Huawei

Huawei Nova Lite 2017: Pros and Cons

Android OS v7.0 (Nougat)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 MSM8917
Adreno 308
2 GB / 16 GB
5 inch (720 x 1280 px)
13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus

Huawei announced the launch of the Nova Lite 2017 smartphone in 2017. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5 inch IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 MSM8917 SoC, and 2 GB of RAM. The Nova Lite 2017 comes with Android OS v7.0 (Nougat) pre-installed. The IPS display of this phone has wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction and better contrast and black levels. This phone has only one rear-camera (13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus) on its back for photos and videos. 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 Lite 2017 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.

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Huawei Nova Lite 2017 specifications

BrandHuawei
NameNova Lite 2017
ModelNOVALITE2017
Release date2017

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.11 oz
Colorsblack, gold, white
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of the Huawei Nova Lite 2017 is still considered to be lightweight and portable. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card.

Huawei Nova Lite 2017 / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v7.0 (Nougat)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 425 MSM8917
CPUQuad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUAdreno 308

The Huawei Nova Lite 2017 comes with Android OS v7.0 (Nougat) out of the box. Google regularly releases new versions of Android. They have new features, improvements, and security updates. The quad-core mobile CPU can provide fast and efficient performance for mobile games. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices use Adreno GPUs.

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Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5 inch
Resolution720 x 1280 px
Multitouch supportyes

People know IPS for its wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction. The 5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

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Memory, storage

RAM2 GB
Internal storage16 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 2 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. If you use your smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web, 32GB may be sufficient for your needs. You can expand the internal storage of the Nova Lite 2017 (16 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

Cameras, flash

Main camera13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera5 MP

You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The Nova Lite 2017 comes with a basic camera setup and lacks any advanced features.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.1, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. The Nova Lite 2017 supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Nova Lite 2017 smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The Nova Lite 2017 has a GPS receiver. Many fitness and activity tracking apps rely on GPS. It is used to accurately measure and record outdoor activities.

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 you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 3000 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 Lite 2017 does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, light, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The Nova Lite 2017 smartphone has an accelerometer. The fingerprint reader is a biometric security feature found in Nova Lite 2017 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.

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

  • microSD slot
  • Dual SIM support

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • insufficient internal storage
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
  • no Type-C USB port
  • 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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