The Huawei Nova 11 Pro stands out as a phone that beautifully combines aesthetics and selfie capabilities without falling into superficiality. However, the price you pay for these features might give you pause.
While it impresses in certain areas, there are notable drawbacks such as subpar power, the absence of 5G, and the lack of Google apps. While not without its charm, the Huawei Nova 11 Pro falls short of an unequivocal recommendation.
Key Features:
- Swift 100W Charging: With one of the fastest chargers in its category, the Huawei Nova 11 Pro can charge from 0% to 50% in just 10 minutes.
- Dual Front Cameras: Featuring a 60MP ultra-high-resolution sensor and a 2x lens, the Nova 11 Pro offers versatile and high-quality selfie options.
- Fashionable Vegan Leather Back: The option of a leather-inspired back cover with an embossed texture adds a stylish touch that’s surprisingly appealing.
The Huawei Nova 11 Pro shines with its dual emphasis on fashion and superior selfie performance. Its front camera setup rivals rear-camera configurations, while its overall design exudes a fashionable aura that could easily grace a high-end accessory.
Despite being part of the Nova series rather than Huawei’s flagship lineup, the Nova 11 Pro offers remarkably fast charging, a valuable asset for the young and dynamic crowd it targets. Yet, as is customary with Huawei phones, the lack of Google apps tempers the device’s appeal. Given its price point of over £600, these shortcomings become hard to overlook.
Design:
Sporting a vegan leather back that evokes the feel of leather while being plastic-based, the Huawei Nova 11 Pro boasts a distinctive appearance. The stylish embossed pattern, a reinterpretation of the “nova” brand, adds a touch of elegance. While some design choices, like the camera housing, may appear excessive, the overall aesthetic remains successful.
The curved glass front contributes to a sleek profile and slimmer appearance, although the metallic-looking sidewalls connecting the front and back are plastic, not aluminum. Water resistance is not a feature, and the design, while not flagship-grade, offers a firm grip and caters to those who appreciate fashion-inspired elements. Additionally, a glass back variant is available, using the company’s Kunlun glass.
The in-screen fingerprint scanner works well, but for the complete experience, face unlock is recommended. The package includes a 100W charger, cable, and a silicone case, all of which are packaged in cardboard-based materials except for the plastic sheath protecting the case.
Display:
The Huawei Nova 11 Pro boasts a 6.78-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2652 x 1200 pixels. This curved Full HD OLED screen impresses with its vibrant colors, strong contrast, and smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The option to switch to 60Hz for better battery life is available, along with Normal and Vivid color modes. The screen’s cut-out accommodates the dual front cameras, resulting in a larger camera housing.
Cameras:
The Nova 11 Pro features an exceptional selfie camera setup with a 60MP and a 2x lens, offering various perspectives. Selfies exhibit impressive detail and quality, even in low light conditions. In contrast, the rear cameras’ performance is good but falls short of leading the pack. The phone’s processing can sometimes lend images a digital appearance, and overexposed areas in HDR-optimized images are noticeable.
While oversaturation can occur, the ultra-wide camera’s macro capabilities are a pleasant surprise. Although the Nova 11 Pro doesn’t match Huawei’s best models for night photography, it delivers decent results thanks to computational photography and night mode. Video recording is capped at 4K/30fps, and the overall camera package, while commendable, falls behind the Pixel 7’s capabilities.
Performance:
Running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G processor, the Huawei Nova 11 Pro demonstrates satisfactory mid-range performance but lacks the gaming prowess of flagship devices. The absence of 5G connectivity is a disappointment, and although the phone’s performance is stable, it fails to meet the standards of dedicated gaming phones.
Battery life and Charging:
With a 4500mAh battery, the Nova 11 Pro’s battery life covers a day’s use, but not much beyond. The absence of wireless charging is noticeable, but the phone’s 100W charging is impressive. The device can reach 50% charge in just 10 minutes, and while it doesn’t quite achieve the claimed 100W, it’s still notably fast. The odd charging behavior, ranging between 70-88W, may relate to temperature regulation.
Software:
The Huawei Nova 11 Pro operates on Huawei’s EMUI interface with the HMS Core software, offering an Android-like experience but without Google apps. Huawei’s alternatives for essential apps can fall short, particularly the AppGallery, which lacks many high-quality options. While third-party stores offer workarounds, accessing certain popular titles remains challenging.
In Conclusion:
The Huawei Nova 11 Pro excels in blending style and selfie performance while maintaining depth. Nevertheless, its shortcomings, including underwhelming power, absence of 5G, and the dearth of Google apps, diminish its overall appeal. While it holds a distinctive allure, the Nova 11 Pro’s recommendation comes with reservations.
