Huawei nova 11 vs Motorola Edge 40 Neo: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Contenders

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Huawei nova 11 and Motorola Edge 40 Neo represent compelling options. The nova 11, leveraging Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 778G 4G, aims for a balance of performance and style. Meanwhile, the Edge 40 Neo, powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 7030, prioritizes battery endurance and a vibrant display. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a brighter display, the Motorola Edge 40 Neo is the stronger choice. Its 10:28h active use score significantly surpasses what we'd expect from the nova 11, despite the latter's faster peak charging speed. However, the nova 11 remains a viable option for those heavily invested in the Huawei ecosystem.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 11 Motorola Edge 40 Neo
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, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2023, April 172023, September 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, April 27Available. Released 2023, September 14
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions161.3 x 75 x 6.9 mm (6.35 x 2.95 x 0.27 in)159.6 x 72 x 7.9 mm (6.28 x 2.83 x 0.31 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight168 g (5.93 oz)170 g or 172 g (6.00 oz)
Display
ProtectionKunlun GlassCorning Gorilla Glass 3
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 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120HzP-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)MediaTek Dimensity 7030 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LMali-G610 MC3
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, 256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide)50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Video4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 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@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack No-
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.4, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
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 sensing-
Battery
Charging66W wired, 100% in 31 min Reverse wired68W wired, 50% in 15 min
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Green, White, GoldBlack, Soothing Sea, Caneel Bay, Peach Fuzz
ModelsFOA-AL00, FOA-LX9XT2307-1
PriceAbout 310 EUR$ 299.00 / € 168.73 / ₹ 19,900

Huawei nova 11

  • Faster wired charging (31 minutes to 100%)
  • Stylish design (Huawei aesthetic)
  • Potentially strong GPU performance for gaming

  • 4G connectivity only
  • Likely shorter battery life
  • Limited software updates (Huawei ecosystem)

Motorola Edge 40 Neo

  • Longer battery life (10:28h active use)
  • Brighter display (1073 nits)
  • 5G connectivity

  • Slower full charge time (vs nova 11)
  • May have less refined camera processing
  • Motorola’s software update track record is inconsistent

Display Comparison

The Motorola Edge 40 Neo boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1073 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a clear advantage over the nova 11 (brightness data unavailable, but typically lower in this segment). While both utilize 6nm chipsets, the Edge 40 Neo’s brighter panel will consume more power, highlighting the trade-off between visual experience and battery life. We expect both to use OLED panels, but the Edge 40 Neo’s brightness is a key differentiator.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs are limited, but we can infer some differences. Both phones likely feature multi-camera systems, but the Motorola Edge 40 Neo’s marketing emphasizes its photo and video capabilities. Without sensor size data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, Motorola generally focuses on computational photography, potentially offering better image processing in challenging conditions. The nova 11’s camera performance will likely be solid, but may lean towards a more natural color profile. We’d advise ignoring any 2MP macro lenses on either device, as their image quality is typically subpar.

Performance

Both phones employ 6nm chipsets, but the architectures differ. The Huawei nova 11’s Snapdragon 778G 4G features a Kryo 670 CPU configuration (4x2.4 GHz & 4x1.8 GHz), while the Motorola Edge 40 Neo utilizes the MediaTek Dimensity 7030 with a Cortex-A78 (2x2.5 GHz) and Cortex-A55 (6x2.0 GHz) setup. The Dimensity 7030’s Cortex-A78 cores offer a performance edge in single-core tasks, potentially benefiting app launch speeds and responsiveness. However, the Snapdragon 778G’s Adreno 642L GPU is a strong performer, and the 4G limitation will be a bottleneck for data-intensive tasks. The Edge 40 Neo’s 5G modem is a significant advantage for users in areas with 5G coverage.

Battery Life

The Motorola Edge 40 Neo shines in battery performance, achieving an impressive 10:28h of active use. This is a substantial advantage over what we’d anticipate from the nova 11, given its reliance on the less power-efficient Snapdragon 778G 4G and lack of detailed battery capacity information. While the nova 11 offers 66W wired charging, reaching 100% in 31 minutes, the Edge 40 Neo’s 68W charging achieves 50% in just 15 minutes. The Edge 40 Neo’s superior battery life mitigates any charging speed disadvantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei nova 11 if you need a stylish device with a focus on fast charging and are comfortable with the limitations of a 4G-only modem. It’s a good fit for users who frequently transfer files via Wi-Fi and aren’t reliant on mobile data for demanding tasks. Buy the Motorola Edge 40 Neo if you prioritize long-lasting battery life, a brighter and more visible display in sunlight, and 5G connectivity for seamless streaming and downloads.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the MediaTek Dimensity 7030 in the Edge 40 Neo suffer from significant thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 7030 is a capable chip, sustained gaming can lead to some throttling. However, Motorola’s thermal management solutions are generally effective at mitigating this, and the 6nm process node helps with efficiency. Expect playable frame rates in most titles, but not necessarily at peak performance for extended periods.
❓ Is the lack of 5G on the Huawei nova 11 a dealbreaker for users in areas with widespread 5G coverage?
Absolutely. The nova 11’s 4G-only modem is a significant limitation in 2024. If you rely on fast mobile data for streaming, downloading, or online gaming, the Edge 40 Neo’s 5G connectivity is a crucial advantage. The nova 11 is best suited for users primarily connected to Wi-Fi.
❓ How does Huawei’s EMUI software compare to Motorola’s My UX in terms of bloatware and update frequency?
Huawei’s EMUI is known for including more pre-installed apps (bloatware) than Motorola’s My UX, which aims for a near-stock Android experience. Furthermore, Huawei’s software update schedule has been less consistent due to geopolitical factors, while Motorola’s updates, though not always the fastest, are generally more reliable.