Buzz
The nova series by Huawei, initially unveiled at IFA 2016, redefines the mid-range market. Priced at just $250 in Vietnam, the nova 2i offers remarkable value with 4 cameras, ultra-slim bezels, and a solid configuration.
1. Hands-on with the Huawei nova 2i: An exceptional choice in the $250 range
The Nova series, Huawei's mid-range marvel, debuted at IFA 2016. Designed to bring high-end features to mid-range devices, the Nova 2i is priced at just $250 in Vietnam. With 4 cameras, ultra-slim bezels, and a solid configuration, it's truly a standout option.
Design is the highlight of the nova 2i, boasting a 6' display yet remarkably lightweight and compact due to its ultra-slim bezels, particularly on the sides. With a front display area reaching up to 83%, a figure typically seen in top-tier phones of 2016, coupled with the shift to an 18:9 display, the Nova 2i appears sleeker and more compact than traditional 6' phones with a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Transitioning to the 18:9 aspect ratio, Huawei retains a FullHD display with a true resolution of 2160 x 1080, setting it apart from other manufacturers. The IPS panel, combined with its high resolution, delivers excellent display quality for the Nova 2i. While the default interface may seem subdued, installing colorful themes brings out the vibrancy of images. Personally, I've always held Huawei's displays in high regard, and the Nova 2i is no exception.
The build quality of the Nova 2i is commendable within its price range, featuring a metal frame. Overall design and finishing by Huawei are decent, though not as exceptional as devices in the P series, Mate series, or even the Nova series of 2016. Being the entry-level model in the Nova lineup, some compromises have been made to lower the production cost.
Discussing the camera, the second most enticing feature of the 2i, it boasts a dual camera setup both on the front and back. The main front camera is 13MP and the main rear camera is 16MP, while both secondary cameras are 2MP with the purpose of measuring the distance to the subject for background blur, rather than capturing black-and-white shots or zooming like some competitors.
With the use of a secondary camera at such a low resolution, it's evident that you can't take separate photos from the secondary camera; everything goes through the main camera. When capturing images, you can toggle depth-of-field effects or adjust aperture with the rear camera, adjust beauty levels with the front camera, all with just the press of a button. This is a feature I particularly appreciate about the Nova 2i, so I'll share more details when I have the official device.
In terms of performance, this is also a strong point of the Nova 2i. The Kirin 659 chip offers good performance, with the CPU slightly outperforming the Snapdragon 625, but the GPU falling behind by a significant margin. This is a common characteristic of phones using non-Qualcomm chips. Handling a FullHD screen isn't too challenging for the Mali T830MP2 graphics chip, but playing heavy games may strain it a bit. We'll conduct speed tests to assess the performance of apps and games on the Nova 2i later.
As compensation for the GPU, the Nova 2i boasts 4GB of RAM and 64GB of ROM, alongside a 3340mAh battery.
At a price of 5.99 million Vietnamese dong, it must be said that the nova 2i truly has few rivals in its price range. Even in the grey market, it remains quite strong. However, whether the Nova 2i will be successful or not is a very difficult question to answer, especially considering the case of the Huawei GR5 from last year. The GR5 was a very good device in its price range, but it didn't really succeed given its potential.
