Samsung Galaxy S23 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 78.83 cm³ 83.47 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.63 "/g 3.99 "/g
Weight 168 g 168 g
Height 146.3 mm 161.3 mm
Width 70.9 mm 75 mm
Thickness 7.6 mm 6.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Green
  • Graphite
  • Phantom Black
  • Lavender
  • Cream
  • Lime
  • Gold
  • Black
  • White
  • Green

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1080 x 2340 1084 x 2412
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 88.1 % 89.5 %
Pixel Density 425 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 104.81 mAh/in² 100.25 mAh/in²
Battery Density 49.47 mAh/cm³ 53.91 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 3900 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 S23Huawei nova 11Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6161.3 x 75 x 6.9S23 is significantly smaller and easier to handle one-handed; Nova 11 is taller and wider.
Weight (g)168168Identical weight, despite size difference.
Build MaterialUnspecifiedUnspecifiedMaterial affects durability and premium feel; information lacking for both.
Display
Display TypeDynamic AMOLED 2XOLEDS23's Dynamic AMOLED 2X likely offers better contrast, brightness, and color accuracy compared to Nova 11's OLED.
Display Size (inches)6.16.7Nova 11 provides a larger screen for media consumption and multitasking; S23 is more pocketable.
Resolution1080 x 23401084 x 2412Similar pixel density, but Nova 11's larger size results in slightly lower sharpness (425 ppi vs 391 ppi). Negligible difference in practice.
Refresh Rate (Hz)120120Both offer smooth scrolling and animations.
Peak Brightness (nits)1750950S23 is significantly brighter, ensuring better outdoor visibility.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 2Snapdragon 778G 4GS23 boasts a flagship processor, resulting in significantly faster performance, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities.
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's CPU has a more powerful core configuration, leading to noticeable performance advantages.
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 642LS23's GPU offers significantly improved graphics performance for demanding games and applications.
RAM (GB)88Both offer ample RAM for smooth multitasking.
Camera
Main Camera (MP)5050Megapixel count is similar, but sensor quality and processing significantly impact image quality. Details about Nova 11's sensor are missing.
Ultrawide (MP)12.28S23 offers a higher resolution ultrawide camera.
Telephoto (MP)10UnspecifiedS23 has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom; unclear if Nova 11 has optical zoom capabilities.
Selfie Camera (MP)1260Nova 11 has a significantly higher resolution selfie camera, but pixel size and sensor details are crucial for image quality.
Video RecordingUp to 8K@30fpsUp to 720p@960fps (Slow-mo)S23 offers superior video recording capabilities with higher resolution and frame rates. Nova 11's specification highlights only slow-motion capability.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)39004500Nova 11 has a larger battery capacity, potentially offering longer battery life.
Fast Charging25W66WNova 11 supports significantly faster charging.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy S23 Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip provides a significant performance advantage for demanding tasks and gaming.
  • Brighter, More Vibrant Display: The Dynamic AMOLED 2X offers better outdoor visibility and a more immersive viewing experience.
  • More Versatile Camera System: Dedicated telephoto lens and superior video recording capabilities.
  • More Compact Form Factor: Easier to handle and carry.

Huawei nova 11 Advantages:

  • Larger Battery: Potentially longer battery life.
  • Faster Charging: Significantly reduces charging time.
  • Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Potentially better selfie image quality, though sensor details are crucial.
  • Larger Display: Better for media consumption and multitasking.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy S23: Users who prioritize performance, camera quality, a compact size, and a premium display experience. Ideal for mobile gaming, photography, and everyday use in various conditions.

Huawei nova 11: Users who prioritize battery life, a large screen for media consumption, and fast charging. Suitable for casual users, social media enthusiasts, and those who watch a lot of videos on their phones. Price conscious buyers might find this appealing.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget and how important is performance? The S23 is a more expensive but significantly more powerful device.
  2. What is your primary use case? Gaming and photography enthusiasts would prefer the S23, while media consumers might lean towards the Nova 11.
  3. How important is battery life and charging speed? The Nova 11 offers a larger battery and much faster charging.

My Choice: Samsung Galaxy S23

While the Huawei Nova 11 offers a larger battery and faster charging, the Samsung Galaxy S23 is the superior device overall due to its significantly better performance, brighter and higher quality display, and more versatile camera system. The compact form factor is also a plus for me. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a game-changer for demanding tasks and future-proofs the phone better than the Snapdragon 778G. Although the Nova 11 boasts a higher resolution front camera, the lack of detailed sensor specifications makes it difficult to assess its true quality. The S23's overall camera system, with its dedicated telephoto lens and superior video recording capabilities, is a clear winner for me. In the long run, the superior performance and features of the S23 would offer a more satisfying user experience.

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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