The Huawei Nova 11, the latest addition to the Nova series, is a remarkable midrange smartphone that impresses with its sleek design, robust performance, and feature-packed camera system. Released early this June 2023 in the Philippines, it slowly becoming one of the most popular smartphones to have even without Google Play services.
As a new owner of the Nova 11 (Black) for the past few days, I have had the opportunity to explore its capabilities thoroughly. I used to own a Huawei Mate 20 Pro, which I loved so much, and after 4 years or so, it finally gave up. I was contemplating which one to get as my new phone, but in the end, I decided to stick with Huawei.
Design and Display
The Huawei Nova 11 boasts an eye-catching design that perfectly fits in the hand and feels premium. Its slim and lightweight profile enhances the user experience, making it comfortable for extended use. The device features a 6.7-inch OLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rate, delivering vivid colors and sharp contrasts. Watching videos, playing games, and browsing through social media is a great experience on this device.
Performance
Powered by a capable midrange chipset and paired with 8.0 RAM, the Huawei Nova 11 offers smooth and snappy performance for everyday tasks and multitasking. Apps load quickly, and navigating through the EMUI (based on Android) interface is responsive.
Gaming performance is also commendable, handling graphically demanding games with ease. However, the absence of 5G connectivity might be a downside for some users.
Camera
One of the highlights of the Nova 11 is its camera setup. The quad-camera system on the rear consists of a 50 MP Ultra Vision Camera and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. The primary camera delivers impressive results with excellent detail and accurate colors in well-lit conditions.
The ultra-wide lens expands your creative horizons, capturing stunning landscapes. The front-facing 60 MP selfie camera takes clear and detailed shots, and the built-in AI beauty mode enhances the selfies without making them look overprocessed.
Here are some of the sample shots taken from Huawei Nova 11
Battery Life
The Nova 11 houses a generous 4,500mAh battery, which easily lasts through a full day of moderate usage. With the efficient OLED display and battery optimization features, I was able to get more screen-on time without worrying about running out of juice. The phone supports fast charging, and the included 66 W Super Charge Turbo quickly refuels the battery.
Software
Running on EMUI, the Nova 11 offers an array of useful features, but some users might find the interface a bit heavy and cluttered compared to stock Android. However, Huawei’s app ecosystem, while improving, still faces some limitations due to the absence of Google services.
It took a bit of time to get used to not having Google Services, but the Huawei App Gallery, Gbox, and Petal are available for apps that are not accessible. In some cases, you may need to download the Gspace app to make some Google Apps work. There is a way, and you will get used to it. However, I still wish that the Huawei App Gallery would improve to make all apps available.
Security
Huawei’s commitment to security is evident in the Nova 11, as it incorporates both a reliable fingerprint sensor and face unlock technology. Both methods work seamlessly, ensuring quick and secure access to the device.
The Huawei Nova 11 is a strong contender in the midrange smartphone market, offering an attractive design, vibrant display, powerful performance, and an impressive camera setup. Its long-lasting battery life and reliable security features make it a worthy companion for daily use.
While the absence of 5G and a slightly heavy software experience might be downsides for some, the overall package is commendable, making the Nova 11 a solid choice for those seeking an affordable yet feature-rich smartphone.
At the moment, The price of Huawei Nova 11 in the Philippines is at Php 24,999.
