Huawei nova 11i vs nova 10: A Detailed Comparison

Huawei's nova series consistently delivers stylish phones with impressive features. The nova 11i and nova 10 are the latest contenders, each offering a unique blend of design and functionality. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you make the right choice.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Huawei nova 10 emerges as the clear winner thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 778G chipset, faster charging (66W vs 40W), and reverse charging capabilities. While the nova 11i offers a more efficient 6nm Snapdragon 680, the nova 10's overall performance and charging speed provide a superior user experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 11i Huawei nova 10
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 20, 28, 66, 26, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
Launch
Announced2023, May 012022, July 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, May 11Available. Released 2022, July 10
Body
Dimensions164.6 x 75.6 x 8.6 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)162.2 x 73.9 x 6.9 mm (6.39 x 2.91 x 0.27 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight193 g (6.81 oz)168 g (5.93 oz)
 Splash and dust resistant-
Display
Resolution1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 642L
OSEMUI 13HarmonyOS 2.0 (China), EMUI 12 (Europe), no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotUnspecifiedNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Single-60 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide)
Triple-50 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)60 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging40W wired, 60% in 30 min66W wired 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsStarry Black, Mint GreenBlack, Silver, Green, Violet
ModelsMAO-LX9, MAO-LX9NNCO-AL00, NCO-LX1, NCO-LX3
PriceAbout 140 EURAbout 500 EUR

Huawei nova 11i

  • Efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset
  • Sleek and stylish design
  • Good value for money
  • Decent battery life

  • Less powerful than nova 10
  • Slower charging speed
  • No reverse charging

Huawei nova 10

  • Faster Snapdragon 778G chipset
  • Significantly faster 66W charging
  • Reverse wireless charging
  • Potentially better camera processing

  • Higher price point
  • Potentially slightly shorter battery life under heavy use

Display Comparison

Both phones feature OLED displays, likely with similar resolutions (FHD+) and refresh rates (90Hz or 120Hz - assumed based on the series). The nova 10 might have slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to its higher-tier chipset, but the difference will be subtle. Expect vibrant colors and smooth scrolling on both.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are expected to have capable camera systems, likely featuring a 50MP main sensor. The nova 10's more powerful processor should allow for better image processing, resulting in slightly improved image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Both will likely offer good selfie cameras, a key feature of the nova series.

Performance

This is where the nova 10 truly shines. The Snapdragon 778G 4G is a considerably more powerful chipset than the Snapdragon 680 4G. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the nova 10. The nova 11i will handle everyday tasks adequately, but may struggle with demanding games or heavy applications.

Battery Life

The nova 11i's Snapdragon 680 chipset is known for its efficiency, potentially leading to slightly better battery life under light usage. However, the nova 10's 66W charging significantly outweighs this advantage. It can charge much faster, minimizing downtime.

Buying Guide

The Huawei nova 11i is a great option for budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and a sleek design. It's ideal for everyday tasks and social media. The Huawei nova 10 is better suited for users who demand faster performance, quicker charging, and appreciate features like reverse wireless charging. It's a good choice for gamers and those who frequently multitask.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Huawei nova 10 worth the extra money?
If performance and fast charging are priorities, then yes. The nova 10 offers a significant upgrade in these areas. However, if you're on a tighter budget and primarily use your phone for basic tasks, the nova 11i is a solid choice.
❓ Does the nova 11i support 5G?
No, both the nova 11i and nova 10 are 4G-only devices.