1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 158.3 x 73.3 x 8.2 mm | 164.3 x 74.4 x 7.9 mm | Huawei nova 11 Pro is taller and slightly wider, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use for some. Nord is slightly thicker. |
| Weight | 184g | 188g | Negligible difference. Both feel similarly substantial in hand. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus Nord offers better screen protection against scratches and drops. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.44" | 6.78" | Huawei nova 11 Pro provides a more immersive viewing experience for videos and gaming. Nord is more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1200x2652 | Huawei nova 11 Pro offers sharper images and text, especially noticeable when viewing high-resolution content. |
| PPI | 408 | 429 | Huawei nova 11 Pro has slightly better clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar quality, vibrant colors and deep blacks on both. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Huawei nova 11 Pro provides smoother scrolling and animations, which is noticeable in fast-paced games and UI interactions. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | Huawei nova 11 Pro is much more usable outdoors in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | OnePlus Nord has a 5G chipset and better CPU performance, while the Huawei is 4G. |
| AnTuTu Score | 714,400 | 592,297 | OnePlus Nord may handle more demanding games and multitasking slightly better. |
| GPU | Adreno 620 (9x Arm Mali-G77 MC9) | Adreno 642L (Adreno 642L) | OnePlus Nord will have a smoother experience in graphically intensive games. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | 50MP, f/1.9 | OnePlus Nord has a brighter lens and a larger sensor for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/2.74" Sony IMX615 | 60MP, f/2.4, 1/2.8" Omnivision OV60A | Huawei nova 11 Pro captures more detailed selfies, especially in good lighting. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25, 1/2.8" Sony IMX355 | Wide Angle + Macro (8MP, f/2.2) | Nord offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for expansive shots, while the Huawei offers a wide-angle and macro. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 720p@960fps with EIS | OnePlus Nord offers higher resolution video recording for sharper and more detailed videos, while the Huawei offers better slow motion. |
| Features | OIS | Dual Front Camera | The OnePlus Nord has OIS which will help with stable photos and videos. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Similar battery life on both phones. |
| Charging | 65W | 100W | Huawei nova 11 Pro charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | None | Reverse Charging | Huawei nova 11 Pro can be used to charge other devices wirelessly. |
Software
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 12) | Unknown | OnePlus Nord has access to the Google Play Store, while the Huawei does not due to trade restrictions, which may limit app availability and updates. |
Storage
| Feature | OnePlus Nord | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | Unknown | 128/256/512GB | Huawei nova 11 Pro users have significantly more storage for apps, photos, videos, and other files. |
| RAM | Unknown | 6/8/12GB | Huawei nova 11 Pro allows for smoother multitasking and the ability to run more demanding applications simultaneously. |
| Expandable | No | No | Users need to choose a storage configuration that meets their long-term needs. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus Nord Advantages:
- Better CPU performance: Snapdragon 765G offers better performance.
- 5G Connectivity: Allows for faster download and streaming speeds where 5G is available.
- Wider main camera aperture and larger sensor: Better low-light photography.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Helps reduce blur in photos and videos, especially in low light.
Huawei nova 11 Pro Advantages:
- Larger, higher resolution display: More immersive viewing experience.
- 120Hz Refresh Rate: Smoother scrolling and animations.
- Higher Brightness: Better outdoor visibility.
- Faster Charging: 100W charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: More detailed selfies.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices wirelessly.
- More RAM and Storage: Allows for smoother multitasking, running more demanding apps, and storing more data.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus Nord sacrifices display quality and charging speed for better CPU performance and camera stabilization.
- Huawei nova 11 Pro sacrifices CPU performance and 5G connectivity for a superior display and faster charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus Nord:
- Ideal User: Someone who values performance and wants a 5G phone with better camera stability.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gamers who need a phone that can handle demanding games.
- Users who take a lot of photos and videos, especially in low light conditions.
Huawei nova 11 Pro:
- Ideal User: Someone who prioritizes display quality and wants a fast-charging phone with a great selfie camera.
- Use Cases:
- Multimedia consumers who watch a lot of videos and play games.
- Social media enthusiasts who take a lot of selfies and appreciate a vibrant display.
- Users who need a phone that charges quickly.
4. Decision Framework
Consider these questions:
- Do I need 5G connectivity? If yes, the OnePlus Nord is the better choice.
- Do I prioritize display quality and brightness? If yes, the Huawei nova 11 Pro is the better choice.
- How important is fast charging? If very important, the Huawei nova 11 Pro has a significant advantage.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Traveler: OnePlus Nord (5G connectivity is crucial when traveling).
- Content Creator: OnePlus Nord (OIS and 4k video are important for content creation).
- Social Media Influencer: Huawei nova 11 Pro (Selfie camera and display quality are very important for social media).
- Gamer: OnePlus Nord (Better GPU and CPU).
My Choice
If I had to pick one, I would choose the OnePlus Nord. While the Huawei nova 11 Pro boasts a better screen and faster charging, the OnePlus Nord offers a more balanced package with its superior CPU and better GPU performance, and better video recording thanks to the OIS. The availability of 5G is another advantage. While the lack of expandable storage is a bummer, I find the overall performance and camera capabilities of the OnePlus Nord to be more important for my needs.
