Huawei Nova 11 Review: A Mid-Range Camera Powerhouse

Huawei Nova 11 (2023)

Product Overview: The Huawei Nova 11 is a mid-range lifestyle smartphone launched in April 2023, targeting young users and photography enthusiasts with its slim design, vibrant OLED display, and high-megapixel front camera. It features a 6.7-inch OLED screen, Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset, a 60MP ultra-high-res front camera, 50MP+8MP dual rear cameras, and dual OS support for Android 13 (region-dependent) and HarmonyOS 4.0. With a 4500mAh battery, 66W SuperCharge, ultra-slim 6.88mm body, and IP68 water/dust resistance, it balances aesthetics and functionality. Priced at ~€449 for the 8GB+256GB variant, it competes with mid-range flagships like the Xiaomi 13 Lite and Oppo Reno 10.

Core Specifications

Component	Details
Model Aliases	BON-AL00 (China), BON-L29 (Global)
Display	6.7-inch OLED, 2412×1080 (FHD+, 394 ppi), 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, 10-bit color depth, 1000 nits peak brightness, HDR10+ support, in-display fingerprint sensor
Processor & GPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 4G (6nm, octa-core: 4×2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 + 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A55), Adreno 642L GPU
Memory & Storage	8GB/12GB LPDDR5 RAM; 128GB/256GB/512GB UFS 3.1 storage; non-expandable
Rear Cameras	– 50MP wide: Sony IMX800, f/1.8, 1/1.56″ sensor, PDAF, OIS, 4K@30fps video recording- 8MP ultra-wide: f/2.2, 120° field of view, 1/4.0″ sensor, fixed focus- Features: AI scene recognition, Night Mode, Portrait Bokeh, Panorama
Front Camera	60MP ultra-high-res: f/2.0, 1/2.8″ sensor, autofocus, AI beautification, 4K@30fps video, portrait mode with bokeh
Battery & Charging	4500mAh non-removable Li-Polymer; 66W Huawei SuperCharge (wired only); 0–100% charge in ~29 mins; no wireless charging
Design & Build	164.2×74.9×6.88 mm, 168 g; Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7), aluminum frame, plastic back; IP68 water/dust resistance (1.5m immersion for 30 mins); colors: Black, White, Green, Purple
Operating System	HarmonyOS 4.0 (China); Android 13 (global markets, with Huawei Mobile Services/HMS); 2 years OS updates + 5 years security patches
Connectivity	4G LTE Cat.19 (no 5G), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou/Galileo, USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, no 3.5 mm headphone jack
Sensors	In-display optical fingerprint, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, compass
Audio	Single speaker (Hi-Res certified), Huawei Histen 8.0 audio tuning, USB-C audio

Key Feature Breakdown

1. Display & Design

The 6.7-inch 120Hz adaptive OLED display delivers smooth scrolling, vibrant 10-bit colors, and high peak brightness for clear outdoor visibility. The ultra-slim 6.88mm body and 168g weight make it one of the slimmest mid-range phones of 2023, while the IP68 rating adds durability against water and dust—rare in this segment. The in-display fingerprint sensor offers fast, convenient unlocking.

2. Camera Capabilities (Front-Focused Lifestyle Photography)

The 60MP front camera is the standout feature, with autofocus and AI beautification that captures sharp, natural selfies and 4K video—ideal for vlogging and social media. The rear 50MP Sony IMX800 sensor with OIS excels in low-light conditions and stable video recording, while the 8MP ultra-wide lens expands creative possibilities for landscapes and group shots.

3. Performance & Software

The Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset delivers reliable performance for daily tasks, multitasking, and light gaming, with efficient power consumption thanks to its 6nm process. The dual OS support caters to global markets (Android 13 with HMS) and domestic users (HarmonyOS 4.0 with seamless cross-device connectivity to Huawei tablets/laptops). The lack of 5G is a key trade-off for the mid-range pricing.

4. Battery & Charging

The 4500mAh battery provides all-day moderate usage, and 66W SuperCharge delivers fast top-ups—charging from 0 to 100% in under 30 minutes. However, the device lacks wireless charging, a feature found in some higher-priced competitors.

Market Position & Limitations

Market Position

Lifestyle Mid-Range Flagship: Targets young users prioritizing selfies, design, and fast charging over 5G connectivity. Competes with the Xiaomi 13 Lite, Oppo Reno 10, and Samsung Galaxy A54.
Huawei’s 4G Transition Model: Released amid global 5G component restrictions, it leverages the Snapdragon 778G 4G to balance performance and cost, while HarmonyOS 4.0 highlights Huawei’s ecosystem strengths.

Limitations

HMS Limitations (Global Models): Android 13 variants rely on Huawei Mobile Services instead of Google Mobile Services (GMS), restricting access to some Google apps in certain markets.

No 5G Support: The Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset limits future-proofing in regions with expanding 5G networks.

Non-Expandable Storage: No microSD slot forces users to choose higher storage tiers upfront.

Single Speaker: A mono speaker undermines multimedia immersion compared to dual-speaker rivals.