Huawei nova 13i Review: Features, Price, and Performance
Network Technology:
- GSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch:
- Announced: December 14, 2024
- Status: Available (Released January 2025)
Body:
- Dimensions: 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.94 x 0.33 in)
- Weight: 199 g (7.02 oz)
- SIM: Nano-SIM (Dual SIM option available)
Display:
- Type: IPS LCD, 90Hz
- Size: 6.7 inches, 108.7 cm² (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio)
- Resolution: 1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density)
- Features: Always-on display
Platform:
- OS: EMUI 14.2 (No Google Play Services)
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)
- GPU: Adreno 610
Memory:
- Card Slot: No
- Internal Storage:
- 128GB 8GB RAM
- 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera:
- Dual:
- 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), PDAF
- 2 MP, f/2.4 (depth)
- Features: LED flash, HDR, panorama
- Video: 1080p@30fps
Selfie Camera:
- Single: 8 MP, f/2.0 (wide)
- Video: 1080p@30fps
Sound:
- Loudspeaker: Yes
- 3.5mm Jack: No
Comms:
- WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
- Bluetooth: 5.0, A2DP, LE
- Positioning: GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
- NFC: Yes
- Radio: No
- USB: USB Type-C 2.0
Features:
- Sensors: Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass
Battery:
- Type: Li-Po 5000 mAh
- Charging: 40W wired (3-62% in 30 min)
Miscellaneous:
- Colors: White, Blue
- Models: CTR-L91
- Price: About 200 EUR
Design and Finish :
The Huawei Nova 13i sports an elegant and modern design that reflects Huawei's ability to blend beauty and functionality. The device has a glass front and plastic back with a metal frame that offers a high-quality touch. The design is clear with rounded corners that make it comfortable to hold. The back has a reflective gloss finish that gives it a classy shine. If you're looking for something stylish, the gradient option adds a little flair.
On the front, the 6.6-inch display is surrounded by relatively narrow bezels and has a small punch-hole at the top center for the front camera. This modern design gives the phone a high screen-to-body ratio, making the display look wide and impressive. While the phone may not match the premium materials found on flagship devices, the Nova 13i has a sturdy build and an overall attractive design. It's also relatively lightweight, making it easy to operate with one hand. The phone comes in multiple colors, including black, blue, and silver, to suit a variety of style preferences.
Screen :
The Huawei Nova 13i features a 6.6-inch IPS LCD display with Full HD+ resolution (2400 x 1080 pixels) and a pixel density of approximately 399 ppi. This gives users a crisp, clear image that's perfect for everyday activities like browsing, watching videos, and using social media. With a Full HD+ resolution, text is crystal clear, images are sharp, and video content looks beautiful on the large screen.
The display offers vibrant colors and good contrast, but it may not have the deep blacks or clarity of an OLED panel. Still, the Nova 13i offers a solid viewing experience for the price, and its large screen-to-body ratio makes it perfect for watching videos, playing games, and browsing photos.
The display also supports a 90Hz refresh rate, which is a notable feature for a mid-range device. This means scrolling through apps, navigating the user interface, and playing supported games will be smoother compared to a standard 60Hz display. This higher refresh rate is a welcome addition, especially for users who prefer a smoother, more responsive experience.
Performance and Software :
Under the hood of the Huawei Nova 13i is the Kirin 710A chipset, a solid mid-range processor designed to deliver balanced performance. This chipset is paired with 4GB or 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, depending on the model. The device also supports expandable storage via microSD cards, a handy feature for users who need more space for apps, photos, and videos.
The Kirin 710A can easily handle everyday tasks such as browsing, social media, and video streaming. Multitasking and light gaming are also possible, but you may experience lags in demanding applications or high-graphic games. For a mid-range smartphone, the processor strikes a good balance between performance and efficiency and should provide a solid user experience for most average users.
On the software side, the Huawei Nova 13i runs on EMUI 12 based on Android 11. While you won't get access to Google services due to ongoing restrictions on Huawei devices, Huawei's own services, such as the Huawei AppGallery for downloading apps, are still available. EMUI 12 offers a clean and intuitive user interface with a wide range of customization options, including themes, widgets, and gesture controls. The software also includes features like Huawei Share, which allows seamless file transfer between Huawei devices, and App Multiplier, which lets you run two apps simultaneously in split-screen mode.
For those who are not too reliant on the Google ecosystem or are already integrated into Huawei's services, the Nova 13i offers a solid software experience. However, for those who are heavily invested in the Google ecosystem, the lack of native Google apps (such as Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps) may be a disadvantage.
Camera Setup :
The Huawei Nova 13i features a dual camera setup at the back, including a 50MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. The main camera is capable of taking high-resolution images with sharp color details in good lighting conditions. The 50MP sensor captures enough details for everyday photography, allowing users to take clear and sharp photos.
The 2MP depth sensor creates a bokeh effect in portrait shots, resulting in beautiful background blur and making the subject stand out more. The depth sensor is not as advanced as more expensive multi-lens camera setups, but it still adds a certain versatility to the camera system.
In terms of software, Huawei offers a variety of camera features, including AI scene recognition, which automatically adjusts settings based on the subject being photographed, and Night mode, which improves performance in low light. The camera settings work well in bright environments, but low light shooting can result in some noise in the image. However, using Night mode reduces noise and improves details. For selfies, the Huawei Nova 13i comes with a 16MP front camera that delivers clear and vibrant selfies even in moderately low light conditions. It also supports features like AI beautification to enhance portraits and smooth skin tones for more flattering selfies. The front camera is more than adequate for video calling and the occasional selfie.
The Nova 13i supports 1080p video recording at 30 frames per second, which is typical for mid-range smartphones. Video quality is acceptable for casual use, but stabilization may be better for smoother footage when shooting handheld.
Battery Life :
Battery Life :
The Huawei Nova 13i is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, which is plenty for a phone in this price range. Thanks to the efficient Kirin 710A chipset and a moderate refresh rate display, the phone delivers great battery life that can last a full day of moderate to heavy use. This means you can use the device for tasks like web browsing, video streaming, and social media without worrying about running out of battery at the end of the day. In terms of charging, the Nova 13i supports 22.5W fast charging, which is pretty good for a mid-range phone. The device charges to about 50% in 30 minutes, so you can get it fully charged again relatively quickly if needed.
Connectivity and Other Features :
The Huawei Nova 13i offers 4G LTE connectivity, ensuring reliable data speeds for browsing, streaming, and app usage. It doesn't support 5G, but 4G will be enough for most users in everyday scenarios. The device also comes equipped with Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.0, and GPS, ensuring a smooth connectivity experience. Additionally, the Nova 13i comes with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for quick and secure unlocking of the device. For added convenience, it also supports face unlock with the front camera. The phone comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack so users can enjoy wired audio, and USB Type-C is available for charging and data transfer.
Conclusion :
The Huawei Nova 13i is a solid mid-range smartphone that balances performance, design, and features at an affordable price. With a 50MP camera, 5,000mAh battery, and 90Hz display, it's a versatile device perfect for users looking for a smartphone that can handle everyday tasks with ease. The Kirin 710A chipset and EMUI 12 ensure a smooth experience across most common smartphone functions, while 4G LTE connectivity and decent camera performance make it a reliable choice for users looking for a hassle-free, budget-friendly device.
