Explore the Huawei Nova Y61 in this detailed review. Discover its design, camera, performance, and battery life to see if it fits your budget smartphone needs.

Huawei Nova Y61 Review: A Budget Phone with a 50MP Camera and Solid Battery Life

Huawei has a reputation for delivering feature-packed budget smartphones, and the Huawei Nova Y61, released in November 2022, continues this trend. This device offers an attractive design, a 50MP triple camera system, and a large 5000mAh battery, making it a compelling option for users who prioritize basic functionality and decent camera performance at an affordable price.

In this review, we’ll dive into the key features of the Huawei Nova Y61, including its display, performance, camera capabilities, and battery life, to help you decide if it’s the right budget smartphone for your needs.

Introduction

The Huawei Nova Y61 is aimed at budget-conscious users who still want a solid smartphone experience. Priced at around 140 EUR, the Nova Y61 provides a balance between affordability and functionality. With its 6.52-inch display, 50MP main camera, and a 5000mAh battery, it’s designed for users who need a reliable device for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light photography.

However, it comes with some limitations, such as the lack of Google Play Services due to Huawei’s restrictions, which could be a dealbreaker for some users. Let’s take a closer look at what this phone has to offer.

Design & Build Quality: Simple and Functional

The Huawei Nova Y61 features a minimalist design that doesn’t stray far from the standard look of budget smartphones. It measures 164.3 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm and weighs 188 grams, making it comfortable to hold and use with one hand. The plastic back has a matte finish that helps resist fingerprints and smudges, and it comes in three color options: Sapphire Blue, Mint Green, and Midnight Black.

The phone has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button, which is conveniently located for easy access. This adds an extra layer of security to the device while maintaining simplicity in design. The 3.5mm headphone jack is still present, which is a plus for users who prefer wired audio connections.

Overall, the build quality of the Nova Y61 is solid for its price range, offering durability and a comfortable grip. While it may not be the sleekest or most premium-looking device, it delivers on functionality.

Display: A Basic but Large Screen

The Huawei Nova Y61 comes with a 6.52-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. With a 20:9 aspect ratio and a pixel density of 269 ppi, the screen provides decent clarity for reading, browsing, and watching videos. Although it’s not Full HD, the display is good enough for day-to-day tasks, offering reasonably sharp visuals for the price.

The screen-to-body ratio of about 82.4% ensures that the phone has slim bezels, giving it a more modern look despite its budget positioning. The large screen size is a plus for users who enjoy consuming media on their phones, although it may lack the vibrant colors and deep blacks found in higher-end OLED displays.

While it performs adequately indoors, outdoor visibility in direct sunlight can be a bit challenging due to the lower brightness levels typical of IPS LCD panels in this price range.

Performance: Efficient for Basic Tasks

Under the hood, the Huawei Nova Y61 is powered by an octa-core processor, which, while not specified, is typical of budget smartphones. It is paired with 4GB or 8GB of RAM depending on the configuration, and storage options include 64GB or 128GB, expandable via microSDXC.

For basic tasks such as web browsing, social media, and casual gaming, the Nova Y61 handles itself well. You’ll be able to multitask between apps without much slowdown, but don’t expect the phone to perform smoothly with resource-heavy games or demanding apps. For everyday use, such as texting, watching videos, and using light apps, the phone performs adequately.

The EMUI 12 software offers a clean and intuitive interface, although users will need to rely on Huawei’s AppGallery and other third-party app stores instead of Google Play Services. This could be a limitation for users who are accustomed to the Google ecosystem, though there are workarounds for installing some Google apps.

Camera: 50MP Triple Camera System

One of the standout features of the Huawei Nova Y61 is its triple-camera system, headlined by a 50MP primary sensor. Here’s a closer look at the camera setup:

50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), AF: The primary camera delivers solid performance in well-lit conditions, capturing sharp and detailed photos. The f/1.8 aperture helps with low-light photography, though it struggles in very dark settings without adequate lighting.
2 MP, f/2.4 (macro): The macro lens allows for close-up shots, but the 2 MP resolution limits the level of detail and clarity in these images. It’s more of a fun addition than a practical feature for serious photography.
2 MP, f/2.4 (depth): The depth sensor is useful for creating portrait shots with a blurred background (bokeh effect), though the results are modest compared to more advanced smartphones.

The camera app includes basic features such as HDR, panorama, and an LED flash for low-light environments. Video recording is capped at 1080p@30fps, which is expected at this price point.

On the front, the 5 MP selfie camera does a decent job for video calls and casual selfies, but like many budget phones, it performs best in good lighting conditions.

Battery Life: All-Day Power with Fast Charging

The Huawei Nova Y61 is equipped with a large 5000mAh battery, which is a highlight for this device. With this capacity, users can easily get through a full day of moderate use without needing to charge the phone. For light users, the battery can even last up to two days on a single charge.

In terms of charging speed, the phone supports 22.5W wired charging, which can top up the battery relatively quickly. Huawei claims that the phone can achieve a significant charge within a short period, allowing users to spend less time plugged in.

This large battery, combined with the efficient hardware, makes the Nova Y61 ideal for users who prioritize long battery life and need a reliable phone that can last all day.

Connectivity and Other Features

The Huawei Nova Y61 supports dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) functionality, making it convenient for users who need to manage two numbers, such as for work and personal use. It’s compatible with 4G LTE networks, ensuring good connectivity for internet browsing, streaming, and downloads.

The phone’s connectivity options include:

Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n: While it lacks Wi-Fi 6 or 5GHz support, the Wi-Fi connection is stable for basic use.
Bluetooth 5.1: Offers a reliable wireless connection for Bluetooth-enabled accessories such as headphones or smartwatches.
USB Type-C 2.0 with OTG: Allows for wired data transfers and charging, with support for OTG (On-The-Go) functionality.

The side-mounted fingerprint sensor provides a quick and secure way to unlock the device, while additional sensors include an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. NFC is only available on the EVE-LX9N model, adding contactless payment functionality.

Conclusion: A Solid Budget Option with Long Battery Life

The Huawei Nova Y61 offers a good balance between affordability and essential smartphone features. With a 50MP main camera, 5000mAh battery, and a large display, it’s an attractive choice for users who prioritize long-lasting power and basic photography in a budget-friendly package.

However, the lack of Google Play Services may be a significant downside for some users, and the performance is best suited for basic tasks rather than intensive apps or gaming. If you’re willing to work around these limitations, the Nova Y61 provides excellent value for the price, especially with its strong battery life and capable camera.

Huawei Nova Y61 Full Specifications

Feature	Specification
Launch Date	November 2022
Dimensions	164.3 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)
Weight	188 g (6.63 oz)
Display	6.52 inches, IPS LCD, 720 x 1600 pixels (~269 ppi)
Operating System	EMUI 12 (no Google Play Services)
Memory	64GB/4GB RAM, 64GB/6GB RAM, 128GB/4GB RAM, 128GB/8GB RAM
Expandable Storage	microSDXC
Main Camera	50 MP (wide), 2 MP (macro), 2 MP (depth)
Selfie Camera	5 MP, f/2.2 (wide)
Battery	5000 mAh, 22.5W wired charging
Colors Available	Sapphire Blue, Mint Green, Midnight Black
Price	About 140 EUR
Models	EVE-LX9, EVE-LX9N, EVE-LX3