HUAWEI nova 11i (Mario-L29E / MAO-LX9) Review: Mint Green 8GB+128GB 4G Smartphone

Introduction

The HUAWEI nova 11i (Mario-L29E / MAO-LX9), in its eye-catching Mint Green finish, promises a compelling blend of style and performance. With its large display, impressive battery life, and fast charging capabilities, it aims to be a solid contender in the mid-range smartphone market. Over the past few weeks, I’ve put this device through its paces, subjecting it to everyday tasks and demanding applications to give you a thorough review.

Key Features

The nova 11i boasts a number of impressive features, starting with its stunning 6.8-inch HUAWEI FullView Display. The near bezel-less design delivers an immersive viewing experience. The 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations buttery smooth, while the 270Hz touch sampling rate ensures responsive touch input. Other notable features include the 40W HUAWEI SuperCharge Turbo for rapid charging, a 48MP main camera alongside a 2MP depth sensor, and a capable 16MP selfie camera.

Specification Value
Model Number Mario-L29E / MAO-LX9
Model Name Nova 11i
Colour Name Mint Green
Screen Size 6.8 in
Display Type IPS LCD
Display Resolution Type Full HD
RAM Size 8 GB
Internal Memory 128 GB
Expandable Memory Type No Expandable Memory
Primary Camera (MP) 48+2MP
Secondary Camera 16 – 31.9 MP
Secondary Camera Resolution 16 MP
Battery Size 5000 mAh
Charging Type Type-C
SIM Count Dual SIM
SIM Type Nano SIM
Network Type 4G
Network Frequency Band GSM/LTE/UMTS
Number of Cores Octa Core
Operating System Number Octa-core (4×2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4×1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver)
Version Middle East Version
Model Year 2023

Performance & Battery Life

In everyday use, the nova 11i performed admirably. The Octa-core processor handled multitasking and demanding apps with ease. I experienced minimal lag or stuttering during my testing period, which included gaming, video streaming, and photo editing. The 5000mAh battery easily lasted a full day, even with heavy usage. The 40W fast charging is a real boon, allowing for quick top-ups when needed. While the device does get slightly warm under heavy load, it’s not excessively so.

Camera Performance

The 48MP main camera delivers decent photos in good lighting conditions. Colors are generally accurate, and detail is quite good. However, low-light performance could be improved. Images tend to become noisy and lose detail in darker environments. The 16MP selfie camera is also decent for everyday use, producing acceptable selfies with natural skin tones.

Pros & Cons

  • Pros: Large, vibrant display; Smooth 90Hz refresh rate; Long battery life; Fast charging; Sleek design.
  • Cons: Low-light camera performance could be better; No expandable storage.

Final Verdict

The HUAWEI nova 11i offers a compelling package for its price point. The combination of a large, beautiful display, excellent battery life, and fast charging makes it a great choice for everyday users. While the camera could use some improvement in low-light situations, and the lack of expandable storage might be a drawback for some, the overall performance and user experience are hard to fault. I would recommend the HUAWEI nova 11i to anyone looking for a reliable, stylish, and long-lasting smartphone without breaking the bank.