Discover the Huawei Nova 8 SE, featuring a 6.53″ OLED display, Dimensity 720/800U chipset, 64MP quad-camera, and 66W fast charging. Read the full review to explore its features, performance, and camera quality.
Introduction
The Huawei Nova 8 SE, released in November 2020, is a mid-range smartphone that brings a sleek design, a high-quality OLED display, and 5G connectivity at an affordable price. Powered by either the Dimensity 720 or Dimensity 800U chipset, the Nova 8 SE offers a solid performance for everyday tasks, gaming, and photography. Additionally, its 64MP quad-camera system and 66W fast charging set it apart from many competitors in the mid-range market.
Despite the lack of Google Play Services, Huawei has built a robust alternative with AppGallery. In this review, we’ll explore the Nova 8 SE’s design, display, performance, camera capabilities, and more.
Design and Build Quality
The Huawei Nova 8 SE stands out with its slim and lightweight design. Measuring 161.1 x 74.8 x 7.5 mm and weighing just 178g, the phone is easy to handle and fits comfortably in one hand. The glass back and aluminum frame give it a premium feel, while the reflective back with various color options—Black, Deep Blue, Blue, and Silver—adds a stylish touch.
The device features a dual SIM slot but lacks expandable storage, which might be a downside for some users. However, its compact form factor and stylish design make the Nova 8 SE an attractive option in the mid-range segment.
Display
The Huawei Nova 8 SE sports a 6.53-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and a 20:9 aspect ratio. The screen offers vivid colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, making it perfect for watching videos, browsing, and gaming. With a pixel density of 403 ppi, the display is sharp and clear, providing a great viewing experience.
The device also supports HDR10, enhancing the quality of media consumption. While it may not have a high refresh rate like some competitors, the OLED panel still ensures smooth visuals and excellent brightness levels.
Performance
The Huawei Nova 8 SE comes in two variants based on the chipset:
- Standard model with MediaTek Dimensity 720 (7nm): This chipset is an excellent performer for daily tasks, ensuring smooth multitasking and gaming. The octa-core CPU (2×2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) combined with the Mali-G57 MC3 GPU ensures decent gaming performance, although heavy 3D games may require lower settings.
- Premium model with MediaTek Dimensity 800U (7nm): Offering slightly better performance than the Dimensity 720, the 800U model (2×2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) provides enhanced gaming and multitasking capabilities.
Both variants come with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, although there is no option for expandable storage via a microSD card. Running on EMUI 10.1 based on Android 10, the Nova 8 SE does not support Google Play Services, but Huawei’s AppGallery offers a growing selection of apps for users.
Camera
The quad-camera system on the Huawei Nova 8 SE is versatile and capable of delivering impressive shots:
- 64 MP main camera (f/1.9, 26mm): This primary sensor delivers sharp and detailed photos, even in challenging lighting conditions. The wide aperture ensures good performance in low light, and with PDAF, focusing is fast and accurate.
- 8 MP ultrawide camera (f/2.4, 120˚, 17mm): This camera captures wide-angle shots, making it ideal for landscapes and group photos.
- 2 MP macro lens (f/2.4): While not the most powerful, it allows users to capture close-up shots of small objects, although its effectiveness diminishes in low-light conditions.
- 2 MP depth sensor (f/2.4): This sensor enhances portrait shots by delivering better background separation and bokeh effects.
The phone supports 4K video recording at 30fps and 1080p video at 30fps. Additionally, the 16 MP front camera (f/2.0) delivers sharp selfies with HDR support, and it also records 1080p video at 30fps.
While the camera system is capable, it’s important to note that performance in low-light conditions may not match flagship models, but for its price, the Nova 8 SE delivers solid camera performance.
Battery and Charging
The Huawei Nova 8 SE is equipped with a 3800mAh battery, which may seem small compared to other phones in its category, but the efficient Dimensity chipset and OLED display help conserve power, allowing the phone to last through a full day of moderate use.
One of the most impressive features of the Nova 8 SE is its 66W fast wired charging, which can charge the battery to 60% in just 15 minutes and 100% in 35 minutes. This ultra-fast charging capability ensures that you won’t have to worry about long charging times, even with the relatively smaller battery.
Connectivity and Other Features
The Huawei Nova 8 SE supports 5G connectivity, ensuring users are future-proofed with faster data speeds and lower latency. It also comes with Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, and USB Type-C 2.0 with OTG support.
However, the phone lacks NFC and radio, which might be a drawback for users who rely on contactless payments or radio services. The phone also features an under-display fingerprint sensor, which provides fast and secure unlocking.
Price and Availability
The Huawei Nova 8 SE is priced at around 330 EUR, making it an affordable mid-range 5G device. With its sleek design, OLED display, and powerful quad-camera system, it offers good value for users who are looking for a well-rounded device without breaking the bank.
Specifications Table
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Dimensions | 161.1 x 74.8 x 7.5 mm |
| Weight | 178 g |
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Display | 6.53 inches OLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels, HDR10 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 10.1 (No Google Play Services) |
| Chipset | Dimensity 720 (Standard), Dimensity 800U (Premium) |
| CPU | Octa-core (2×2.0/2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 |
| Internal Storage | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | Quad: 64 MP (wide), 8 MP (ultrawide), 2 MP (macro), 2 MP (depth) |
| Selfie Camera | 16 MP (wide) |
| Battery | 3800 mAh, 66W fast charging |
| Colors | Black, Deep Blue, Blue, Silver |
| Price | About 330 EUR |
Conclusion
The Huawei Nova 8 SE strikes a balance between style, performance, and affordability, making it a solid contender in the mid-range 5G market. Its 6.53-inch OLED display, 64MP quad-camera system, and 66W fast charging are standout features, while the Dimensity chipset ensures reliable performance for everyday tasks.
While the lack of Google Play Services and a relatively smaller battery may be concerns for some users, the Nova 8 SE delivers excellent value for users who prioritize design, display quality, and camera performance. At 330 EUR, it’s a great choice for those looking for a budget-friendly 5G phone.
Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
