Huawei Nova 8i Review South Africa [2023] – Specs, 4300mAh
Launch Date:
Huawei nova 8i was launched on July 7, 2021, and it’s currently available in many regions, including Asia, Europe, and Africa.
The device comes as a mid-range smartphone and features some impressive specifications and features that make it stand out from other devices in its price range.
Body:
Huawei nova 8i measures 161.85 x 74.7 x 8.58 mm, making it quite sleek and easy to hold.
The phone weighs 190 grams, which is a bit heavier than some of its competitors.
It’s build is impressive, and it comes with a glass front, plastic back, and plastic frame.
It features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor that is fast and responsive.
The phone has a hybrid dual-SIM slot that can support two SIM cards or one SIM card and a microSD card for storage expansion.
Display:
Nova 8i has a 6.67-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2376 pixels.
It has a pixel density of 395 PPI and a refresh rate of 90Hz, making it smooth and responsive. Corning Gorilla Glass protects the screen, which has an 84.3% screen-to-body ratio.
The display is quite bright and produces accurate colors, making it ideal for media consumption and gaming.
Operating System (OS):
Huawei nova 8i runs on Android 10, with Huawei’s EMUI 11.0.1 user interface.
The device is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 662 chipset, which is a mid-range processor.
An octa-core Processor with four 2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold cores and four 1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver cores powers the chipset.
The graphics are handled by the Adreno 610 GPU, which is quite capable of handling most modern games and apps.
Memory:
Huawei nova 8i comes with 128GB of internal storage and 6GB of RAM.
The phone also features a hybrid SIM slot that can support up to 256GB of additional storage through a microSD card.
Users may save several programs, games, and media files without worrying about running out of storage space because to the amazing storage capacity.
Camera:
Nova 8i features a quad-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 64-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 2-megapixel macro camera, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor.
In addition, the primary camera features a wide f/1.9 aperture, phase detection autofocus, and LED flash. It can shoot 4K videos at 30fps and 1080p videos at 30fps or 60fps.
Its ultra-wide camera has an f/2.4 aperture and a 120-degree field of view.
The macro camera can capture close-up shots with a minimum focus distance of 4cm, while the depth sensor is used for portrait mode photos.
On the front, the Huawei nova 8i features a dual-camera setup consisting of a 16-megapixel primary camera and a 2-megapixel depth sensor.
The primary camera features an f/2.0 aperture and can shoot 1080p videos at 30fps. The front-facing camera also supports HDR, portrait mode, and beauty mode.
Price Of Huawei nova 8i In South Africa:
Huawei nova 8i’s most recent price is $419 (approximately R6,033, £306, and €354) for the 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage variant.
The 6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage variant is not currently available on the market.
The device’s price may vary depending on the region and retailer.
Huawei nova 8i’s price is competitive, considering the device’s specifications and features.
It is available in two colors: Moonlight Silver and Interstellar Blue. There are no different configurations or variants of the device.
Sound:
Huawei nova 8i features a loudspeaker that produces decent sound quality.
It is clear and loud enough for most activities, including watching videos and listening to music.
The sound output does not distort even at maximum volume.
However, the loudspeaker’s placement is at the bottom of the device, which can be covered when holding the phone in landscape mode.
It also features a 3.5mm jack, which is great news for users who prefer wired headphones or earphones.
Connectivity:
Nova 8i comes with various connectivity options that include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot, Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE, GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NFC, FM radio, and USB Type-C 2.0.
It also supports 4G LTE networks, which provides faster download and upload speeds compared to 3G networks.
The device’s network connectivity is stable and reliable, allowing for uninterrupted use.
Sensors:
Huawei nova 8i has a range of sensors that include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass sensors.
The fingerprint sensor is fast and accurate, making it easy to unlock the device with just a touch.
When the phone is held close to the user’s face during a call, the proximity sensor on the phone effectively turns off the screen.
The excellent gyro and compass sensors make it simple to operate applications that need exact orientation and direction.
Battery:
Huawei nova 8i features a non-removable Li-Po 4300mAh battery that provides decent battery life.
It can last a full day with moderate usage, including browsing, social media, and taking photos.
The device also supports 66W fast charging, which charges the device from 0% to 100% in just 38 minutes.
Users may easily stay connected without worrying about running out of juice thanks to the device’s exceptional battery life and fast charging characteristics.
Miscellaneous:
Huawei nova 8i comes in three different color options: Moonlight Silver, Interstellar Blue, and Starry Black.
The device’s design is eye-catching, with a stylish gradient finish on the back panel that changes color when light falls on it.
It is available in two variants: 6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage, and 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage.
It’s SAR value is 0.96 W/kg (head) and 0.66 W/kg (body), which is within the acceptable limit set by regulatory bodies.
Comparison with Other Devices:
Nova 8i competes with several other devices in the same price range, including the Samsung Galaxy A52, Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro, and Realme 7 Pro.
Samsung Galaxy A52 features a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display, Snapdragon 720G chipset, 64MP primary camera, and a 4500mAh battery with 25W fast charging.
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro features a 6.67-inch IPS LCD display, Snapdragon 860 chipset, 48MP primary camera, and a 5160mAh battery with 33W fast charging.
Realme 7 Pro features a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display, Snapdragon 720G chipset, 64MP primary camera, and a 4500mAh battery with 65W fast charging.
When compared to these devices, the Huawei nova 8i holds its own in several aspects.
Nova 8i’s 6.67-inch IPS LCD display has a slightly higher resolution than the Samsung Galaxy A52 and Realme 7 Pro, and the Poco X3 Pro’s display is only marginally larger.
Huawei Nova 8i also has a more powerful chipset than the Samsung Galaxy A52, with the Snapdragon 662 offering better performance than the 720G.
The nova 8i’s battery capacity is also larger than the Samsung Galaxy A52, although it does not support as fast of charging speeds.
When it comes to the camera, the Huawei nova 8i is on par with the Samsung Galaxy A52 and Realme 7 Pro, with all devices featuring a 64MP primary camera.
However, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro falls behind with a 48MP primary camera.
Nova 8i’s main camera also has a slightly wider aperture than the Samsung Galaxy A52 and Realme 7 Pro, which could lead to slightly better low-light performance.
In terms of price, the Huawei nova 8i is generally less expensive than the Samsung Galaxy A52 and Realme 7 Pro, but more expensive than the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro.
However, the nova 8i’s combination of a powerful chipset, high-resolution display, and versatile camera system make it a compelling option in its price range.
Overall, the Huawei nova 8i is a strong contender in the mid-range smartphone market, with a stylish design, powerful performance, and versatile camera system.
While there are several other devices in the same price range that offer similar features, the nova 8i stands out with its combination of high-resolution display and wide-aperture camera.
If you’re in the market for a mid-range smartphone with premium features, the Huawei nova 8i is definitely worth considering.
Pros:
- Stylish design with a slim and lightweight build
- Large 6.67-inch IPS LCD display with high resolution and good color accuracy
- Powerful Snapdragon 662 chipset with smooth performance for most tasks
- Versatile quad-camera system with a 64MP main camera and 120-degree ultra-wide lens
- 16MP front-facing camera with dual selfie lenses for wide-angle shots
- Large 4,300mAh battery with support for 66W fast charging
- Good sound quality from the loudspeaker and headphone jack
- Dual-SIM support with 4G LTE connectivity
Cons:
- No official IP rating for water and dust resistance
- No wireless charging support
- No expandable storage via microSD card
- Limited availability outside of select regions, including no availability in the United States due to Huawei’s current trade restrictions.
Final Thoughts
Huawei nova 8i is a well-rounded mid-range smartphone that offers a stylish design, high-resolution display, powerful performance, and versatile camera system.
Its 66W fast charging support and large battery make it an excellent choice for power users, while the dual-SIM support and 4G LTE connectivity make it a good option for travelers.
However, the lack of wireless charging support, expandable storage, and official water and dust resistance rating are notable drawbacks.
Additionally, the limited availability in certain regions due to Huawei’s trade restrictions may be a deal-breaker for some consumers.
Overall, if you’re in the market for a mid-range smartphone with premium features, the Huawei nova 8i is definitely worth considering.
ALSO READ: More Phone Reviews
