Discover the Huawei Nova 8 5G with its 6.57″ OLED 90Hz display, Kirin 985 chipset, 64MP quad-camera, and 66W fast charging. Read the full review to explore its design, performance, and camera quality.
Introduction
The Huawei Nova 8 5G, released in January 2021, is a mid-range smartphone designed to offer a sleek and stylish design combined with powerful performance and 5G connectivity. With a 6.57-inch OLED display, Kirin 985 5G chipset, and a 64MP quad-camera system, the Nova 8 5G is built for users who want high-end features without the price tag of a flagship device.
Despite the lack of Google Play Services, the Nova 8 5G provides a solid experience for those who can adapt to Huawei’s AppGallery ecosystem. In this review, we’ll delve into the phone’s design, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and more to see how it stands out in the competitive mid-range market.
Design and Build Quality
The Huawei Nova 8 5G boasts an ultra-slim and lightweight design, with a thickness of just 7.6mm and weighing 169g. This makes the phone easy to handle and carry around, offering a premium feel without the bulk. The glass front and back, combined with an aluminum frame, give the device a refined and polished appearance.
Available in a range of colors, including Black, Blue, Green, and White, the Nova 8 5G appeals to users who prioritize style. The phone’s dual-SIM configuration allows for flexible network usage, and its 89.3% screen-to-body ratio ensures an immersive visual experience.
Display
The 6.57-inch OLED display is one of the highlights of the Huawei Nova 8 5G. With a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels and a pixel density of 392 ppi, the display delivers vibrant and sharp visuals, perfect for watching videos, gaming, and browsing. The 90Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and fluid animations, providing a premium experience in this price range.
The display also supports HDR10, further enhancing color depth and contrast, making the Nova 8 5G a great device for media consumption.
Performance
Under the hood, the Huawei Nova 8 5G is powered by the Kirin 985 5G chipset, built on a 7nm process. The octa-core CPU consists of 1×2.58 GHz Cortex-A76, 3×2.40 GHz Cortex-A76, and 4×1.84 GHz Cortex-A55, ensuring efficient performance across a variety of tasks. The Mali-G77 GPU handles graphics-intensive applications and gaming with ease.
The Nova 8 5G comes with 8GB of RAM and offers two storage options: 128GB and 256GB. However, there is no option for expandable storage via a microSD card, which may limit users who need more storage space. The phone runs on EMUI 11 based on Android 10, but it does not support Google Play Services. Users will rely on Huawei’s AppGallery and third-party app stores for downloading apps.
Camera
The Huawei Nova 8 5G features a versatile quad-camera system, making it a strong contender in the mid-range camera phone category:
- 64 MP main camera (f/1.9, 26mm, PDAF): Captures sharp and detailed photos with excellent dynamic range, even in low-light conditions.
- 8 MP ultrawide camera (f/2.4, 120˚, 17mm): Allows for wide-angle shots, perfect for landscapes and group photos.
- 2 MP depth sensor (f/2.4): Enhances portrait shots by providing better depth of field and more accurate background blur.
- 2 MP macro lens (f/2.4): Enables close-up photography, capturing small details with precision.
The camera supports 4K video recording, 1080p@30/60fps, and gyro-EIS, ensuring stable and high-quality video capture. The 32 MP selfie camera (f/2.0, 26mm) offers sharp and detailed selfies with HDR support and the ability to record 4K videos, making it ideal for vlogging and video calls.
Battery and Charging
The Huawei Nova 8 5G is equipped with a 3800mAh battery, which provides decent battery life for a day of moderate use. The device’s efficient Kirin 985 chipset and OLED display help conserve power, but heavy users might need to top up during the day.
Thankfully, the phone supports 66W fast wired charging, allowing the battery to charge up to 60% in just 15 minutes and fully charge in 35 minutes. This rapid charging capability is a standout feature, ensuring minimal downtime. The device also supports 5W reverse wired charging, allowing users to charge other devices, such as wireless earbuds, directly from their phone.
Connectivity and Other Features
The Huawei Nova 8 5G offers a range of connectivity options, including 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and USB Type-C 2.0. The phone also supports NFC for contactless payments and quick pairing with other devices.
Positioning is handled by GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, and QZSS, providing accurate navigation and location services. The under-display optical fingerprint sensor offers a fast and secure way to unlock the phone, while the accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass round out the device’s sensor suite.
Price and Availability
The Huawei Nova 8 5G is priced at around 410 EUR, making it a competitive option in the mid-range market. With its sleek design, 90Hz OLED display, and 66W fast charging, the Nova 8 5G offers great value for users who want high-end features at a more affordable price point.
Specifications Table
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Dimensions | 160.1 x 74.1 x 7.6 mm |
| Weight | 169 g |
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Display | 6.57 inches OLED, 1080 x 2340 pixels, 90Hz, HDR10 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 11 (No Google Play Services) |
| Chipset | Kirin 985 5G (7 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (1×2.58 GHz Cortex-A76, 3×2.40 GHz Cortex-A76, 4×1.84 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | Mali-G77 (8-core) |
| Internal Storage | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | Quad: 64 MP (wide), 8 MP (ultrawide), 2 MP (depth), 2 MP (macro) |
| Selfie Camera | 32 MP (wide) |
| Battery | 3800 mAh, 66W wired fast charging, 5W reverse wired charging |
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green, White |
| Price | About 410 EUR |
Conclusion
The Huawei Nova 8 5G offers a well-rounded experience for users who want a stylish and powerful mid-range phone. With its Kirin 985 5G chipset, 64MP quad-camera system, and 66W fast charging, the Nova 8 5G stands out in the crowded mid-range market. Its 6.57-inch OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and HDR10 support provides a premium media experience, while the phone’s slim and lightweight design adds to its appeal.
Despite the lack of Google Play Services, Huawei’s AppGallery is continuously growing, offering a variety of apps for users to download. At 410 EUR, the Nova 8 5G offers excellent value for users looking for a mid-range phone with high-end features.
Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
