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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Detailed technical specifications
Make and model
Make and model of the device, and alternative names (if any).
| Brand Device manufacturer company. | Huawei |
| Model Device name. | nova 2i |
| Alternative names Other model names, if available. Sometimes the model is called differently, depending on the country or because of popular nicknames. | RNE-L02 RNE-L22 |
Design
Appearance of the device including dimensions, weight, volume, colors and materials.
| Width The horizontal side of the device when used in standard orientation. | 75.2 mm (millimeters) |
| Height The vertical side of the device when used in standard orientation. | 156.2 mm (millimeters) |
| Thickness The cross-sectional size of the device. | 7.5 mm (millimeters) |
| Weight How much does the device weigh excluding the case, SIM and memory cards and other additional elements. | 164 g (grams) |
| Volume Approximate value calculated using the formula: length times width times height. | 88.1 cm³ (cubic centimeters) |
| Colors What colors is the device available in? | Golden Black Blue |
| Housing materials What materials is the body made of? | Aluminium alloy |
System on a Chip (SoC)
A system on a chip, a single-chip system (System on a Chip, SoC) is when several systems performing different device functions are connected on one chip.
| System on a Chip (SoC) A single-chip system that contains components such as a processor, graphics accelerator, memory units, communication interfaces, etc., as well as software for the operation of the system. | Huawei HiSilicon KIRIN 659 |
Central processing unit (CPU)
| Central processing unit (CPU) The main component of the device is responsible for calculations and data processing. | 4x 2.36 GHz ARM Cortex-A53, 4x 1.7 GHz ARM Cortex-A53 |
| Technical process What technological process is used to make the chip? The smaller the process technology, the better - the chips consume less power and generate less heat. | 16 nm (nanometers) |
| Processor size Processor capacity is a parameter that indicates how many bits of data a processor register processes in 1 clock cycle. This is usually 32 or 64 bits. | 64 bit |
| Instruction Set Architecture Instruction set architecture (ISA) is a programmable part of the microprocessor core used by software to control the operation of the processor. | ARMv8 |
| Number of processor cores The processor can be either single-core or multi-core. The performance of the processor depends on the number of cores (threads). The more cores working simultaneously, the higher the power consumption, so in mobile devices all cores are used only under high load. | 8 |
| CPU clock speed Clock speed is the number of operations per second that a processor or its core can achieve. The higher the frequency, the higher the overall performance of the device, but performance also depends on the processor architecture and the number of cores. | 2360 MHz (megahertz) |
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
| Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) The graphics processing unit (GPU) is used to process and display graphics - 3D effects, games, interfaces and other visual elements. Due to the pipeline architecture, the GPU is many times more efficient in graphics processing than the processor. | ARM Mali-T830 MP2 |
| Number of GPU cores Similar to a processor, a GPU can have one core or several. The number of cores (threads) determines the performance and amount of information processed. The more cores, the better. | 2 |
Random access memory (RAM)
| Amount of random access memory (RAM) RAM (Random Access Memory, RAM, RAM) is temporary memory (works only while the device is running), which stores data and code for the operational operation of programs and applications. The more RAM, the more programs you can run simultaneously without loss of performance (there will be fewer “brakes”). | 4 GB (gigabytes) |
| Type of random access memory (RAM) Information about the type of RAM used by the device. | LPDDR3 |
| Number of RAM channels 1 is a single-channel RAM operating mode, basic, when 1 memory module is used. 2 is already a two-channel mode - a mode of parallel operation of 2 modules or pairs of modules, memory channels - this mode is 2 times faster than a single-channel one. 3 – three-channel mode is 3 times faster than single-channel mode. | Dual channel |
| RAM frequency The frequency of RAM determines the speed of RAM, or rather the speed of data transfer and reception. In theory, the higher the frequency, the more powerful the RAM. | 933 MHz (megahertz) —- GPU Turbo |
Built-in memory
Most mobile devices have built-in Flash memory, which is used as a storage for system data, the operating system, as well as user data - photos, videos, recordings and much more.
| Built-in memory capacity The higher the amount of built-in memory, the more games, programs, music, videos and your other files will fit in the device, especially the amount of memory is important when the device does not support memory cards. | 64 GB (gigabytes) |
Operating system
A mobile operating system (OS) is pre-installed software with a well-thought-out interface for user control of device functions.
| Operating system (OS) The operating system installed by default by the device manufacturer, as well as its version. | Android 7.0 Nougat Android 9.0 Pie |
| User interface User interface (UI - user interface) is usually a graphical shell that ensures the transfer of information between the user and the operating system. | EMUI 5.1 EMUI 9.0 |
Battery
To operate autonomously, a mobile device requires a battery that powers all its components.
| Battery capacity The main characteristic of a battery is its maximum capacity, that is, the charge it can store. Capacity is measured in mAh (mAh, milliamp-hour). The higher the capacity, the longer the mobile device can work. | 3340 mAh (milliamp-hours) |
| Battery type Many types of batteries have been used in portable devices, but NiCd (nickel-cadmium), NiMH (nickel-metal hydride), and even more so SLA (lead-acid) batteries are already considered obsolete. Instead, modern mobile devices use Li-Ion (lithium-ion) and Li-Pol, Li-Poly (lithium-polymer) batteries. | Li-polymer |
| Call duration on 2G network (GSM, CDMA) Approximately how long will it take for a fully charged battery to discharge when talking in 2G mode. Approximate, because this time is influenced by many factors, such as the operator, signal strength, active applications, and so on. | 20 h (hours) 1200 min (minutes) 0.8 days |
| Waiting time on 2G network (GSM, CDMA) Approximately how long will it take for a fully charged battery to discharge if the mobile device is not used and is connected in 2G mode. | 550 h (hours) 33000 min (minutes) 22.9 days |
| Call duration on 3G network (WCDMA, UMTS, CDMA2000) About how long a fully charged battery will be discharged during a call on third generation networks. Approximate time because it is influenced by various factors, including ambient temperature. | 20 h (hours) 1200 min (minutes) 0.8 days |
| Waiting time on 3G network (WCDMA, UMTS, CDMA2000) About how long a fully charged battery will be discharged if the mobile device is in standby mode and connected to third generation networks. | 550 h (hours) 33000 min (minutes) 22.9 days |
Screen
The screen (display) is the main element for displaying graphic information.
| Technology The technology used to make the screen. There are many types of display manufacturing with their pros and cons. | IPS |
| Diagonal The screen diagonal of a device is measured in inches (inch, in or simply ″), and 1″ is equal to 2.54 cm. | 5.9 in (inches) 149.86 mm (millimeters) 14.99 cm (centimeters) |
| Width Approximate screen width | 67.02 mm (millimeters) 6.7 cm (centimeters) |
| Height Approximate screen height | 134.04 mm (millimeters) 13.4 cm (centimeters) |
| Aspect Ratio Aspect ratio is the ratio of the shorter side of the screen, which is considered to be 1, to the longer side, which is denoted by a decimal fraction indicating the ratio to the short side. | 2:1 2:1 (18:9) |
| Screen resolution Screen resolution is the number of horizontal pixels (dots) multiplied by the number of vertical pixels. The higher the resolution, the more detailed the image will be. | 1080 x 2160 pixels |
| Pixel Density The number of pixels per inch or PPI (pixels per inch) indicates the density of pixels per 1 inch (2.54 cm) of the screen. The higher the PPI, the sharper the image, and the less visible or even invisible “squares and dots” (pixels). | 409 ppi (pixels per inch) 160 ppcm (pixels per centimeter) |
| Color depth Color depth means how many bits are used in 1 pixel to display color (bits per pixel). | 24 bit 16777216 colors |
| Screen area Approximate usable area occupied by the screen on the front of the device. The higher the percentage, the narrower the frames around the display or the smaller the “chin with bangs.” | 76.72% (percentage) |
| Touch screen A touch screen is a device that usually covers the display and is a touch input tool. In fact, in mobile devices, the touchscreen is a replacement for the keyboard and mouse. | Yes |
| Touch screen type There are many types of touch screens, with their pros and cons. Mobile devices often use capacitive touchscreens, but technology does not stand still and new types of sensors are appearing. | Capacitive |
| Multi-touch Touch screen support for two or more touches. For example, zooming photos with two fingers. | Yes |
| 2.5D screen 2.5D is a display with rounded edges. Device manufacturers use a 2.5D screen as a design element, for a pleasant tactile sensation, or to add durability, dust and moisture protection. | Yes |
Main camera
The main camera, usually built into the rear of the device, is designed for creating photo and video content.
| Maximum image resolution This is the maximum number of pixels (dots) horizontally and vertically. The higher the resolution, the more detailed the image will be. Resolution can also be indicated in megapixels - this is the total number of pixels that can be in the image, calculated by the formula: vertical pixels multiplied by the number of horizontal pixels and divide the resulting amount by 1 million. | 4608 x 3456 pixels 15.93 MP (megapixels) |
| Matrix type There are two main types of photomatrix, CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) and CMOS (Complimentary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor). Mobile devices mainly use a CMOS matrix - it requires less space, has low power consumption and heating. Recently, new types of sensors have begun to appear, for example PureCel from OmniVision. | CMOS BSI (backside illumination) |
| Diaphragm Aperture (f-number, f) is used to control the light flux passing through the lens. The aperture is indicated by a fraction, and the smaller the fractional number, the higher the aperture passing through the lens. The more light that passes through the lens, the better overall, less noise in your photos and better night photography. | f/2.2 |
| Flash type Most mobile devices are equipped with light-emitting diode (LED) flashes, but there are also xenon flashes. As a flash, xenon is better - it is more powerful, but LED is more versatile (can work as a flashlight) and consumes less electricity. | LED |
| Maximum video resolution This is the maximum number of pixels (dots) horizontally and vertically. The higher the resolution, the more detailed the image will be. | 1920 x 1080 pixels 2.07 MP (megapixels) |
| FPS video recording at maximum resolution FPS (Frames per Second, frame rate) is the number of frames that changes in 1 second. The higher the number of frames per second, the smoother the image will be. In this case, we mean the number of frames that the camera can achieve at its maximum resolution; the lower the resolution, the higher the FPS can be. | 30 fps (frames per second) |
| Presence of flash Incorporating a flash into a mobile device allows you to take pictures in low light conditions. Creates the necessary lighting and compensates for the lack of natural light. | Yes |
| Digital zoom With digital zoom (zoom, enlargement), the subject is brought closer due to software image algorithms. The higher the magnification with digital zoom, the worse the image quality (noise, blur) will be compared to a non-zoomed one. | Yes |
| Focus on face Function of auto-detection of living objects and autofocus on their face or head. | Yes |
| Panoramic shooting mode Panoramic photography is a series of frames where each subsequent frame is a continuation of the previous one; at the end of the shooting, all frames are stitched together at the software level to create a panoramic photograph. Frames can be shot both vertically and horizontally, and their width can be up to 360 degrees. This type of shooting is used when the camera's viewing angle is not enough to capture the entire scene. | Yes |
| HDR shooting mode HDR photography takes a quick series of shots with highlights, midtones, and shadows, then combines them into a single frame with high dynamic range. | Yes |
| White balance White balance is a setting that helps ensure the correct color reproduction in an image by determining the color temperature of the light source in the frame. The balance can be set either automatically or manually. | Yes |
| ISO Setting ISO is the level of light sensitivity. The lower the ISO, the less sensitive the camera's light sensor and the smoother the image with less noise. The higher the ISO, the higher the light sensitivity, but more noise, graininess, or decreased sharpness. | Yes |
| Additional Information Additional information about the functions and characteristics of cameras. | Autofocus Continuous shooting Geo-tagging Touch focus Exposure compensation Self-timer Scene select mode |
Additional cameras
Secondary cameras allow you to expand the capabilities of the main camera, such as adding a wide shooting angle, sharpness, optical zoom and other functions depending on the type of secondary camera.
| Second additional camera | 2 MP (megapixels) |
Front-camera
The front camera of a mobile device (selfie camera, rear camera) is a camera on the front part, which is usually used for video communication, recognition of gestures or faces, and selfie photographs.
| Photo resolution The maximum image resolution that the camera can produce. As resolution increases, image detail increases. Resolution can also be indicated in megapixels (the total number of pixels that an image can consist of) - these are vertical pixels multiplied by horizontal pixels and divided by 1 million. | 4160 x 3120 pixels 12.98 MP (megapixels) |
| Matrix type There are not many types of matrices, the main ones are CCD, PureCel and the most popular in mobile devices due to low power consumption and compact size - CMOS. | CMOS BSI (backside illumination) |
| Diaphragm An aperture (or aperture) is essentially an adjustable baffle to control the amount of light passing through the lens. The aperture is indicated by a fraction, and the smaller it is, the more light passes through the lens, which has a positive effect on photographs - there will be less noise and better night photography. While the main cameras also come with an adjustable aperture, most front cameras have a fixed aperture. | f/2 |
| Video resolution This is the maximum resolution the camera can record video at. The higher the resolution, the better. | 1280 x 720 pixels 0.92 MP (megapixels) |
| Frame rate (FPS) of video shooting This is talking about FPS at maximum video resolution; at lower resolutions, the frame rate per second can be higher. FPS determines the smoothness of the video, as well as the ability to speed up or slow down it. | 30 fps (frames per second) —- Secondary front camera — 2 MP Pixel size — 1.75 μm (#2) |
Memory card
A memory card (flash card) is an external data storage device that is used in many devices to increase memory capacity.
| Memory card type and formats Mobile devices usually use 3 types of memory cards - SD, miniSD and the most common microSD. Each type has its own formats that the device supports. | microSD microSDHC microSDXC |
SIM card
Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) used in mobile devices to identify subscribers in cellular networks.
| Type, size of SIM card A regular (mini SIM) card has dimensions of 25x15 mm. Micro SIM - 15x12 mm. Nano SIM - 12.3x8.8 mm. The sizes of SIM cards are different and not interchangeable. There is also an eSIM (virtual, electronic SIM card), it is built into the device and does not take up space. | Nano-SIM (4FF - fourth form factor, since 2012, 12.30 x 8.80 x 0.67 mm) Nano-SIM / microSD |
| Number of SIM cards How many SIM cards does the device support? | 2 |
Mobile networks
This is a system in which communication and data transfer is carried out between subscribers, the location of one or more of which changes. This section lists the supported mobile communication standards and frequencies.
| GSM GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is a standard for digital mobile cellular communications of the second generation 2G with time and frequency division of channels. GSM came to replace analog cellular communications 1G (first generation). | GSM 850 MHz GSM 900 MHz GSM 1800 MHz GSM 1900 MHz |
| UMTS UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), also called 3GSM, is a third generation (3G) mobile communications standard based on the WCDMA air interface. | UMTS 850 MHz UMTS 900 MHz UMTS 2100 MHz |
| LTE LTE (Long-Term Evolution, often referred to as 4G LTE) is a standard for wireless high-speed data transmission, which, although it belongs to fourth generation networks (4G), is essentially a transitional stage from 3G to 4G, greatly accelerating data transfer speeds. The standard has an improved version, LTE Advanced (LTE-A), which can already be considered a full-fledged 4th generation network. | LTE 800 MHz LTE 900 MHz LTE 1800 MHz LTE 2100 MHz LTE 2600 MHz |
Mobile network data standards
What data transfer standards in cellular networks are supported by the device, as well as their speed.
| Data transmission technologies Technologies for receiving and transmitting data, as well as their maximum speed. | UMTS (384 kbit/s) EDGE GPRS HSPA+ (HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s, HSDPA 42 Mbit/s) LTE Cat 6 (51.0 Mbit/s, 301.5 Mbit/s) |
WiFi
Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) is a technology for wireless data transmission over a local network among devices based on IEEE 802.11 standards.
| Wi-Fi Direct support The Wi-Fi Direct protocol allows multiple devices to connect directly, bypassing the use of routers or access points. | Yes |
| Wi-Fi Hot-Spot A hotspot is a Wi-Fi access point. In a mobile device, Hot-Spot turns the smartphone into a Wi-Fi access point, essentially turning it into a router capable of distributing the Internet. | Yes |
| WiFi Supported WIFI wireless network standards. | 802.11b (IEEE 802.11b-1999) 802.11g (IEEE 802.11g-2003) 802.11n (IEEE 802.11n-2009) |
Bluetooth
Bluetooth (BT, bluetooth (z), “blue tooth”) is a short-range wireless network (up to 10, sometimes 100 meters) operating on radio waves to transmit voice and data between devices.
| Bluetooth version Bluetooth technology is actively developing and, since 1998, has been constantly updating versions of the standard. Each subsequent version introduces one or several improvements in data exchange speed, range, facilitates pairing, reduces power consumption, or introduces some new protocols and operating profiles. The higher the Bluetooth version, the better. The technology is also backward compatible, for example, if your mobile device has version 5.0, then it will work with accessories version 4.2 and lower, but the improvements introduced in version 5.0 will not work; they will work only if both the device and accessories are version 5. | 4.2 |
| Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Bluetooth LE is a low energy BT protocol specification. | Yes |
| A2DP profile The A2DP Bluetooth profile is designed to transmit a high-quality two-channel stereo signal via Bluetooth to wireless headphones, speakers and other acoustics. | Yes |
Sensors
Modern devices have many sensors that help in measurements, trigger functions, and make using the device more pleasant.
| Light sensor The light sensor reacts to the light level and is able to adjust the screen brightness automatically based on this. This is necessary to reduce power consumption and ease of use of the device. | Yes |
| Proximity sensor The proximity sensor reacts to the proximity of the mobile device to some object. For example, the sensor is used when talking on the phone to turn off the screen, which saves energy and prevents you from pressing buttons with your ear or cheek. | Yes |
| Accelerometer An accelerometer is a sensor that measures apparent acceleration, that is, it determines the position and distance at which a mobile device moves in space. Based on the data from this sensor, the screen orientation change, pedometer, control using tilts and gestures in games and applications, etc. work. | Yes |
| Fingerprint's scanner The scanner is responsible for authorization using a previously saved fingerprint, as a result of which the device is unlocked, payment is made, some action is confirmed - just put your finger on the scanner. Scanners can be either built into the body or built into a button or screen. | Yes |
| Digital compass This is software that displays data from a magnetic sensor or GPS in the form of a compass on the screen of a mobile device. If there are no sensors or GPS, then the digital compass will not work. | Yes |
| Additional sensors | —- |
Audio
Audio - characteristics and capabilities of a mobile device in terms of sound.
| Music speaker There are two types of speakers in mobile devices - auditory and musical. The auditory speaker (speaker) is used for conversation, the music speaker (buzzer) is used to play music and sounds. | Speaker |
Radio
The radio in a mobile device can be built-in by the manufacturer (catch local radio channels, no internet required, often works only with headphones (as an antenna), but not always) or installed as an online application (requires internet, but more channels and often better quality) .
| Built-in radio Is a radio tuner integrated into the mobile device? | Yes |
Navigation and location
The location is determined by satellite navigation systems that track the device's autonomous geospatial location at multiple points. The most common satellite navigation systems are GPS, GLONASS, and the Chinese BeiDou.
| GPS GPS (Global Positioning System) is a global satellite navigation system that can determine the position of a mobile device, build routes and find the desired object on the map with an accuracy of several meters. | Yes |
| A-GPS A-GPS (Assisted GPS) is an assistive technology that will help you quickly find the location of your cellular device without waiting for satellite data, which is especially important in indoors and cities. Location is determined in various ways, for example, Wi-Fi access points, mobile towers, bluetooth and others. | Yes |
| GLONASS GLONASS is a Russian Global Navigation Satellite System, which is similar to GPS and works in tandem with it, increasing the accuracy and speed of navigation. | Yes |
| Additional navigation systems | BeiDou |
USB connector
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a serial interface for connecting peripherals to computers, smartphones, laptops and much more. The interface allows you to exchange data and power a peripheral device with energy, as well as connect several peripheral devices to one USB connector at once.
| Connector type What type of USB connector is used in the device. | Micro USB |
| USB standard The higher the standard, the faster the throughput, or more precisely the data exchange rate. With version 3.0 of the standard, the current was increased to 0.9A, eliminating the need for additional power for some devices. | 2.0 |
| USB Mass Storage Connecting a mobile device via USB as a data storage device. That is, when you enable this mode, your device can be used as a flash drive. | Yes |
| Additional characteristics Additional features of the USB connector, for example, OTG, whether the connection is supported, peripheral devices and additional memory. | Charging via USB |
Headphone jack
A TRS headphone jack (or jack) is a common standard of connectors used for transmitting audio signals. By diameter there are jack (6.5 mm), mini-jack (3.5 mm) and micro-jack (2.5 mm). In mobile devices, the 3.5mm jack was considered the most popular and widespread, but recently they began to be removed, leaving only USB connectors, through which headphones are connected with a corresponding plug or using adapters.
| 3.5mm headphone jack Does the device have a 3.5 mm audio jack? | Yes |
Connection and synchronization
Options for synchronizing your mobile device and connecting it to other devices.
| Connection, synchronization Types of synchronization and connection technologies supported by the device. | Computer sync OTA sync Tethering VoLTE |
Browser
A browser is a browser program for viewing sites and their content on the Internet. Through the browser, you can open websites, search for information, download necessary files, watch streaming videos, play browser games, etc.
| Technologies Markup and programming languages supported by the built-in (standard) browser. For mobile devices, you can install additional browser applications if the standard one does not suit you. | HTML HTML5 CSS 3 |
Audio file formats/codecs
Mobile devices support many audio file formats, as well as codecs for playing them.
| Default formats The formats that the mobile device supports out of the box are indicated. But if the device does not support the format you need, then you can try adding support for it. Sometimes support depends on the technical characteristics of the device (“hardware”) and nothing can be added here, but often the ability to process a particular audio format depends on the software part. You can install another audio player or codec set separately. | AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) AAC+ / aacPlus / HE-AAC v1 AMR / AMR-NB / GSM-AMR (Adaptive Multi-Rate, .amr, .3ga) AMR-WB (Adaptive Multi-Rate Wideband, .awb) eAAC+ / aacPlus v2 / HE-AAC v2 FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec, .flac) MIDI MP3 (MPEG-2 Audio Layer II, .mp3) OGG (.ogg, .ogv, .oga, .ogx, .spx, .opus) WMA (Windows Media Audio, .wma) WAV (Waveform Audio File Format, .wav, .wave) |
Video file formats/codecs
Video file formats that the device supports and is capable of decoding and playing.
| Default formats Video file formats that the device is capable of playing with standard firmware and a standard (built-in) set of programs. Not all formats are supported by default, but you can install a third-party video player and/or set of codecs. | 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project, .3gp) AVI (Audio Video Interleaved, .avi) H.263 H.264 / MPEG-4 Part 10 / AVC video H.265 / MPEG-H Part 2 / HEVC MKV (Matroska Multimedia Container , .mkv .mk3d .mka .mks) MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14, .mp4, .m4a, .m4p, .m4b, .m4r, .m4v) VP8 Xvid |
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.
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
A film is glued to the screen of Huawei nova 2i. The coating is quite smooth, but does not cover the entire screen area and cannot boast of an oleophobic coating. Such protection would be worth maintaining, but it is much more pleasant to use the screen without film. The protective glass is easier to clean from fingerprints and is more pleasant to the touch thanks to its rounded edges.
The frames surrounding the screen are narrow, including the margins at the top and bottom. The IPS screen is elongated in height and has a diagonal of 5.93″ and a resolution of 2160×1080, which gives a total of 407 dpi. The indicator is sufficient to not notice the pixels during everyday use of the smartphone.
The image quality of Huawei nova 2i will satisfy most smartphone owners. Color shades are stable and do not change depending on the viewing angle, but the contrast of the image at a large angle drops noticeably.
The backlight brightness reserve is sufficient. The white and black fields are equal. No flickering of the backlight was detected. Automatic adjustment works correctly. The screen sensor recognizes 10 simultaneous touches and is able to distinguish between gloved fingers. Huawei is not lowering the bar and continues to use high-quality screens in mid-range smartphones.
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.
Iron
Huawei nova 2i is based on a proprietary hardware platform - the Kirin 659 chip with eight Cortex A53 cores. They are divided into two computing clusters with different clock frequencies, which ensures energy savings in everyday use of the device and increases performance under maximum load. An approach used in all modern smartphones. The nova 2i has 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal memory. MicroSD memory cards up to 256 GB are supported.
About 48 GB of internal memory is available to the user. The operating system reserves 1.45 GB of RAM for its needs.
Trashbox has already tested the Kirin 659. The current result is almost identical to the previous one. The speed of reading/writing to the smartphone’s memory and the average frame rate in benchmarks also coincided. Huawei's proprietary processor has sufficient overall performance, but the Mali-T830 MP2 graphics core provides no more than 30 FPS in modern games at maximum graphics settings. Mostly 15-20 frames per second.
The fingerprint sensor, located on the rear panel under the camera unit, seems convenient. The index finger automatically fits into the recess of the sensor, as soon as you take the smartphone in your hand. Unlocking occurs without the slightest delay.
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.
Connection
The SD card combo slot holds up to 2 Nano SIM cards. The only radio module operates according to the Dual SIM Dual Standby scheme, like most modern smartphones. No problems with cellular signal reception were found during testing.
Huawei nova 2i performed excellently as a car navigator. Kirin 659 detects no less satellites than top Qualcomm chips. In addition, the smartphone should be praised for the current version of Bluetooth 4.2 with support for the aptX audio codec, which significantly improves the sound of wireless headsets.
But the Wi-Fi module only works at the overloaded 2.4 GHz frequency. This affects connection speeds in public places and apartment buildings, but without an appropriate router, 5 GHz Wi-Fi support is still useless. The good old MicroUSB connector supports connecting full-size flash drives via an adapter.
The ringing speaker has a volume reserve and generally reproduces music well. Only at maximum volume do you realize that the sound lacks bass and stage width, but the wheezing characteristic of cheap solutions never appears.
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.
Battery
The Nova 2i model is equipped with a non-removable battery. The smartphone holds a charge well, and you can actively use the gadget all day without recharging. If you use the device only for its intended purpose, the battery charge will last for two days.
Battery capacity - 3340 mAh. The technical specifications indicate that it takes more than 2 hours to fully charge. Unfortunately, the new product did not receive proprietary fast charging.
Don't expect any surprises in the battery life of your gadget. Various tests show that the device lasts approximately 5 hours in games with medium brightness. The smartphone will last the same amount of time when playing Full HD movies at full screen brightness.
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.
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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