Huawei Nova 3i Comprehensive Review of Specs Prices and Performance

Design and Build

The Huawei nova 3i features a modern design with a dimension of 157.6 x 75.2 x 7.6 mm, making it sleek and ergonomic for user comfort. Weighing just 169 grams, it's lightweight yet durable, thanks to its glass front and plastic back and frame. The hybrid dual SIM feature allows for flexible connectivity options, catering to users who need multiple SIM cards.

Display Quality

The device is equipped with a 6.3-inch IPS LCD screen, offering a vibrant and clear display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels. This results in a pixel density of approximately 409 ppi, ensuring a sharp visual experience. The near-edge-to-edge design offers an impressive screen-to-body ratio of around 82.2%, making it ideal for media consumption and gaming.

Platform and Performance

Powered by the Kirin 710 chipset, manufactured on a 12 nm process, the Huawei nova 3i delivers solid performance. The octa-core CPU consists of four high-performance Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz and four power-efficient Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.7 GHz. This combination provides a balance of performance and efficiency. The Mali-G51 MP4 GPU handles graphical tasks, making it capable of smoothly running most applications and games.

The device originally comes with Android 8.1 (Oreo) and is upgradeable to Android 9.0 (Pie) with EMUI 9.0, providing an updated user experience with enhanced features and security updates.

Camera Specifications

For photography enthusiasts, the Huawei nova 3i includes a dual rear camera setup. The primary sensor is a 16 MP camera with an f/2.2 aperture, coupled with a 2 MP depth sensor, allowing for enhanced portrait shots with better depth perception. The camera features include LED flash, HDR, and panorama modes. It supports video recording at 1080p@30fps.

The front houses a dual selfie camera system, featuring a 24 MP main sensor and a 2 MP depth sensor. This configuration not only captures high-resolution selfies but also enables beautifully blurred backgrounds for more professional-looking shots. The front camera also records video at 1080p@30fps.

Memory and Storage Options

The device offers multiple memory configurations: 64GB with 4GB RAM, 128GB with 4GB RAM, and 128GB with 6GB RAM, allowing users to choose based on their storage and multitasking needs. Additionally, the device supports expandable storage through a microSDXC card, which utilizes the shared SIM slot for those requiring more space for media and apps.

Battery Life

Equipped with a non-removable Li-Ion 3340 mAh battery, the Huawei nova 3i provides a reasonable endurance, suitable for a full day of moderate usage. It supports 10W wired charging, allowing for efficient power top-ups.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The Huawei nova 3i supports a variety of network technologies, including GSM, HSPA, and LTE, ensuring robust connectivity options globally. It operates on multiple 2G, 3G, and 4G bands with speeds up to LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps, ensuring fast internet access.

For wireless connectivity, the device includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2 with A2DP, LE, EDR, and aptX HD, providing diverse options for connecting to peripherals and other devices. It also has GPS, GLONASS, and BDS for precise location services.

Though it lacks NFC, it supports FM radio and features a standard 3.5mm headphone jack. It uses a microUSB 2.0 port for data transfer and charging, compatible with OTG for external devices.

Sound and Sensors

The nova 3i includes a loudspeaker providing clear audio output for multimedia content. The presence of a 3.5mm audio jack ensures compatibility with a wide range of audio peripherals.

Comprehensive sensor support includes a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for secure device access, along with accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass sensors, thereby enhancing the devices' functionality for various applications and user interactions.

Pricing and Variations

Initially released at around 220 EUR, the Huawei nova 3i was competitive within its segment in terms of pricing, providing a feature-rich experience at a reasonable cost. The device is available in multiple colors including Black, Pearl White, and Iris Purple, appealing to a wide range of stylistic preferences. Various models exist with minor differences to cater to regional needs.