Huawei Nova 8i Blends Premium Features and Affordability
Robert Cerff / 12-01-2022 / Reviews
The Huawei Nova 8i launched in South Africa last year and brings with it a new era of mid-range smartphones for the tech giant.
It’s the third in the range and joins the entry-level Nova Y60 and the premium Nova 8. The 8i draws from the Nova’s that came before it, combining affordability with high-end features, making it the perfect smartphone for those who want a premium smartphone experience without the hefty price tag.
Let’s take a closer look at the new Nova 8i and see how it holds up.
Display and User Experience
The large 6.6-inch FHD+ Edgeless FullView display is perfect for a mid-range smartphone, and the image quality is crisp with a wide colour gamut thanks to its 391ppi pixel density and IPS LCD panel. All these factors make for a great experience browsing the web, as well as when watching movies and videos. The Nova 8i’s 180Hz touch sampling rate offers a smooth user experience, making it easy to navigate through menus or switch between apps.
Camera Capabilities
The Nova range is known for its impressive photography capabilities, and the 8i does not disappoint. It has a rear quad-lens camera organised in an artistic circular design, inspired by the rings of Saturn. The 64MP main camera boasts a large sensor that captures every image in incredible detail without too much saturation. This is supported by an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera, a 2MP macro lens for detailed close-ups and a 2MP Bokeh camera with AI depth perception to make your subject stand out.
At the front, there’s a 16MP front camera that snaps high-quality selfies. There are various modes to perfectly capture your environment in the best light, including night mode, HDR, portrait mode, aperture and pro mode.
Performance
Powering the Nova 8i is the advanced Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 chipset that ensures a robust on-device performance, efficiency and versatility. Multitasking is a breeze, and the device immediately responds to any request without lag. It features an Octa-core processor, enabling it to effortlessly perform more complex activities such as watching high-resolution videos or playing graphic-intensive mobile games without draining the battery too quickly. The 8i’s are complete with 128GB internal storage with the options of 6GB or 8GB RAM.
Battery Life
Completing the package is a 4 300mAh battery that can go a full day without a charge. When the battery runs low, it offers quick charge functionality at 66W, which is normally only found on flagship phones that are double the price of the 8i. For a normal load, you can expect around 36 – 40 hours of uptime and around 10 – 12 hours for a heavier load.
Verdict
Huawei Nova 8i is a fantastic mid-range phone that packs a punch in its overall performance. It’s a great addition to the Nova range and is perfect for those looking for a capable smartphone that doesn’t break the bank.
Looking for a Nova 8i? Find the right deal at Mondo, starting from just R349pm here.