Huawei nova 11i vs Huawei P10 Plus: A Detailed Comparison

Huawei offers a range of smartphones, and choosing between models can be tricky. Today, we're pitting the newer Huawei nova 11i against the older, but still capable, Huawei P10 Plus. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone reigns supreme.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The nova 11i offers a more modern chipset and significantly faster charging. However, the P10 Plus boasts exceptional battery life and a comparable display. For those prioritizing speed and charging, the nova 11i wins; for longevity and a proven display, the P10 Plus remains a strong contender.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 11i Huawei P10 Plus
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only)
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 20, 28, 66, 26, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 38, 39, 40
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2023, May 012017, February. Released 2017, April
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, May 11Discontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions164.6 x 75.6 x 8.6 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)153.5 x 74.2 x 7 mm (6.04 x 2.92 x 0.28 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight193 g (6.81 oz)165 g (5.82 oz)
 Splash and dust resistantSplash resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density)1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~540 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)5.5 inches, 81.5 cm2 (~71.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzIPS-NEO LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)Kirin 960 (16 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Mali-G71 MP8
OSEMUI 13Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1
Memory
Card slotUnspecifiedmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 -eMMC 5.1, UFS 2.0, or UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens12 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 20 MP B/W, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.7"
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Leica optics, dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps
Selfie camera
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)8 MP, f/1.9
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX
Infrared port-Yes
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compassFingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging40W wired, 60% in 30 min18W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Ion 3750 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsStarry Black, Mint GreenCeramic White, Dazzling Blue, Dazzling Gold, Graphite Black, Mystic Silver, Rose Gold, Greenery
ModelsMAO-LX9, MAO-LX9NVKY-L29, VKY-L09, VKY-AL00
PriceAbout 140 EURAbout 240 EUR
Tests
Audio quality- Noise-93.4dB / Crosstalk -92.9dB
Battery life- Endurance rating 76h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1633 (nominal), 3.456 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker- Voice 64dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 82dB
Performance- GFXBench: 9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei nova 11i

  • Faster Charging (40W)
  • More Modern Chipset (Snapdragon 680)
  • Potentially Better Display Technology (AMOLED)
  • Sleeker Design

  • Battery Life Not as Impressive as P10 Plus
  • Camera Performance Needs Further Evaluation

Huawei P10 Plus

  • Exceptional Battery Life (76h Endurance Rating)
  • Proven Display Quality
  • Leica-branded Camera System
  • Potentially Lower Price (due to age)

  • Older Chipset (Kirin 960)
  • Slower Charging (18W)
  • Older Design

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a contrast ratio of 1633 (nominal) and 3.456 (sunlight), indicating excellent visibility even in bright conditions. The nova 11i likely has a slightly more modern display technology (AMOLED vs LCD), potentially offering more vibrant colors and deeper blacks, though specific panel details are needed for a definitive comparison. The P10 Plus's display is known for its accuracy and brightness.

Camera Comparison

The P10 Plus was known for its dual-lens Leica camera system, offering excellent image quality for its time. The nova 11i likely features a more versatile camera setup with potentially higher megapixel counts, but image processing and software optimization are crucial. A direct camera comparison would require detailed testing, but the P10 Plus's Leica partnership gives it a slight edge in image quality.

Performance

The nova 11i's Snapdragon 680 4G, built on a 6nm process, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the P10 Plus's Kirin 960 (16nm). While both have octa-core CPUs, the nova 11i's newer chipset and more efficient manufacturing process translate to better efficiency and potentially smoother multitasking. Gaming performance will also likely be better on the nova 11i.

Battery Life

This is where the P10 Plus truly shines. Its endurance rating of 76 hours is exceptional, significantly outperforming the nova 11i. While the nova 11i offers 40W fast charging, the P10 Plus's sheer battery capacity provides far greater longevity between charges.

Buying Guide

The Huawei nova 11i is ideal for users who value fast charging, a more recent chipset for smoother performance in everyday tasks, and a modern design. The Huawei P10 Plus is a good choice for those prioritizing exceptional battery life, a well-regarded display, and a more established camera system, especially if budget is a major concern.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the nova 11i worth buying over the P10 Plus?
It depends on your priorities. If you value fast charging and a more modern chipset, the nova 11i is a good choice. If battery life is paramount, the P10 Plus remains a compelling option.
❓ How does the camera quality compare between the two phones?
The P10 Plus had a well-regarded Leica camera system. The nova 11i likely has a more versatile setup, but a direct comparison would require detailed testing. Both are capable of taking good photos.