Huawei nova 11i vs Samsung Galaxy A34: A Head-to-Head Showdown

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Huawei nova 11i and Samsung Galaxy A34 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at accessible prices, but cater to slightly different needs. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one deserves your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy A34 takes the crown thanks to its superior display brightness, longer software support, and faster processor. While the nova 11i boasts impressive charging speeds, the A34's overall package provides a more well-rounded and future-proof experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 11i Samsung Galaxy A34
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 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, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands-1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, May 012023, March 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, May 11Available. Released 2023, March 24
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164.6 x 75.6 x 8.6 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2 mm (6.35 x 3.07 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight193 g (6.81 oz)199 g (7.02 oz)
 Splash and dust resistantIP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Mali-G68 MC4
OSEMUI 13Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotUnspecifiedmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple-48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps
Selfie camera
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, 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, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging40W wired, 60% in 30 min25W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsStarry Black, Mint GreenLime, Graphite, Violet, Silver
ModelsMAO-LX9, MAO-LX9NSM-A346E, SM-A346B, SM-A346B/DS, SM-A346B/DSN, SM-A346E/DS, SM-A346E/DSN, SM-A346M, SM-A346M/N, SM-A346M/DSN, SM-A3460
PriceAbout 140 EUR€ 169.99 / $ 175.00 / £ 164.99 / ₹ 23,999
SAR EU-0.55 W/kg (head)     1.49 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 133h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.1 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 472126 (v9) GeekBench: 2316 (v5.5), 2518 (v6) GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei nova 11i

  • Fast 40W Charging
  • Stylish Design
  • Decent Camera
  • 6nm Process

  • Weaker Processor
  • Limited Software Support
  • Lower Display Brightness
  • Less Battery Life

Samsung Galaxy A34

  • Bright Display (1009 nits)
  • Stronger Processor (Dimensity 1080)
  • Excellent Battery Life
  • Long Software Support
  • Water Resistance

  • Slower 25W Charging
  • Plastic Build
  • Nominal Infinite Contrast Ratio

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A34's 1009 nits peak brightness significantly outshines the nova 11i, offering better visibility in direct sunlight. While the A34 boasts an 'infinite' contrast ratio (nominal), both phones offer vibrant colors and sharp visuals. The A34's Super AMOLED panel generally provides a richer viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the Galaxy A34 likely has an edge in image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. Samsung's image processing is generally well-regarded. The nova 11i's camera setup is decent, but lacks the overall refinement of the A34.

Performance

The Mediatek Dimensity 1080 in the Galaxy A34 offers noticeably better performance than the Snapdragon 680 in the nova 11i. The A34's Cortex-A78 cores provide a boost in processing power, resulting in smoother multitasking and gaming. The nova 11i is adequate for everyday tasks, but struggles with more demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Galaxy A34's endurance rating of 133h suggests significantly better battery life than the nova 11i. While the nova 11i's 40W charging is faster, the A34's larger battery capacity and efficient processor contribute to longer usage times between charges.

Buying Guide

The Huawei nova 11i is ideal for users prioritizing fast charging and a stylish design, particularly those already invested in the Huawei ecosystem. The Samsung Galaxy A34 is a better choice for those seeking a vibrant display, reliable performance, and extended software updates, making it a more versatile option for most users.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Samsung Galaxy A34 offers significantly longer software support and updates compared to the Huawei nova 11i, thanks to Samsung's commitment to providing updates for their devices.
❓ Is the Huawei nova 11i worth buying if fast charging is a priority?
Yes, the nova 11i's 40W charging is a major advantage if you frequently need to top up your battery quickly. However, consider the trade-offs in performance and software support.