Explore the detailed review of the Huawei nova 8 SE Youth, highlighting its key features, performance, and specifications. Discover whether this mid-range smartphone is the right fit for you.
Introduction
The Huawei nova 8 SE Youth, also known as the Huawei nova 8 SE Vitality, Active, or Life, is a 2021 release that aims to provide an affordable yet powerful mid-range experience for users who need a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank. Despite the absence of Google Play Services, the device boasts a number of impressive features such as a 48MP triple camera setup, a 6.6-inch Full HD+ display, and fast charging capabilities.
This review takes a deep dive into the Huawei nova 8 SE Youth’s specifications, performance, and whether it can stand out in today’s competitive smartphone market.
Design and Build Quality
The Huawei nova 8 SE Youth impresses with its slim and lightweight build. Weighing just 179g and measuring 160.7 x 73.3 x 8.4 mm, the phone is easy to handle and feels comfortable in the hand. Its sleek design gives it a premium look, with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor that adds convenience for unlocking the device.
The phone comes in two color options: Black and Silver, catering to users who prefer a minimalist yet classy appearance.
Display
The device sports a 6.6-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, delivering a sharp and vibrant viewing experience. The 20:9 aspect ratio ensures an immersive visual experience, especially for media consumption and gaming. With a screen-to-body ratio of 89.3%, the bezels are kept minimal, offering a modern edge-to-edge display.
Although the IPS LCD panel might not match the deeper blacks of OLED screens, it still provides vibrant colors and decent contrast, making it a solid choice for casual media consumption and gaming.
Performance
Powered by the Kirin 710A chipset, the Huawei nova 8 SE Youth is equipped with an octa-core CPU that features four Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.7 GHz. The chipset, built on a 14nm process, is not the latest, but it still handles everyday tasks with ease.
Multitasking is smooth, thanks to the 8GB RAM, and switching between apps happens without noticeable lag. However, the absence of Google Play Services can be a drawback for some users, as it limits access to a wide range of apps through the Play Store. Instead, users have to rely on Huawei’s AppGallery, which, while growing, still lags behind Google’s ecosystem.
The Mali-G51 MP4 GPU is responsible for handling graphics, and while it’s not designed for heavy gaming, it manages light to moderate gaming without too much trouble. Titles like PUBG Mobile and Asphalt 9 can run on medium settings with occasional stutters.
Software
The Huawei nova 8 SE Youth runs on Android 10 with EMUI 10.1. Huawei’s EMUI offers several useful features such as Dark Mode, App Twin (for running two instances of the same app), and Huawei Share for seamless file sharing between Huawei devices.
However, the lack of Google Play Services limits the software experience, as users won’t have access to Google’s core apps such as Gmail, Google Maps, and YouTube. While alternatives can be found through Huawei’s AppGallery or sideloading, this can be a hassle for users accustomed to the Google ecosystem.
Camera
The Huawei nova 8 SE Youth’s camera setup is one of its main selling points. The triple rear camera consists of a 48MP primary sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, ensuring crisp and detailed shots in well-lit conditions. Accompanying the main sensor is a 2MP macro lens and a 2MP depth sensor, both with f/2.4 apertures.
In terms of performance, the primary camera produces vibrant colors with decent dynamic range. Portrait shots are enhanced by the depth sensor, which helps blur the background while keeping the subject in focus. The macro lens, while fun to use, doesn’t offer the same level of detail as the main sensor but is adequate for close-up shots in well-lit environments.
For video, the phone is capable of recording in 1080p at 30fps, providing decent quality for everyday videos.
The front camera houses a 16MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture, which delivers sharp selfies with good color reproduction. Video calls and selfies are handled well, even in moderately lit conditions.
Battery and Charging
The 4000mAh non-removable Li-Po battery powers the Huawei nova 8 SE Youth and provides a full day of moderate use. Whether it’s browsing, streaming, or social media use, the phone holds up well, thanks to its efficient hardware.
One of the highlights of the phone is its 40W fast charging capability. Huawei claims that the phone can reach 60% charge in just 15 minutes and a full 100% in 35 minutes, which is incredibly convenient for users who are always on the go.
Connectivity and Other Features
The Huawei nova 8 SE Youth supports a range of connectivity options, including 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, and dual-band Wi-Fi. It also supports GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS for accurate location services.
Unfortunately, the phone lacks NFC, meaning users won’t be able to use it for contactless payments. However, the phone does come with a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a plus for users who still prefer wired audio options.
Additionally, the device includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for security, as well as an accelerometer and compass.
Price and Availability
The Huawei nova 8 SE Youth is priced at around 250 EUR, making it an affordable option for users looking for a mid-range device with strong camera capabilities and decent performance. The phone was released on August 13, 2021, and is available in most regions where Huawei operates.
Specifications Table
Below is a responsive table for the detailed specifications of the Huawei nova 8 SE Youth:
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| Dimensions | 160.7 x 73.3 x 8.4 mm (6.33 x 2.89 x 0.33 in) |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Display | 6.6 inches, 1080 x 2400 pixels, IPS LCD |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 10.1, No Google Play Services |
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4×1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| Internal Storage | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | 48 MP (wide), 2 MP (macro), 2 MP (depth) |
| Selfie Camera | 16 MP (wide) |
| Battery | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable, 40W fast charging |
| Colors | Black, Silver |
| Price | Around 250 EUR |
Conclusion
The Huawei nova 8 SE Youth is a capable mid-range smartphone that excels in offering great battery life, fast charging, and a decent camera system. While the lack of Google Play Services might be a dealbreaker for some, those comfortable with Huawei’s AppGallery or sideloading apps will find this phone to be a solid choice at its price point. It offers reliable performance for everyday tasks and casual gaming, making it ideal for users who prioritize good value without compromising too much on features.
Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
