Huawei nova 13i Review: Big Features on a Budget

Aimee Bestel / 19-03-2025 / Tech

You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a premium smartphone experience.

The Huawei nova 13i delivers a sleek design, an always-on display and a long-lasting battery – all at an affordable price. Plus, with fast charging, you can power up quickly and stay connected longer.

Whether you're a deal-seeker or a long-time Huawei fan, this phone offers sharp photos, smooth performance and all-day battery life without stretching your budget.

Ready to see if this is the perfect smartphone for you? Let’s dive into this review and find out.


Design and Display

Style matters when choosing a smartphone and the Huawei nova 13i definitely delivers on this front. With its sleek, modern design and Star Effect finish, it catches the light beautifully. Available in Blue and White, the shimmering back panel gives it an elegant yet futuristic feel, making the smartphone stand out.

The 6.7-inch Ultra-Narrow Bezel Always on Display is the perfect complement to this stylish design. With slim bezels and high brightness, it offers a smooth, immersive viewing experience. Whether you're streaming videos or checking messages outdoors, the display stays sharp and readable, even in direct sunlight.


Camera Quality

The Huawei nova 13i is designed to help you take effortlessly beautiful photos, whether you're capturing landscapes, portraits or selfies.

Its 108MP main camera is a great performer in both good and low light. It ensures high-resolution, vibrant shots, bringing out sharp details in every scene. The 2MP depth sensor adds a professional touch to portraits, creating a smooth bokeh effect that makes your subject stand out with ease.

For selfie lovers, the 8MP front camera delivers bright, clear self-portraits, so you always look your best. With Huawei’s AI-powered enhancements, your photos are automatically optimised for brightness, contrast and sharpness, making it easy to snap polished, high-quality images.

While the AI improvements are impressive, user experiences can vary. Some may find the camera's performance less consistent. If superior camera quality is essential, you might want to consider the Huawei nova 13 for a more advanced camera option.


Battery and Performance

Powered by the Snapdragon 680 4G processor, the Huawei nova 13i delivers solid performance for everyday tasks like browsing, messaging and social media. However, it can slow down a bit when juggling multiple apps or handling more demanding processes. If gaming is a priority for you, you might want to consider a device with more power under the hood.

On the battery front, the 5000mAh battery gives you impressive all-day endurance. Thanks to the 40W Huawei SuperCharge Turbo, you can recharge up to 62% in just 30 minutes so you’re back in action without too much down time. While it may not charge as fast as some higher-end models, it still has enough juice to keep you going through work, streaming or light gaming.


Overall Value

The Huawei nova 13i strikes an impressive balance between price and performance, making it an ideal choice for budget-conscious buyers in South Africa. With its stylish design, reliable battery life and solid camera setup, it offers great value at an accessible price point. While it may not have the top-tier camera quality or the cutting-edge features of higher-end models, it still provides exceptional value for those who don’t need a flagship device. The combination of fast charging, long-lasting battery and smooth performance makes the Huawei nova 13i a solid pick for everyday tasks.

Conclusion

The Huawei nova 13i stands out as a dependable and budget-friendly option, offering a strong mix of style and performance without the huge price tag. While it may not have the flashy features of high-end smartphones, it gets the basics right, making it a smart choice for those who need a smartphone without breaking the bank. If you value efficiency, good design and affordability, the Huawei nova 13i could be the perfect fit.

Ready to grab your Huawei Nova 13i? Find the perfect plan for you here.


FAQS

  1. How is the camera quality on the Huawei nova 13i?

The Huawei nova 13i features a dual rear camera system with a 108MP main lens and a 2MP depth sensor, delivering high-resolution shots and vibrant photos. The AI enhancements adjust settings like brightness and sharpness, improving photo quality, even in low-light environments. For selfies, the 8MP front camera ensures clear, vibrant self-portraits. However, if you’re looking for top-tier camera performance, the Huawei nova 13 may be a better choice.


  1. What is the battery life like on the Huawei Nova 13i?

The Huawei Nova 13i comes with a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day usage for work, streaming and gaming. It supports 40W Huawei SuperCharge Turbo, which can charge up to 62% in just 30 minutes, ensuring you spend less time waiting for your phone to charge and more time enjoying your day.


  1. Is the Huawei Nova 13i good for gaming?

The Huawei Nova 13i offers solid performance for casual gaming, thanks to its Snapdragon 680 4G processor and 5000mAh battery. While it may not handle resource-heavy games as well as flagship devices, it's more than capable of supporting everyday gaming needs and media consumption.


  1. Can the Huawei Nova 13i handle multitasking?

While the Snapdragon 680 4G processor in the Huawei Nova 13i handles basic tasks well, some users have noted limitations when running multiple apps or engaging in more demanding activities. If you're an avid multitasker or run resource-heavy apps, you may experience some performance slowdowns, but for most users, it’s more than sufficient for everyday multitasking.


  1. Is the Huawei Nova 13i worth it for the price?

Yes! The Huawei Nova 13i offers great value for money, with a premium design, solid performance and long battery life at an affordable price. It’s a perfect choice for those who want a smartphone that delivers excellent functionality without the high cost of flagship models.


References 

 

https://www.huaweicentral.com/huawei-nova-13i-here-are-the-top-six-features/


https://consumer.huawei.com/za/phones/nova-13i/



TECH NEWS

previous
Huawei Mate 30 Pro – Rumours, Specs and Release Date

Following the success of the Huawei Mate X and Mate 20 Pro , the Chinese tech giant is gearing up for the release of the latest devices in their Mate series – the Huawei Mate 30 and Mate 30 Pro. There have been a few leaks surrounding the upcoming Mate 30 Pro recently, but nothing has been officially confirmed. The device was expected to be released in mid-October this year, but it seems more likely that the Mate 30 devices will drop in September 2019. Let’s take a look at what could potentially be in store for the Huawei Mate 30 Pro. Operating System A few months back, Huawei were hit with a trade ban in the United States. Thankfully the ban has been l ifted, so Huawei fans can rest assured that their new Mate 30 devices will ship with Google’s Android operating system, most likely Android Q. Although Huawei recently unveiled their Harmony Operating System, also known as Hongmeng, there doesn’t seem to be plans for their latest devices to run this OS just yet. Internal Hardware One thing is certain - the Huawei Mate 30 Pro will get a significant upgrade to its processor and is rumoured to run the Kirin 985 along with a Balong 5000 5G modem. Cameras The Mate 30 Pro’s predecessor, the Mate 20 Pro, housed its cameras in a square cut-out at the rear, but the word among techies is that the Mate 30 Pro may house a rectangular or even a circular cut-out to accommodate more cameras, possibly five lenses at the back of the phone or four lenses with a space for the camera flash. It will boast a 5x optical zoom and a 50x digital zoom. The set up could be similar to the recent P30 Pro, hosting wide, ultrawide and telephoto lenses. It’s unclear whether the front facing camera will be placed in a hole punch, a notch or under the screen. Additional Features & Pricing The Mate 30 Pro is rumoured to have a 4200 mAh battery with 55W fast charging support, and will reportedly be available in Black, Red, Gold White, Blue, Chrome White, Classic Blue, and Classic Red. No official pricing has been released yet, but it is likely to be in the same ballpark as current flagship devices from Samsung, Huawei and Apple, which hover around the R20 000 mark. We’ll keep you updated as more information rolls in.

Read More...

Huawei Announces Free Service Days for South African Customers

Huawei South Africa has been quite pro active in reassuring their customers after the US ban, which threatens to cut off access to Google apps and updates on all Huawei smartphones . In fact, they’re so sure you’ll be using a Huawei smartphone for years to come, Business Tech reports that Huawei have announced free service days to ensure you keep your device in peak condition. Over the final weekend of every month, from Thursday until Sunday, Huawei will offer customers free exterior phone cleaning, free screen protectors, free software updates and support, as well as free out-of-warranty labour so you will only pay for parts that are replaced. Added to that, just for the month of June, you will be able to get a free battery replacement. If your Huawei is still under its standard two-year warranty, your battery will be replaced free of charge. If it is out of warranty, you will only pay R199 for a new battery. The following phone models are eligible for this offer: Y-Series Y3 2018 Y5 Prime 2018 Y7 2018 P-Series P8 lite 2017 P8 lite P9 P10 P10 Plus P20 Pro, P20, and P20 lite. These services are available at the following Huawei customer service centres: Durban – Shop U91, Cornubia Dr, Mount Edgecombe Country Estate 2, Mount Edgecombe; Johannesburg – Shop H37G,The Piazza, Melrose Arch; Cape Town – Shop 96, Canal Walk Shopping Centre, Century Boulevard, Century City; Cape Town – Shop G 231, Somerset Mall, Centenary Dr, Somerset West

Read More...

How Does the Huawei US Ban Affect South Africans?

US President Donald Trump issued a ban last month, barring American companies from trading with certain Chinese companies, including Huawei, which has grown rapidly over the years to become one of the major players in the market with the release of popular devices like the Mate 20 and P30 Pro. As you may know, the ban means that Google would have to cut off Huawei’s access to its Android operating system, Google apps and security updates, leaving Huawei smartphone owners worried that their beloved devices just turned into expensive paperweights. There’s no need to panic, yet. Not long after the ban was announced, Huawei was granted a 3-month grace period that would allow them to continue doing business with Google, meaning that current users of its devices would not be affected and can still access the Google Play Store, download apps such as Gmail and YouTube, and receive security updates and patches. The long-term plan is still unclear though as no-one can predict what will happen after the 3-month grace period ends on 19 August 2019, but just in case, Huawei is developing a backup plan. Once news of the ban broke, Huawei revealed that it has been working on its own app store and operating system, similar to Apple’s App Store and iOS. It’s reportedly called Hong Meng, but details on whether it will be ready in time if the ban continues after the grace period have been scarce. Another concern is whether there is room for a new operating system, as Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android pretty much dominate the smartphone industry worldwide. Even Microsoft had to abandon their Windows mobile OS because of poor adoption and lack of support from app developers. The other option Huawei has is switching all users to the open-source version of Android, but this OS will be limited in terms of access to Google’s apps, which will have to be accessed via a web browser or by side-loading the apps on devices, which may seem like too much trouble for the average user looking for a phone that just works right out of the box. Huawei recently released a statement to the media: “Huawei has made substantial contributions to the development and growth of Android around the world. As one of Android’s key global partners, we have worked closely with their open-source platform to develop an ecosystem that has benefitted both users and the industry. Huawei will continue to provide security updates and after-sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products, covering those that have been sold and that are still in stock globally. We will continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem, in order to provide the best experience for all users globally.” For now, Huawei users will not be affected by the ban and can continue using their phones and updating them as usual. Just in case you were wondering, you cannot return your Huawei smartphone to the network you bought it from as, according to law, sellers cannot be held liable or responsible for external events that are out of their control. The bottom line is that you may never need to sell or dump your Huawei smartphone as the ban could be lifted even before the grace period runs out should Trump’s trade negotiations with China move ahead amicably.

Read More...

next