Huawei nova 11i vs nova 11: A Detailed Comparison

Huawei's nova series consistently delivers stylish and feature-packed smartphones at competitive prices. The nova 11i and nova 11 are the latest additions, but which one offers the best value? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Huawei nova 11 takes the crown with its significantly faster Snapdragon 778G chipset, faster charging, and likely improved camera capabilities. While the nova 11i offers a more budget-friendly option, the nova 11 provides a noticeably better overall experience for those willing to spend a bit more.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 11i Huawei nova 11
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, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2023, May 012023, April 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, May 11Available. Released 2023, April 27
Body
Dimensions164.6 x 75.6 x 8.6 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)161.3 x 75 x 6.9 mm (6.35 x 2.95 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
Protection-Kunlun Glass
Resolution1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density)1084 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~91.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzOLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120Hz
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 3.0
Memory
Card slotUnspecifiedNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide)
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Video1080p@30fps4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual-60 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide)
Features-HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)-
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
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, 100% in 31 min Reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsStarry Black, Mint GreenBlack, Green, White, Gold
ModelsMAO-LX9, MAO-LX9NFOA-AL00, FOA-LX9
PriceAbout 140 EURAbout 310 EUR

Huawei nova 11i

  • More affordable
  • Stylish design
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks
  • 40W fast charging

  • Slower processor
  • Less powerful camera
  • Slower charging compared to nova 11
  • Limited gaming performance

Huawei nova 11

  • Faster processor (Snapdragon 778G)
  • Superior camera performance
  • 66W SuperCharge
  • Smoother gaming experience
  • Reverse wired charging

  • More expensive
  • Potentially slightly larger size/weight

Display Comparison

Both phones likely feature OLED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering smooth visuals. The nova 11 may have a slightly brighter display and potentially better color accuracy due to its higher-tier chipset allowing for more advanced display processing. Screen sizes are likely similar, around 6.5-6.8 inches.

Camera Comparison

While both phones likely feature a multi-lens camera system, the nova 11 is expected to have a more advanced setup. The 778G chipset allows for better image processing, resulting in improved photo quality, especially in low-light conditions. Expect better video recording capabilities as well. The nova 11i will still produce decent photos, but won't match the nova 11's capabilities.

Performance

The Snapdragon 778G in the nova 11 is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 680 in the nova 11i. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the nova 11. The nova 11i will handle basic tasks adequately, but may struggle with demanding games or heavy multitasking.

Battery Life

The nova 11 boasts a 66W wired charging, which is significantly faster than the nova 11i's 40W charging. The nova 11 can charge to 100% in approximately 31 minutes, while the nova 11i takes longer. Battery capacities are likely similar, around 4500-5000 mAh, so the charging speed difference is the key factor here.

Buying Guide

The Huawei nova 11i is ideal for budget-conscious users who prioritize a stylish design and decent performance for everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and light gaming. The Huawei nova 11 is a better choice for users who demand faster performance, quicker charging, and a more advanced camera system for photography enthusiasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Huawei nova 11i good for gaming?
The nova 11i can handle casual games, but demanding titles may experience lag or reduced graphics settings. The nova 11 offers a significantly better gaming experience.
❓ What is the difference in camera quality between the two phones?
The nova 11's Snapdragon 778G chipset enables better image processing and a more advanced camera system, resulting in superior photo and video quality, especially in low light.