Explore the Huawei Nova 8 review, featuring a 6.57-inch OLED display, 64MP quad-camera, Kirin 820E chipset, and 66W fast charging. Released in August 2021, this device is perfect for those seeking a stylish and feature-packed mid-range phone.
Introduction
The Huawei Nova 8, released in August 2021, is a mid-range smartphone that stands out with its sleek design, stunning OLED display, and 66W fast charging capability. Powered by the Kirin 820E chipset, the Nova 8 offers solid performance, making it a compelling choice for users looking for an affordable phone with premium features.
With a 64MP quad-camera setup, 90Hz refresh rate, and 5G support, the Nova 8 balances both style and performance. However, like other recent Huawei devices, the absence of Google Play Services may be a limitation for some users, as the phone relies on Huawei’s AppGallery and EMUI 12 (based on Android 11).
In this review, we’ll cover the phone’s design, display, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and more to help you decide if the Huawei Nova 8 is the right fit for your needs.
Design and Build
The Huawei Nova 8 is a beautifully designed device, featuring a slim profile of just 7.6mm thickness and weighing 169g, making it one of the lighter smartphones in its category. The curved glass front and back, combined with an aluminum frame, give the phone a premium look and feel.
- Dimensions: 160.1 x 74.1 x 7.6 mm
- Weight: 169g
The Nova 8 is available in a stunning Powder Pink color, which adds to its unique aesthetic. The phone also supports dual SIM functionality, allowing users to manage two numbers simultaneously.
Unfortunately, it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, so users will need to rely on wireless earphones or a USB-C adapter for wired audio.
Display
The Huawei Nova 8 sports a 6.57-inch OLED display with support for 1 billion colors, HDR10, and a 90Hz refresh rate. This high-quality screen delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth scrolling, making it ideal for watching videos, playing games, or browsing the web.
- Resolution: 1080 x 2340 pixels (~392 ppi density)
- Screen-to-body ratio: ~89.3%
The OLED technology ensures that images are sharp and well-contrasted, while the 90Hz refresh rate improves the overall fluidity of the user experience.
Performance
The Huawei Nova 8 is powered by the Kirin 820E chipset, which is built on a 7nm process and features a Hexa-core CPU. This setup, combined with the Mali-G57 6-core GPU, delivers reliable performance for day-to-day tasks, gaming, and multitasking.
- Chipset: Kirin 820E (7 nm)
- CPU: Hexa-core (3×2.22 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3×1.84 GHz Cortex-A55)
- GPU: Mali-G57 (6-core)
- Memory: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Although the Nova 8 offers solid performance, it may not be as powerful as some competitors at the same price point, especially for demanding gaming applications. However, it handles everyday tasks with ease, and users will appreciate its smooth operation for general usage.
The phone lacks a microSD card slot, so users will need to manage the available internal storage (128GB or 256GB).
Camera
The Huawei Nova 8 features a quad-camera setup that is versatile enough for different photography scenarios:
- 64 MP main camera (f/1.9, 26mm wide, PDAF): This high-resolution sensor delivers detailed and sharp images, especially in good lighting conditions.
- 8 MP ultrawide camera (f/2.4, 120˚, 17mm): Ideal for capturing expansive landscapes or group shots.
- 2 MP depth sensor (f/2.4): Helps create natural-looking bokeh effects in portrait shots.
- 2 MP macro camera (f/2.4): Perfect for close-up photography, capturing small details.
The camera supports 4K video recording, 1080p, and slow-motion recording at 720p@960fps with gyro-EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization) for steady video footage.
The 32 MP front-facing camera is excellent for selfies and video calls, and it supports HDR and 4K video recording.
Battery and Charging
One of the standout features of the Huawei Nova 8 is its fast-charging capability. The phone comes with a 3800 mAh battery, which may seem modest by today’s standards, but it compensates for this with 66W fast charging. According to Huawei, the phone can charge 60% in just 15 minutes and reach 100% in 35 minutes.
- Battery: Li-Po 3800 mAh, non-removable
- Charging: 66W wired, 5W reverse wired charging
This rapid charging makes the Nova 8 highly convenient for users who need a quick power-up throughout the day.
Connectivity and Other Features
The Huawei Nova 8 offers a wide range of connectivity options:
- Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
- Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, LE
- USB Type-C 2.0, OTG support
- Positioning: GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
- NFC: Yes
The phone also includes an under-display optical fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass for additional functionality.
Software
The Huawei Nova 8 runs Android 11 with EMUI 12, but it lacks Google Play Services. This means users will need to rely on Huawei’s AppGallery for downloading apps, along with third-party solutions for accessing other popular services. Despite this limitation, the overall software experience is smooth and user-friendly.
Pricing
The Huawei Nova 8 is priced at approximately €420, positioning it as a mid-range device with premium features like a vibrant OLED display, fast charging, and a solid camera setup.
Full Specifications of Huawei Nova 8
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE, 5G supported on some models |
| Dimensions | 160.1 x 74.1 x 7.6 mm |
| Weight | 169 g |
| SIM | Single SIM (Nano-SIM) or Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Display Type | OLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 90Hz |
| Display Size | 6.57 inches |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels (~392 ppi density) |
| OS | Android 11, EMUI 12, no Google Play Services |
| Chipset | Kirin 820E (7 nm) |
| CPU | Hexa-core (3×2.22 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3×1.84 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 (6-core) |
| Memory Options | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | 64 MP (wide), 8 MP (ultrawide), 2 MP (depth), 2 MP (macro) |
| Selfie Camera | 32 MP |
| Battery | 3800 mAh, 66W fast charging, 100% in 35 min |
| Colors | Powder Pink |
Conclusion
The Huawei Nova 8 is a stylish mid-range smartphone that delivers strong performance, a beautiful OLED display, and rapid charging capabilities. Its 64MP quad-camera setup offers versatile photography options, while the Kirin 820E chipset ensures smooth performance for most tasks.
The lack of Google Play Services might be a drawback for some users, but those who can adapt to Huawei’s ecosystem will find the Nova 8 to be a feature-packed and affordable option in the mid-range market.
Disclaimer: We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
