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

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

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

Physical

Volume 113.58 cm³ 96.57 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 2.91 "/g 3.61 "/g
Weight 234 g 188 g
Height 163.4 mm 164.3 mm
Width 78.1 mm 74.4 mm
Thickness 8.9 mm 7.9 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 " 6.78 "
Resolution 1440 x 3088 1200 x 2652
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 89.5 % 91.1 %
Pixel Density 500 PPI 429 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 97.89 mAh/in²
Battery Density 44.02 mAh/cm³ 46.6 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 11 ProPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9164.3 x 74.4 x 7.9S23 Ultra slightly shorter and wider, Nova 11 Pro thinner. Negligible difference in hand feel.
Weight (g)234188Nova 11 Pro significantly lighter, reducing hand fatigue during extended use.
BuildGlass front & back, aluminum frameMissingBuild materials impact durability and premium feel. Information needed for Nova 11 Pro.
Display
Display Size (inches)6.86.78Virtually identical screen real estate.
Resolution (px)1440 x 30881200 x 2652S23 Ultra's much higher resolution provides significantly sharper text and images, better for detail-oriented tasks and media consumption.
Display TypeDynamic AMOLED 2XOLEDBoth offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. S23 Ultra's Dynamic AMOLED 2X likely offers better brightness and HDR performance.
Refresh Rate (Hz)120120Both offer smooth scrolling and animations.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)S23 Ultra has a significantly more powerful processor, resulting in much faster performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and multitasking.
CPUOcta-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)S23 Ultra's CPU architecture and higher clock speeds provide superior performance.
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 642LS23 Ultra's GPU provides a substantial advantage in graphics performance for gaming and visually demanding applications.
RAM (GB)8/126/8/12More RAM in certain S23 Ultra variants enables better multitasking.
Camera
Main Camera (MP)20050S23 Ultra boasts significantly higher resolution, potentially capturing more detail. Practical image quality depends on sensor size and processing.
Ultrawide (MP)128S23 Ultra's ultrawide likely offers better image quality due to higher resolution.
TelephotoDual Telephoto (10x & 3x Optical Zoom)No dedicated Telephoto lens mentionedS23 Ultra's dedicated telephoto lenses offer superior zoom capabilities. Zoom quality on Nova 11 Pro is unclear.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)50004500S23 Ultra offers slightly longer battery life.
Fast Charging (W)45100Nova 11 Pro charges significantly faster despite a smaller battery.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: Significantly more powerful processor and GPU for demanding tasks and gaming.
  • Sharper Display: Higher resolution display for clearer visuals.
  • Advanced Camera System: Higher resolution sensors, dual telephoto lenses for superior zoom capabilities.
  • Slightly Larger Battery: Potentially longer battery life.

Huawei nova 11 Pro Advantages:

  • Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use.
  • Faster Charging: Significantly faster charging speeds.
  • Potentially Lower Price: Depending on configuration, might offer better value for less demanding users.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Ideal for power users, gamers, photographers, and anyone who values top-tier performance, a stunning display, and a versatile camera system.

Huawei nova 11 Pro: Suitable for users prioritizing a lightweight design, fast charging, and a more affordable price point, who primarily use their phone for everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and communication. Not recommended for demanding users or mobile gamers. Lack of OS information is a major concern.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The S23 Ultra is generally more expensive.
  2. What are your primary phone usage patterns? Demanding tasks and gaming benefit from the S23 Ultra's power.
  3. How important are camera quality and zoom capabilities? The S23 Ultra has a clear advantage in this area.

My Choice: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

While the Huawei Nova 11 Pro offers a lighter design and incredibly fast charging, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the superior device overall. Its significantly more powerful processor, stunning high-resolution display, and vastly superior camera system make it the clear winner for my needs. I prioritize performance, a great screen, and a versatile camera, and am willing to pay more for these features. The lack of clear OS information on the Nova 11 Pro is also concerning, as it impacts app availability and overall user experience. Even if the Nova 11 Pro were cheaper, the S23 Ultra's advantages in key areas are substantial enough to justify the higher price for a power user.

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.