Alright, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Nokia X30 and the Huawei nova 11 Pro. These two phones, while sharing some common ground, cater to different priorities and use cases. My goal here isn't just to rattle off specs but to translate those numbers into real-world experiences for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Nokia X30 | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158.9 × 73.9 × 8 mm, 185g | 164.3 × 74.4 × 7.9 mm, 188g | Very similar, although the Huawei is slightly taller and heavier. Both are quite slim and pocketable. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus screen, recycled materials | Unknown screen protection, likely glass | Nokia's commitment to recycled materials is a plus for environmentally conscious users, and the Gorilla Glass is a huge plus. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.78" | The Huawei has a noticeably larger screen for more immersive viewing, while the Nokia is better for single-hand use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1200x2652 | The Huawei has a sharper display, translating to finer details and crisper text. |
| Pixel Density | 409 PPI | 429 PPI | The Huawei offers slightly sharper visuals and text. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; you are unlikely to notice a big difference. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Huawei's display offers smoother animations, especially for gaming and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | The Huawei is significantly brighter, making it much better for outdoor visibility, especially in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | Huawei's chip offers noticeably higher performance in benchmarks, translating to smoother everyday use and faster app loading. |
| AnTuTu Score | 410,072 | 592,297 | Huawei significantly outperforms the Nokia in benchmarks; this suggests a noticeable difference in overall responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 642L | The Huawei has a better GPU, which will benefit graphics-intensive tasks, like gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1.0µm | 50MP, f/1.9, no pixel size provided | Nokia has a slightly wider aperture, which can help in low-light situations but Huawei is known for better camera processing. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1.0µm | 60MP, f/2.4, 1/2.8" sensor, 0.61µm | Huawei's selfie camera has a much higher resolution and larger sensor for better detail and low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 13MP, f/2.4, no pixel size provided | 8MP, f/2.2, no pixel size provided | Nokia has an ultrawide, but Huawei combines ultrawide and macro for versatile photography. |
| Video | 1080p@60fps, OIS | 720p@960fps with EIS | Nokia offers standard 1080p with Optical Image Stabilization for smoother videos. Huawei provides significantly better slow motion with EIS |
| Features | OIS, CDAF, Night Mode | 4K Video, PDAF, Dual Front Camera, RAW | Nokia's OIS is a big plus for photo quality, while Huawei's RAW shooting is preferred by photography enthusiasts. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4200 mAh | 4500 mAh | The Huawei has a slightly larger battery; however, real-world battery life depends heavily on usage. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | Huawei's 100W fast charging is significantly faster; a game-changer for quickly topping up your phone. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | The Huawei offers reverse charging, which is a handy bonus for those with other devices to charge. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12, upgradeable to 13 | No OS Info Provided | Nokia provides stock Android with a commitment to updates; Huawei offers EMUI based on Android with a different user interface. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6, dual-band | WiFi 6, dual-band, MiMO | Huawei supports MiMO, which might offer better Wi-Fi stability in certain situations. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, LE, EDR | 5.2, LE | Huawei has the latest Bluetooth standard for enhanced performance, but both feature main codecs . |
| GPS | Multiple Standards, | Multiple Standards, GPS (L1+L5), | Huawei supports dual band L1+L5, resulting in better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Both phones can use two SIM cards at the same time. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB | 128/256/512GB | Huawei offers more storage capacity options. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 6/8/12GB | Huawei has a higher max RAM option for those who need heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion via microSD. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic Audio Features | Stereo Speakers | The Huawei should provide better sound separation for music and video watching. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both have similar basic fingerprint sensors. |
| Other | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | The Nokia X30 is more rugged with its Gorilla Glass protection. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Huawei offers additional Compass sensor, which is useful for navigation, and gravity for gaming. |
2. Key Insights
Nokia X30 Strengths:
- Eco-Friendly Design: The focus on recycled materials is a win for sustainability-minded users.
- Robust Build: Gorilla Glass Victus provides top-tier screen protection.
- Clean Software: Stock Android offers a bloatware-free experience and guaranteed updates.
- OIS on Main Camera: Optical Image Stabilization is crucial for sharper photos, especially in low light.
- Wide Angle Lens A dedicated wide angle lens provides more flexibility for your photos.
Huawei nova 11 Pro Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 778G is a faster and more capable chip, resulting in smoother, faster performance.
- Brighter Display: The significantly brighter display is much easier to view outdoors and makes all the difference for content consumption.
- Ultra-Fast Charging: 100W charging can quickly top up the phone in minutes, a massive convenience.
- Larger and Sharper Display: The bigger and higher res display makes the viewing experience more enjoyable.
- Superior Selfie Camera: 60MP camera for better detail and low-light performance, which content creators love.
- Versatile Camera System: It has both the ultrawide and macro lens integrated into one single unit.
- More RAM and Storage Options: It offers more capacity for both RAM and storage with 12GB and 512GB at the top end.
- Stereo Speakers: Offers significantly better sound, especially for gaming, watching videos and enjoying content.
- Reverse charging: Allows the phone to be used as a power bank to charge other devices.
- Better GPS: Dual band GPS support which provides enhanced location accuracy.
- Latest Bluetooth: Support for the latest bluetooth standard for enhanced performance and stability.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Nokia X30: Lower processing power, no expandable storage, lower brightness screen and slow charging, video is only 1080p for standard use case.
- Huawei nova 11 Pro: No 5G connectivity, no expandable storage, and may come with EMUI (a Huawei custom Android skin) which you may not enjoy.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Nokia X30 is Ideal For:
- Eco-Conscious Users: Those who prioritize sustainability and eco-friendly materials.
- Android Purists: Users who prefer a clean, stock Android experience.
- Casual Photographers: Those who value the OIS in the main camera for everyday photos.
- Users Looking for Durability: Gorilla Glass Victus adds extra peace of mind.
- Users on a Moderate Budget: A decent overall performance with robust features for the price.
Huawei nova 11 Pro is Ideal For:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who want a smooth and snappy phone experience.
- Content Creators: Those who need a high-quality front-facing camera and 4K video capability with RAW photo capture.
- Heavy Users: Those who benefit from faster charging speeds, larger batteries, and more storage.
- Outdoor Users: The brighter screen is a boon for visibility in daylight.
- Multitaskers With up to 12GB of RAM, this phone is excellent for heavy multitasking.
- Users Who Love to Watch Content: the bigger and sharper display, as well as the stereo speakers makes it a good phone for content consumption.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Do you value performance or sustainability?
- If performance is king, go with the Huawei. For a more eco-friendly choice, pick the Nokia.
- How important is outdoor visibility and charging speed?
- If you're often outdoors and need a phone that charges fast, the Huawei is a much better fit.
- Do you prefer a stock Android experience or a more feature-rich OS?
- If you like a clean, simple software experience, Nokia is the way to go. If you like customisation and don't mind EMUI, choose Huawei.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the eco-conscious everyday user: The Nokia X30 is a good blend of sustainability, durability, and decent performance with a clean Android experience.
- For the frequent traveller who values speed: The Huawei Nova 11 Pro will work well due to fast charging and bright display for outdoor use.
- For the multimedia consumer: The Huawei Nova 11 Pro with its better screen, stereo speakers and processing power, it would be a good fit.
- For the photographer: The Huawei Nova 11 Pro offers superior camera capabilities, better video recording, RAW support and a much better selfie camera.
My Choice
Personally, I would lean towards the Huawei nova 11 Pro. While I appreciate Nokia's commitment to sustainability and stock Android, the real-world performance gap is just too significant to ignore. The combination of a brighter, smoother display, significantly faster charging, more capable processor, and better camera make it a more compelling device for my daily needs. I also enjoy the additional RAM and storage options for future-proofing, alongside stereo speakers for immersive content consumption. The camera is also very versatile with 4K video recording and RAW support, alongside a very good selfie camera. Though the lack of 5G could be a limitation for some, the benefits of its superior features and performance outweigh the cost.
