Huawei's nova series consistently delivers stylish phones with competitive features. The nova 11i and nova 10 SE are two recent additions, both targeting the mid-range market. But which one offers the better value and performance? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei nova 10 SE takes the lead thanks to its significantly faster 66W charging and reverse charging capability. While both phones share the same Snapdragon 680 chipset, the 10 SE's charging advantage and potentially slightly better camera software make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - BNE-LX1 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 20, 28, 66, 26, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - BNE-LX1 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - BNE-LX3 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 01 | 2022, October 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May 11 | Available. Released 2022, October 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.6 x 8.6 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 162.4 x 75.5 x 7.4 mm (6.39 x 2.97 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 184 g (6.49 oz) |
| | Splash and dust resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz |
| | - | Always-On Display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680G 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | EMUI 13 | EMUI 12, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (BNE-LX1 only) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (ultrasound) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired, 60% in 30 min | 66W wired
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Black, Mint Green | Starry Silver, Mint Green, Starry Black |
| Models | MAO-LX9, MAO-LX9N | BNE-LX1, BNE-LX3, BNE-AL00 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 170 EUR |
Huawei nova 11i
- Sleek and stylish design
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- 40W fast charging
- Slower charging compared to the 10 SE
- Potentially slightly less refined camera software
Huawei nova 10 SE
- 66W fast charging - significantly faster
- Reverse wired charging
- Potentially better camera software and image processing
- Sleek design
- May be slightly more expensive
- Performance is similar to the 11i
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar OLED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. However, the nova 10 SE might have a slightly brighter display. We'll need to confirm exact specifications for a definitive comparison.
Camera Comparison
The nova 10 SE is expected to have a slightly better camera system, potentially with improved image processing algorithms. Both phones likely feature a main 64MP camera, but the 10 SE might offer better low-light performance or more advanced features. The front-facing camera is a key selling point for both, likely offering high resolution for selfies and video calls.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G chipset. Performance will be largely similar for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. Don't expect flagship-level performance from either phone, but they should handle most common apps without issue. Software optimization could be a differentiating factor.
Battery Life
The nova 10 SE boasts a significant advantage with its 66W wired charging, allowing for much faster top-ups compared to the nova 11i's 40W charging. Both phones likely have a similar battery capacity (around 4000mAh), but the charging speed makes a noticeable difference in real-world usage.
Buying Guide
The Huawei nova 11i is a good option for users prioritizing a sleek design and decent performance on a tighter budget. The Huawei nova 10 SE is ideal for those who value fast charging, reverse charging, and potentially a slightly improved camera experience, even if it comes at a slightly higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 680 chipset good enough for gaming?
The Snapdragon 680 is suitable for casual gaming and less demanding titles. Don't expect to play the latest AAA games at high settings.
❓ What is reverse charging and why is it useful?
Reverse charging allows you to use your phone to charge other devices wirelessly or via a cable. It's handy for charging earbuds or other accessories when you're on the go.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
While both have similar battery capacities, the nova 10 SE's faster charging means you'll spend less time plugged in, effectively giving it an advantage in overall battery experience.
