vivo iQOO 9 vs Huawei nova 11i: A Detailed Showdown

The smartphone market is brimming with options, making it tough to choose. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the vivo iQOO 9 (China), a performance powerhouse, and the Huawei nova 11i, a stylish and accessible option. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which phone comes out on top.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iQOO 9 is the clear winner for performance enthusiasts, boasting a flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and blazing-fast charging. However, the nova 11i offers a more budget-friendly option with a sleek design and decent features, making it suitable for everyday users prioritizing aesthetics and affordability.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO 9 (China) Huawei nova 11i
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, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 20, 28, 66, 26, 38, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2022, January 052023, May 01
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, January 12Available. Released 2023, May 11
Body
Dimensions164.5 x 76.7 x 8.4 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.33 in)164.6 x 75.6 x 8.6 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight206 g (7.27 oz)193 g (6.81 oz)
 -Splash and dust resistant
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10, 1500 nits (peak)IPS LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 610
OSAndroid 12, OriginOS OceanEMUI 13
Memory
Card slotNoUnspecified
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
Dual-48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)-
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.0, 47mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass
Battery
Charging120W wired, 100% in 19 min 10W reverse wireless40W wired, 60% in 30 min
Type4700 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsWhite (BMW M branding), Orange, BlackStarry Black, Mint Green
ModelsV2171AMAO-LX9, MAO-LX9N
PriceAbout 560 EURAbout 140 EUR

vivo iQOO 9 (China)

  • Blazing-fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 performance
  • Incredibly fast 120W charging
  • Likely superior display quality
  • Versatile camera system

  • Potentially higher price
  • May lack some Huawei features (e.g., Google services) due to regional restrictions
  • Can run hot under heavy load

Huawei nova 11i

  • More affordable
  • Stylish design
  • Decent camera for the price
  • Good battery life

  • Significantly slower performance
  • Slower charging speed
  • Lower display quality
  • Less versatile camera

Display Comparison

The iQOO 9 likely features a high refresh rate AMOLED display (typically 120Hz) offering smoother visuals and vibrant colors. The nova 11i probably has an LCD display, which is generally less vibrant but more power-efficient. Expect the iQOO 9 to have a slightly higher resolution as well. Overall, the iQOO 9 wins in display quality.

Camera Comparison

While the nova 11i likely has a capable camera system for its price range, the iQOO 9 probably offers a more versatile and higher-quality camera setup. Expect better low-light performance, more detail, and potentially features like 8K video recording on the iQOO 9. The nova 11i will likely focus on pleasing color science and portrait modes.

Performance

This is where the iQOO 9 truly shines. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is a flagship chipset, delivering significantly faster processing speeds and superior graphics performance compared to the nova 11i's Snapdragon 680. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a much better gaming experience on the iQOO 9.

Battery Life

The iQOO 9's 120W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging times. While the nova 11i's 40W charging is respectable, it can't compete with the iQOO 9's speed. Both phones likely have similar battery capacities (around 4500-5000mAh), so the iQOO 9's charging advantage gives it a significant edge.

Buying Guide

The vivo iQOO 9 is ideal for gamers, power users, and anyone who demands top-tier performance. The Huawei nova 11i is a great choice for students, social media enthusiasts, and those seeking a stylish and affordable smartphone with a good camera for everyday use.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iQOO 9 available globally?
The iQOO 9 is primarily available in China. Global availability may be limited or non-existent.
❓ Does the Huawei nova 11i have Google Play Services?
No, the Huawei nova 11i does not come with Google Play Services. It uses Huawei's AppGallery instead.