Ultimate Guide to Huawei Nova 8 5G Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Design and Build Quality

The Huawei nova 8 5G offers striking aesthetics with a slim and elegant design. Measuring 160.1 x 74.1 x 7.6 mm and weighing just 169 grams, it is both comfortable to hold and easy to manage. Available in multiple color options such as Black, Blue, Green, and White, it satisfies different style preferences. The device uses a dual SIM configuration, supporting Nano-SIM cards with dual standby functionality, enhancing its utility for users who manage two phone lines simultaneously.

Display

The nova 8 5G features a 6.57-inch OLED display that supports 1 billion colors for rich viewing experiences. With a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels and an aspect ratio of 19.5:9, the display offers vibrant colors and sharp details. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 89.3%, providing an immersive viewing experience. This display technology offers HDR10 and a 90Hz refresh rate, ensuring fluid motion in videos and smoother transitions when scrolling through apps and web pages.

Performance

Powering the Huawei nova 8 5G is the Kirin 985 5G chipset, crafted with a 7 nm processing technology. It boasts an octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.58 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x2.40 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55) and a Mali-G77 (8-core) GPU. This setup ensures seamless multitasking and efficient processing for both everyday tasks and more demanding applications, including the latest games and digital content creation apps. With 8GB of RAM, users will experience minimal lag and efficient performance even under heavy usage. Additionally, the device includes integrated 5G capabilities, optimizing download speeds and connectivity.

Storage and Memory

Available with either 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, the Huawei nova 8 5G provides ample space for storing a vast amount of applications, photographs, and other media. However, it does not offer a memory card slot, so users are limited to the internal storage capacity provided. The inclusion of 8GB of RAM ensures smooth multitasking, facilitating swift transitions between open tasks.

Camera System

The Huawei nova 8 5G sports a robust quad-camera setup. The primary camera is a 64 MP sensor with an f/1.9 aperture, promising clarity and depth in every shot. It is paired with an 8 MP ultrawide camera, a 2 MP macro camera, and a 2 MP depth sensor, allowing for varied photographic perspectives. Features like LED flash, panorama, and HDR further enhance image quality, while video recording is supported up to 4K resolution with electronic image stabilization (gyro-EIS).

The front-facing camera houses a 32 MP sensor with f/2.0 aperture, capable of HDR imaging and capturing 4K video, making it ideal for video calls and selfies with excellent detail and color balance.

Operating System and Software

The device runs on Android 10 with Huawei's EMUI 11 as its user interface. It’s important to note that while the nova 8 5G runs Android, it does not come with Google Play Services due to ongoing trade restrictions. Instead, users rely on Huawei's AppGallery for applications, which is steadily expanding its library. The operating system offers numerous customizable features and fresh aesthetics, ensuring a pleasant user experience.

Battery Life and Charging

Equipped with a 3800 mAh non-removable Li-Po battery, the Huawei nova 8 5G efficiently balances power consumption. Notably, it supports 66W wired charging, which allows for impressive charging speeds – up to 60% charge in just 15 minutes and a full charge in 35 minutes. Reverse charging at 5W offers additional utility, allowing the device to serve as a power bank in emergencies.

Connectivity and Other Features

In terms of connectivity, the Huawei nova 8 5G is well-equipped with WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct support, and Bluetooth 5.1 with A2DP and LE enhancements. It supports nearly all global navigation satellite systems, including GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, and QZSS. NFC support is present, facilitating contactless payments and data exchange. The device features a USB Type-C 2.0 connection with OTG compatibility. However, it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, pushing users towards wireless audio solutions or utilizing the USB-C port.

Sensors integrated into the device include an under-display fingerprint reader, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass, providing comprehensive functionality for various applications and security needs.

Price and Market Position

Launched in January 2021 with a price tag of around 410 EUR, the Huawei nova 8 5G resides in the upper mid-range market segment. It offers impressive features at its price point, but the absence of Google Play Services may deter some potential buyers. However, its performance, display quality, and fast charging capabilities offer strong competition for similarly priced Android devices.

Conclusion

The Huawei nova 8 5G is an impressive piece of technology with the specifications and capabilities to cater to a wide range of users’ needs. Its sleek design combined with powerful performance, outstanding display quality, and a formidable camera system serves as its primary selling points. The absence of Google Play Services is a significant consideration, but Huawei continues to expand its ecosystem to provide competitive alternatives. Overall, for users who prioritize hardware quality and are willing to navigate through Huawei's app ecosystem, the nova 8 5G is a robust choice.