Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and the Huawei nova 11 Pro. As a tech journalist, I'm always keen to see how specs translate into real-world experiences, and that's exactly what we'll be focusing on here.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at how these two devices stack up, with a focus on what it actually means for you:
| Feature | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-28 | 2023-04-27 | The nova 11 Pro is the newer device by about 6 months; this might mean newer software and potential longer support. |
| Size | 162.1 × 75.5 × 8.5 mm | 164.3 × 74.4 × 7.9 mm | Mate 50 Pro is slightly shorter but wider and thicker, which affects grip and in-pocket feel; the Nova is taller but slimmer and might feel more modern. |
| Weight | 205g | 188g | The nova 11 Pro is noticeably lighter (17g) and will likely be more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.74" | 6.78" | Practically the same, this difference is negligible; both offer expansive viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1212x2616 | 1200x2652 | Similar high resolutions; expect sharp and detailed visuals on both phones, with the Nova having a slightly higher vertical resolution. |
| PPI | 428 | 429 | Virtually identical pixel densities; both offer crisp text and images. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both utilize OLED technology, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both devices; great for gaming and browsing. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | The nova 11 Pro has significantly higher brightness; essential for outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4nm) | Snapdragon 778G 4G (6nm) | The Mate 50 Pro has a more powerful processor, leading to faster app loading, better multitasking, and smoother performance in demanding tasks like gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,022,043 | 592,297 | The Mate 50 Pro has a significantly higher score, which means noticeable performance gains. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 642L | The Mate 50 Pro’s GPU is superior, ensuring better gaming performance and smoother graphics. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard (Main) | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | 50MP, f/1.9 | The Mate 50 Pro has a wider aperture, capturing more light and typically resulting in better low-light performance; also, it has a better sensor. |
| Selfie | 13MP, f/2.4 | 60MP, f/2.4, 1/2.8", Omnivision OV60A | The nova 11 Pro boasts a much higher resolution selfie camera which should make for sharper, more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2", Omnivision OV64B | None | The Mate 50 Pro includes a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoomed shots, which is a big advantage for versatile photography. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2, Sony IMX688 | None | The Mate 50 Pro has a dedicated ultrawide camera for landscape and group photos. |
| Wide Angle+Macro | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | The nova 11 Pro includes a ultrawide + macro lens, which is great for details and closer subjects. |
| Video (max) | 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS; multiple slow-mo options | 720p@960fps with EIS | The Mate 50 Pro can shoot in much higher resolutions like 4K, which is excellent for vlogging and videos with more detail; both have slow motion capabilities, but Mate 50 Pro has better options. |
| DXOMark Scores | Mobile: 149, Selfie: 145 | N/A | The Mate 50 Pro is an established top tier camera performer, giving an indication of image quality; we lack dxomark score for the Nova 11 Pro, which should be less capable. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4700mAh | 4500mAh | The Mate 50 Pro has a slightly larger battery, but real-world battery life will vary based on usage; the difference is not that significant. |
| Charging | 66W fast charging | 100W fast charging | The nova 11 Pro has much faster charging and will fill the battery considerably quicker. |
| Features | 50W wireless, 7.5W reverse | Reverse charging | The Mate 50 Pro offers versatile charging including wireless and reverse charging options. |
| Other | |||
| OS | Both run same (unknown) OS. | ||
| RAM | 8GB | 6GB, 8GB, or 12GB | The nova 11 Pro has an edge offering more RAM in higher end configurations. |
| Expandable storage | No | No | Neither phone support expandable storage. |
| GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Huawei nova 11 Pro supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
2. Key Insights
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro: This phone is the performance powerhouse, with a significantly better processor, GPU, and camera system. It boasts a versatile triple camera setup with a telephoto lens, a wider main aperture for low-light, and wireless charging, also offering higher quality 4k video. It is the clear winner if camera and high-performance computing are the focus.
- Huawei nova 11 Pro: This phone is the more modern device with a slimmer and lighter design, a brighter display for better outdoor visibility, a much higher resolution front facing camera, and faster charging. It also boasts more RAM configurations. While it has good video recording capabilities, it is limited to 720p at 960fps. The main camera, while featuring 50MP, lacks some of the advantages of the Mate 50 Pro's main lens.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro: Best for power users, photographers, and anyone who needs top-tier performance. This is the choice for serious mobile gaming, demanding applications, and capturing professional-quality photos and videos.
- Huawei nova 11 Pro: Ideal for those who want a stylish, lightweight, and modern phone with a great selfie camera, very bright display, and ultra-fast charging. It's a solid option for everyday use, social media, and casual photography, great for a more casual user.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Do you need the absolute best performance and camera? If yes, the Mate 50 Pro is the better option.
- Is fast charging, better brightness, and a premium selfie camera more important to you? The nova 11 Pro excels in those areas.
- Are you looking for better all around camera features with 4k video? The Mate 50 Pro's optical and telephoto lens give it the advantage.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
The "Content Creator": If you're frequently filming videos and taking photos for social media, the Huawei Mate 50 Pro's superior camera system and 4K video recording are a must.
The "Casual User": If you mainly browse social media, email, and take occasional photos, the Huawei nova 11 Pro offers a sleek design and a solid experience with its brighter screen and much faster charging, with an added bonus of an excellent selfie camera.
The "Power User": For those who push their phones to the limit with heavy gaming and multitasking, the Huawei Mate 50 Pro’s powerful processor and GPU are essential.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I'd pick the Huawei Mate 50 Pro. While the nova 11 Pro is a newer, lighter, and sleeker device, the Mate 50 Pro’s much more powerful performance, superior camera system, and versatile video capabilities align much better with my tech journalist and power user needs. I need a device that can handle demanding tasks and consistently capture high-quality photos and videos, even in challenging conditions. While fast charging is tempting, I prefer the wireless charging capabilities and top-notch image quality offered by the Mate 50 Pro.
