Huawei Nova 3

In Qatar, the Huawei Nova 3 is available in two variants:

1. 6GB RAM / 128GB storage: QR 1,599
2. 4GB RAM / 128GB storage: QR 1,299

These prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions.

The Huawei Nova 3 was released in July 2018 and has since become a popular choice for consumers looking for a balance of performance and affordability.

Huawei Nova 3 Specifications

Feature	Specification
Display	6.3-inch IPS LCD, 2340 x 1080 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio
Processor	HiSilicon Kirin 970, Octa-core (4×2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
RAM	4GB / 6GB
Storage	128GB, expandable via microSD
Rear Camera	Dual: 16 MP (f/1.8) + 24 MP (f/1.8), PDAF, LED flash
Front Camera	Dual: 24 MP (f/2.0) + 2 MP
Battery	3750 mAh, Fast charging 18W
Operating System	Android 8.1 (Oreo), EMUI 8.2

 

The Huawei Nova 3 boasts a large 6.3-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels. This Full HD+ screen offers vibrant colors and sharp images, making it ideal for watching videos, browsing photos, and playing games. The 19.5:9 aspect ratio provides an immersive viewing experience while keeping the phone comfortable to hold.

Under the hood, the Nova 3 is powered by Huawei’s HiSilicon Kirin 970 processor. This octa-core chip features four high-performance Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz and four energy-efficient Cortex-A53 cores running at 1.8 GHz. This combination delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks and can handle demanding applications with ease.

The device comes with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM, depending on the variant you choose. Both options provide ample memory for multitasking and running multiple apps simultaneously. The 128GB of internal storage offers plenty of space for apps, photos, videos, and other files. If you need more storage, you can expand it using a microSD card.

Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the Nova 3’s camera setup. The rear dual-camera system features a 16-megapixel main sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and a 24-megapixel secondary sensor, also with an f/1.8 aperture. This combination allows for detailed photos in various lighting conditions and enables features like portrait mode with background blur. On the front, there’s another dual-camera setup with a 24-megapixel main sensor and a 2-megapixel depth sensor for selfies and video calls.

The Huawei Nova 3 is powered by a 3750 mAh battery, which should provide all-day battery life for most users. When you need to recharge, the 18W fast charging support helps you get back up and running quickly. The phone runs on Android 8.1 Oreo with Huawei’s EMUI 8.2 skin on top, offering a range of customization options and features.

Comparison with Other Smartphones

When comparing the Huawei Nova 3 to its predecessor, the Huawei Nova 2 Plus, several improvements are evident. The Nova 3 features a larger display, a more powerful processor, and an upgraded camera system. While the Nova 2 Plus was a solid mid-range option in its time, the Nova 3 offers better overall performance and a more modern design.

In contrast, the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate is a more recent and high-end device, featuring a foldable display and more advanced specifications. While it offers cutting-edge technology, it comes at a significantly higher price point, making the Nova 3 a more budget-friendly option for those who don’t need the latest flagship features.

Looking at competitors in the same price range, the OnePlus 6 stands out as a strong alternative. It offers similar performance with its Snapdragon 845 processor and comes with a clean OxygenOS interface that many users prefer. The Samsung Galaxy A50 is another contender, featuring a Super AMOLED display and a triple-camera setup, although its Exynos 9610 processor may not be as powerful as the Nova 3’s Kirin 970.

Google’s Pixel 3a, while slightly more expensive, offers an exceptional camera experience and guaranteed software updates. However, it falls short in terms of RAM and storage options compared to the Nova 3. Budget-friendly options from brands like Tecno, Infinix, Realme, and Oppo often provide similar specifications to the Nova 3 but may lack the build quality and brand reputation of Huawei.

When considering alternatives, it’s important to weigh factors such as brand reliability, after-sales support, and long-term software updates. While newer models from various brands may offer improved specifications, the Huawei Nova 3 remains a solid choice for those seeking a balance of performance, camera quality, and affordability in the mid-range smartphone market.

Design and Build Quality

The Huawei Nova 3 features a sleek and modern design that was quite impressive for its time. The phone has a glass back with a gradient color finish, giving it a premium look and feel. The front of the device is dominated by the large 6.3-inch display, with minimal bezels and a notch at the top housing the dual front cameras.

The phone measures 157 x 73.7 x 7.3 mm and weighs 166 grams, making it relatively slim and lightweight for a device with a large screen. The power button and volume rocker are located on the right side of the phone, while the SIM card tray is on the left. At the bottom, you’ll find the USB-C port, speaker grille, and 3.5mm headphone jack.

One of the standout features of the Nova 3’s design is its fingerprint sensor, which is located on the back of the device. This placement allows for easy and natural access when holding the phone. The dual rear cameras are arranged vertically in the top left corner of the back panel, with the LED flash positioned just below them.

Display Quality

The 6.3-inch IPS LCD display of the Huawei Nova 3 offers vibrant colors and good viewing angles. With a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels and a pixel density of about 409 ppi, the screen provides sharp and clear visuals for text, images, and videos.

The 19.5:9 aspect ratio makes the phone feel taller and narrower, which can be beneficial for one-handed use despite the large screen size. The display supports a wide color gamut, covering about 85% of the NTSC color space, which results in rich and accurate color reproduction.

While the Nova 3 doesn’t feature an OLED display like some of its competitors, the IPS LCD panel still offers good contrast and brightness levels. The maximum brightness is sufficient for outdoor use, although it may struggle in direct sunlight compared to some OLED displays.

The notch at the top of the screen houses the dual front cameras and earpiece. While some users may find the notch intrusive, it was a common design element for smartphones of that era. Huawei provides software options to hide the notch for those who prefer a more traditional look.

Camera Performance

The camera system is one of the highlights of the Huawei Nova 3. The rear dual-camera setup consists of a 16-megapixel main sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and a 24-megapixel secondary sensor, also with an f/1.8 aperture. This combination allows for versatile photography options, including portrait mode with background blur (bokeh effect) and improved low-light performance.

The main camera captures detailed photos with good color accuracy in well-lit conditions. The large f/1.8 aperture helps in gathering more light, which is particularly useful in dimmer environments. The secondary 24-megapixel sensor assists with depth perception for portrait shots and can also be used to capture more detail in certain scenarios.

On the front, the dual-camera system consists of a 24-megapixel main sensor and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. This setup is designed to capture high-quality selfies with natural-looking background blur. The front cameras also support Huawei’s AI beautification features, which can enhance facial features according to user preferences.

The Nova 3’s camera app comes with a variety of modes and features, including:

1. AI scene recognition: Automatically detects the subject and adjusts camera settings accordingly
2. Night mode: Enhances low-light photography by combining multiple exposures
3. Pro mode: Offers manual control over camera settings for more advanced users
4. Portrait mode: Creates a bokeh effect for both rear and front cameras
5. AR lens: Adds augmented reality effects to photos and videos

Video recording capabilities include 4K resolution at 30 frames per second with the rear camera, and 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second with the front camera. While not class-leading, these specs are competitive for a mid-range device of its time.

Performance and Hardware

The Huawei Nova 3 is powered by the HiSilicon Kirin 970 chipset, which was Huawei’s flagship processor at the time of the phone’s release. This octa-core chip features four high-performance Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz and four energy-efficient Cortex-A53 cores running at 1.8 GHz. The processor is paired with a Mali-G72 MP12 GPU for handling graphics tasks.

In terms of real-world performance, the Nova 3 handles everyday tasks with ease. App launching, web browsing, and multitasking are smooth and responsive. The phone can also handle more demanding applications and games, although you may notice some frame drops in the most graphically intensive titles at higher settings.

The device comes in two RAM configurations: 4GB and 6GB. The 6GB variant offers better multitasking capabilities and is recommended for users who frequently switch between multiple apps or run memory-intensive applications. Both versions come with 128GB of internal storage, which is generous for a mid-range device and should be sufficient for most users. If you need more space, the Nova 3 supports storage expansion via a microSD card.

One of the notable features of the Kirin 970 chipset is its dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU). This AI chip enables various AI-enhanced features across the phone’s software, including camera scene recognition, battery optimization, and system performance management.

Software and User Interface

The Huawei Nova 3 originally shipped with Android 8.1 Oreo and Huawei’s EMUI 8.2 skin on top. EMUI (Emotion UI) is Huawei’s custom Android interface, which offers a range of features and customization options beyond stock Android.

Some key features of EMUI 8.2 include:

1. App Twin: Allows you to run two instances of the same app, useful for managing multiple accounts
2. Private Space: Creates a separate, secure area on your phone for sensitive data and apps
3. Game Suite: Optimizes performance and blocks notifications while gaming
4. Gesture navigation: Offers an alternative to traditional navigation buttons
5. AI-powered features: Utilizes the NPU for various system optimizations

While EMUI offers many useful features, some users may find it less intuitive than stock Android or other custom interfaces. The abundance of pre-installed apps (bloatware) can also be a point of contention for some users.

It’s worth noting that due to restrictions placed on Huawei by the U.S. government, newer Huawei devices no longer come with Google Mobile Services (GMS). However, the Nova 3, being an older model, should still have access to Google apps and services, including the Play Store.

Battery Life and Charging

The Huawei Nova 3 is equipped with a 3750 mAh battery, which is a decent capacity for a phone of its size and specifications. With moderate usage, the Nova 3 should comfortably last through a full day on a single charge. Heavy users may need to recharge before the end of the day, especially if using power-intensive features like GPS navigation or playing graphics-heavy games.

The phone supports 18W fast charging, which Huawei calls SuperCharge. This technology allows the Nova 3 to charge relatively quickly, with the ability to reach about 50% battery capacity in around 30 minutes. While not the fastest charging solution available, it’s still a convenient feature for users who need to top up their battery quickly.

Huawei has also implemented various software optimizations to help extend battery life. The AI-powered battery management system learns from your usage patterns and optimizes background processes to reduce unnecessary power consumption. Additionally, the phone offers several power-saving modes that can be activated to extend battery life when needed.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The Huawei Nova 3 offers a comprehensive set of connectivity options, including:

1. Dual SIM support (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
2. 4G LTE connectivity
3. Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
4. Bluetooth 4.2 with A2DP, LE, aptX HD
5. GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS
6. NFC for contactless payments and easy pairing
7. USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer
8. 3.5mm headphone jack

The fingerprint sensor on the back of the device is fast and accurate, providing a convenient way to unlock the phone and authenticate app purchases.