Huawei nova 11i vs Oppo Reno 10x Zoom: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The Huawei nova 11i and Oppo Reno 10x Zoom represent different approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The nova 11i, a more recent release, focuses on efficiency with its Snapdragon 680, while the Reno 10x Zoom, though older, boasts the more powerful Snapdragon 855. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device delivers the best experience for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing everyday tasks and battery life, the Huawei nova 11i offers a compelling package. However, the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom, with its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 855, is the clear winner for users who demand higher performance for gaming or demanding applications, despite its slower charging.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 11i Oppo Reno 10x zoom
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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2023, May 012019, April. Released 2019, June
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, May 11Discontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions164.6 x 75.6 x 8.6 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)162 x 77.2 x 9.3 mm (6.38 x 3.04 x 0.37 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight193 g (6.81 oz)210 g (7.41 oz)
 Splash and dust resistant-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzAMOLED
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 640
OSEMUI 13Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, ColorOS 11
Memory
Card slotUnspecifiedmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/3.0, 130mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF OIS, 5x optical zoom, 10x hybrid zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS; video rec. only with main camera
Selfie camera
Features-LED flash, HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging40W wired, 60% in 30 min20W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4065 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsStarry Black, Mint GreenOcean Green, Jet Black, Mist Pink, Ocean Blue
ModelsMAO-LX9, MAO-LX9NCPH1919, PCCM00
PriceAbout 140 EURAbout 1020 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 107h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.7 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 364220 (v7), 407473 (v8) GeekBench: 10395 (v4.4), 2103 (v5.1) GFXBench: 35fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei nova 11i

  • Faster 40W charging
  • More efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset
  • Likely more affordable price point

  • Significantly less powerful processor
  • Unknown camera specifications
  • Potentially lower build quality

Oppo Reno 10x zoom

  • Much more powerful Snapdragon 855 processor
  • Potentially more versatile camera system (10x zoom)
  • Good battery endurance

  • Slower 20W charging
  • Older chipset architecture
  • Potentially higher price (depending on availability)

Display Comparison

The Oppo Reno 10x Zoom’s display is specified at 440 nits of peak brightness, a figure that, while not exceptional by today’s standards, provides adequate visibility in most conditions. The nova 11i’s display specifications are not provided, but given its market positioning, it likely falls in a similar brightness range. Both displays feature an 'infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, typical of OLED/AMOLED panels. Without further data on panel technology (e.g., LTPO) or color accuracy, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner; however, the Reno 10x Zoom’s measured brightness gives it a slight edge.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. The Reno 10x Zoom’s name suggests a focus on zoom capabilities, likely utilizing a periscope lens system. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess image quality. The nova 11i’s camera system is entirely unknown. Given the Reno 10x Zoom’s higher-end chipset, it likely benefits from more advanced image signal processing (ISP) capabilities, potentially leading to better dynamic range and low-light performance. We can assume the Reno 10x Zoom has a more versatile camera system.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo Reno 10x Zoom’s Snapdragon 855 (7nm) is a flagship-level processor from 2019, featuring an octa-core configuration with a prime Kryo 485 core clocked at 2.84 GHz. This is a substantial leap over the Huawei nova 11i’s Snapdragon 680 (6nm). The 680, while more efficient, utilizes older Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz. The 7nm process of the 855, despite being older, allows for higher sustained performance than the 6nm 680 due to its superior architecture. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and significantly better gaming performance on the Reno 10x Zoom. The Reno 10x Zoom will handle graphically demanding games at higher settings and frame rates.

Battery Life

Both phones share an endurance rating of 107 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite differing battery capacities (not specified). However, charging speeds differ significantly. The Huawei nova 11i supports 40W wired charging, claiming 60% charge in 30 minutes. The Oppo Reno 10x Zoom is limited to 20W wired charging, meaning a full charge will take considerably longer. While both achieve similar endurance, the nova 11i offers a faster top-up, a crucial advantage for users who frequently need a quick boost.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei nova 11i if you need a reliable daily driver with good battery life and efficient performance for social media, browsing, and light tasks. Buy the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom if you prioritize raw processing power for gaming, video editing, or running resource-intensive apps, and are willing to accept slower charging speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 680 in the Huawei nova 11i struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 680 is a mid-range chip and will likely require significant graphics settings reductions to achieve playable frame rates in demanding titles like PUBG or Genshin Impact. Expect noticeable frame drops and potentially longer loading times compared to the Snapdragon 855.
❓ Is the 20W charging on the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom a dealbreaker in 2024, considering faster charging standards are now common?
20W charging is relatively slow by today's standards. While it will still charge the phone overnight, it will take significantly longer than the 40W charging on the nova 11i to reach a full charge, potentially taking over 2 hours. This is a key consideration for users who prioritize quick top-ups.
❓ Given the age of the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom, are software updates still available?
Software update support for the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom is likely limited or non-existent at this point. Huawei's software support is also a concern due to ongoing geopolitical issues. This means you may miss out on critical security patches and new features.