Huawei nova Y61 review
The Huawei Nova Y61 is the latest addition to the company's popular Nova series, bridging the gap between affordable smartphones and mid-range devices. With its sleek design, impressive cameras, and long-lasting battery life, this phone seems to tick all the right boxes. At a price point of 3000 Rands, it offers great value for money, cramming in essential features with minimal compromises. In this review, we'll put the Nova Y61 through its paces, examining its performance, camera capabilities, and overall user experience to see if it's worth considering for your next smartphone purchase.
Build Quality and Design
The Huawei Nova Y61 is the latest addition to the company's popular Nova series, aimed at value-conscious consumers looking for a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank. Upon handling the device, it's clear that Huawei has made a concerted effort to create a sleek and modern design. The Nova Y61 boasts a sturdy build quality, with a plastic back panel that feels premium in its own right. The sides of the phone are constructed from what appears to be solid aluminum, giving it a weighty feel without being too cumbersome. The boxy shape of the phone is reminiscent of Apple's iPhone design, which adds to its modern aesthetic. The device comes in two color options: midnight black and mint green, both of which look stylish on their own merit. However, it's the attention to detail that truly sets the Nova Y61 apart. The volume rockers and fingerprint sensor (which doubles as a lock button) are positioned conveniently on the right-hand side, making navigation a breeze. The phone's design is not only visually appealing but also functional, with the camera module situated at the top of the device. While some may find it slightly awkward, it doesn't detract from the overall experience. The Nova Y61's build quality and design make it a solid contender in its price segment, offering users a reliable and stylish smartphone that won't disappoint.
Battery Life
The Huawei Nova Y61 is a budget-friendly smartphone that boasts an impressive battery life. The device packs a 5000mAh cell, which translates to a full day of heavy usage quite comfortably. Even light users can expect the phone to last longer than a day. One of the standout features of the Nova Y61 is its ability to provide great battery life despite having a low-resolution 720p display. Huawei's software optimization and the efficient processor play a significant role in achieving this feat. With a 22.5W fast charger included in the box, users can quickly top up their device when needed. The phone's battery life is one of its strongest assets, making it an excellent choice for those who want to use their smartphone without worrying about running out of juice throughout the day. While gaming and heavy usage may still take a toll on the battery, the Nova Y61 manages to keep up surprisingly well. Overall, Huawei has done an impressive job in delivering a long-lasting battery experience at an affordable price point of 3000 Rands. If you're looking for a phone that can keep up with your daily needs without breaking the bank, the Nova Y61 is certainly worth considering.
Display
The Huawei Nova Y61 boasts a massive 6.52-inch display, making it an ideal choice for media enthusiasts. The screen-to-body ratio is impressive, offering an immersive viewing experience. While the display resolution tops out at 720p, the 60Hz refresh rate ensures smooth visuals. However, I couldn't help but feel that a 1080p 90Hz screen would have been a better fit, especially considering the phone's price point. The display itself is a mixed bag. On the one hand, colors are relatively accurate and sharp, making it suitable for everyday use. On the other hand, the lack of higher resolution and refresh rate might be a letdown for some users. Watching media content on the screen is still a decent experience, but it falls short of expectations. One notable omission is the absence of any significant display features that would set the Nova Y61 apart from its contemporaries. No HDR support, no advanced color management, just a standard 720p display. While this might not be a deal-breaker for some users, it's hard to ignore when considering the phone's overall package. The top of the screen houses the front camera with a 5-megapixel sensor and f/2.2 aperture, but that's about it in terms of notable features. The left-hand side has the hybrid dual SIM slot, while the bottom sports the headphone jack and main mic. Overall, the display is decent, but not particularly impressive given the competition in this price segment.
Camera
The Huawei Nova Y61 boasts a modern camera setup that is sure to impress. The triple camera configuration includes a 50-megapixel main sensor, a macro lens, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor for capturing stunning bokeh shots. In good lighting conditions, the cameras deliver very decent shots with sharp and relatively accurate colors. Portrait mode works well on the phone, allowing for some fantastic background blur when taking pictures. The default camera setting takes pictures at 12 megapixels, but users can switch to a high-resolution mode in the settings to capture images at 50 megapixels. The camera app is user-friendly, and the interface makes it easy to navigate through various modes and settings. However, I did notice that the phone takes a bit longer than expected to focus on subjects, especially when using the macro lens. One of the standout features of the Nova Y61's camera system is its ability to capture great photos in good lighting conditions. The colors are vibrant, and the level of detail is impressive, considering the relatively low price point of the phone. While the camera may not be the most advanced on the market, it is certainly a strong contender in the budget-friendly smartphone segment. Overall, I am impressed with the Huawei Nova Y61's camera capabilities, and I believe it will meet the photography needs of most users. In terms of specific camera features, the Nova Y61 has: * Triple-camera setup with 50-megapixel main sensor * Macro lens for capturing close-up shots * 2-megapixel depth sensor for bokeh shots * High-resolution mode for taking pictures at 50 megapixels * Portrait mode with background blur * User-friendly camera app with various modes and settings Overall, the Huawei Nova Y61's camera is a significant highlight of this smartphone, and it will likely appeal to users who value good photography capabilities in their device.
Price and Value
The Huawei Nova Y61 is a mid-range smartphone that bridges the gap between affordable devices and more premium options. Priced at 3000 Rands, it offers a compelling value proposition. At this price point, the Nova Y61 packs in many essential features without compromising too much on quality. The phone's sleek design, impressive battery life, and decent camera capabilities make it an attractive option for those looking for a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank. The phone's 5000 milliamp hour battery is particularly noteworthy, providing a full day of heavy usage and even longer if you're a light user. Additionally, the inclusion of a 22 and a half watt fast charger in the box allows for quick top-ups when needed. One of the standout features of the Nova Y61 is its ability to deliver good performance despite being priced at an affordable level. The octa-core Kirin 710 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64 gigs of storage ensure smooth navigation through social media apps and web browsing, making it suitable for daily use. In terms of value, the Nova Y61 is a solid offering from Huawei. While it may not be the most powerful smartphone in its class, it provides a great balance of features and price. For those looking for a reliable mid-range device without sacrificing too much on performance or design, the Nova Y61 is definitely worth considering. Overall, the Huawei Nova Y61 offers excellent value for money at 3000 Rands. It's a phone that checks many boxes, providing a solid smartphone experience without breaking the bank. While it may not be perfect, its strengths make it an attractive option for those seeking a reliable and feature-rich device at an affordable price point.
Performance
The Huawei Nova Y61 is a budget-friendly smartphone that aims to bridge the gap between affordable devices and mid-range offerings. While it has its strengths in design, cameras, and battery life, let's take a closer look at how it performs. Internally, the phone is powered by an octa-core Kirin 710 processor, which was also used on last year's Nova Y70 Plus. This processor delivers decent performance for day-to-day tasks like social media browsing and web surfing. The 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage provide a smooth experience in most scenarios. However, when it comes to gaming, the Nova Y61 can struggle. While playing lighter games is manageable with good settings, more demanding titles may require adjusting graphics settings or facing frame drops. This might be a compromise for some users, especially those who don't play games on their smartphones frequently. In general usage, the phone performs well, but its performance can be inconsistent at times. It's essential to note that the Nova Y61 is priced affordably at around 3,000 Rands, and considering this price point, Huawei has made some compromises to ensure key features like cameras, battery life, and design are prioritized. While the Nova Y61's performance might not blow you away, it's still a solid option for those who want an all-around device without breaking the bank. If gaming is a top priority, you may want to consider other options in this price range. However, if you're looking for a well-rounded phone with great cameras and battery life, the Nova Y61 is worth considering. Overall, the Huawei Nova Y61's performance is decent but not spectacular. Its strengths lie elsewhere, making it a solid choice for users who value affordability without sacrificing too much in terms of features and functionality.
Pros
1. It has a modern looking design, great cameras, and fantastic battery life.
2. The phone looks sleek and modern, with a boxy shape similar to the iPhone's design.
3. The cameras can get some very decent shots in good lighting conditions, and the colors are sharp and relatively accurate.
4. The fingerprint sensor is very fast and accurate, and is conveniently placed for easy access.
5. The phone has a huge 6.52 inch display with a high screen to body ratio, making it ideal for media consumption.
Cons
1. The display only has a 720p 60hz refresh rate, which may not be suitable for heavy gamers.
2. There is no option for a 1080p 90hz screen, which would have been nice at this price point.
3. The phone's software can be daunting to use if you're new to it, but installing a third-party launcher can help make it more user-friendly.
4. Day-to-day performance is good, but gaming may require lower settings for smooth gameplay.
5. The phone's processor and RAM are not top-of-the-line, which may affect overall performance.