Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus Nord vs. Huawei nova 11
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158.3 × 73.3 × 8.2 mm, 184g | 161.3 × 75 × 6.9 mm, 168g | Nova 11 is thinner and lighter, potentially more comfortable for one-handed use and pocketability. Nord has smaller overall volume. |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Nord offers better screen scratch resistance (assuming the Nova 11 doesn't have a comparable protection). |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.44" | 6.7" | Nova 11 provides a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1084x2412 | Negligible difference in sharpness. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Nova 11 offers smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits (Specification unclear, likely an error) | 950 nits | Nova 11 has significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight (assuming the Nord brightness is a realistic value). |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | Nord has 5G connectivity. Despite the higher Antutu score on Nord, the 778G will deliver slightly faster day-to-day performance and better power efficiency. |
| Antutu Score | 714,400 | 587,561 | Nord scores higher in benchmarks, indicating potentially better overall performance in demanding tasks, but practical differences may be minor. |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 642L | The Adreno 642L in the Nova 11 is generally considered more capable, offering better gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, Sony IMX766 | 50MP, f/1.9 | Nord's wider aperture (f/1.8) might result in slightly better low-light performance. Sensor model known. |
| Ultrawide Lens | 8MP | 8MP (Wide Angle + Macro) | Nord has a dedicated ultrawide lens, while Nova 11 combines ultrawide and macro functionality. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.45, Sony IMX615 | 60MP, f/2.4, Omnivision OV60A | Nova 11 offers higher resolution selfies, potentially capturing more detail. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | Up to 720p@960fps, EIS | Nord captures higher resolution video (4k vs 720p), crucial for video recording. Nova 11 captures 720p slow motion. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Similar battery life can be expected. |
| Charging | 65W | 66W | Negligible difference in charging speed. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Nova 11 can be used to charge other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10, upgradeable to 12 | (Missing) | The Nord is upgradable to Android 12. The operating system and its version on Nova 11 is unclear. |
| Connectivity | |||
| 5G | Yes | No | Nord supports 5G connectivity for faster mobile data speeds (where available). |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Nova 11 offers more advanced GPS features with support for additional satellite systems, offering better location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | (Unspecified) | 128/256/512 GB | Nova 11 offers multiple storage options, including a large 512GB variant. |
| RAM | (Unspecified) | 6/8/12 GB | Huawei Nova 11 offers different RAM options to support multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone | Stereo Speakers | Nord offers slightly clearer calls with noise cancellation microphone. |
| Other | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, RGB | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Both phones include basic sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus Nord Advantages:
- 5G Connectivity: Supports faster mobile data speeds where available.
- Noise Cancellation Microphone: Offers clearer call quality.
- Wider Main Camera Aperture: Better low-light camera performance.
- Gorilla Glass 5: Improved screen protection against scratches and drops.
- 4k Video Recording: Offers up to 4k video recording.
- Ultrawide lens: Has a dedicated ultrawide lens
Huawei nova 11 Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner Design: More comfortable for one-handed use and pocketability.
- Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility in sunlight.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother scrolling and animations.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: More detailed selfies.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices wirelessly.
- More Advanced GPS: Better location accuracy.
- Larger Storage Options: Up to 512GB internal storage.
Trade-offs:
- The OnePlus Nord trades a lighter design and brighter display for 5G connectivity and better screen protection.
- The Huawei Nova 11 sacrifices 5G and noise cancelling microphone for a more premium feeling device with reverse charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus Nord:
- Ideal User: Tech-savvy individuals who prioritize 5G connectivity, better screen protection, ultrawide camera, and clear communication.
- Use Cases:
- Frequent travelers who need reliable mobile data.
- Users who make a lot of phone calls in noisy environments.
- Users prone to dropping their phone.
- Photography enthusiasts that like wide angle photography
- Users who want to record high quality videos.
Huawei nova 11:
- Ideal User: Style-conscious individuals who value design, display quality, selfie performance, and extended storage.
- Use Cases:
- Social media enthusiasts who take many selfies.
- Users who watch videos and play games on their phone.
- Users who need a lot of internal storage for photos, videos, and apps.
- Users who want a stylish and lightweight device.
- Users who want to charge other devices.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Is 5G connectivity important to you? (If yes, OnePlus Nord is the better choice).
- Do you prioritize design and display quality over other features? (If yes, Huawei nova 11 is the better choice).
- How much internal storage do you need? (If you need more than 128 GB, Huawei nova 11 is the better choice).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent Traveler: OnePlus Nord (for 5G connectivity and better screen protection).
- Scenario 2: Social Media Influencer: Huawei nova 11 (for high-resolution selfies and design).
- Scenario 3: Value-Conscious User: (Consider the prices in your region. If the price difference is significant, choose the more affordable option that meets your basic needs).
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Huawei nova 11. While the OnePlus Nord has appealing features like 5G connectivity and Gorilla Glass 5, the nova 11's brighter 120Hz display, lighter and thinner design, higher-resolution selfie camera, and larger storage options appeal more to my personal preferences. I value a smooth and visually pleasing display, a comfortable in-hand feel, and ample storage for my photos and videos. Additionally, the reverse charging is a great feature to have. I am also not in an area where 5G is necessary, and will have to evaluate the software situation of the Nova 11 to see if it is usable.
