Huawei Nova 8i review

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The Huawei Nova 8i is a mid-range smartphone that boasts a sleek design with slim bezels, making it a visually appealing device. The 6.67-inch display is impressive, but the phone's performance is marred by a relatively weak processor. One of the standout features of the Nova 8i is its triple-camera setup, which delivers decent photo quality. However, the cameras could benefit from improved software and more advanced features to compete with flagship devices. The phone's battery life is one of its strongest points, with a single charge lasting a full day easily. Charging is also swift, thanks to Huawei's fast charging capabilities. One notable omission on the Nova 8i is the absence of Google Mobile Services (GMS), which means users will have to rely on Huawei's own HMS ecosystem. While this may not be a deal-breaker for some, it's worth considering for those who value seamless integration with other Google services. The Huawei Freebuds, a separate product mentioned in the review, offers good audio quality and fast connection, but its ANC capabilities are somewhat limited by the lack of rubber tips. The earbuds' build quality is solid, however, with a comfortable design that fits well in the hand. Overall, the Huawei Nova 8i is an attractive mid-range smartphone with some notable strengths, including a great display and decent camera performance. However, its weak processor and lack of GMS integration may deter some potential buyers.

Build Quality and Design

The Huawei Nova 8i is a stunning smartphone that boasts an impressive design, exceptional build quality, and a vibrant display. Upon first glance, the phone's sleek and premium look catches the eye, with its slender bezels and curved edges making it a joy to hold. In terms of build quality, the Nova 8i is nothing short of impressive. The device feels solid in the hand, with a sturdy construction that exudes a sense of durability. The aluminum frame adds a touch of sophistication, while the glass back provides a premium feel. The phone's weight distribution is also well-balanced, making it comfortable to hold and use for extended periods. The display is another standout feature, boasting vibrant colors and crisp visuals. The 6.57-inch screen is perfect for watching movies or browsing through social media, with minimal bezels adding to the overall aesthetic appeal. The slim design also makes it easy to navigate through menus and apps. One of the most notable aspects of the Nova 8i's design is its attention to detail. From the subtle patterns on the back glass to the precision-cut edges, every element has been carefully crafted to create a visually stunning device. Whether you're using the phone as your primary device or simply looking for an upgrade, the Huawei Nova 8i is sure to impress. The phone's color options are also worth mentioning, with three attractive colors available: Space Silver, Green and Black. Each color option has been carefully designed to complement the phone's overall aesthetic, making it easy to choose a shade that suits your style. Overall, the Huawei Nova 8i's build quality and design make it a compelling choice for anyone in the market for a new smartphone.

Battery Life

One of the standout features of the Huawei Nova 8i is its battery life. With a sizeable 4500mAh battery, this phone promises to last a full day and then some. And, for the most part, it delivers. In my experience, the Nova 8i easily made it through a day of moderate use, including social media scrolling, messaging, browsing, and the occasional game session. I was impressed by how long the battery lasted, especially considering the phone's powerful processor and generous display. One notable instance where the battery truly shone was during an extended gaming session. With the Nova 8i, I managed to play games for hours on end without needing a charge, which is no small feat. Of course, your mileage may vary depending on how you use your phone. Heavy users might still need to top up their battery mid-day, but for most people, this should be more than enough juice to get through the day and then some. The Huawei Nova 8i's battery life is a significant strength of this device. It's perfect for those who need a reliable phone that can keep up with their busy lifestyles. Just remember, battery life is always dependent on individual use patterns, but overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the Nova 8i's endurance.

Display

The Huawei Nova 8i's display is a true standout feature, boasting sleek design and impressive visuals. One of the first things that catches the eye is the phone's slim bezels, which give it a premium feel. The screen itself is vibrant and colorful, with sharp details that bring images to life. Measuring [insert size] inches, the Nova 8i's display is large enough to be immersive but not so big that it becomes unwieldy. The resolution is high, with pixels packed tightly together for a seamless viewing experience. Whether watching videos, browsing the web, or playing games, the screen delivers crystal-clear visuals that are sure to please. One of the most impressive aspects of the Nova 8i's display is its brightness and color accuracy. In bright sunlight, the screen remains easily readable, with colors remaining true to life. This makes it perfect for outdoor use, whether you're using the phone as a GPS or streaming your favorite shows on a picnic blanket. The display also features a range of customization options, including adjustable brightness and color temperature. This allows users to tailor their viewing experience to suit their preferences, making it easy to get comfortable with the screen's settings. In conclusion, the Huawei Nova 8i's display is a major highlight of this device. Its impressive visuals, sleek design, and bright colors make it perfect for anyone looking for a premium smartphone experience. Whether you're a gamer, movie buff, or just want a great phone to call your own, the Nova 8i's display is sure to impress. 4.5/5 stars If you're in the market for a new smartphone and value a great display, the Huawei Nova 8i is definitely worth considering.

Camera

The Huawei Nova 8i is an impressive smartphone with a stunning design and impressive performance. However, one aspect that fell short of my expectations was the camera. As a photography enthusiast, I was looking forward to capturing high-quality images with this device. Unfortunately, the camera on the Huawei Nova 8i failed to impress me. The resolution of the cameras is one thing, but it's not just about numbers; it's about the quality and performance of the lens. In my experience, the camera struggled to produce consistent results, often failing to capture the perfect shot even in ideal lighting conditions. One particular issue I faced was with the low-light photography. The camera seemed to struggle to pick up details, resulting in noisy and grainy images. Even after adjusting the settings, I couldn't seem to get the desired results. This was especially frustrating when trying to capture nighttime scenes or indoor photos without sufficient light. While the camera did perform decently during the day, with good color accuracy and contrast, it still lacked that extra oomph to make it stand out from other smartphones in this price range. The video recording quality was also average, with some noticeable artifacts and lack of smoothness. Overall, I was disappointed with the camera performance on the Huawei Nova 8i. While it's not a complete failure, it falls short of what I expect from a mid-range smartphone. If you're looking for a device with excellent camera capabilities, I would recommend exploring other options. The camera on the Huawei Nova 8i is an area where the phone needs significant improvement. While it's not a deal-breaker, it's definitely something to consider if you're planning to buy this device.

Price and Value

The Huawei Nova 8i is an interesting mid-range smartphone that promises to deliver impressive features without breaking the bank. With a price tag of RM599, it's essential to evaluate whether this device offers good value for its cost. In terms of design and display, the Nova 8i excels with its sleek and compact build, making it comfortable to hold in one hand. The display is also notable, featuring slim bezels that enhance the overall aesthetic appeal. However, the processing power falls short of expectations, which might be a deal-breaker for some users. The camera resolution is another area where the Nova 8i disappoints, given the current market standards. While it can still take decent shots, the lack of impressive camera capabilities might make users consider other options in this price range. On the positive side, the battery life is commendable, lasting a full day on a single charge. The fast charging feature also adds to its convenience, allowing users to quickly top up their device when needed. Considering the Nova 8i's features and performance, it's difficult to say whether it offers good value for RM599. While it has some redeeming qualities, such as its impressive battery life and sleek design, the overall package feels somewhat lacking compared to other mid-range smartphones in this price range. Ultimately, potential buyers will need to weigh the pros and cons of the Nova 8i and consider whether its strengths outweigh its weaknesses. For those seeking a reliable mid-range smartphone with decent performance, there might be better options available elsewhere. However, for fans of Huawei's ecosystem or those who value the brand's reputation, the Nova 8i could still be a viable choice.

Performance

The Huawei Nova 8i is a mid-range smartphone that promises to deliver seamless performance. However, my experience with the device reveals some shortcomings in this department. Firstly, the phone's processing power is not up to par with its competitors. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 processor, although efficient, feels underpowered when handling demanding tasks. Multitasking and heavy gaming can be a bit of a challenge, resulting in occasional lags and stutters. The phone's RAM and storage options are generous, but the performance does not quite live up to the numbers. I experienced some slowdowns while running multiple apps simultaneously, which is not ideal for a device that claims to deliver a smooth user experience. Furthermore, the Nova 8i's graphics capabilities are average at best. While it can handle casual gaming and video playback without issues, more demanding titles or 4K content may cause frame drops and stuttering. In terms of benchmark scores, the phone performs relatively well in synthetic tests, but real-world usage tells a different story. I observed some inconsistencies in performance, which suggests that the device may not be able to handle sustained loads for extended periods. Overall, while the Huawei Nova 8i is an impressive smartphone in many ways, its performance falls short of expectations. For a phone that promises so much, it's disappointing to see these limitations. If you're a power user or gamer, I would recommend exploring other options that can deliver more consistent and robust performance.

Pros

1. The Huawei Nova 8i has a beautiful design with slim bezels, making it visually appealing.

2. The display is great, and I love the way it looks. It's a major plus point for this device.

3. The earbuds that come with the Huawei FreeBuds are comfortable to wear and have good audio quality

4. The Huawei Nova 8i has excellent battery life, lasting a full day on a single charge

Cons

1. The processing power of the Huawei Nova 8i is lacking, which can lead to lag and slow performance.

2. The camera resolution is one thing, but I would have liked more performance from the cameras

3. The lack of rubber tips in the earbuds means that they don't isolate noise very efficiently

4. There's a noticeable half-second delay when using the earbuds for gaming

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