Huawei nova 11 Pro review
The Huawei Nova 11 Pro is a mid-range smartphone with a focus on selfie-centric features and flashy looks. It boasts a unique leather design, a curved 6.78-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and stereo speakers. However, despite its impressive exterior, the phone's internals are somewhat underwhelming. The Nova 11 Pro runs on Huawei's EMUI 13 software, which lacks Google services and apps. While there are some alternatives available through the App Gallery, it still can't match the selection offered by Google Play. The phone also features a Snapdragon 778 chip, which has been popular for a while but is now somewhat outdated compared to newer competitors. The camera system, while good in certain aspects, doesn't seem to have received any significant upgrades over the previous model. It sports a 50MP primary sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide camera, but lacks a depth sensor. The dual selfie cameras perform well, with excellent detail and dynamic range in well-lit conditions. The Nova 11 Pro's battery life is decent, and it supports fast charging. However, the phone's lack of ingress protection and unimpressive video recording capabilities are notable drawbacks. Overall, the Huawei Nova 11 Pro feels like a minor iteration over its predecessor, rather than a significant upgrade. It may appeal to those who value style and selfie-centric features, but others might find it hard to justify the purchase due to its somewhat dated internals and software limitations.
Build Quality and Design
The Huawei Nova 11 Pro is a mid-ranger that doesn't just aim to fit in but stand out with its unique design. One of the standout features of this phone is its back panel made from faux leather, also known as vegan leather. This textured material gives the phone a premium feel and a distinct look, which sets it apart from other mid-rangers in the market. The Nova 11 Pro's design is not just about aesthetics; it's also functional. The leather back provides a secure grip, making it easier to hold onto even with one hand. Additionally, the curved frame and smooth edges ensure that the phone fits comfortably in your palm. Another notable design feature of this phone is its unique color options. While other phones may stick to traditional colors like black or white, the Nova 11 Pro comes in a range of bold and vibrant hues that are sure to turn heads. In terms of build quality, the Nova 11 Pro feels solid and well-made. The materials used are high-quality, and there's no creaking or flexing when applying pressure on the phone. This suggests that Huawei has paid attention to detail in designing this mid-ranger. While the design is undoubtedly a strength of the Nova 11 Pro, it's worth noting that the phone lacks some features that its competitors have, such as IP certification for protection against dust and water. Nonetheless, the Nova 11 Pro's design is a significant selling point, making it an attractive option for those who value style and flair in their mid-ranger. Overall, the Huawei Nova 11 Pro's design is a major asset, setting it apart from other mid-rangers in its class.
Battery Life
The battery life of the Huawei Nova 11 Pro is a mixed bag. With a capacity of 4500mAh, it's not the most impressive in its class, but it does deliver decent endurance. Our tests showed an overall rating of 89 hours, which is slightly below average. However, what's more concerning is the lack of significant improvement over its predecessor. Despite having the same power rating as last year's model, the Nova 11 Pro's charging speed has increased by a noticeable margin. We were able to reach 73% in just 15 minutes and a full charge took only 23 minutes. Despite this, the battery life is not quite on par with other mid-range devices. While it should still get you through a day of moderate use, heavy users may find themselves needing to top up more often than they'd like. One potential issue that could affect battery life is the lack of ingress protection (IP rating). Without any water or dust resistance, you'll need to be careful not to expose your device to harsh environments. Overall, while the battery life of the Huawei Nova 11 Pro is decent, it's not particularly impressive given its size and capacity. If you're a heavy user, you may want to consider other options in this price range.
Display
The display on the Huawei Nova 11 Pro is a notable aspect of the device. The phone features a curved 6.78-inch OLED display with Loon glass protection and a 120Hz refresh rate. While it's not entirely new to see this type of display in mid-range devices, it's still a welcome feature. The display itself appears to be the same as the one on the Nova 10 Pro, which is a bit surprising considering the price difference between the two models. The resolution is slightly higher than standard 1080p, and the color accuracy is good with support for 10-bit color and HDR10+ video. One of the standout features of the display is its brightness. While it's not the highest we've seen in a mid-range device, the Nova 11 Pro still manages to produce decent screen time even in bright environments. We were able to use the phone comfortably outdoors without any issues. The only downside to the display is that it doesn't quite live up to the standards set by some of its competitors in terms of video recording quality. The 4K footage from the main camera, in particular, is soft and lacks detail. This might be a drawback for those who prioritize video capture in their smartphones. Overall, the display on the Huawei Nova 11 Pro is solid but not spectacular. It gets the job done, but it's not something that will set the phone apart from its competitors. If you're looking for a device with an excellent display, there are other options available that might be worth considering.
Camera
The Huawei Nova 11 Pro boasts an impressive camera setup, with a few notable upgrades over its predecessor. One of the standout features is the addition of laser autofocus to the rear cameras, which proves to be a game-changer in everyday photography. The main 50-megapixel camera delivers excellent results during the day, with crisp detail and natural colors. The dynamic range is also impressive, capturing a wide range of tonal values without any significant issues. When zooming in using the main camera's two-time toggle, the results are equally impressive, with sufficient detail and decent color accuracy. However, there are some caveats to consider. Portraits taken at higher magnifications (two times or three times) can suffer from excessive blur, which detracts from an otherwise pleasing image. Furthermore, digital zoom takes its toll on low-light images, leading to a noticeable decrease in quality. Low-light performance is still respectable, with the main camera delivering well-exposed shots and decent detail. The dedicated night mode does not make a significant difference, although it can help with some scenes by adding extra sharpness and better shadow development. However, the ultra-wide camera struggles in low light, producing noisy and washed-out images. The 4K video recording capabilities are also somewhat underwhelming, particularly from the main camera, which produces soft footage with average dynamic range. The contrast is high, at least, but the narrow dynamic range can sometimes lead to issues in capturing a wide range of tonal values. The ultra-wide camera fares better, producing decent 8-megapixel photos with respectable detail and adequate dynamic range. However, 4K video from this camera is subpar, featuring noticeable noise and limited dynamic range. On the bright side, the dual selfie cameras deliver excellent results, particularly the 60-megapixel primary camera. This produces images with great detail, pleasing colors, and a very good dynamic range. The autofocus feature ensures that faces are always captured sharply, making this an ideal setup for self-portraits. Overall, while the camera capabilities of the Huawei Nova 11 Pro have improved in some areas, they still fall short in others. The lackluster ultra-wide camera performance and underwhelming video recording make it a less-than-stellar performer in these departments.
Price and Value
The Huawei Nova 11 Pro is a mid-range smartphone that checks most boxes in terms of features and performance. However, when considering its price, the value proposition becomes less clear. At this point, the Nova 11 Pro doesn't bring any significant upgrades over its predecessor, with the same chipset, display, and camera setup. The new design, featuring a faux leather back panel, is certainly visually appealing but not enough to justify the premium pricing. In terms of price, the Nova 11 Pro is positioned in the upper mid-range segment, with prices starting at around $450 for the base model. Considering the lack of major upgrades and the presence of more powerful competitors from other brands, it's difficult to justify this premium pricing. When compared to its main competitors, such as the Samsung Galaxy M54 and the Motorola Edge 40, the Nova 11 Pro falls short in terms of value for money. These devices offer similar or better specs at a lower price point, making them more attractive options for users who want a reliable mid-range smartphone without breaking the bank. Furthermore, Huawei's lack of Google services on its smartphones is a significant drawback that may deter some potential buyers. This omission can be a deal-breaker for many users who rely heavily on Google ecosystem and services. In conclusion, while the Nova 11 Pro has its strengths in terms of design and camera performance, its pricing strategy makes it less competitive in the mid-range segment. Unless you're particularly fond of the unique leather back panel, there may be better value options available from other brands that offer more comprehensive features and services at a similar price point or lower.
Performance
The Huawei Nova 11 Pro is a mid-range smartphone that boasts a sleek design and impressive selfie cameras. However, when it comes to performance, the device falls short of expectations. Under the hood, the Nova 11 Pro is powered by a Snapdragon 778 chip, which has been popular for a while now. Unfortunately, this chip has been surpassed by newer models from competitors, offering even more powerful performance. In our testing, we didn't notice any surprises or anomalies, but the overall performance was predictably solid. However, when put to the test with CPU stress, the device showed significant throttling, resulting in sudden dips and spikes that could cause stuttering in games. This is a concerning issue for gamers who expect smooth performance from their devices. Furthermore, the Nova 11 Pro's older chipset means it lacks the latest features and improvements found in newer devices. This lack of cutting-edge technology puts the device at a disadvantage compared to its competitors. In terms of everyday usage, the Nova 11 Pro should still be capable of handling general tasks such as browsing, social media, and streaming without issues. However, for those who demand more from their smartphones, there are better options available. Overall, while the Nova 11 Pro's design and selfie cameras are impressive, its performance is a major letdown. If you're in the market for a mid-range device, it may be worth considering other options that offer more powerful performance and up-to-date features.
Pros
1. The Huawei Nova 11 Pro has a unique leather design that lends it a premium look.
2. It features a curved 6.78-inch OLED display with Loon glass protection and a 120Hz refresh rate, which provides good color accuracy and HDR10+ support.
3. The phone has super-fast charging capabilities, going from zero to 73% in just 15 minutes and reaching a full charge in 23 minutes.
4. The camera setup is impressive, especially the main selfie camera, which takes excellent photos with great detail, colors, and dynamic range.
5. The ultra-wide camera can take nice macro close-up shots and has decent performance in low-light conditions.
6. The phone's dual selfie cameras offer excellent results, with good detail, colors, and dynamic range.
Cons
1. Besides the design, there aren't enough improvements over the previous model, which might not justify an upgrade for some users.
2. The lack of ingress protection is a notable drawback, especially considering the premium price point.
3. The video recording capabilities are unimpressive, with soft footage from the main camera and poor performance in low light conditions.
4. The phone runs on an older chipset, which might make it feel less powerful compared to some competitors.
5. As a Huawei device, the lack of Google services is a significant con for average users who rely on these apps.