1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 161.3 × 75 × 6.9 mm | Huawei nova 11 is significantly thinner (1.5mm), and therefore should feel more sleek and potentially better for pocketability. |
| Weight | 189g | 168g | Huawei nova 11 is 21g lighter, which makes it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.7" | Huawei nova 11 has a slightly larger display for more immersive media consumption, slightly better multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1084x2412 | Both phones have very similar resolution. Minimal difference in sharpness. |
| Pixel Density | 402 PPI | 391 PPI | Both have good pixel density, resulting in sharp images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both provide excellent color reproduction and deep blacks; difference between AMOLED and OLED is minimal. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and fluid animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | Huawei nova 11 is much better for outdoor use, offers superior visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | OnePlus 9R has a more powerful processor, which translates to faster app loading, smoother gameplay and overall snappier performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 587,561 | OnePlus 9R is significantly faster for demanding tasks like gaming or video editing. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 642L | OnePlus 9R has more powerful graphics processing, better for gaming and graphics-intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Similar battery capacity suggests comparable battery life for most daily usage patterns. |
| Charging | 65W | 66W | Both phones offer very fast charging speeds, Huawei Nova 11 is marginally faster. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Huawei Nova 11 can charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP f/1.7, Sony IMX586 | 50MP f/1.9 | Huawei nova 11 has a slightly higher resolution sensor, but OnePlus 9R has a wider aperture, likely better low light performance. |
| Front Camera | 16MP f/2.4, Sony IMX471 | 60MP f/2.4, Omnivision OV60A | Huawei nova 11 boasts a significantly higher resolution and larger sensor for detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 16MP f/2.2 | N/A | OnePlus 9R offers wide-angle photos, useful for group shots or landscapes. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | N/A | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode bokeh. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP f/2.4 | N/A | OnePlus 9R can capture close-up details. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | N/A | 8MP f/2.2 | Huawei nova 11 offers a single lens for ultrawide and macro functionality, this may have a slightly worse picture quality than having 2 dedicated lenses. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps, EIS | Up to 720p@960fps, EIS | OnePlus 9R offers higher resolution video recording, suitable for high-quality videos. |
| Features | Quadruple camera, OIS, RAW | Dual camera, Continuous Autofocus, RAW | OnePlus 9R has a more versatile camera system with optical image stabilization while Huawei nova 11 has continuous autofocus to follow moving subjects in videos. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 13) | (Android 13-based EMUI) | OnePlus 9R has a more familiar Android experience, while Huawei's EMUI has its own ecosystem and may not have Google services. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer fast wireless connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Huawei nova 11 has a slightly newer version with potentially better power efficiency and connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Huawei nova 11 supports more satellite systems and offers better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones support two SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Huawei nova 11 offers a 512 GB storage option. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 6GB/8GB/12GB | Both offer sufficient RAM options for most users. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows storage expansion via microSD. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation mic | Stereo Speakers | OnePlus 9R offers better audio experience with Dolby Atmos and noise cancellation. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint sensor based security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have similar screen protection technologies. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Huawei nova 11 features an additional Gravity Sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset offers significantly better performance for gaming and demanding applications. This is noticeable in faster app loading times and smoother overall performance.
- Versatile Camera System: Dedicated wide-angle, portrait, and macro lenses provide greater flexibility for different photography scenarios. The Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is very useful for clearer photos and videos, particularly in low light.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and noise cancellation provide an immersive experience, ensuring clearer audio for multimedia and calls.
- Stronger ecosystem The Oxygen OS ecosystem has more popularity and is considered closer to stock Android.
- Better Video Recording: 4K video recording capabilities, making it a better option for content creators and vloggers.
- Established Android OS: While older, the fully-fledged Android OS is supported by many apps and services, and will be updated to Android 13.
Huawei nova 11 Advantages:
- Lighter & Thinner Design: Its slimmer and lighter profile makes it more comfortable to hold and pocket, increasing its overall portability.
- Brighter Display: With 950 nits of peak brightness, it has a significant advantage in outdoor visibility, making it suitable for use under direct sunlight.
- Higher Resolution Front Camera: The 60MP front camera offers significantly better selfie quality with higher detail.
- Reverse Charging: This feature allows the phone to charge other devices wirelessly, very useful in certain use case scenarios.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: With Bluetooth 5.2 the connection and performance is expected to be slightly better than the OnePlus 9R.
- More Storage Options: Huawei nova 11 offers a 512GB variant.
- More Satellite Systems: More GPS systems supported gives better location accuracy.
- Newer Android Based OS: With the latest Android based EMUI OS, users will have a more up-to-date software experience.
- Dual-Purpose Lens: While not dedicated, the Wide Angle + Macro lens gives more functionality for close-up shots and landscapes.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9R: Is heavier and bulkier, has a lower brightness display, may have a lower quality selfie camera, lacks reverse charging and its processor is older.
- Huawei nova 11: Has a less powerful chipset, limited camera versatility, lacks a noise cancellation mic, and its OS is not as open and familiar.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R Ideal User:
- Mobile Gamers: The Snapdragon 870 chipset and Adreno 650 GPU make this a good choice for those who prioritize performance in mobile games.
- Content Creators: The 4K video recording and OIS offer good quality results for videography.
- Android Enthusiasts: Those looking for an android with a user-friendly and open OS and ecosystem.
- Multimedia Consumers: The Dolby Atmos audio provides a more immersive experience for movies, music and other media.
- Photography Enthusiasts: The dedicated camera lenses provide versatility for photography.
Huawei nova 11 Ideal User:
- Style-Conscious Users: The thin and light design and higher quality front camera will be appealing for those who value the look and feel of the phone, and those who want a higher quality selfie camera.
- Outdoor Users: The high-brightness display makes it suitable for use in bright outdoor environments, making it ideal for those who spend a lot of time outdoors.
- Casual Users: The less powerful processor might be fine for everyday tasks for non-demanding users.
- Users who value front camera: The 60MP front camera will provide excellent quality for selfies and video calls.
- Users who need to charge other devices: The reverse charging function will be a useful tool for those needing to charge other devices.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance or Design Priority: Do you prioritize raw processing power for gaming and demanding apps (OnePlus 9R), or do you prefer a thinner, lighter, and more stylish design (Huawei nova 11)?
- Camera Needs: Do you need a versatile rear camera system with different focal lengths (OnePlus 9R) or is a high-quality selfie camera the main priority (Huawei nova 11)?
- Software Preference: Do you prefer a more familiar Android experience and strong app support (OnePlus 9R) or are you open to using Huawei's EMUI interface and ecosystem (Huawei nova 11)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Gaming: If you're a gamer, the OnePlus 9R with its more powerful processor is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Outdoor Photography: The Huawei nova 11, with its brighter screen and high-resolution selfie camera, is better for outdoor use and taking selfies.
- Scenario 3: All-Around Use: The OnePlus 9R provides a better balance of performance, features, and software experience.
- Scenario 4: Style and Portability: The Huawei nova 11 excels in style, a very sleek design and a lighter weight.
- Scenario 5: Content Creation: The OnePlus 9R has higher quality video recording and OIS, which are important features for content creators.
- Scenario 6: Charging other devices: The Huawei nova 11 has reverse charging, this feature is perfect for those that need to charge other devices.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would personally choose the OnePlus 9R.
My Reasons:
- Performance: As someone who frequently uses my phone for gaming, and running a lot of apps, the Snapdragon 870 chipset's superior performance is a major advantage. This ensures a smoother and more responsive experience for a longer period of time.
- Camera Versatility: I like having a range of camera options, including wide-angle and macro lenses. The OIS is crucial for achieving clear photos and videos in various conditions.
- Software Familiarity: I value the user experience offered by the OnePlus oxygen OS.
- Video Quality: I also like having the option for higher resolution video recordings.
- Audio Quality: I do find the audio quality of the OnePlus 9R to be appealing.
While the Huawei nova 11 is a sleek device with an excellent front camera and a brighter display, the OnePlus 9R's overall performance, software experience and camera system align better with my primary needs and use cases. The slightly heavier weight is not a significant concern for me, and I don't prioritize the reverse charging function. Ultimately, the OnePlus 9R provides better value for my personal use case.
