Huawei nova 8 SE Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Huawei nova 8 SE is a sleek and powerful smartphone that offers a delightful user experience. With its stunning OLED display and HDR10 technology, you can expect vibrant colors and sharp visuals. The device is equipped with a powerful Mediatek chipset and ample RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and seamless performance. The quad-camera setup captures impressive photos and videos, while the 16 MP front camera takes stunning selfies. The battery life is impressive, and with the fast charging support, you can quickly recharge your device. The Huawei nova 8 SE comes in various attractive colors and is available at an affordable price, making it a compelling choice for gadget enthusiasts.

Design and Build Quality

The Huawei nova 8 SE boasts an aesthetically pleasing design with sleek lines and a premium look and feel. The device measures 161.1 x 74.8 x 7.5 mm (6.34 x 2.94 x 0.30 in) and weighs 178 g (6.28 oz), making it lightweight and easily portable. The slim form factor enhances its overall appeal, while the dimensions ensure comfortable one-handed usability.

The phone features an OLED display with HDR10 support, providing vibrant colors and excellent contrast. With a size of 6.53 inches and a high screen-to-body ratio of approximately 85.4%, the display offers an immersive viewing experience. The bezels are minimal, contributing to the phone's modern and sleek design.

In terms of build quality, the Huawei nova 8 SE is constructed using high-quality materials that enhance its durability. The back panel has a smooth texture and a polished finishing touch, adding to its premium appeal. The device also incorporates a fingerprint sensor under the display, providing a seamless and convenient unlocking experience.

The placement of buttons and controls on the device is ergonomic, allowing for easy access and comfortable use. The phone's frame is sturdy and robust, ensuring the device can withstand daily wear and tear. Additionally, the Huawei nova 8 SE is equipped with a 3800 mAh non-removable battery that supports fast charging, providing long-lasting usage and quick power-ups.

Overall, the Huawei nova 8 SE showcases a well-designed and well-built smartphone with its sleek design, premium materials, and robust construction. It offers a visually appealing device that is both stylish and durable, making it a desirable choice for users seeking both aesthetics and functionality.

Display

The Huawei nova 8 SE boasts a 6.53-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of about 403 ppi. This ensures sharp and vibrant visuals with good clarity. The screen-to-body ratio stands at approximately 85.4%, offering an immersive viewing experience. The OLED technology enables deep black levels and vibrant colors, enhancing the overall visual appeal. The display supports HDR10, allowing for a wider dynamic range and more accurate representation of colors and contrast. With its wide color gamut, the Huawei nova 8 SE delivers rich and vivid colors, making content viewing enjoyable. The screen offers good brightness levels, ensuring clear visibility even in outdoor conditions. It also features an anti-reflective coating to minimize glare. The touch responsiveness of the display is smooth and responsive, providing a seamless user experience. While the device doesn't have Gorilla Glass protection specified, it is advisable to use a screen protector for added protection against scratches and accidental damage. The Huawei nova 8 SE offers an impressive display that combines vibrant colors, sharp visuals, and immersive viewing, making it a great choice for multimedia consumption and everyday use.

Performance

The Huawei nova 8 SE boasts impressive performance capabilities, thanks to its powerful chipset and efficient GPU. With its Mediatek MT6853 Dimensity 720 (standard model) or MT6853 Dimensity 800U (premium model) chipset, the device delivers excellent performance in various tasks and applications. The octa-core CPU, consisting of Cortex-A76 and Cortex-A55 cores, ensures smooth multitasking and app loading speeds.

When it comes to gaming, the Huawei nova 8 SE does not disappoint. The Mali-G57 MC3 GPU provides exceptional graphics performance, allowing for a seamless gaming experience. Gamers can enjoy high-quality visuals and smooth gameplay, thanks to the device's efficient GPU. The GPU benchmarks and gaming benchmarks reveal impressive graphics scores, further highlighting the device's gaming capabilities.

In terms of overall performance, the Huawei nova 8 SE excels in delivering a lag-free and smooth user experience. The device's system optimization and thermal management enhance its performance efficiency, ensuring that it can handle intensive tasks without overheating or performance degradation. The CPU benchmarks and processor performance metrics indicate the device's exceptional efficiency in handling various applications and processes.

Furthermore, the Huawei nova 8 SE performs well in benchmark tests, consistently achieving high scores in synthetic benchmarks. These scores reflect the device's capability to handle demanding tasks and provide a seamless user experience. The processor efficiency and GPU efficiency contribute to the device's overall performance, allowing users to enjoy a fast and responsive smartphone.

Overall, the Huawei nova 8 SE offers impressive performance capabilities, making it a reliable choice for users who prioritize smooth multitasking, gaming, and overall system performance. With its powerful chipset, efficient GPU, and optimized system, the device delivers excellent performance metrics and benchmarks scores. Whether it's gaming, app loading, or multitasking, the Huawei nova 8 SE provides a smooth and lag-free experience, ensuring a satisfying user experience.

Software and User Interface

The Huawei nova 8 SE runs on Android 10 with EMUI 10.1, but it lacks Google Play Services. This means users will have to rely on Huawei's own app store or third-party app stores to download apps. The operating system offers a range of features and customization options, allowing users to personalize their experience. However, some users may find the absence of Google Play Services a drawback, as it limits access to popular apps and services.

In terms of pre-installed apps, the Huawei nova 8 SE comes with a standard set of apps that you would typically find on an Android device. These include essential apps like Phone, Messages, Contacts, and Calendar. Additionally, Huawei may include a few of its own apps, which some users may consider as bloatware if they don't find them useful.

The user interface of the Huawei nova 8 SE is based on EMUI, Huawei's custom skin for Android. EMUI offers a visually appealing interface with smooth animations and transitions. The interface is user-friendly and easy to navigate, allowing users to access various settings and features with ease.

Overall, the software experience on the Huawei nova 8 SE is good, with a range of customization options and a user-friendly interface. However, the absence of Google Play Services may be a drawback for some users who heavily rely on Google apps and services.

Camera

The Huawei nova 8 SE boasts a versatile and capable camera setup that caters to various photography needs. The device features a quad-camera system on the rear, led by a 64-megapixel wide lens with an aperture of f/1.9. This high megapixel count allows for detailed and sharp images, while the wide aperture helps in capturing more light, enhancing low-light sensitivity and improving overall image quality. The camera also includes an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens with a 120-degree field of view, perfect for capturing expansive outdoor scenes or group photos. Additionally, there are two 2-megapixel lenses, one for macro photography and the other for depth sensing, enabling users to achieve stunning bokeh effects in portrait mode.

The Huawei nova 8 SE excels in daylight photography, producing images with accurate colors, excellent sharpness, and a wide dynamic range. The camera system performs well in various outdoor photography scenarios, capturing natural colors and preserving details even in challenging lighting conditions. For indoor photography, the camera's low-light performance is commendable, thanks to effective noise reduction and optimized low-light sensitivity. The device also offers a dedicated night mode, allowing users to capture impressive photos with enhanced brightness and reduced noise in low-light environments.

In terms of video recording capabilities, the Huawei nova 8 SE can shoot 4K videos, ensuring high-resolution footage with excellent detail. Video stabilization ensures smooth and steady footage, even when capturing fast-moving subjects or while recording handheld. The device also supports slow-motion video and time-lapse modes, allowing users to explore creative ways of capturing and showcasing their videos. With its range of camera features, including HDR, panorama mode, pro mode, and AI scene recognition, the Huawei nova 8 SE provides users with a versatile and enjoyable photography experience.

Battery Life

The Huawei nova 8 SE is equipped with a non-removable Li-Po 3800 mAh battery. This battery capacity is decent and should provide a satisfactory battery life for most users. One notable feature is the fast charging capability of the device. With 66W wired charging, the device can reach 60% battery in just 15 minutes and fully charge in 35 minutes, according to the advertised claims. This is quite impressive and ensures that users can quickly top up their battery when needed. Additionally, the device supports USB Type-C 2.0 and OTG for convenient charging and data transfer. It's worth mentioning that the battery performance and optimization features of the device may vary depending on the software and settings used. Overall, the Huawei nova 8 SE offers a decent battery capacity and fast charging capabilities, making it a convenient choice for users who are always on the go.

Connectivity and Networking

The Huawei nova 8 SE offers a wide range of connectivity options, making it a versatile device for staying connected. With support for 5G network compatibility, users can experience faster data speeds and seamless internet browsing. The device also comes with Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, allowing users to connect to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks for enhanced wireless connectivity. Bluetooth 5.1 ensures efficient and stable connections with other Bluetooth-enabled devices, while the USB Type-C 2.0 port offers fast data transfer and charging capabilities. Unfortunately, the nova 8 SE does not have NFC capability, so contactless payments and file transfers may not be possible. However, users can rely on the built-in GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, and QZSS for accurate navigation and location services. Additionally, the device supports dual SIM functionality, allowing users to use two different SIM cards simultaneously. Overall, the Huawei nova 8 SE provides a range of connectivity features, ensuring users can stay connected in various ways.

Additional Features

Additional Features of Huawei nova 8 SE:

• Standout Features: The Huawei nova 8 SE boasts a sleek and stylish design with a 6.53-inch OLED display that offers vibrant colors and sharp details. It also features a quad-camera setup on the back, including a 64-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, a 2-megapixel macro lens, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. On the front, there is a 16-megapixel selfie camera for capturing stunning self-portraits.


• Advanced Sensors: The smartphone comes with a range of sensors, including an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and compass. These sensors enhance the user experience by providing accurate motion detection, automatic screen rotation, and precise navigation.


• Fast Charging: The Huawei nova 8 SE is equipped with a 3800mAh battery that supports 66W wired charging. This allows the device to charge up to 60% in just 15 minutes and reach a full charge in 35 minutes, ensuring that you spend less time waiting for your phone to charge and more time using it.


• Connectivity: The smartphone supports various connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, and GPS. It also features a USB Type-C port for fast data transfer and charging.


• Colors: The Huawei nova 8 SE is available in four attractive colors: Black, Deep Blue, Blue, and Silver. This allows users to choose a color that suits their personal style and preferences.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The Huawei nova 8 SE is a mid-range smartphone that competes with other devices in the market. When comparing it with related gadgets, we can see that it offers a competitive set of features and specifications.

In terms of design and build, the Huawei nova 8 SE sports a sleek and slim body with dimensions of 161.1 x 74.8 x 7.5 mm and weighs 178g. It features a 6.53-inch OLED display with HDR10 support, providing vibrant colors and sharp visuals. The device has a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 85.4%, offering an immersive viewing experience.

Under the hood, the nova 8 SE is powered by a Mediatek MT6853 Dimensity 720 (standard model) or Dimensity 800U (premium model) chipset, coupled with an octa-core CPU and Mali-G57 MC3 GPU. This combination ensures smooth performance and efficient multitasking capabilities. It comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, providing ample space for apps, media, and files.

In terms of the camera setup, the nova 8 SE features a quad-camera system on the rear, consisting of a 64MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultrawide lens, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. This setup allows for versatile photography and the ability to capture stunning details and depth-of-field effects. On the front, there is a 16MP selfie camera for high-quality self-portraits and video calls.

Other notable features include an under-display optical fingerprint sensor, various connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, and USB Type-C 2.0, and a 3800mAh battery with fast charging support.

When comparing the Huawei nova 8 SE with related devices in the market, it competes with smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro, Realme 8 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy A52. Each of these devices offers its own unique set of features and specifications, and the choice ultimately depends on the individual's preferences and budget. However, the nova 8 SE stands out with its sleek design, OLED display, powerful chipset, and versatile camera system, making it a compelling option in its price range.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Huawei nova 8 SE offers a compelling package for potential buyers. With its sleek design and compact form factor, it is visually appealing and easy to handle. The OLED display delivers vibrant colors and sharp visuals, enhancing the overall viewing experience. The powerful MediaTek Dimensity chipset ensures smooth performance, whether it's multitasking or gaming. The quad-camera setup captures detailed and vivid photos, while the 16MP front camera takes impressive selfies. The fast charging capability of the battery is a significant advantage, ensuring minimal downtime. Overall, the Huawei nova 8 SE is a well-rounded device that combines style, performance, and value for money, making it a worthy consideration for gadget enthusiasts.