Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro vs. Huawei nova 11
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm | 161.3 x 75 x 6.9 mm | Poco X3 Pro is bulkier and thicker. The nova 11 is significantly thinner and more pocketable. |
| Weight | 215g | 168g | Huawei nova 11 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass 6 Front, plastic back and frame | Unknown Front, Plastic back, plastic frame | Poco X3 pro is more durable due to the Gorilla Glass 6. Nova 11 screen protection is unknown |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Very similar screen size; negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1084 x 2412 | Practically identical sharpness; negligible difference in pixel count. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 391 PPI | Virtually the same level of display clarity. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | OLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to IPS LCD, enhancing viewing experience especially for videos and photos. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, beneficial for gaming and general usage. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | The Huawei nova 11 offers dramatically better outdoor visibility, significantly improving usability in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | The Snapdragon 860 in the Poco X3 Pro provides slightly better raw processing power, while the Snapdragon 778G in the nova 11 is more power-efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 587,561 | Poco X3 Pro has a marginally higher score suggesting slightly better overall performance in benchmarks. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 642L | The Adreno 640 is slightly more powerful and capable of handling more demanding graphics tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Rear Camera (Main) | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" | 50MP, f/1.9 | The nova 11 has a slightly higher resolution. Poco X3 Pro has a wider aperture, which may perform better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4" | 60MP, f/2.4, 1/2.8" | The nova 11 boasts a significantly higher resolution and a larger sensor, likely producing better selfies with more detail. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" | Not Available | Poco X3 Pro offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing expansive scenes, while Nova 11 lacks one |
| Depth Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | Not Available | Poco X3 Pro features a depth sensor, enhancing portrait mode with better background blur. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | Not Available | Poco X3 Pro has a dedicated macro lens for capturing close-up details. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not Available | 8MP, f/2.2 | Huawei nova 11 offers the functionality of wide angle and macro in a single lens, which may have different image quality compared to the separate lenses on the Poco X3 Pro. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 720p@960fps | Poco X3 Pro can record in 4K, ideal for higher-quality videos. Huawei nova 11 has extremely good slow motion capabilities. |
| Camera Features | Quad Camera, Manual Focus | Dual Camera, Continuous Autofocus, Phase Detection AF, RAW | Each phone offers its own set of features. Poco X3 Pro has a more versatile set of lens, but Nova 11 excels at autofocus and provides more post processing options with RAW. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 4500mAh | Poco X3 Pro has a larger battery, likely providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | The nova 11 charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Huawei Nova 11 has the added advantage of reverse charging other devices. |
Software
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 12 | The nova 11 will have a slightly newer Android OS version. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6) | Huawei nova 11 supports Wi-Fi 6, offering faster speeds and better performance on modern networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Huawei nova 11 has a newer, more efficient Bluetooth standard. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Huawei nova 11 has more accurate GPS with more satellites supported. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support Dual SIM functionality. |
Storage & RAM
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | The nova 11 offers a 512GB option for those needing more storage for large media files or apps. |
| RAM | 6GB / 8GB | 6GB / 8GB / 12GB | The nova 11 has a 12GB RAM option, beneficial for heavy multitasking and demanding games. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, limiting user's maximum storage capacity. |
Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | The Poco X3 Pro has a slight advantage in audio quality, offering Hi-Res Audio. |
Security
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor is usually more accessible and intuitive than back-mounted. |
Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Both share similar sensors; Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has an additional Ultrasonic proximity sensor whereas Huawei Nova 11 has a dedicated Proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Stronger Performance: Slightly better chipset (Snapdragon 860) for intensive tasks and gaming.
- Larger Battery: 5160mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life.
- More Versatile Cameras: Dedicated wide-angle, macro, and depth cameras enhance shooting options.
- Hi-Res Audio: Better audio experience for audiophiles.
- Gorilla Glass 6: Superior scratch and damage protection for the screen.
Huawei nova 11 Advantages:
- Superior Display: OLED screen offers significantly better picture quality (contrast, vibrancy).
- Higher Brightness: 950 nits enables better visibility in bright sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 66W fast charging provides rapid battery replenishment.
- Better Selfies: 60MP front camera and larger sensor captures more detailed selfies.
- Lighter and Thinner Design: More ergonomic and portable.
- Newer WiFi and Bluetooth: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, offering faster speeds and more efficient connections.
- More RAM/Storage: 12 GB RAM and 512GB internal storage options for intensive multitasking and a lot of storage.
- Advanced GPS: More accurate GPS with more satellite systems supported.
Trade-offs:
- Poco X3 Pro: Trades superior display technology and design for better performance and battery life.
- Huawei nova 11: Trades marginally weaker performance and smaller battery for a much more premium display and a very sleek design.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Ideal Users:
- Gamers: Those who prioritize performance and sustained gameplay will benefit from the Snapdragon 860 and larger battery.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Provides strong performance for a lower price compared to the Nova 11.
- Media Consumers who prioritize battery life: The larger battery will allow for extended media consumption and less frequent charging.
- Users who prioritize a good overall camera: The extra camera lens add versatility to the phone.
Use Cases for Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro:
- Playing graphically intensive games for long periods.
- General productivity tasks, heavy multitasking, and frequent usage.
- Users who do not require a top-of-the-line display and prefer battery life.
Huawei nova 11 Ideal Users:
- Content Creators: Those who value camera quality, especially selfies, and want a superior display for media consumption and creation.
- Users who prioritize a sleek design: The thinner design will be preferable for the users who want a light and more portable design.
- Users who value fast charging: The 66W fast charge will be preferable to those who are in a hurry.
- Everyday users: Those looking for a good balance of features with a very high quality display will prefer the Nova 11.
Use Cases for Huawei nova 11:
- Viewing and editing photos and videos.
- Casual gaming with beautiful visuals.
- Users who frequently use their phone in bright sunlight and value display visibility.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Poco X3 Pro offers good value for users looking for raw performance and extended battery life at a lower price.
- The Huawei nova 11 provides a more premium experience (display, design, and features) for those who are willing to pay a higher price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case for the phone (gaming, content creation, general use)?
- How important is display quality vs. battery life and raw performance to you?
- How much are you willing to spend for a more premium experience?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For heavy gamers or those on a tight budget: The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is recommended due to its superior performance, slightly larger battery, and competitive price point.
- For users who prioritize display quality and a sleek design: The Huawei nova 11 is the better option due to its OLED screen, brighter display, and premium design, with a focus on a good overall experience.
- For casual users who prioritize a balance of features: The Huawei nova 11 will be better due to the good battery life, excellent screen, and fast charging capabilities.
Personal Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Huawei nova 11. While the Poco X3 Pro provides slightly better raw performance, the overall user experience on the Nova 11 is superior. The OLED display makes a huge difference in visual quality, while the sleeker design and faster charging are highly desirable for everyday use. The improved selfie camera is also a big plus for me. While I recognize the gaming advantage of the Poco X3 Pro, I do not see this as a priority. Therefore, the enhanced experience provided by the Huawei nova 11 outweighs its slight performance disadvantage, making it my preferred choice.
