Huawei Nova
Specifications
Secondary Camera: 8 MPix f/2,0, photos max. 3264 x 2448 pixels
Pricecompare
Average of 49 scores (from 92 reviews)
Reviews for the Huawei Nova
Handy alternative. Like its 5.5-inch sibling Nova Plus, Huawei's Nova is almost premium-range in terms of build. However, the 5-inch handset had even more to offer in the test and gives its mid-range opponents a hard time.
Source: Tech Girl Archive.org version
The Nova isn’t a bad phone. But it is a R6 999 phone. So I expect it to impress me more than some of the 3k smartphones I’ve been playing with. It didn’t. Don’t get me wrong, it has some great features which include the premium design, great graphics and super battery power (I didn’t mention this earlier – the battery power is top class). However, when it comes down to it I just don’t think the price tag justifies what you’re getting. Rather splurge a bit more and get the Mate 9.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 02/22/2017
Source: Htxt Africa Archive.org version
The price point is too high for a phone that under performs. The camera is great however, and so is the battery but that isn’t enough for me to justify a recommendation.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 02/10/2017
Rating: Total score: 60%
Source: Tech Smart Archive.org version
Getting your hands on a Nova will cost R6 999, as recommended by Huawei. At that price it is a solid R1k to R2k less than most of the premium mid-range phones it's going up against. When it comes to a competitive market like that, it's a decided advantage, especially when most of these devices are sporting comparable specifications.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 02/07/2017
Source: Mobile Choice Archive.org version
The Nova is one of the most elegantly designed phones in the market today, with tiny bezels and a very palm-friendly 5-inch screen size.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 01/16/2017
Rating: Total score: 70% performance: 60% mobility: 70%
Source: Pocket Lint Archive.org version
The Huawei Nova is a decent small-scale Android phone. It sits in a place in the market where there's desperate need for quality without an overly hefty price tag.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/14/2016
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Toptenreviews Archive.org version
In today’s competitive phone market, the Nova needs to be cheaper, but it’s a fine device with no big drawbacks.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 12/10/2016
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: What Mobile Archive.org version
The Huawei Nova is a perfectly good mid-range handset that has solid performance and excellent design. The problem is that it costs about £50 more than other handsets which arguably offer more value for money. While it is a very good device, the jury is still out on whether you should pick this over handsets such as the Vodafone Smart Platinum 7 and OnePlus 3.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/08/2016
Rating: Total score: 78% price: 70% performance: 80% display: 80% workmanship: 80%
Source: Digital Trends Archive.org version
No. Although the Nova is a great phone, it’s simply overpriced. If it cost $300, it would be worth considering, but at 400 euros, it’s way off the mark. No matter how much you value style, no one wants to overpay for a smartphone, and that’s what you’ll do with the Nova. Game over, Huawei.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/09/2016
Rating: Total score: 60%
Source: New Atlas Archive.org version
We enjoyed our time with these two phones and they tick a lot of the right boxes – particular in design and battery life – but we don't think Huawei has quite done enough to make an impact in a very congested market. If it can build on what it's done with the Nova and Nova Plus, and get European and US carriers more interested in the coming months, then the 2017 editions could be much more appealing propositions.
Comparison, online available, Very Long, Date: 10/26/2016
Source: International Business Times Archive.org version
The Huawei Nova and Nova Plus are perfectly capable mid-range handsets from Huawei that offer solid specs at a reasonable price point. While they lack imagination from a design perspective, both are well-built and premium-looking, at times echoing the phones Huawei hopes to replace at the top of the smartphone pecking order. However, there's nothing on offer here to tip them much above the average mark, and once again Huawei's software prevents the smartphones from feeling like something that could pose a serious threat to its Android rivals. And in the mid-range smartphone market, Huawei has a lot to contend with.
Comparison, online available, Long, Date: 10/20/2016
Rating: Total score: 60%
Source: Tech Advisor Archive.org version
So, what do we think of the Huawei Nova? While it’s good on paper, it’s slightly underwhelming in real life. The processor isn’t quite as quick as the competition, the graphical capabilities aren’t great and the quality of low-light photography is less than expected, even for a mid-range smartphone. What is good is the design – it’s sleek, gorgeous and is extremely comfortable to use, and definitely doesn’t look like a ~£300 smartphone. While it’ll suffice for the likes of Facebook, Snapchat and managing email, we wouldn’t recommend it for high-end gaming or for use as a replacement DSLR. With companies like OnePlus dominating the mid-range scene with high-end internals, it makes it hard to recommend the fairly average Huawei Nova.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/19/2016
Rating: Total score: 60% price: 50% performance: 50% features: 70% workmanship: 90%
Source: Phone Arena Archive.org version
In the end, neither of these phones is likely to steer you wrong, especially if you're not demanding a ton from your smartphone – and if you want a handset that feels great to hold, and has a battery that won't leave you hanging, either makes a really nice choice. But there's also not a lot here that screams THIS is the mid-priced phone to get. As a result, we'd definitely recommend considering these two Novas – but maybe check out some phones from the competition, as well.
Comparison, online available, Very Long, Date: 10/14/2016
Rating: Total score: 73%
Source: It Pro Archive.org version
However, the Nova has one massive problem, and that problem is the OnePlus 3. The OnePlus 3 beats the Nova in every conceivable category - from performance to battery life to build quality - and has the added edge of being even cheaper. It's also available from O2, so there's no excuse not to pick it up.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 10/10/2016
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Trusted Reviews Archive.org version
In many ways, the Nova is a great phone. The handset looks great, has a decent display, and offers stellar battery life. A year ago, it would probably have been one of my recommended mid-range handsets, despite the fact it has a below average camera.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 10/04/2016
Rating: Total score: 70% performance: 70% display: 70% mobility: 80% workmanship: 80%
Source: Stuff TV Archive.org version
If you can live with a custom Android skin, it definitely beats the plastic fantastic of other cheap phones out there. The only problem is price. The OnePlus 3 is still one of the best value phones out there right now, and even a Brexit-related price hike can’t change that. You’re getting much more phone for your money, complete with customisable covers and Stock Android.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/03/2016
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: GSM Arena Archive.org version
Indeed, the Huawei nova has a lot to offer - Nexus 6P-like beautiful design, a 2.5D curved glass, an airplane-grade aluminum, a flagship fingerprint sensor, and premium camera features. And while the Nova is new on the market, Huawei has already proved it can combine all these ingredients in an awesome way in previous smartphones.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 10/03/2016
Source: Expert Reviews Archive.org version
Despite the niggles, there’s plenty to like about Huawei’s latest Nova handset. With its vibrant, curved-edge screen, smooth performance and battery life that will last you a full working day, it should serve you well, but the problem is it’s up against some pretty fierce competition in this price bracket.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/29/2016
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Android Authority Archive.org version
With 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, 4K video recording and Full HD displays then the nova and nova plus certainly have the hallmarks of couple of upper mid-range devices. That is even more so for the nova plus with its built-in OIS and larger display. The main weaknesses are the the processor package, and the camera setup.
Comparison, online available, Medium, Date: 09/21/2016
Rating: Total score: 83% performance: 80% display: 80% mobility: 90% workmanship: 85%
Source: Recombu Archive.org version
The Nova is a slick bit of hardware which boasts particularly impressive battery life, as well as offering a solid media experience. However, the software issues and glitches can make it quite a frustrating experience at times and performance is clearly limited.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 09/12/2016
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Tech Advisor Archive.org version
So, what do we think of the Huawei Nova? For a mid-range smartphone, it boasts impressive capabilities – especially in the camera department. While it doesn’t have dual-snappers like the P9, its performance in low-light conditions is impressive. It’s gorgeous too, and feels comfortable in the hand – in fact, it feels more like a high-end smartphone than a mid-range smartphone, the hallmark of Huawei. The biggest question is – is it worth the money? While no UK pricing has been announced, the 399 Euro price tag puts it in line with smartphones including the OnePlus 3, which offers a more powerful processor and more RAM – but we’ll hold our reservations until we get one back to PC Advisor towers. Make sure you check back soon for a more thorough verdict!
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/05/2016
Source: Pocket Lint Archive.org version
There's a lot to love about the Huawei Nova. It's a mid-range handset that wants to bring you adequate power, with specs that matter, and a build that's class leading. The mid-range is in many ways more interesting and disruptive than the flagship level in Android devices and that's true of the Nova.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/01/2016
Source: Stuff TV Archive.org version
The mid-range market is seriously heating up this year. Motorola used to rule the roost, but now there are some major contenders for the top spot - and based on a quick 15 minute fondle with the Nova, it could be one of them. I'm a big fan of the all-metal build, it ticks all the right boxes when it comes to hardware, and has extras like a fingerprint sensor that are quickly becoming must-haves for any phone.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/01/2016
Source: Techradar Archive.org version
While we need to delve more thoroughly into it, the speed on offer and battery life could be really decent for the price – the camera we're less sure about, as Huawei still hasn't nailed the snapping experience at the top end, but there are some decent manual modes to play with at least.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 09/01/2016
Source: International Business Times Archive.org version
The Huawei Nova and Nova Plus are unlikely to shake things up at the high end of the smartphone spectrum, but that's not the intention anyway. Instead, the devices are an attempt to tap into a burgeoning middle tier dominated by the likes of Samsung, Sony and LG and prove that no place is safe from the Chinese manufacturer's onslaught. On the other hand, despite their solid hardware and (mostly) good looks, there's no escaping the fact that the Nova and Nova Plus are two more additions to an ocean of mid-range smartphones.
Comparison, online available, Very Short, Date: 09/01/2016
Foreign Reviews
Source: PocketPC DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/23/2017
Source: Chinahandys.net DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/20/2017
Rating: Total score: 85% performance: 80% display: 80% mobility: 80% workmanship: 90%
Source: Android Mag DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 03/16/2017
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Marijan bloggt DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/31/2017
Source: A1 Blog DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 12/13/2016
Source: Marijan bloggt DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 12/09/2016
Rating: Total score: 88% performance: 95% display: 95% mobility: 90%
Source: Go2 Mobile DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 12/06/2016
Source: Computerbild - Heft 24/2016
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 11/15/2016
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: WinFuture DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 11/14/2016
Source: Chip.de DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 11/08/2016
Rating: Total score: 89% performance: 97% features: 78% display: 83% mobility: 91%
Source: Android Pit DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/04/2016
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Blick DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/03/2016
Source: Technik Surfer DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/30/2016
Rating: Total score: 74% price: 70% performance: 80% mobility: 70% workmanship: 90% ergonomy: 80%
Source: Notebooksbilliger Blog DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/28/2016
Source: Turn On DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/17/2016
Source: WinFuture DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 10/07/2016
Source: e-media - Heft 11/2016
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 10/01/2016
Source: Curved DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/16/2016
Rating: Total score: 82% performance: 75% display: 80% mobility: 85%
Source: Netzwelt DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/02/2016
Source: WinFuture DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/01/2016
Source: Andro Asia ES→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 02/20/2017
Rating: Total score: 86% performance: 85% display: 80% mobility: 90%
Source: Movil Zona ES→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/30/2016
Rating: Total score: 70% price: 70% performance: 70% display: 80% mobility: 90% workmanship: 80%
Source: Pplware PT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/21/2016
Rating: Total score: 85% performance: 85% display: 85% mobility: 87% workmanship: 85%
Source: Wintech PT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/16/2016
Rating: price: 83% performance: 80% mobility: 90% workmanship: 90%
Source: 4G News PT→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Low price; great built quality; nice performance; long battery life; decent cameras.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/20/2016
Source: Aberto ate de Madrugada PT→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Nice design; comfort in use. Negative: Relatively high price.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/22/2016
Source: Mais Tecnologia PT→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Elegant design; good front camera; high performance. Negative: Many unwanted apps.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/13/2016
Source: Android Geek PT→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Elegant design; high autonomy; good front camera. Negative: High price; "noise" photos in poor lighting condition.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/04/2016
Source: Android Geek PT→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Excellent cameras; beautiful design; compact size; long battery life; good price.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 10/14/2016
Source: Smartphone e tablet android IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 07/19/2017
Rating: performance: 80% display: 80% mobility: 70% workmanship: 70%
Source: Androidiani IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 04/27/2017
Rating: Total score: 75% performance: 70% display: 70% mobility: 90% workmanship: 90%
Source: Techzilla.it IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/15/2016
Rating: Total score: 85% price: 80% performance: 80% display: 85% mobility: 90% workmanship: 95%
Source: Smartphone Italia IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/10/2016
Rating: price: 80% features: 80% display: 80% mobility: 90% ergonomy: 90%
Source: Batista70Phone IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 11/18/2016
Rating: Total score: 88% price: 70% display: 90% mobility: 100% ergonomy: 100%
Source: Leonardo.it Tech IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/09/2016
Rating: Total score: 82% price: 80% features: 78% display: 75% mobility: 90% ergonomy: 95%
Source: HDblog.it IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/03/2016
Rating: Total score: 83%
Source: Andrea Galeazzi IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/02/2016
Rating: Total score: 83% price: 78% display: 78% mobility: 90% workmanship: 84%
Source: Andrea Galeazzi IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/02/2016
Rating: Total score: 83% price: 78% mobility: 90% workmanship: 84%
Source: AndroidWorld.it IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/02/2016
Rating: Total score: 82% price: 75% features: 75% display: 80% mobility: 80% ergonomy: 85%
Source: Smartphone e tablet android IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 10/11/2016
Rating: performance: 80% display: 80% mobility: 80% workmanship: 70%
Source: Androidiani IT→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Solid workmanship; good ergonomy; high autonomy. Negative: Poor connectivity.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 03/24/2017
Source: Stockisti IT→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Decent cameras; good performance; high autonomy.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 12/20/2016
Source: Pianeta Cellulare IT→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Solid workmanship; decent performance; long battery life. Negative: Average speakers.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 12/08/2016
Source: Tecno Cino IT→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Compact size; beautiful design; decent cameras; good autonomy. Negative: Relatively high price.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/03/2016
Source: Smartphone Italia IT→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Stylish design; decent main camera; good performance.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 11/29/2016
Source: AndroidWorld.nl NL→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/24/2016
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: All About Phones NL→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/21/2016
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: PCM NL→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/18/2016
Rating: Total score: 100%
Source: Computer Totaal NL→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/18/2016
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Portablegear NL→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Elegant design; decent hardware; good price.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 10/24/2016
Source: Bright.nl NL→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Beautiful design for women; good cameras; decent hardware.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 09/01/2016
Source: Les Mobiles FR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 03/17/2017
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: AndroidPit.fr FR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/24/2016
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: AndroidPit.fr FR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 10/14/2016
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Frandroid FR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 10/07/2016
Rating: Total score: 80% performance: 70% display: 80% mobility: 80% workmanship: 90%
Source: Top for Phone FR→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Great built quality; high performance; good autonomy. Negative: Mediocre speakers.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/04/2016
Source: Phonandroid FR→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Elegant design; long battery life. Negative: Mediocre performance; average speakers; relatively high price.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 10/07/2016
Source: Tabletowo PL→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/13/2016
Rating: Total score: 83% performance: 80% display: 75% mobility: 90% workmanship: 90%
Source: Komputerswiat PL→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Great built quality; high performance; good autonomy. Negative: Mediocre speakers.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 02/02/2017
Source: Helpix RU→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 04/29/2017
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Product Test RU→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/15/2016
Rating: Total score: 83%
Source: Ferra.ru RU→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/01/2016
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Yamobi RU→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Metal case; solid workmanship; fast fingerprint scanner; good screen; decent cameras. Negative: Sim and microSD are on the same slot; mediocre speakers.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/16/2016
Source: Zoom RU→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Metal case; elegant design; excellent display; fast system; decent cameras; good price.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/16/2016
Source: Hitech Vesti RU→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Compact size; metal case; good autonomy; fast fingerprint scanner. Negative: Sim and microSD are on the same slot; only one frequency band Wi-Fi.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/11/2016
Source: Smartfoun.cz CZ→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 05/01/2017
Rating: Total score: 80% price: 90% performance: 80% display: 70% mobility: 90%
Source: CNews.cz CZ→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Decent cameras; good price/performance ratio; compact size. Negative: Sim and microSD are on the same slot; slow charging; poor connectivity.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/21/2016
Comment
Model: The demand for mid-range smartphones is at its highest and smartphone manufacturers are trying their very best to make these devices better and better. The Huawei Nova is a typical mid-range smartphone but it offers a premium build quality and decent hardware. The appearance of the smartphone looks similar to the Nexus 6P and Huawei P9. It measures at 141.2 x 69.1 x 7.1 mm (5.56 x 2.72 x 0.28 in) and weighs at 146 g (5.15 oz) which is considered lightweight for an all-metal smartphone. It has an airplane-grade aluminium unibody, which looks and feels more premium than plastic build. By using airplane-grade aluminium, the build of the Huawei Nova is both sturdy and lightweight. The Huawei Nova retail box includes a 5V/2A charger, a USB Type-C cable and a pair of EarPods-like headphones. It has a good looking packaging, which is an effort by Huawei to package a premium phone.
The Nova features an energy-efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 chipset, 32 GB internal memory, and 3 GB of RAM. The storage capacity can be expanded by up to 256 GB with a micro SD card. This specs are quite common for a smartphone in this price range. Just like most Huawei smartphones, this Android v6.0.1 Marshmallow system uses the Emotion 4.1 UI user interface.
Its 12 MP camera with a LED flash, f/2.0 aperture, hybrid autofocus and PDAF+ contrast detection supports 4K video recording at 30 fps. The secondary 8 MP front-facing camera with f/2.0 aperture is ideal for video calling and selfies and also supports video recording at 1080p. The 5.0-inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen features a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels and supports multi-touch gestures. In addition, the screen features a curved 2.5D screen glass, which looks nicely incorporated into the build. Huawei promises 450 nits of maximum brightness. However, the downside of the screen is that it has no protective layer to keep scratches away. Gorilla Glass 3 would have been a good addition.
The Huawei Nova is powered by a non-removable 3020 mAh battery. Thanks to the energy saving chipset and CPU, the battery life of the smartphone is quite decent. The phones achieves 28 hours of talk time, 9 hours of video playback and 11 hours of web browsing. For wireless connectivity, the Huawei Nova supports LTE connectivity, GPS, FM radio, Bluetooth v4.1, NFC and Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n. In addition, it comes with a 3.5 mm jack for audio connectivity. The phone is available in Prestige Gold, Titanium Gray, and Moonlight Silver. The Huawei Nova is a good example that cheaper phones don’t have to be bad. It will do most of the things that a high-end device will do at just half the price.
Hands-on article by Jagadisa Rajarathnam
Series:
Huawei's phone business may be embattled due to software problems but it has not stopped making new phones. While most of them have not made it to European shores, the latest Huawei Nova 9 is an exception to this. In terms of its design, this device is still considered thin at 7.8mm and light at 175g. This definitely makes it rather portable while the curved edges keep it comfortable to be held on too. The rear camera module on the back comes in two different circles which houses the main camera and the remaining lenses. However, this model has no Gorilla Glass on the display and there is also no water or dust-resistant IP rating. As far as the display is concerned, the Huawei Nova 9 has been incorporated with a large 6.75-inch Full HD+ OLED display with high colour coverage. This is paired with an impressive 120Hz high refresh rate. In addition, there is also an under-display fingerprint reader, which can be quite fast and reliable. In terms of its performance, this is a firmly mid-range device which uses the Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 778G chipset paired with an 8GB of RAM with either 128GB or 256GB of storage. It is undeniable that this is not the fastest or most powerful phone on the market, but it has got more than enough power for the average user. The performance is rather smooth and fluid even when multi-tasking, and there is enough power to run any modern smartphone game too.
In terms of its battery, the Huawei Nova 9 comes in with a 4300mAh battery which is enough for the phone to last a day’s use fairly comfortably, but definitely not enough to stretch it to two days unless for an exceptionally light usage. Fundamentally that makes the battery life fairly average for the modern market as there are phones with better battery life out there, but this is obviously not the worst though. As for its camera, this smartphone carries a 50MP main camera, 8MP ultrawide camera, 2MP macro camera and a 2MP depth sensor. The main camera being encased in its own circular housing, utilizes Huawei's RYYB pixel arrangement which the company prefers especially for low light performance. However, in this device it is not combined with optical image stabilization (OIS) which is key to really excellent night photography. Overall, in daylight the main camera is exceptional with rich colours and vivid detail in a range of conditions. Though in darker lighting results are good, the lack of OIS does show. Apart from that, the ultrawide does the job in decent lighting, but there is a marked drop in detail compared to the main lens while colours tend to be washed out. There is also a 32MP selfie camera which is quite decent. Overall, it is a great phone to be considered if the absence of Google Mobile services is not an issue.
Qualcomm Adreno 506: Integrated graphics card in the Snapdragon 625 SoC and based on the new 500-series architecture with support for Vulkan, OpenGL ES 3.1 + AE (3.2) and UBWC.
Only some 3D games with very low demands are playable with these cards.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.
625: Mid-range octa-core SoC with eight ARM Cortex-A53 cpu cores at up to 2 GHz, an Adreno 506 GPU, a DDR3L-1866 memory controller and a X9 LTE (Cat 7) modem. Manufactured in the modern 14nm process.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.
5.00":
This display is tiny. You will probably see very little on the screen and be able to use mini-resolutions.
» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.Huawei: Huawei Technologies Co, Ltd. is a Chinese telecommunications company and hardware manufacturer founded in 1987 and headquartered in Shenzhen. Huawei is a global leader in information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. Huawei provides end-to-end solutions for telecommunications networks, devices, and smartphones, as well as storage, servers, networking, and cloud computing enterprise solutions and products.
In 2014, Huawei established the Honor subsidiary brand under which certain smartphone lines are sold. The Huawei name is usually not listed for these products.
78.24%: This rating is not earth-shattering. This rating must actually be seen as average, since there are about as many devices with worse ratings as better ones. A purchase recommendation can only be seen with a lot of goodwill, unless it is about websites that generally rate strictly.
» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.