The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Huawei nova 11 and Honor 90 Smart represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they take different approaches. The nova 11 leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 778G 4G, while the 90 Smart opts for MediaTek’s Dimensity 6020. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best value and performance.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing consistent performance and faster charging, the Huawei nova 11 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 778G 4G, despite lacking 5G, provides a more refined experience than the Dimensity 6020, and the 66W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the Honor 90 Smart presents a viable alternative for those on a tighter budget.
| 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 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 17 | 2024, April 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 27 | Available. Released 2024, April 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161.3 x 75 x 6.9 mm (6.35 x 2.95 x 0.27 in) | 166.7 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm (6.56 x 3.01 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 168 g (5.93 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Kunlun Glass | - |
| Resolution | 1084 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~389 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~91.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.3 cm2 (~87.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 850 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 3.0 | Android 13, Magic OS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 60 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 100% in 31 min
Reverse wired | 35W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5330 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green, White, Gold | Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | FOA-AL00, FOA-LX9 | CLK-NX1, CLK-NX3 |
| Price | About 310 EUR | About 170 EUR |
Huawei nova 11
- Faster 66W charging significantly reduces downtime.
- More powerful Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset for smoother performance.
- Reverse wired charging for added convenience.
- Lacks 5G connectivity.
- Camera specs are unknown, potentially limiting image quality.
Honor 90 Smart
- More affordable price point.
- MediaTek Dimensity 6020 offers decent performance for everyday tasks.
- Potentially better battery life due to a larger battery (speculation).
- Slower 35W charging.
- Dimensity 6020 is less powerful than the Snapdragon 778G 4G.
Display Comparison
Neither Huawei nor Honor provided display specs in the context data. However, given the market positioning, we can infer both likely utilize AMOLED panels. The key differentiator will be peak brightness and PWM dimming frequency. Historically, Huawei has focused on color accuracy, while Honor often prioritizes maximizing brightness. The absence of LTPO technology on either device suggests standard refresh rates, likely 60Hz or 90Hz, impacting smoothness during scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the chipset plays a role in image signal processing (ISP) capabilities. The Snapdragon 778G generally offers a more sophisticated ISP, potentially leading to better dynamic range and noise reduction in photos and videos. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and optical image stabilization (OIS) makes it difficult to assess the overall camera quality. We can assume both phones will feature a multi-camera setup, but the quality of the secondary lenses (ultrawide, macro) is likely to be modest.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Huawei nova 11’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 4G (6nm) boasts a more mature architecture and generally superior GPU performance compared to the Honor 90 Smart’s MediaTek Dimensity 6020 (7nm). The Snapdragon’s octa-core configuration (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670) provides a higher peak clock speed and more efficient core design than the Dimensity 6020’s (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). While the Dimensity 6020 benefits from a slightly newer process node, the Snapdragon 778G’s architectural advantages translate to smoother multitasking and better gaming performance. The 4G limitation on the nova 11 is a significant drawback for users in areas with robust 5G infrastructure.
Battery Life
The Huawei nova 11’s 66W wired charging is a clear advantage, promising a full charge in just 31 minutes. The Honor 90 Smart’s 35W charging is considerably slower. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging speed of the nova 11 mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. The nova 11 also offers reverse wired charging, a convenient feature for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 11 if you need a phone that handles multitasking and moderate gaming with ease, and if fast charging is a priority. Its Snapdragon 778G 4G offers a proven track record of stability and performance. Buy the Honor 90 Smart if you prefer a more affordable option and are willing to trade some processing power for a lower price point. It’s a solid choice for everyday tasks and light usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 778G 4G in the Huawei nova 11 suffer from significant throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 778G 4G is generally well-regarded for its thermal management. While some throttling is inevitable during prolonged, demanding gaming, the 6nm process node and Qualcomm’s optimizations help to mitigate this. Expect playable frame rates in most popular titles, but sustained peak performance may decrease over time.
❓ Is the Dimensity 6020 in the Honor 90 Smart capable of running demanding applications like video editing software?
The Dimensity 6020 can handle basic video editing tasks, but it’s not ideal for complex projects or high-resolution footage. The chipset’s processing power is sufficient for light editing, but rendering times will be significantly longer compared to devices with more powerful processors.
❓ How does the lack of 5G connectivity on the Huawei nova 11 impact its usability in 2024?
The absence of 5G is a significant drawback if you live in an area with widespread 5G coverage and rely on fast mobile data speeds. However, if 5G isn't readily available or you primarily use Wi-Fi, the lack of 5G may not be a major concern. Consider your network environment before making a decision.
