Huawei Nova 10 SE

The Huawei Nova 10 SE is available in Qatar at various prices depending on the storage variant. The 8GB RAM + 128GB storage model is priced at QAR 1,299, while the 8GB RAM + 256GB storage variant costs QAR 1,399.

It’s worth noting that prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions.

Huawei Nova 10 SE Specifications

Feature	Specification
Display	6.67-inch OLED, 2400 x 1080 pixels, 90Hz refresh rate
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G
RAM	8GB
Storage	128GB / 256GB
Rear Camera	108MP main, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro
Front Camera	16MP
Battery	4500mAh, 66W fast charging
Operating System	EMUI 12 (based on Android)

 

Release Date and Availability

Huawei released the Nova 10 SE on October 27, 2022. Customers can choose from three color options: Starry Silver, Mint Green, and Starry Black.

Design and Build

The Huawei Nova 10 SE features a sleek and modern design. It has a slim profile, measuring just 7.39mm in thickness, and weighs 184 grams.

The phone’s back panel showcases the Star Orbit Ring design, which adds a touch of elegance to its appearance. The device has a flat-edge display with narrow bezels on three sides, giving it a premium look.

Display

The Nova 10 SE boasts a 6.67-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. This Full HD+ screen offers vibrant colors and deep blacks, typical of OLED technology.

The display supports a 90Hz refresh rate, which provides smoother scrolling and better responsiveness compared to standard 60Hz screens. With a touch sampling rate of 270Hz, the phone offers quick touch response, which is particularly useful for gaming and fast-paced applications.

Camera System

One of the standout features of the Huawei Nova 10 SE is its camera setup. The rear camera system consists of a 108MP main camera with an f/1.9 aperture, which allows for high-resolution photos with good low-light performance. This is complemented by an 8MP ultra-wide camera for capturing broader scenes and a 2MP macro camera for close-up shots.

On the front, there’s a 16MP selfie camera housed in a punch-hole cutout.

The camera system supports various modes and features, including Night Mode for better low-light photography, Ultra-Wide Angle for landscape shots, and a Professional mode for manual control over camera settings. The phone can also record 1080p videos at 30 frames per second, with electronic image stabilization (EIS) for smoother footage.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Huawei Nova 10 SE is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G chipset. This octa-core processor is built on a 6nm process, offering a balance between performance and energy efficiency.

The phone comes with 8GB of RAM, which should provide smooth multitasking capabilities. Storage options include 128GB and 256GB, giving users ample space for apps, photos, and other files.

Battery and Charging

The Nova 10 SE is equipped with a 4500mAh battery, which should provide all-day battery life for most users. One of the highlights is the 66W HUAWEI SuperCharge technology.

According to Huawei, this fast-charging system can charge the phone to 60% in just 15 minutes, and a full charge takes about 38 minutes. This feature is particularly useful for users who need quick power boosts throughout the day.

Software and User Interface

The Huawei Nova 10 SE runs on EMUI 12, Huawei’s custom user interface based on Android. However, it’s important to note that due to ongoing restrictions, the phone does not come with Google Mobile Services (GMS) or the Google Play Store. Instead, it uses Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and the AppGallery for app downloads.

While the AppGallery has grown significantly, some popular apps may not be available, which could be a consideration for potential buyers.

EMUI 12 offers several features, including a customizable Always-On Display, which shows time, date, and notifications when the screen is off. The interface also includes a Control Panel for quick access to device settings and connected devices.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The Nova 10 SE supports 4G LTE networks, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, and Bluetooth 5.0. It has a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer but lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack. The phone includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication, which also doubles as the power button.

Comparison with Other Huawei Models

When compared to other Huawei models, the Nova 10 SE sits in the mid-range segment. The Huawei Nova 10 offers a more powerful Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset and a higher-resolution 60MP front camera, but it comes at a higher price point.

The Nova 9 SE, which is an older model, has similar specifications to the Nova 10 SE but lacks the updated design and some software improvements.

The Nova 9 offers a curved display and a more premium feel but with a smaller battery capacity. The Nova 8i, while older, provides comparable performance at a lower price point.

Comparison with Competitor Models

In the same price range and with similar specifications, the Huawei Nova 10 SE faces competition from several brands. The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G offers 5G connectivity and a more versatile camera system but at a slightly higher price.

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G provides 5G support and a larger battery at a competitive price. The Oppo Reno8 T 5G offers similar camera capabilities and 5G support.

The Realme GT Neo 3T provides a more powerful processor and faster charging at a comparable price.

The Google Pixel 6a, while slightly more expensive, offers a stock Android experience with guaranteed updates.

The Nokia X30 5G provides a clean Android experience with 5G support. Budget-friendly options like the Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G and Infinix Note 30 Pro offer competitive specifications at lower price points.

Camera Performance

The 108MP main camera of the Huawei Nova 10 SE is one of its key selling points. In good lighting conditions, it captures detailed photos with accurate colors. The camera uses pixel binning technology, combining multiple pixels into one for better low-light performance. This results in 12MP images by default, though users can also shoot in full 108MP resolution for maximum detail.

The 8MP ultra-wide camera is useful for capturing landscapes or group photos, though the quality is noticeably lower than the main camera. The 2MP macro camera allows for close-up shots of small objects, but its low resolution limits its usefulness.

In low-light conditions, the Night Mode helps to brighten images and reduce noise, though it may struggle with very dark scenes. The 16MP front camera takes decent selfies, with good detail and natural skin tones in well-lit environments.

Video recording is limited to 1080p at 30fps, which may disappoint users looking for 4K video capabilities. However, the electronic image stabilization helps to keep footage steady when recording while moving.

Display Quality and User Experience

The 6.67-inch OLED display of the Nova 10 SE offers vivid colors and deep blacks, typical of OLED technology. With a Full HD+ resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, text and images appear sharp and clear. The 90Hz refresh rate provides a smoother scrolling experience compared to standard 60Hz displays, though it’s not as fluid as the 120Hz displays found on some competitors.

The display supports a wide color gamut, covering 100% of the DCI-P3 color space. This results in rich and accurate color reproduction, which is particularly noticeable when viewing photos or watching videos. The high brightness levels ensure good visibility even in outdoor conditions, though it may struggle under direct sunlight.

The Always-On Display feature is a useful addition, allowing users to check the time, date, and notifications without waking the phone. The flat design of the screen, as opposed to curved edges, may appeal to users who prefer a more traditional display without accidental touch issues.

Performance in Daily Use

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G chipset, the Huawei Nova 10 SE delivers solid performance for everyday tasks. The octa-core processor, combined with 8GB of RAM, ensures smooth multitasking and app switching. Users can expect responsive performance when browsing the web, using social media apps, or handling productivity tasks.

For gaming, the Nova 10 SE can handle most casual games without issues. However, more demanding titles may require lower graphics settings for smooth gameplay. The Adreno 610 GPU is capable but not top-of-the-line, so hardcore mobile gamers might want to look at more powerful alternatives.

The lack of 5G support may be a drawback for some users, especially as 5G networks become more widespread. However, for most current usage scenarios, the 4G LTE connectivity should be sufficient for streaming, browsing, and downloading.

Battery Life and Charging

The 4500mAh battery in the Nova 10 SE provides good battery life for most users. With moderate usage, including web browsing, social media, and some light gaming, the phone can easily last a full day on a single charge. Heavy users might need to recharge before the end of the day, especially with extensive camera use or gaming sessions.

The standout feature in this department is the 66W HUAWEI SuperCharge technology. This fast-charging capability can replenish the battery from 0 to 60% in about 15 minutes, which is particularly useful for quick top-ups during the day. A full charge takes around 38 minutes, which is impressively fast compared to many competitors in this price range.

The phone also includes power-saving modes that can extend battery life in emergencies by limiting background processes and reducing screen brightness.

Software and Ecosystem

The Huawei Nova 10 SE runs on EMUI 12, which is based on Android but lacks Google Mobile Services (GMS). This means that popular Google apps like Gmail, Google Maps, and the Google Play Store are not pre-installed. Instead, users rely on Huawei’s AppGallery for downloading apps.

The AppGallery has grown significantly since its inception, offering many popular apps. However, some widely used applications may still be missing. Users can sometimes find workarounds, such as using web versions of apps or sideloading APKs, but this can be inconvenient and potentially risky.

EMUI 12 itself offers a clean and customizable interface. Features like the Control Panel provide quick access to device settings and connected devices. The interface is generally intuitive, with smooth animations and a cohesive design language.

Huawei’s ecosystem includes features like Huawei Share for easy file transfer between Huawei devices and MeeTime for video calls. While these features work well within the Huawei ecosystem, they may not be as useful for users with devices from other brands.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The Nova 10 SE supports dual SIM functionality, allowing users to use two phone numbers on a single device. This can be particularly useful for separating work and personal communications.

The phone includes NFC support, enabling contactless payments and easy pairing with compatible devices. However, the absence of Google Pay due to the lack of GMS means users will need to rely on alternative payment apps available in the AppGallery.

The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable, offering quick and secure access to the device. It doubles as the power button, which some users may find more convenient than in-display fingerprint sensors.

While the phone lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, it supports Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless audio connections. The USB Type-C port supports USB On-The-Go (OTG), allowing users to connect external devices like flash drives.

Build Quality and Design

The Huawei Nova 10 SE features a sleek and modern design that belies its mid-range price point. The phone’s slim profile, measuring just 7.39mm in thickness, gives it a premium feel. The Star Orbit Ring design on the back panel adds a distinctive touch, making the phone stand out from other devices in its class.

The phone’s frame is made of plastic, which helps keep the weight down to 184 grams, making it comfortable to hold for extended periods. The flat-edge design not only looks modern but also improves grip, reducing the chances of accidental drops.

The front of the device is dominated by the large 6.67-inch display, with minimal bezels on three sides and a slightly larger chin at the bottom. The punch-hole camera cutout is small and unobtrusive, maximizing the available screen real estate.

The build quality feels solid, with no creaks or flexing when pressure is applied to the body. However, the glossy finish on the back panel can be a fingerprint magnet, so using the included case might be advisable to maintain its pristine look.