 778G 4G in the Nova 11 Ultra is a capable chip, but the Exynos 1380 in the Galaxy A54 is generally considered to offer slightly better overall performance, especially in sustained tasks. While both are octa-core processors, the A54's Cortex-A78 cores provide a slight edge. Gaming performance should be comparable on both, but the A54 might handle more demanding titles slightly better.
Battery Life
This is where the Galaxy A54 truly shines. Its endurance rating of 119h is exceptional, offering significantly longer battery life than the Nova 11 Ultra. While the Nova 11 Ultra's 100W charging is incredibly fast, it doesn't compensate for potentially shorter battery life between charges. The A54 provides peace of mind for users who need a phone that can last all day and beyond.
Buying Guide
The Huawei Nova 11 Ultra is ideal for users who prioritize incredibly fast charging, appreciate a potentially unique design, and don't mind potential software limitations due to Huawei's ecosystem. The Samsung Galaxy A54 is perfect for those seeking a reliable, long-lasting phone with a vibrant display, excellent camera capabilities, and the assurance of Samsung's software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Huawei Nova 11 Ultra have Google Play Store?
No, the Huawei Nova 11 Ultra does not have Google Play Store. It uses Huawei's AppGallery, which has a growing selection of apps, but may not have all the apps you're used to.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G compatible?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy A54 supports 5G connectivity, offering faster download and upload speeds where available.
