The Huawei Nova 11 is highly anticipated and promises an immersive smartphone experience. However, a careful examination reveals that while there are some admirable features, there are some notable drawbacks that might frustrate the fans. In this review, we will analyze and check out the latest iteration of the Nova series by Huawei. Have there been any notable innovations worth waiting for? Let’s find out!
Design and Construction
The Huawei Nova 11 impresses with its slim design and high-quality finish. The slim profile and polished edges give it a classy look and make it a pleasure to hold. The device is made of metal and glass ensuring the premium feel users deserve. The back panel is protected by Kunlun Glass which has been seen in the Huawei Mate 50 Pro. Although the design seems more like just an evolution of the previous generation than a game-changing leap. It’s beautiful to look at, but it lacks novelty and might disappoint those looking for a truly fresh design.
The device features a dual SIM tray placed beneath the phone next to the USB Type-C 2.0 while on the right-hand side, the volume rockers and power button can be seen.
Display
One of the Huawei Nova 11’s main selling points is its large, vibrant display. This device has a large screen area covering an impressive 89.5% screen-to-body ratio. It possesses a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 1084 x 2412 pixels and a 20:9 aspect ratio providing a pixel density of around 395 PPI. All this combined gives better media consumption and gaming experience. The colors are vivid and bright enough for outdoor use.
Aside from having a large display, it also supports HDR10 enhancing the viewing experience even further. While for the gamers out there, the Huawei Nova 11 features a 120Hz refresh rate for a smoother gaming experience. Moreover, despite the 120Hz refresh rate, it’s essential to optimize the software and system to fully take advantage of this feature, as not all applications and content are currently optimized for higher refresh rates.
Thanks to the OLED screen, the color accuracy and vibrancy are apparent at first glance giving deep blacks and vivid colors.
Performance
The Huawei Nova 11 is equipped with a Snapdragon 778G 4G paired with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB of storage but no option for expandable storage. The same trend can be found with most mid-range phones where the same processor can be found for the last two generations of the Nova 11.
However, the device struggles to keep up with intensive multitasking and resource-intensive applications. There were occasional lags and stutters, which was completely unexpected for a smartphone in this price range. Users are a little frustrated because the device doesn’t offer the seamless performance they’re used to. We had hoped that Huawei would opt for a slightly newer processor like the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 for better performance output with some of the more intensive games in the market.
The Huawei Nova 11’s battery life is a significant upgrade from the previous iteration. With an additional a mere 500mAh, it keeps up with modern demands but can drain rapidly even during light usage. T The high-resolution display is the most consuming. While 66W fast charging is supported, the Nova 11’s subpar battery life may disappoint users reliant on smartphones for work and leisure. Considering these limitations, potential buyers should carefully assess their needs before investing in a device that may necessitate frequent charging and compromise portability.
Much like any other Huawei device in the market, the Nova 11 does not offer Google services but with the App Gallery’s growth throughout the years, there has been a sizeable amount of apps and games that are now accessible to Huawei’s ecosystem.
Connectivity
In terms of connectivity, the Huawei Nova 11 offers the standard features you’d expect from a modern smartphone. Calls were clear and consistent, and data connections remained stable throughout our tests. Still, the lack of 5G support is surprising, especially considering competitors have already embraced the technology. For users looking to harness the potential of 5G networks, Nova 11 may not be the best choice.
Camera
The Huawei Nova 11’s camera performance is mixed. In good lighting conditions, the device takes decent photos with accurate colors and good dynamic range. However, this drawback becomes more pronounced in when the digital zoom is in use as noise and lack of clarity become more pronounced. The multi-lens integration is laudable, but the camera’s overall performance is unremarkable in a competitive market.
Operating System
The Huawei Nova 11 comes with the latest version of the company’s proprietary operating system. The interface is clean and intuitive, but the lack of Google services and Play Store can be a major drawback for many potential buyers. Huawei’s AppGallery has grown over time, but the app ecosystem still falls short when compared to its Android counterparts. Users who rely heavily on Google services may struggle to adapt to the new ecosystem.
Conclusion
In summary, the Huawei Nova 11 is a smartphone with some great features such as an attractive design, a brilliant display, and a capable camera setup. However, it lacks key aspects such as performance, lack of 5G support, and a limited app ecosystem due to the lack of Google services. Still, for those who want to compromise on certain aspects, Nova 11 could be a viable option. However, strong competitors offer more comprehensive packages in this price range, so users are advised to consider all available options before making a decision.
Finally, the Huawei Nova 11 comes in Black, Green, and Gold colors for only PHP 24,999 for the 8GB + 256 GB variant.