Huawei's nova series consistently delivers stylish phones with competitive features. The nova 11i and nova 9 SE are two popular contenders, but which one offers the best value? This comprehensive comparison will delve into their specs, performance, and features to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei nova 9 SE takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster 66W charging and slightly improved CPU core naming (Kryo vs Cortex). While both offer a similar Snapdragon 680 chipset, the 9 SE's charging speed and design edge make it the better overall 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 - JLN-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 - JLN-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 - JLN-LX3 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 01 | 2022, March 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May 11 | Available. Released 2022, March 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.6 x 8.6 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 164.6 x 75.6 x 7.9 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| | Splash and dust resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density) | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~387 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | EMUI 13 | Android 11, EMUI 12, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (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 (JLN-XL1 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired, 60% in 30 min | 66W wired, 75% in 20 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Black, Mint Green | Midnight Black, Pearl White, Crystal Blue |
| Models | MAO-LX9, MAO-LX9N | JLN-LX1, JLN-LX3, JuliaQN-L01B, JuliaQN-L21B, JuliaQN-L23A, RMX2190, FIO-BD00, JLN-AL00 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Huawei nova 11i
- Sleek design
- 40W fast charging
- Good value for money
- Decent display
- Slower charging than nova 9 SE
- Potentially less versatile camera
- Cortex cores (minor difference)
Huawei nova 9 SE
- 66W SuperCharge charging
- Slightly more premium design
- Kryo cores (minor difference)
- Likely better camera system
- Potentially higher price
- May not offer significant performance gains over nova 11i
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature OLED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The nova 9 SE might have a slightly brighter display, but this would require further testing. Screen sizes are likely similar, around 6.5 inches, with minimal bezel differences.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are crucial. The nova 9 SE is expected to have a more versatile camera system, potentially including a higher resolution main sensor and improved image processing. Both likely feature a front-facing camera suitable for selfies and video calls. Detailed camera comparisons would require sample photos and video tests.
Performance
Both devices utilize the Snapdragon 680 4G chipset. While the nova 9 SE uses Kryo cores (branded by Qualcomm), and the nova 11i uses Cortex cores (ARM design), the underlying performance will be very similar. Expect smooth everyday usage, but don't expect flagship-level gaming performance. The nova 9 SE's Kryo cores *might* offer a marginal performance advantage, but it's unlikely to be noticeable in most scenarios.
Battery Life
The nova 9 SE's 66W charging is a significant advantage over the nova 11i's 40W charging. It can charge from 0% to 75% in just 20 minutes, while the nova 11i takes around 30 minutes to reach 60%. Battery capacity is likely similar, around 4000mAh, so the charging speed difference is the key factor here.
Buying Guide
The Huawei nova 11i is a good option for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize a sleek design and don't need the absolute fastest charging. The Huawei nova 9 SE is ideal for users who value quick charging, a slightly more premium feel, and a more modern design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 680 chipset good enough for everyday use?
Yes, the Snapdragon 680 is a capable chipset for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. It's not a flagship processor, so don't expect top-tier performance, but it's perfectly adequate for most users.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
While both likely have similar battery capacities, the Huawei nova 9 SE's faster charging means it will be more convenient to top up the battery when needed.
