Smartphone Comparison: Realme GT 5G vs. Huawei nova 11
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme GT 5G | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158.5 x 73.3 x 8.4 mm | 161.3 x 75 x 6.9 mm | Huawei nova 11 is taller and wider but significantly thinner; Realme GT 5G is more compact but thicker. Affects pocketability and hand feel. |
| Weight | 186g | 168g | Huawei nova 11 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and single-handed operation. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.7" | Huawei nova 11 has a slightly larger display, offering a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1084x2412 | Both offer very similar sharpness; practically no visible difference in pixel density. |
| PPI | 409 | 391 | Similar pixel density, resulting in very similar perceived sharpness and clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; minimal practical difference in display quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both, resulting in more responsive user interface. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | Huawei nova 11 display is significantly brighter, offering better visibility in outdoor or very bright conditions, especially in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | Realme GT 5G has a significantly more powerful chipset for gaming and intensive tasks. Huawei nova 11 offers good performance for daily use. |
| Antutu Score | 912,342 | 587,561 | Realme GT 5G has a much higher benchmark score, indicating much better performance for demanding applications and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 642L | Realme GT 5G's GPU is much more powerful, delivering better graphics in gaming and other graphically intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Both have the same battery capacity; should offer similar battery life for general usage, although other factors affect this. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Both offer very fast charging, with Huawei nova 11 being slightly faster. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Huawei nova 11 can act as a power bank to charge other devices. Both have non-removable batteries. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" (Realme), 50MP, f/1.9 (Huawei) | 50MP, f/1.9 (Huawei) | Realme GT 5G has a higher megapixel count and wider aperture; potentially better low-light photos; While details for the Huawei are lacking, the Realme should be negligibly better |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.5 | 60MP, f/2.4, 1/2.8" (Omnivision OV60A) | Huawei nova 11 has a much higher megapixel count and wider aperture, leading to higher detail and better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.3 | None | Realme GT 5G offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in the frame. Huawei nova 11 does not have this feature |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme GT 5G offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. Huawei nova 11 does not have this feature |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | Huawei nova 11 provides a single sensor for both wide angle and macro, whereas Realme has separate sensors for each functionality |
| Video | Up to 4K 60fps with EIS | 720p@960fps with EIS | Realme GT 5G can shoot up to 4K video at 60fps which allows for much higher quality recordings, while Huawei is limited to 720p quality with faster slow motion. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 14) | Unknown OS | Realme GT 5G has a known and up-to-date Android OS. The OS for the Huawei is not listed. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Huawei nova 11 has a newer, faster, and more efficient WiFi standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 | Both offer similar Bluetooth capabilities. |
| GPS | Multiple systems | More systems | Huawei nova 11 offers better location accuracy, with more satellite systems for more reliable positioning. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM usage. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 128/256/512GB | Huawei nova 11 provides more internal storage options, making it better for users with large media libraries. |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 6/8/12GB | Both offer very similar RAM capabilities, for multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Both lack expandable storage, so users are limited to the internal storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Stereo Speakers | Realme GT 5G offers superior audio quality and features with Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio and 2 microphones for clearer recordings. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both phones have basic fingerprint authentication. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have unknown screen protection, making it difficult to assess their durability against scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Huawei nova 11 has an additional gyroscope sensor for motion tracking in games and VR apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme GT 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers significantly better performance than the Snapdragon 778G 4G in the Huawei, making it better for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Enhanced Audio: Features like Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio provide a better multimedia experience.
- Dedicated Camera Lenses: Dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses provide more creative versatility in photography.
- 4K Video: Supports higher quality video recording at 4K@60fps
Huawei nova 11 Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner Design: More comfortable to hold and carry.
- Brighter Display: Better visibility in outdoor conditions.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Captures more detailed and better quality selfies.
- Longer Storage Options: The 512GB variant provides significantly more storage for media-heavy users.
- More GPS Systems: Better location accuracy.
- Reverse Charging: Can be used as a powerbank for other devices.
- Wi-Fi 6 Support: Faster and more efficient Wi-Fi connectivity.
Trade-offs:
- Realme GT 5G trades off a bit of portability and display brightness for much higher overall performance.
- Huawei nova 11 trades off performance and camera versatility for a more portable design and better selfie camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme GT 5G Ideal User:
- Gamers: The powerful Snapdragon 888, Adreno 660 GPU, and 120Hz refresh rate provide a smooth gaming experience.
- Power Users: Users who need to run demanding applications, multitask heavily, or edit media.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Appreciates Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio for an immersive experience.
Use Cases for Realme GT 5G:
- High-end mobile gaming (e.g., Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile).
- Video editing on the go.
- Running multiple demanding apps simultaneously.
- Enjoying high-quality audio on the go.
Huawei nova 11 Ideal User:
- Social Media Enthusiasts: The high-resolution selfie camera is perfect for capturing great photos.
- Users Prioritizing Portability: The thin and lightweight design makes it comfortable to carry.
- Everyday Users: Good enough performance for regular tasks like browsing, communication, and casual media consumption.
- Users needing higher storage: The 512 GB variant allows for storing many files
- Users requiring reverse charging: Convenient to charge other devices.
Use Cases for Huawei nova 11:
- Taking high-quality selfies and group photos.
- Comfortable handling and one-handed use.
- Extensive media consumption with a bright display.
- Frequent usage of Wi-Fi 6 networks.
- Using reverse charging when other chargers are not available.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Realme GT 5G offers great performance for the price, especially for mobile gaming and heavy usage, making it good value for performance-focused users.
- The Huawei nova 11 provides a balanced package for a good price, better for everyday usage with an emphasis on portability and selfies, making it better value for those users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize performance or portability? If performance, the Realme is the clear choice. If portability, the Huawei is better.
- How much importance do you place on camera quality, specifically selfies? If selfie quality is important, the Huawei wins, but the Realme has more versatile rear camera system.
- What is your primary use case? Gamers and power users will prefer the Realme, while social media enthusiasts and everyday users may prefer the Huawei.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent Mobile Gamer: Choose the Realme GT 5G for its superior performance.
- Scenario 2: Social Media Content Creator: Choose the Huawei nova 11 for its higher-resolution selfie camera.
- Scenario 3: Heavy Media User: Choose the Huawei nova 11 for its bright display and higher storage options.
- Scenario 4: Performance on a Budget: Choose the Realme GT 5G for its performance per dollar.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones for myself, I would pick the Realme GT 5G. While the Huawei nova 11 has a more appealing design and a better selfie camera, I prioritize performance and gaming capabilities. The significant performance difference of the Snapdragon 888 chipset, the more versatile main camera system and enhanced audio features make the Realme GT 5G a better fit for my needs. Although the screen is less bright, the superior performance, better main camera, and enhanced audio are worth the compromise. The lower benchmark score, inferior main camera, and weaker chipset make the Huawei a harder sell for me, even if I enjoy the reverse charging and brighter display. Ultimately the Realme GT 5G provides me more of what I would want from a phone.
