Huawei

Huawei Nova 2i (2017)

Android OS v7.0 (Nougat)
HiSilicon Kirin 659
Mali-T830 MP2
4 GB / 64 GB
5.9 inch (1080 x 2160 px)
16 + 2 MP, 4608 x 3456 px, autofocus

This phone comes equipped with a 5.9 inch AMOLED display, a HiSilicon Kirin 659 chipset, and 4 GB of RAM.

Is the cost justified by its features? I'll strive to answer that by the end of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Huawei Nova 2i smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device.

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Huawei Nova 2i specifications

BrandHuawei
NameNova 2i
ModelNOVA2I
Release date2017

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.78 oz
Dimensions6.15 x 2.96 x 0.3 inch
Colorsblack, gold
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of Huawei Nova 2i is about 5.78 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a small chipcard for a subscriber identity module (SIM).

Huawei Nova 2i / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v7.0 (Nougat)
SoCHiSilicon Kirin 659
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 2.36 GHz Cortex-A53, Quad-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUMali-T830 MP2

The Huawei Nova 2i comes with Android OS v7.0 (Nougat) out of the box. Android is a mobile operating system. Google built it using a modified version of the Linux kernel. They also used other open-source software. An advanced scheduler manages this octa-core CPU. It assigns tasks to the CPU for real-time speed and power efficiency. Many mobile devices use ARM Mali GPUs. They are well known for their good performance and power efficiency.

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Display type, size, resolution

Display typeAMOLED
Screen size5.9 inch
Resolution1080 x 2160 px
Multitouch supportyes, up to 10 fingers

AMOLED displays enable an Always-On Display feature. A part of the screen remains active to display the time, date, and notifications. The 5.9 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

Huawei Nova 2i / 3

Memory, storage

RAM4 GB
Internal storage64 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The Huawei Nova 2i comes with 4 GB of RAM, which is considered to be sufficient for most users' needs. More RAM lets us keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. 64 GB of storage is usually seen as good for a smartphone. It should be enough for most users. We can expand the internal storage (64 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Huawei Nova 2i / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera16 + 2 MP, 4608 x 3456 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera13 + 2 MP

Using multiple cameras has advantages. They provide more versatility and creative possibilities. They let us capture a wider range of subjects. The main camera of Nova 2i smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.2, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The 4G provides faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Nova 2i smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows us to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 3340 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 3340 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The battery of Nova 2i isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, light, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM, Dual camera setup, Corning Gorilla Glass

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer is a sensor. It measures the tilting motion and orientation of the phone. The Nova 2i phone has a fingerprint scanner. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use. Corning Gorilla Glass is tougher. It resists scratches, impacts, and drops.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Huawei phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • AMOLED display
  • adequate memory
  • microSD slot
  • multicamera setup
  • dual selfie camera
  • Dual SIM support
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
Add Huawei Nova 2i to your comparison

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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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