Discover the Huawei Nova 10 SE in this in-depth review. Explore its 108MP camera, OLED display, performance, and battery life to see if it fits your needs.

Huawei Nova 10 SE Review: A Mid-Range Smartphone with a Stunning 108MP Camera

Huawei continues to expand its Nova series with the Huawei Nova 10 SE, which was released on October 25, 2022. Aimed at the mid-range market, this smartphone packs a 108MP main camera, a sleek 6.67-inch OLED display, and a 4500mAh battery with 66W fast charging. Priced competitively, the Nova 10 SE is designed for users who want powerful camera performance and a smooth display without breaking the bank.

However, like other recent Huawei devices, the Nova 10 SE runs on EMUI 12 without Google Play Services, which may be a concern for some users. In this review, we’ll dive into the key features of the Nova 10 SE and see whether it delivers on its promise of a high-quality, affordable smartphone experience.

Introduction

The Huawei Nova 10 SE is positioned as a mid-range device that offers premium features at a more accessible price. Its standout feature is the 108MP main camera, which promises high-resolution photos, paired with an impressive 6.67-inch OLED display that supports 90Hz refresh rate for smoother navigation and gaming experiences.

With a Snapdragon 680G 4G processor, this phone is tailored for those who don’t need 5G connectivity but still want solid performance for everyday use. Additionally, the fast 66W charging ensures that you won’t be tethered to a power outlet for long. But how does it perform in real-world use? Let’s explore in detail.

Design & Build Quality: Sleek and Slim

The Huawei Nova 10 SE features a slim design, measuring 162.4 x 75.5 x 7.4 mm and weighing 184 grams. It’s light, easy to hold, and sleek enough to slide into a pocket without much bulk. The phone is available in three colors: Starry Silver, Mint Green, and Starry Black, all of which have a glossy finish that adds a premium feel.

The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is integrated into the power button, providing a quick and reliable way to unlock the phone. While the phone lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, it supports USB Type-C for charging and audio output. The overall design feels modern and refined, especially for a mid-range device.

Display: Vivid OLED with 90Hz Refresh Rate

The 6.67-inch OLED display is one of the standout features of the Huawei Nova 10 SE. With a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and a pixel density of 395 ppi, the screen delivers sharp and vibrant visuals. Whether you’re watching videos, browsing social media, or playing games, the display offers excellent clarity and color accuracy.

The 90Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and a more fluid user experience, making it a great choice for users who spend a lot of time interacting with their devices. The Always-On Display feature adds convenience by showing notifications and the time without fully waking the screen.

The display performs well both indoors and outdoors, though it may struggle a bit in direct sunlight due to brightness limitations common in mid-range OLED panels. However, for most users, it offers a great balance between quality and affordability.

Performance: Solid for Everyday Tasks

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680G 4G processor, the Huawei Nova 10 SE is designed to handle everyday tasks with ease. The octa-core CPU features 4×2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4×1.9 GHz Cortex-A53 cores, providing a good mix of performance and power efficiency. The Adreno 610 GPU is also sufficient for light gaming and multimedia tasks.

While the Snapdragon 680G lacks 5G connectivity, the phone delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks such as browsing, social media, streaming, and multitasking. For more demanding games or apps, you might notice some stuttering or longer load times, but for its price point, the Nova 10 SE offers solid performance.

The phone comes with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. Unfortunately, there is no card slot, so users will have to choose wisely when it comes to storage capacity.

Running on EMUI 12, the software is smooth and responsive, though the absence of Google Play Services means users will have to rely on Huawei’s AppGallery and other third-party app stores for downloading apps.

Camera: Stunning 108MP Shots

The 108MP primary camera is the headline feature of the Huawei Nova 10 SE, offering f/1.9 aperture and PDAF (Phase Detection Autofocus) for detailed and sharp photos, even in lower light conditions. The high-resolution sensor captures impressive images with rich colors and good dynamic range, particularly in well-lit environments.

The triple-camera system also includes:

8 MP (ultrawide), f/2.2: Offers a 112° field of view, perfect for landscape and group photos. The image quality is decent, though it lacks the detail of the main sensor.
2 MP (macro), f/2.4: The macro lens allows for close-up photography, but the 2 MP resolution limits the overall quality of the shots.

The camera app includes features like HDR, panorama, and a Dual-LED dual-tone flash, making it versatile for various shooting conditions. However, video recording is limited to 1080p@30fps, which might be a disappointment for users hoping for 4K video capabilities.

On the front, the 16 MP selfie camera does a decent job for selfies and video calls, though it performs best in good lighting. It also supports 1080p video recording, which is sufficient for casual use.

Battery Life: Fast Charging with 66W Support

The 4500mAh battery in the Huawei Nova 10 SE provides enough power to get through a full day of moderate use, including browsing, gaming, and streaming. The efficient Snapdragon 680G chipset, paired with EMUI’s power-saving features, ensures good battery life.

The standout feature here is the 66W wired fast charging, which can charge the phone up to 60% in just 20 minutes, as advertised by Huawei. This makes it convenient for users who are constantly on the move and need quick top-ups throughout the day. The phone also supports 5W reverse wired charging, allowing you to charge smaller devices like wireless earbuds.

Connectivity & Additional Features

The Huawei Nova 10 SE supports dual SIM functionality, with compatibility for 4G LTE networks, making it suitable for users who don’t yet need 5G connectivity. Other connectivity features include:

Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band: Ensures fast and stable internet connectivity.
Bluetooth 5.0: Offers a reliable connection for wireless headphones and other accessories.
GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS: Ensures accurate location tracking.
NFC: Available on the BNE-LX1 model for contactless payments and data transfer.

The phone also includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for quick and secure unlocking. Additional sensors like an accelerometer, gyro, compass, and proximity sensor (using ultrasound) enhance the phone’s overall functionality.

Conclusion: A Great Camera Phone for the Price

The Huawei Nova 10 SE offers a compelling mix of features for its price, particularly with its 108MP camera, OLED display, and 66W fast charging. It’s a solid mid-range option for users who value camera quality and display performance but don’t need 5G connectivity or Google Play Services.

While the lack of Google Play Services might be a hurdle for some users, the AppGallery offers plenty of alternatives, and the phone’s overall performance, design, and battery life make it a great choice for budget-conscious buyers.

If you’re looking for a smartphone with a great camera and premium features at an affordable price, the Huawei Nova 10 SE is definitely worth considering.

Huawei Nova 10 SE Full Specifications

Feature	Specification
Launch Date	October 25, 2022
Dimensions	162.4 x 75.5 x 7.4 mm (6.39 x 2.97 x 0.29 in)
Weight	184 g (6.49 oz)
Display	6.67 inches, OLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 90Hz (~395 ppi)
Operating System	EMUI 12 (no Google Play Services)
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 680G 4G
Memory	128GB/6GB RAM, 128GB/8GB RAM, 256GB/8GB RAM
Main Camera	108 MP (wide), 8 MP (ultrawide), 2 MP (macro)
Selfie Camera	16 MP (wide)
Battery	Li-Po 4500 mAh, 66W wired charging
Colors Available	Starry Silver, Mint Green, Starry Black
Models	BNE-LX1, BNE-LX3
Price	$649 / €199.99 / £442.52