Huawei's nova series consistently delivers stylish and feature-packed smartphones at competitive prices. The nova 11i and nova Y90 are two recent additions, both boasting the Snapdragon 680 chipset. But which one offers the better overall experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei nova 11i edges out the Y90 thanks to its likely superior camera system and potentially refined software experience. While both share the same chipset, the 11i's design and rumored camera improvements make it the slightly more compelling choice for most users, despite the Y90's slightly faster charging.
| 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 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 20, 28, 66, 26, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 01 | 2022, June 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May 11 | Available. Released 2022, July 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.6 x 8.6 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| | Splash and dust resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density) | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~89.1% 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 | EMUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, 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, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired, 60% in 30 min | 40W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Black, Mint Green | Crystal Blue, Pearl White, Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | MAO-LX9, MAO-LX9N | CTR-LX2, CTR-LX1, CTR-LX3 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 160 EUR |
Huawei nova 11i
- Potentially superior camera system
- Modern design
- Likely better front-facing camera
- Potentially more RAM
- Slightly slower charging (claimed)
- Price may be higher
Huawei nova Y90
- Faster charging (claimed)
- Reliable performance
- Budget-friendly
- Durable build quality (typical of Y series)
- Potentially less impressive camera
- Design may be less premium
- Potentially less RAM
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar OLED displays, potentially around 6.5-6.8 inches with a 120Hz refresh rate. The nova 11i might have slightly better color accuracy or brightness due to potential panel upgrades, but this would need confirmation. Resolution is likely FHD+ on both.
Camera Comparison
This is where the nova 11i is expected to shine. While both likely have a 48MP main sensor, the 11i is rumored to have a more advanced camera system with improved image processing and potentially a higher-resolution ultrawide lens. The front-facing camera is also expected to be a key strength of the 11i, potentially featuring a higher megapixel count and improved features.
Performance
Both devices utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G chipset. While the CPU cores differ slightly (Cortex-A73 vs Kryo 265 Gold), real-world performance will be very similar. Expect smooth everyday usage, but don't expect flagship-level gaming performance. RAM and storage configurations will be key differentiators here, with the 11i potentially offering more RAM.
Battery Life
Both phones offer 40W wired charging, with the nova Y90 claiming a 50% charge in 30 minutes versus the 11i's 60%. Battery capacity is likely around 4500-5000mAh on both, suggesting similar overall battery life despite the charging speed difference.
Buying Guide
The Huawei nova 11i is ideal for users prioritizing camera quality and a modern design. The nova Y90 is a good option for those seeking a reliable, budget-friendly phone with decent performance and fast charging, especially if design isn't a top priority.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference between the Snapdragon 680 and SM6225 Snapdragon 680?
The SM6225 is a slightly refined version of the Snapdragon 680, primarily targeting specific regions and potentially offering minor optimizations. In practice, the performance difference is negligible.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Huawei's software support is a complex topic. Both phones will likely run EMUI, but the nova 11i may receive updates for a slightly longer period. However, access to Google services remains a challenge on all Huawei devices.
