Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Huawei nova 11 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date February 17, 2023 April 27, 2023
Release Year 2023 2023

Physical

Volume 113.58 cm³ 83.47 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 2.91 "/g 3.99 "/g
Weight 234 g 168 g
Height 163.4 mm 161.3 mm
Width 78.1 mm 75 mm
Thickness 8.9 mm 6.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Red
  • Green
  • Graphite
  • Phantom Black
  • Lavender
  • Cream
  • Sky Blue
  • Lime
  • BMW M Edition
  • Gold
  • Black
  • White
  • Green

Display

Screen Size 6.8 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1440 x 3088 1084 x 2412
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 89.5 % 89.5 %
Pixel Density 500 PPI 391 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 1200 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1750 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 108.13 mAh/in² 100.25 mAh/in²
Battery Density 44.02 mAh/cm³ 53.91 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 4500 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)
GPU Adreno 740 Adreno 642L

Connectivity

USB Version 3.2 2.0
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.2, OTG USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android N/A
Initial OS Version 13 N/A
Maximum OS Version 17

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S23 UltraHuawei nova 11Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9161.3 x 75 x 6.9S23 Ultra is slightly larger and thicker. Nova 11 is noticeably lighter.
Weight (g)234168Nova 11 is significantly lighter and more comfortable for extended use.
Display
Display TypeDynamic AMOLED 2XOLEDS23 Ultra offers potentially better contrast and color accuracy.
Display Size (inches)6.86.7Negligible difference in screen real estate.
Resolution1440 x 30881084 x 2412S23 Ultra has a much sharper display, beneficial for media consumption and detail-oriented tasks.
Refresh Rate (Hz)120120Both offer smooth scrolling and animations.
Peak Brightness (nits)1750950S23 Ultra is significantly brighter, improving outdoor visibility.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)S23 Ultra boasts significantly higher CPU and GPU performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
CPUOcta-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & ...)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & ...)S23 Ultra's more powerful CPU handles multitasking and complex applications with greater ease.
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 642LS23 Ultra offers a substantial advantage in graphics performance for gaming and visually intensive apps.
RAM (GB)8/128S23 Ultra offers a 12GB option for even smoother multitasking.
Camera
Main Camera (MP)20050S23 Ultra has a much higher resolution main sensor, potentially capturing more detail.
Ultrawide (MP)128S23 Ultra's ultrawide lens offers higher resolution.
TelephotoYes (2x and 10x optical zoom)No dedicated telephotoS23 Ultra offers superior zoom capabilities for distant subjects.
Video RecordingUp to 8K@30fpsUp to 4K (resolution unspecified)S23 Ultra supports higher resolution video recording.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)50004500S23 Ultra offers slightly longer battery life.
Fast Charging (W)4566Nova 11 charges faster despite a smaller battery.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides a significant performance advantage for demanding tasks, gaming, and multitasking.
  • Sharper Display: Higher resolution and peak brightness result in a more detailed and vibrant viewing experience.
  • Advanced Camera System: The 200MP main sensor, dedicated telephoto lenses, and 8K video recording offer greater versatility and quality.
  • Slightly Longer Battery Life: The 5000mAh battery provides a slight edge in usage time.

Huawei nova 11 Advantages:

  • Lighter and Thinner: Noticeably more comfortable to hold and carry.
  • Faster Charging: 66W fast charging replenishes the battery quicker.
  • Lower Price: Offers good value for its features.

Trade-offs:

  • Nova 11: Compromises on performance, camera capabilities, and display quality for a lighter, more affordable package.
  • S23 Ultra: Larger, heavier, and more expensive, but offers top-tier performance and features. Missing OS version information for the Nova 11 limits comparison in this area.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Ideal for power users, gamers, photography enthusiasts, and those who prioritize top-tier performance and display quality. Excellent for demanding tasks, content creation, and immersive media consumption.

Huawei nova 11: Suitable for users who prioritize portability, fast charging, and affordability. A good choice for everyday tasks, social media, and casual gaming. Best for users who value a lightweight phone for comfortable extended use.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The S23 Ultra is significantly more expensive.
  2. What are your performance needs? For demanding tasks and gaming, the S23 Ultra is the clear winner.
  3. What are your priorities in a smartphone? Consider factors like portability, camera quality, battery life, and display sharpness.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Heavy gamer: S23 Ultra
  • Photographer/Videographer: S23 Ultra
  • Budget-conscious user: Nova 11
  • User prioritizing portability: Nova 11

My Choice: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

While the Huawei nova 11 offers appealing features like faster charging and a lighter build, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is my choice due to its significantly superior performance, stunning display, and advanced camera system. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides a substantial real-world difference in speed and responsiveness, crucial for demanding tasks and future-proofing. The sharper display enhances media consumption and productivity, while the versatile camera system opens up creative possibilities. Although heavier and more expensive, the S23 Ultra's comprehensive feature set makes it a more compelling overall package for my needs. The lack of detailed OS information for the Nova 11 also raises concerns about long-term software support and app compatibility.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.