Huawei's nova series consistently delivers stylish phones with impressive features. The nova 11i and nova 11 Ultra represent different ends of that spectrum, offering varying levels of performance and price. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei nova 11 Ultra is the clear winner, boasting significantly faster charging, a more powerful chipset, and likely a superior camera system. However, the nova 11i offers a more budget-friendly option for users prioritizing affordability over top-tier performance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 20, 28, 66, 26, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 01 | 2023, April 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May 11 | Available. Released 2023, April 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.6 x 8.6 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 164.3 x 74.4 x 7.9 mm (6.47 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | Splash and dust resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Kunlun Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density) | 1200 x 2652 pixels (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~91.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | OLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | EMUI 13 | HarmonyOS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 25mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide), AF |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 8 MP, f/2.2, 52mm (telephoto), AF, 2x optical zoom
60 MP, f/2.4, 17mm, 100˚ (ultrawide), AF |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC |
| 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/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing
BDS Satellite Message (Emergency SOS service) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired, 60% in 30 min | 100W wired, 20-80% in 10 min
Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Black, Mint Green | Black, Green |
| Models | MAO-LX9, MAO-LX9N | GOA-AL80U |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 590 EUR |
Huawei nova 11i
- More affordable
- Decent battery life
- Stylish design
- 40W fast charging
- Less powerful chipset
- LCD display
- Slower charging compared to Ultra
- Potentially less impressive camera
Huawei nova 11 Ultra
- Significantly faster performance
- 100W SuperCharge
- Likely superior camera system
- Premium OLED display
- Reverse wired charging
- Higher price
- Potentially larger and heavier
- May have limited app support due to Huawei's ecosystem
Display Comparison
The nova 11 Ultra is expected to feature a larger, higher-resolution OLED display with a higher refresh rate (likely 120Hz) compared to the nova 11i's LCD panel. Expect vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and smoother scrolling on the Ultra. The nova 11i will still offer a decent viewing experience, but lacks the premium feel of OLED.
Camera Comparison
While both phones likely feature capable camera systems, the nova 11 Ultra is expected to have a more advanced setup, potentially including a higher-resolution main sensor, improved image processing, and additional features like optical image stabilization (OIS). Expect better low-light performance and overall image quality from the Ultra.
Performance
The Snapdragon 778G 4G in the nova 11 Ultra provides a substantial performance boost over the Snapdragon 680 4G in the nova 11i. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Ultra. The 11i is adequate for everyday use but may struggle with demanding games or heavy multitasking.
Battery Life
The nova 11 Ultra's 100W wired charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging speeds. The nova 11i's 40W charging is still respectable, but significantly slower. Both phones likely have similar battery capacities (around 4500-5000mAh), but the Ultra's charging advantage makes a big difference in real-world usage.
Buying Guide
The Huawei nova 11i is ideal for budget-conscious users who need a reliable smartphone for everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and light gaming. The Huawei nova 11 Ultra is for users who demand premium performance, lightning-fast charging, and a top-notch camera experience, and are willing to pay a premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Huawei nova 11 Ultra support 5G?
Both the nova 11i and nova 11 Ultra are 4G devices. Huawei's 5G phones are typically found in different models.
❓ What is reverse wired charging?
Reverse wired charging allows you to use your phone to charge other devices wirelessly, like earbuds or smartwatches, using a compatible cable.
❓ Are Google apps available on these phones?
Due to US trade restrictions, these Huawei phones do not come with Google Mobile Services (GMS) pre-installed. Users will need to rely on Huawei's AppGallery and potentially sideload apps.
