Huawei Nova 11 vs Motorola Edge 40: The Ultimate Showdown

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and two contenders vying for your attention are the Huawei Nova 11 and the Motorola Edge 40. Both offer compelling features, but cater to slightly different needs. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one deserves your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Motorola Edge 40 edges out the Nova 11 thanks to its brighter display, wireless charging, and generally more powerful chipset. However, the Nova 11 boasts incredibly fast 66W wired charging and a stylish design, making it a strong contender for those prioritizing aesthetics and quick top-ups.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 11 Motorola Edge 40
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 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, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2023, April 172023, May 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, April 27Available. Released 2023, May 04
Body
Build-Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back or eco leather back
Dimensions161.3 x 75 x 6.9 mm (6.35 x 2.95 x 0.27 in)158.4 x 72 x 7.6 mm (6.24 x 2.83 x 0.30 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight168 g (5.93 oz)167 g or 171 g (5.89 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionKunlun Glass-
Resolution1084 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~91.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120HzP-OLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)Octa-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 8020 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LMali-G77 MC9
OSHarmonyOS 3.0Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide)50 MP, f/1.4, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, AF
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Video4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual60 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide)-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.0", 0.7µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
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, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
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/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Virtual proximity sensingMoto Ready For support
Battery
Charging66W wired, 100% in 31 min Reverse wired68W wired 15W wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4400 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Green, White, GoldNebula Green, Lunar Blue, Eclipse Black, Viva Magenta
ModelsFOA-AL00, FOA-LX9XT2303-2
PriceAbout 310 EUR€ 202.03 / $ 419.99 / £ 199.00 / ₹ 29,999
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 98h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 688347 (v9) GeekBench: 3320 (v5.1), 3603 (v6) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei nova 11

  • Fast 66W wired charging
  • Stylish design
  • Smooth user experience
  • Good portrait mode camera

  • No 5G connectivity
  • Potentially less powerful chipset
  • Unknown battery capacity
  • Brightness may be lower than Edge 40

Motorola Edge 40

  • Brighter display (1043 nits)
  • Wireless charging (15W)
  • More powerful Dimensity 8020 chipset
  • Excellent battery life (98h endurance)
  • 5G Connectivity

  • Design may be less striking than Nova 11
  • Wired charging speed is slightly slower (68W)
  • No expandable storage

Display Comparison

The Motorola Edge 40 takes a clear lead in the display department. Its measured peak brightness of 1043 nits is significantly higher than what's typically seen on the Nova 11, offering better visibility in direct sunlight. While the Nova 11's display is good, the Edge 40's contrast ratio (infinite nominal) provides a more immersive viewing experience. Both offer vibrant colors and smooth refresh rates, but the Edge 40's brightness is a noticeable advantage.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the Edge 40 likely has a slight edge in overall image quality, particularly in video recording. The Nova 11 is known for its aesthetically pleasing portrait mode. Detailed camera specifications are missing, so a direct comparison is difficult, but the Edge 40's reputation suggests slightly better performance in various lighting conditions. Both offer Photo/Video capabilities.

Performance

The Motorola Edge 40's Dimensity 8020 chipset generally outperforms the Nova 11's Snapdragon 778G 4G. The Dimensity 8020's Cortex-A78 cores offer a performance boost in demanding applications and games. While the Nova 11 is still capable, the Edge 40 provides a smoother and more responsive experience, especially when multitasking or running graphically intensive games. The Edge 40's chipset also supports 5G connectivity, which the Nova 11 lacks.

Battery Life

The Motorola Edge 40 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 98 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. While the Nova 11's battery capacity is unknown, its 66W wired charging is a significant advantage, allowing for incredibly fast top-ups. The Edge 40 also offers 15W wireless charging, adding to its convenience.

Buying Guide

The Huawei Nova 11 is ideal for users who prioritize a sleek design, fast-charging capabilities, and a smooth user experience within a budget. The Motorola Edge 40 is a better choice for those seeking a brighter display, wireless charging, and a more powerful processor for demanding tasks and gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Motorola Edge 40 has a significantly better endurance rating (98h) compared to the Nova 11, suggesting longer battery life.
❓ Is the Huawei Nova 11 worth buying if I need fast charging?
Yes, the Nova 11's 66W wired charging is exceptionally fast, making it a great choice if quick top-ups are a priority.