Huawei

Huawei Nova 2s: Pros and Cons

Android OS v8.0 (Oreo)
HiSilicon Kirin 960
Mali-G71 MP8
4 GB / 64 GB
6 inch (1080 x 2160 px)
20 + 16 MP, 5120 x 3840 px, autofocus

Huawei announced the launch of the Nova 2s smartphone in 2017. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 6 inch IPS display, HiSilicon Kirin 960 SoC, and 4 GB of RAM. The smartphone runs on the Android OS v8.0 (Oreo) operating system. This phone uses a high resolution 1080 x 2160 px, 6 inch IPS display. The multi-camera setup has specialized features. It has multiple cameras with different focal lengths, like wide-angle, standard, telephoto, and macro. Will it prove its worth? I aim to reveal that by the end of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Huawei Nova 2s smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Huawei Nova 2s / 1

Huawei Nova 2s specifications

BrandHuawei
NameNova 2s
ModelHWI-AL00
Release date2017

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.96 oz
Dimensions6.18 x 2.96 x 0.3 inch
Colorsblack, blue, gold, red, silver
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of the Huawei Nova 2s is still considered to be lightweight and portable. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card.

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v8.0 (Oreo)
SoCHiSilicon Kirin 960
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 2.36 GHz Cortex-A73, Quad-core 1.84 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUMali-G71 MP8

The Huawei Nova 2s comes with Android OS v8.0 (Oreo) out of the box. Android is an open-source operating system. This means the source code is free to the public. This CPU makes it ideal for running resource-intensive applications. Many people consider ARM Mali GPUs a good option for mobile devices.

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size6 inch
Resolution1080 x 2160 px
Multitouch supportyes

People know IPS for its wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction. The 6 inch display should be big enough for your needs. It will make viewing comfortable. This is true whether you're reading, browsing, or watching. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

Huawei Nova 2s / 1

Memory, storage

RAM4 GB
Internal storage64 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The Huawei Nova 2s comes with 4 GB of RAM, which is considered to be sufficient for most users' needs. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. 64 GB of storage is usually seen as good for a smartphone. It should be enough for most users. You can expand the internal storage of the Nova 2s (64 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

Cameras, flash

Main camera20 + 16 MP, 5120 x 3840 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera20 + 2 MP

Multiple cameras or depth sensors can help the smartphone. They can make its portrait mode effects more appealing. The Nova 2s does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv4.2, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radiono
USBUSB Type-C
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The Huawei Nova 2s supports 4G/LTE networks. This Huawei phone can connect to Wi-Fi networks at home, at work, or in public places. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Nova 2s smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS receiver. This phone is NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you 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 Nova 2s does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, light, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM, Fast charging

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth). The fingerprint reader is a biometric security feature found in Nova 2s smartphones. The light sensor is a type of sensor in a smartphone. It lets the phone measure light intensity around the device.

Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use. With fast charging, you can get a significant amount of battery life in a few minutes of charging.

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

  • appropriate screen size
  • adequate memory
  • microSD slot
  • multicamera setup
  • dual selfie camera
  • Dual SIM support

Cons

  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • low-capacity battery
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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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