Huawei Nova 3e Review: A Stylish Mid-Range Contender with Strong Camera Appeal

The Huawei Nova 3e, also known as the P20 Lite, positions itself as an attractive mid-range option packed with features that appeal to camera enthusiasts and design-conscious users alike. After spending a month with the device, here is a comprehensive assessment of its strengths and weaknesses.

Design and Display Boasting a sophisticated glass-back finish paired with a modern notch display, the Nova 3e stands out visually in its price bracket. The 5.84-inch FullHD+ IPS screen offers bright, sharp visuals with a respectable contrast ratio, although some users might crave slightly more color saturation. The compact form factor, thanks to minimal bezels, makes the phone surprisingly manageable despite the growing trend of larger screens.

Camera Performance As a lite variant of the flagship P20, the Nova 3e’s camera capabilities exceed expectations in most scenarios. During daytime use, images exhibit accurate colors, strong sharpening, and ample saturation. The portrait mode can be inconsistent, sometimes producing sharp detail while occasionally misjudging depth. Low-light photography remains a challenge, with noticeable noise and grain in both standard and portrait shots. The 16MP front camera delivers crisp, natural selfies outdoors and includes an AR lens for applying creative face and background filters.

Performance and Software The device's octa-core Kirin 659 processor, while reliable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media, shows its age when handling heavier applications or games such as PubG. Frame rates drop, and graphical performance lags behind more modern chipsets. Running EMUI 8 over Android Oreo, the software experience is clean with minimal bloatware and customizable features such as lift-to-wake, motion control, and face unlock. A rear-mounted fingerprint sensor provides fast and consistent security.

Storage, Connectivity, and Audio Equipped with 64GB of internal storage expandable via microSD up to 256GB, the Nova 3e offers ample space for media and apps. The hybrid dual SIM slot forces a choice between a second SIM or expandable storage, which may frustrate some users. The single bottom-firing speaker produces adequate volume for small rooms but lacks depth and can be easily muffled. Call quality remains strong, with clear audio on both ends.

Battery Life A 3000mAh battery provides roughly four and a half to five hours of typical use, depending on activity. While modest by today’s standards, the included fast-charging solution compensates effectively, bringing the device to full capacity in about two hours.

Verdict Priced at NPR 35,900, the Huawei Nova 3e carves a niche for itself in the crowded mid-range market. It excels in design and photography, making it a compelling choice for users who value aesthetics and reliable camera output. However, the outdated processor and limited battery capacity hold it back for power users or gamers. Those prioritizing performance and endurance may wish to explore alternatives, but for style-savvy buyers seeking a solid camera phone, the Nova 3e remains a worthy contender.