Huawei Nova 11 vs Nova 9: A Head-to-Head Showdown

Huawei's Nova series consistently delivers stylish phones with impressive features. The Nova 11 and Nova 9 are both strong contenders, but which one offers the best value? This comprehensive comparison will delve into their key differences to help you make an informed decision.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nova 11 boasts faster charging and potentially a slightly refined design, while the Nova 9 shines with its exceptional battery endurance. Ultimately, the choice depends on your priorities: speed and aesthetics versus longevity.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 11 Huawei nova 9
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, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1x 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
Launch
Announced2023, April 172021, September 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, April 27Available. Released 2021, September 30
Body
Dimensions161.3 x 75 x 6.9 mm (6.35 x 2.95 x 0.27 in)160 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm (6.30 x 2.90 x 0.31 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight168 g (5.93 oz)175 g (6.17 oz)
Display
ProtectionKunlun Glass-
Resolution1084 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~392 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~91.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.57 inches, 106.0 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120HzOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LAdreno 642L
OSHarmonyOS 3.0HarmonyOS 2.0 (China), EMUI 12 (Europe), no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide)-
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single-32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual60 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide)-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@240fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
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), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging66W wired, 100% in 31 min Reverse wired66W wired, 60% in 18 min, 100% in 38 min Reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4300 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Green, White, GoldStarry Blue, Black, Green, Violet
ModelsFOA-AL00, FOA-LX9NAM-AL00, NAM-LX9
PriceAbout 310 EURAbout 120 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 96h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -27.3 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 469798 (v9) GeekBench: 2973 (v5.1) GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei nova 11

  • Faster Charging (66W)
  • Potentially more modern design
  • Reverse wired charging

  • Battery life likely less than Nova 9
  • Specific camera details missing
  • No information on display brightness beyond charging speed

Huawei nova 9

  • Exceptional Battery Life (96h endurance)
  • Excellent contrast ratio (OLED)
  • Reverse wired charging

  • Slower charging (66W, but longer time)
  • Design potentially less modern than Nova 11
  • Specific camera details missing

Display Comparison

Both phones feature OLED displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Nova 9's 608 nits max brightness is a known figure, while the Nova 11's brightness is likely comparable, though specific measurements are needed. The Nova 9's 'infinite' contrast ratio is a marketing term, but OLEDs inherently offer excellent contrast. Design-wise, the Nova 11 is expected to have a more contemporary aesthetic.

Camera Comparison

While both phones are described as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, detailed camera specifications are missing. We anticipate the Nova 11 might feature slightly improved image processing or a different sensor configuration, but without specifics, it's difficult to definitively say which camera is superior. Both likely offer good image quality in well-lit conditions.

Performance

Powered by the same Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset and CPU, both phones offer similar performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. Expect smooth multitasking and responsive app loading. Differences in software optimization could slightly impact real-world performance, but they should be minimal.

Battery Life

This is where the Nova 9 truly stands out. Its endurance rating of 96 hours is exceptional. The Nova 11's 66W charging is faster, reaching 100% in 31 minutes, but the Nova 9's larger battery capacity and efficient power management provide significantly longer usage time.

Buying Guide

The Huawei Nova 11 is ideal for users who prioritize fast charging and a modern design. The Nova 9 is a better choice for those who value long battery life and don't mind a slightly older design.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 778G 5G or 4G?
Both the Huawei Nova 11 and Nova 9 utilize the Snapdragon 778G 4G variant, meaning they do not support 5G connectivity.
❓ What is reverse wired charging?
Reverse wired charging allows you to use your phone as a power bank to charge other devices via a USB-C cable.