Huawei nova 11 Ultra vs. vivo X90 Pro+: A Deep Dive into Flagship Choices
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and a top-tier camera experience, the vivo X90 Pro+ is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset provides a substantial performance leap over the nova 11 Ultra’s Snapdragon 778G, and its charging capabilities are more versatile with both wired and wireless options. However, the nova 11 Ultra offers a compelling value proposition for those seeking a premium experience without the flagship price tag.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Huawei nova 11 Ultra | vivo X90 Pro+ |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 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, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 17 | 2022, November 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 27 | Available. Released 2022, December 06 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame, eco leather back |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.4 x 7.9 mm (6.47 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) | 164.4 x 75.3 x 9.7 mm (6.47 x 2.96 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 221 g (7.80 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Kunlun Glass | - |
| Resolution | 1200 x 2652 pixels (~429 ppi density) | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~517 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~91.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120Hz | LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1800 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-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) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 740 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 3.0 | Android 13, Funtouch (Global), Origin OS 3 (China) |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 512GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| - | UFS 4.0 | |
| 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 | Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Pixel Shift, dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 50.3 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, Laser AF, OIS 64 MP, f/3.5, 90mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/1.6, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.4", 0.7µm, AF, 2x optical zoom, OIS 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, AF |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, 14-bit RAW video |
| 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 | HDR |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| - | 32-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2, 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, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, color spectrum |
| Virtual proximity sensing BDS Satellite Message (Emergency SOS service) | - | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 100W wired, 20-80% in 10 min Reverse wired | 80W wired, 100% in 33 min (advertised) 50W wireless Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4700 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Green | Black, Red |
| Models | GOA-AL80U | V2227A |
| Price | About 590 EUR | About 1030 EUR |
Huawei nova 11 Ultra
- Faster wired charging (100W)
- Potentially more affordable price
- Stylish design (assumed based on brand)
- Less powerful Snapdragon 778G chipset
- No wireless charging
- Inferior gaming performance
vivo X90 Pro+
- Significantly more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- 50W wireless charging
- Superior camera capabilities (likely)
- Higher price point
- Slower wired charging than nova 11 Ultra
- Potential for thermal throttling (mitigated by 4nm process)
Display Comparison
While both devices likely feature high-quality OLED panels (data not provided), the core difference lies in the processing power driving them. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the X90 Pro+ will deliver smoother animations and faster response times, particularly noticeable in graphically intensive games. The nova 11 Ultra’s Snapdragon 778G, while capable, is a generation behind and will exhibit more noticeable lag in demanding scenarios. Without specific display specs, we can assume the X90 Pro+ benefits from the chipset’s superior image signal processor (ISP) for potentially more accurate color reproduction and dynamic range.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, we can infer significant differences. The X90 Pro+ likely features a larger main sensor, benefiting from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s advanced ISP for superior image processing. While the nova 11 Ultra likely leverages Huawei’s computational photography expertise, the underlying hardware limitations of the Snapdragon 778G will hinder its ability to match the X90 Pro+ in low-light performance and dynamic range. The X90 Pro+’s chipset also supports more advanced video recording capabilities. We can expect the X90 Pro+ to excel in challenging lighting conditions and offer more creative control for photography enthusiasts.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The vivo X90 Pro+’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) boasts a Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz, alongside Cortex-A715 and A710 performance cores, and efficient A510 cores. This architecture is a substantial upgrade over the nova 11 Ultra’s Snapdragon 778G 4G (6nm), which uses older Kryo 670 cores. The 4nm process node of the 8 Gen 2 also translates to improved thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. Gamers and power users will unequivocally benefit from the X90 Pro+'s superior processing power.
Battery Life
The vivo X90 Pro+ offers a more versatile charging solution with 80W wired charging (advertised 100% in 33 minutes) and 50W wireless charging. The nova 11 Ultra counters with 100W wired charging (20-80% in 10 minutes), but lacks wireless charging. While the nova 11 Ultra’s faster wired charging is appealing, the X90 Pro+'s wireless charging adds convenience. The actual battery life will depend on the capacity of each device (data not provided), but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s efficiency could offset a potentially smaller battery in the X90 Pro+.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 11 Ultra if you need a stylish smartphone with a capable camera and fast 100W charging, but aren’t demanding the absolute highest performance. It’s ideal for social media enthusiasts and everyday users. Buy the vivo X90 Pro+ if you prioritize uncompromising performance for gaming and demanding applications, a professional-grade camera system, and the convenience of 50W wireless charging. This is the phone for power users and mobile photographers.