Review of the Huawei Nova 2i smartphone and its characteristics
Without going into too much detail, it won’t be easy to find something special in the Huawei Nova 2i that would give it an edge over its competitors. We are offered a device with up-to-date hardware and decent performance, which gives it a confident position in the mid-price category. The thin frames running along the perimeter of the display are also attractive. They are so tiny that you simply don’t pay attention to them. Once you get to know the device even more closely, you no longer want to let it go out of your hands. What is most surprising is the presence of four cameras at once - two main and two front ones. Let's review the Huawei Nova 2i and figure out why it needs so many lenses and what to expect after purchase.
Technical characteristics of Huawei Nova 2i:
- Screen: TFT IPS, 5.9″, 2160×1080, 407 ppi
- Processor: Octa-core Huawei Kirin 659, 2.4 GHz
- Graphics accelerator: ARM Mali-T830 MP2
- Operating system: Android 7.0 Nougat
- RAM: 4 GB
- Built-in memory: 64 GB
- Memory card support: microSDXC, up to 128 GB
- Communication: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz || UMTS 850/900/2100 MHz || LTE 1,3,7,8,20
- SIM: nano-SIM + nano-SIM (combined slot), Dual SIM Dual Standby
- Wireless interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, FM radio
- Navigation: GPS, GLONASS, BDS
- Cameras: main – 16 MP + 2 MP (flash, autofocus), front – 13 MP + 2 MP
- Sensors: proximity, light, accelerometer, digital compass, fingerprint sensor
- Battery: 3340 mAh
- Dimensions: 156.2x75.2x7.5 mm
- Weight: 164 grams
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Huawei Nova 2i design
The manufacturer offers three body color options: black, gold and dark blue. The gold version has a white front panel, otherwise it is black. We conducted a detailed review of Huawei Nova 2i on the dark blue version.
The case is all-metal, only on the back side there are small plastic inserts for hidden antenna placement. A dual camera unit is also installed, occupying the central space of the upper part of the back. Above it we see a single-section round flash, and below it there is a fingerprint scanner. At first, when you try to feel it, you inadvertently come across the camera sensor; the location is not the most convenient. The lenses rise a millimeter above the body, so to avoid scratching them, it is better to start wearing a case from the first days. Fortunately, it is included in the package and does not spoil the appearance of the device at all.
The Huawei Nova 2i review showed that a standard set of sensors, an event light indicator, a speaker grid and, most importantly, two front cameras were installed above the screen.
In Huawei Nova 2i, it was decided to use on-screen keys to make the bottom indentation more miniature. It is occupied only by the brand logo.
A tray has been placed on the left side of the case, in which you can place two SIM cards or one along with microSDXC.
On the right is the power button and the traditional volume rocker.
Only an additional microphone is installed on top; it was decided to group the remaining functional elements at the bottom.
On the bottom edge we see a 3.5 mm jack, a microphone, a multimedia speaker and a microUSB port occupying the central space.
As shown, Huawei Nova 2i review in Russian, the large diagonal does not harm the ergonomics of the case at all. In terms of size, the smartphone is more comparable to 5-5.5 inch devices, although it has a 6-inch diagonal. This is thanks to the narrow frames, both on the sides and below and above the display.
Whether with or without a case, it is convenient to operate the smartphone with one hand, it does not cause any inconvenience. But if you have a small hand and it’s hard to reach the top notification curtain, then you can go to the settings and activate the one-handed control mode. It offers several options for trimming the working area of the screen. The Huawei Nova 2i smartphone review demonstrates that the build quality is at the highest level - the parts sit tightly in their places, nothing creaks or plays.
Device design
The design of the new model from Huawei is dominated by roundness and smooth lines. The glass display on the front surface creates a 2.5D curved effect. Due to the “high” screen, the design of Nova 2i gravitates towards advanced phablets. The display occupies more than 80 percent of the front surface area.
The back side is completely made of metal. It is complemented below and above by small strips of antennas. By the way, the stripes are straight, not curly. The corners of the case are rounded very neatly, the side edges are sloping. The module with 2 cameras deliberately protrudes above the back panel of the device, and against the backdrop of the beautiful design it does not look flawless.
A new mid-range model has been presented in classic color schemes. You can get the Nova 2i in white and gold, beautiful black and deep navy blue. The front panel of the golden version is made in white.
The following elements are conveniently located on the back side: a fingerprint scanner, an LED flash, and a dual camera module. Without a protective case, camera lenses will be damaged because they protrude 1 millimeter above the surface of the device.
The front panel has an LED indicator, two cameras, a good earpiece, light and proximity sensors. On the bottom edge is the company logo. The right side is supplemented with power and volume buttons, and the left side is equipped with a combined tray for SIM cards.
There is an additional microphone on the top end of the smartphone. The bottom end has become the location for the following elements: main microphone, speaker, 3.5 mm audio jack, micro-USB port.
Display Huawei Nova 2i
The smartphone uses a large display, the diagonal of which reaches 5.9 inches. On top of that, it has a non-standard 18:9 aspect ratio and FullHD+ resolution, which gives 409 pixels per inch. It is built on a high-quality IPS panel with wide viewing angles and natural color reproduction. Already out of the box, a protective film is glued to it, although for greater reliability it is better to install glass. A review of the Huawei Nova 2i introduces you to the fact that multi-touch supports up to 10 simultaneous touches.
The Huawei Nova 2i review showed that the screen displays a rich and highly detailed image on which it will be impossible to see the pixel grid. The brightness reserve is sufficient for comfortable use in any conditions.
The manufacturer takes care of the eyesight of consumers of its products, offering to use a special mode in which yellow tones predominate on the screen. This reduces eye strain. During the review of Huawei Nova 2i, we were able to find out that you can set it to turn on on a schedule and adjust the intensity. The settings provide several color rendering profiles, among which everyone can easily find the best option for themselves.
Another, no less useful feature that the Huawei Nova 2i review revealed is a mode in which the sensor becomes more sensitive to pressure. In our country, this is more useful than ever, because you can use your smartphone without taking off your gloves.
Display Specifications
The manufacturer equipped this model with a high-quality 5.9-inch IPS screen. Pixel density: 407 ppi/1 inch. The display is protected by a special film, which can be easily removed if necessary. The aspect ratio is well thought out - 18:9.
Video about the screen:
The image quality should not cause any complaints from users. There are no particular problems with color rendering when the device is tilted. The maximum brightness of the display allows you to use the gadget comfortably under any conditions: during the day or at night, on social networks, in reading mode.
There is a color wheel on the screen to adjust the image temperature. Eye protection mode is one of the additional, useful options. It is possible to configure the sensor to work with gloves, which is very important for many users in the cold season.
Huawei Nova 2i performance
Huawei Nova 2i specifications are built on its own Kirin 659 chip with 8 Cortex-A53 cores. 4 of them operate at frequencies up to 2.36 GHz, and the remaining ones are energy efficient - 1.7 GHz. In addition to them, there is a Mali-T830 MP2 graphics accelerator, which is increasingly found in devices in the mid-price category.
Internal memory is 64 GB, of which about 48 GB remains for the user’s needs. RAM – 4 GB according to the LPDDR3 standard. If you feel a shortage of free space, you can install a microSDXC card up to 256 GB in size. The only thing is that in this case you will have to forget about the second SIM card; the choice is not an easy one. The Huawei Nova 2i prestige 64 GB smartphone review leads to the conclusion that we are offered optimal characteristics for its price.
Huawei Nova 2i synthetic test results
The technical characteristics of the Huawei Nova 2i 64 GB do not let us down in games either - Tanks, Asphalt 8 and Modern Combat 5 run smoothly even at maximum graphics.
The fingerprint scanner works quickly, from touching its surface to removing the screen from the lock takes no more than ½ second. It works flawlessly and has expanded functionality. In addition to its main purpose, it can be used for quick access to applications specified in the settings. It also supports gesture control. So, by swiping down, the top curtain opens, and by swiping to the right you can scroll through photos in the Gallery.
Sound and wireless communications
As the Huawei Nova 2i review showed, the external speaker is quite loud and of high quality. It is suitable for listening to your favorite music in the comfort of your home.
SIM cards operate in alternating mode, LTE support is declared for each of the slots. In the settings you can set which SIM card will be responsible for calls, SMS and mobile Internet by default. Surprisingly, Huawei Nova 2i does not receive 5 GHz Wi-Fi support; it only works on 802.11b/g/n networks in the 2.4 GHz band. There is Bluetooth 4.2, a radio that only works when a headset is connected. GLONASS, GPS and BDS services are available for navigation. A cold start takes no more than 10 seconds. All subsequent activations occur instantly.
Let's sum it up
When the Honor 7X camera was criticized, we had no idea that the review would include the Huawei nova 2i, a smartphone very similar in characteristics with a successful photographic part. Now comparisons cannot be avoided.
Huawei buyers can count on a dual 16 MP/2MP main camera and a 13MP/2MP dual selfie sensor with excellent shooting quality for this class of smartphone. A nice bonus is Bluetooth 4.2 with support for the aptX codec, which improves the quality of the sound reproduced by the headset. However, the price of the nova 2i is slightly higher, and the battery life is about an hour less.
Otherwise, Huawei nova 2i is in no way inferior to Honor 7X. The identical hardware platform provides the same level of performance, the interface is responsive, and the amount of built-in memory is sufficient for most users. The frameless screen refreshes the design, and the blue color of the body looks fresh and interesting. Huawei nova 2i is a successful product that is worth the money.
Pros:
- Frameless screen;
- Large amount of RAM and built-in memory;
- Fast EMUI;
- Four cameras that take excellent pictures in good lighting.
Minuses:
- Long charging time;
- Low quality of night photography;
- There is no reserve of graphics performance.
May not like:
- Wi-Fi only supports the 2.4 GHz band;
- No NFC chip.
Autonomy Huawei Nova 2i
Huawei Nova 2i lte 64 GB review showed that the smartphone has a built-in 3340 mAh battery, which, combined with other characteristics, allows us to expect an average battery life. With active use, the charge confidently lasts until the evening with 4-5 hours of screen activity. With a more gentle mode of use, you can count on 1.5-2 days of autonomy. When tested, it lasted 5.5 hours in games at 50% brightness and the same amount when playing FullHD video at maximum brightness. Overnight it takes about 4-5% of the charge.
Interface
The review of the Huawei Nova 2i smartphone showed that it uses the proprietary EMUI 5.1 shell, which begins to surprise even on the lock screen. By swiping from the bottom of the display you can go to the quick menu, which is very convenient. Screensavers are automatically downloaded from the network and updated regularly so that you don't get bored. If desired, each interface element can be customized and set a wide variety of gestures. The shell is as simple as possible, beautiful and easy to use.
Software
The EMUI shell, based on Android 7.0 Nougat, has a motley, colorful design with many visual effects, changing wallpapers, themes and custom animations. The operating system is designed in the same style, but the black notification panel with blue accents stands out from the general style. The design is still far from the minimalism of bare Android, but that seems to be what fans value it for.
The second significant advantage of the shell is its numerous additional functions, which allow you to do without many third-party applications and comfortably use the device out of the box. Huawei nova 2i fully supports all the features of EMUI 5.1, including password protection of applications, additional on-screen controls and application cloning. In addition, the OS is equipped with Huawei's proprietary Histen set of music enhancements.
Cameras Huawei Nova 2i
The Huawei Nova 2i camera review is really surprising, because we have never seen a smartphone with 4 cameras at once. Each pair has a main and an additional module. In the case of the rear side, the main module received a resolution of 16 megapixels, and the auxiliary one - 2 megapixels. The front camera has a similar second sensor, and the first one is 13 megapixels. An additional module is needed to expand the aperture and take beautiful pictures with a background blur effect.
Example photo on Huawei Nova 2i
I was pleased with the presence of the “live photos” mode, which creates short videos lasting about 3 seconds. The intensity of the background blur and the focus area can be changed not only during shooting, but also on the finished image if the variable aperture mode was active.
While reviewing the Huawei Nova 2i graphite black smartphone, we noticed that the Huawei Nova 2i cameras do an excellent job of taking pictures even in cloudy autumn weather. Indoors, in the presence of good lighting, you get clear pictures with excellent detail even of small objects.
The quality of night photos largely depends on the illumination of the object entering the frame. If it is illuminated brightly, then even a non-professional photographer can get a good shot. But if it is not backlit, then a lot of noise appears and in general the picture turns out blurry.
Huawei Nova 2i prestige gold review in Russian showed that when shooting nearby objects with flash, details located in the shadows are highlighted, but it is important not to make mistakes with focusing. In some cases, it gets lost when the flash fires.
The smartphone can shoot panoramas in a resolution of 21 megapixels, which are stitched together very neatly.
A review of Huawei Nova 2i showed that the maximum resolution for recording video on the main camera is FullHD at 30 frames per second. The video is well detailed and smooth, the sound is recorded in stereo.
The key feature of the front-facing camera is the ability to shoot in portrait mode, which competitors cannot yet boast of. The pictures are taken in high resolution and look no worse than with the main camera.
Conclusion
The Huawei Nova 2i smartphone has become an exception to the rule, because for an affordable price we get almost all the advantages that flagships can boast of. A complete surprise was that there were four cameras at once, which is not a useless solution - you can get beautiful pictures with the bokeh effect, which applies not only to the main module, but also to the front camera. There is reason to believe that in the future their functionality will only expand, for example, it will be possible to save live photos in gif format.
The other characteristics also did not disappoint: a large, and most importantly high-quality display with an aspect ratio of 18:9, powerful hardware that can handle any modern games. If you need a smartphone that is affordable at its price, but at the same time with decent battery life, cameras and hardware, then this is the ideal choice. Among the shortcomings is the lack of an NFC chip and a 5 GHz Wi-Fi standard.
Where can I buy?
Following the links you can buy a smartphone at the best prices:
Aliexpress
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Camera
Cameras are what sets Huawei nova 2i apart from its closest competitors. As many as four sensors, two in front and two in back are still rare. They are combined as follows: a 16 MP main camera and a 13 MP front camera are paired with 2 MP lenses.
It is impossible to take a photo from a paired sensor, the resolution is very modest. The second lens is designed solely for calculating depth of field and creating a blur effect in photographs taken with a high-resolution camera. The implementation of this function was successful. The blur is soft and in most cases covers the areas needed. In addition, the second camera allows you to take shots with an adjustable focal length; you can change the focus later on the finished photo.
You can evaluate the results of the main camera below. Daytime footage is detailed, with correct white balance, natural colors and decent sharpness. The crops are unclear, but this is not critical. Shots at dusk naturally lose detail, but if enough light gets into the lens, the photo will turn out great. But in low light conditions the camera quickly loses ground. Coarse grain appears, autofocus errors, and a few light sources look blurry.
The digital zoom used by the main camera rarely preserves image quality, but this is a case of “so bad it’s good.” At maximum zoom, the picture is distorted, but it looks beautiful. The result can be passed off as the work of an artistic filter.
Finally, we can say that the front camera takes pictures with all its megapixels. “Semyashki” are only slightly inferior in resolution to pictures from the main camera, but otherwise are comparable in quality.
Huawei nova 2i is great for daylight selfies. A soft flash is quite capable of illuminating the face even in complete darkness, but here the sensor fails, so it is more useful for eliminating shadows and emphasizing the face. The skin enhancement mode works correctly. The effect is not for everyone. It seems like it lacks a range of adjustment. The default slider set to the middle of the scale already makes the skin unnaturally waxy.
