Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and the Huawei nova 11. I'll break down the specs, explain what they mean for you, and help you figure out which phone might be the better fit.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a side-by-side comparison of the key specifications, along with their real-world implications:
| Feature | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Huawei nova 11 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.1 × 75.5 × 8.5 mm | 161.3 × 75 × 6.9 mm | Mate 50 Pro is noticeably thicker and has more heft, while the nova 11 is much slimmer and feels lighter. |
| Weight | 205g | 168g | Mate 50 Pro feels substantial; nova 11 is more comfortable for long-term use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.74" | 6.7" | Similar screen sizes, almost negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 1212x2616 | 1084x2412 | Mate 50 Pro has a sharper, more detailed display thanks to significantly more pixels. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 428 | 391 | Mate 50 Pro's display will look a bit crisper. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both have vibrant and contrast-rich displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both devices. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | nova 11 is much brighter, significantly better in bright sunlight. The Mate 50 Pro's '0 nits' is likely a data error. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | Mate 50 Pro is much more powerful, offering smoother gaming and faster multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,022,043 | 587,561 | Mate 50 Pro has a significantly higher score, indicating better overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 642L | Mate 50 Pro's GPU is substantially more capable, offering smoother graphics. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | |||
| Resolution | 50MP | 50MP | Similar main camera resolution, but differences in other features. |
| Aperture | f/1.4 | f/1.9 | Mate 50 Pro's wider aperture allows more light, resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Sensor Size | 1/1.56" | N/A | Mate 50 Pro has a larger sensor, capturing more light and detail. |
| Selfie Camera | |||
| Resolution | 13MP | 60MP | nova 11 has a much higher resolution selfie camera, capturing finer details. |
| Sensor Size | N/A | 1/2.8" | nova 11 selfie camera captures more light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP with OIS | None | Mate 50 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities not present in nova 11. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 12MP | None | Mate 50 Pro captures wider scenes; useful for landscapes. |
| Wide-Angle + Macro | None | 8MP | nova 11 can capture macro shots and have a wide angle view on a single lens. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K 60fps | 720p@960fps | Mate 50 Pro records higher resolution videos with much better quality. |
| DXOMark Score (Main) | 149 | N/A | Mate 50 Pro's camera has been evaluated by DXOMark, demonstrating superior image and video quality. |
| DXOMark Score (Selfie) | 145 | N/A | Mate 50 Pro selfie camera has been evaluated by DXOMark, demonstrating better overall quality than the average. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4700mAh | 4500mAh | Mate 50 Pro has a slightly larger battery, potentially giving you a bit more runtime. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging (Li-Ion) | 66W Fast Charging (Li-Polymer) | Both charge quickly, but slight difference in battery chemistry. |
| Wireless Charging | 50W Wireless, 7.5W Reverse | None | Mate 50 Pro offers wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 256/512GB | 128/256/512GB | Similar maximum storage options, but the nova 11 offers an entry level 128GB model. |
| RAM | 8GB | 6/8/12GB | nova 11 has an option for more RAM, which is better for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards. |
| Other | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both phones are comparable. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 LE | Both phones are comparable but nova 11 has additional features. |
| GPS | More advanced | More advanced | Both are good for navigation. Nova 11 has better and more advanced systems. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei Mate 50 Pro:
Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip delivers significantly better performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Advanced Camera System: Offers superior low-light performance, optical zoom, and a versatile triple-lens setup with a wide-angle and telephoto lens.
- Wireless Charging: Supports fast wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, adding convenience.
- Better Build Quality While this is inferred, the price of the phone and features like the better camera and processing speed imply a higher build quality.
Trade-offs:
- Weight and Thickness: Bulkier and heavier than the nova 11.
- No 5G: Neither phone offers 5G support.
- Price: Likely to be more expensive.
Huawei nova 11:
- Strengths:
- Light and Slim Design: More comfortable to hold and carry.
- Brighter Display: Excellent visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
- High-Resolution Selfie Camera: Ideal for selfie enthusiasts who value detailed images.
- More RAM Options: Offers a 12GB RAM option for those who need extensive multitasking capabilities.
- Trade-offs:
- Mid-Range Performance: Uses a less powerful chip, impacting gaming and intensive app performance.
- Basic Camera System: Lacks a dedicated telephoto lens and a wide-angle lens, reducing camera versatility.
- No Wireless Charging: Does not offer wireless charging features.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
For the Power User (Mate 50 Pro):
- Gamers: The superior processor and GPU provide smooth, immersive gaming experiences.
- Photography Enthusiasts: The versatile camera system excels in various conditions.
- Multi-Taskers: Can handle demanding applications and heavy usage with ease.
- Users who Want Wireless Charging and other Advanced Features Wireless charging and other features might be desired by high-end users.
For the Everyday User (nova 11):
- Social Media Fans: The excellent selfie camera is perfect for capturing everyday moments.
- Style-Conscious Users: The slim design and vibrant display are attractive.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Offers a good balance of features and performance at a potentially lower price.
- Users Prioritizing Comfort: The lighter and slimmer design is great for those who want a phone that’s easy to use for long periods.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
How important is high-end gaming and processing power?
- If gaming and intensive apps are crucial, the Mate 50 Pro is the better choice.
- For everyday use and lighter tasks, the nova 11 is more than sufficient.
Do you prioritize camera versatility or selfie quality?
- If you want the most versatile camera setup with a telephoto and wide-angle, go for the Mate 50 Pro.
- If you prioritize selfies, the high-resolution front camera of the nova 11 is ideal.
How important is wireless charging, and is design comfort a priority?
- If you need wireless charging, or plan to use your phone as a wireless charger for other devices, the Mate 50 Pro is your choice.
- If you prioritize a light and slim phone, the nova 11 is more comfortable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget Conscious, Casual User): If you are a social media user who needs an attractive phone that’s easy to use for casual tasks, the nova 11 is a great fit.
- Scenario 2 (Photography Enthusiast, Power User): If you need a versatile camera, prefer high-end performance, and are okay with a slightly bulkier device, the Mate 50 Pro is the better option.
- Scenario 3 (Comfort, Selfie Focused User): If you prefer a light device with a great selfie camera and plan to use it under bright sunlight, the nova 11 is the preferred option.
My Choice
If I were to pick between these two devices, I'd lean towards the Huawei Mate 50 Pro. Despite its bulk and the lack of 5G support, the significant performance boost with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, the incredible camera system versatility, and the addition of wireless charging would significantly benefit my daily use. I value a phone that excels in multiple areas and the Mate 50 Pro delivers on that.
While the nova 11 is a fantastic phone, particularly if you value a slim design and better selfie quality, the comprehensive feature set and performance offered by the Mate 50 Pro cater to my needs and make it the better choice.
