Huawei Nova 3i Review: A Stylish Mid-Range Contender

Huawei has entered the crowded mid-range smartphone market with the Nova 3i, a device that boasts impressive specifications and solid performance. In this review, we explore whether this phone lives up to its promises and if it represents good value for money in Nepal.

Design The Nova 3i impresses with its premium appearance, featuring a glossy glass back and slim, lightweight build. The rounded edges and metal frame provide a comfortable grip, while the vertically aligned camera module and easily accessible fingerprint sensor add to the phone's modern aesthetic. Although the device tends to show smudges and minor scratches, its overall design is both attractive and practical. Notably, it retains the headphone jack, a welcome feature in today's high-end-centric market.

Display The phone sports a 6.3-inch FullHD+ IPS display with a tall 19:5:9 aspect ratio, offering sharp visuals and vibrant colors. While sunlight visibility is merely average, the large screen makes it ideal for multimedia consumption. However, the absence of display protection means careful users should consider adding a tempered glass screen protector.

Cameras The Nova 3i features a quad-camera setup with a 16MP primary rear camera and a 24MP front camera. Photo quality is generally strong, with punchy colors and good detail, though edge detection in portrait mode could be improved. Artificial intelligence enhances sky and landscape photos effectively, while night-time images tend to be grainy. Video recording lacks stabilization and does not support 4K, but 1080p at 60 frames per second is available. Selfies come out well overall, with HDR Pro and beauty mode offering additional enhancements, although extreme beauty filtering can produce unrealistic results.

Performance Powered by the Kirin 710 processor, the Nova 3i delivers smooth, lag-free performance for everyday tasks, multitasking, and gaming. The chip performs comparably to the Snapdragon 660, providing a noticeable improvement over previous Huawei mid-range models. With 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, users can expand memory up to 256GB using the hybrid SIM slot. Gaming tests with titles like PUBG, Modern Combat 5, and Asphalt Legends show that while PUBG experiences minor lags on medium settings, other games run seamlessly.

Software and User Interface Running Android 8.1 Oreo with Huawei's EMUI 8.2, the phone offers substantial customization options including notch adjustments, app drawer toggles, and battery-saving features. Despite some pre-installed bloatware, most unnecessary apps can be uninstalled, and the interface remains responsive and efficient.

Battery The 3340mAh battery provides more than a day's use under typical conditions, including gaming, social media, and work tasks. Although the phone lacks fast charging, it reaches full capacity in approximately two hours. A notable downside is the absence of USB Type-C, which feels outdated in 2018.

Connectivity Call quality on major Nepalese networks like NTC and Ncell is satisfactory, but the single speaker produces only average audio. The lack of WiFi a/c means the device cannot connect to 5GHz networks.

Verdict Priced at NPR 38,990 in Nepal, the Huawei Nova 3i justifies its cost with a stylish design, strong performance, capable cameras, and enduring battery life. While it suffers from minor shortcomings such as poor low-light photography, missing display protection, and the absence of fast charging, these do not outweigh the phone's overall strengths. For users seeking a well-rounded mid-range device, the Nova 3i is a worthwhile option.