The Nova 13 Pro is HUAWEI’s most stylish mid-range model yet

With the Nova 13 Professional, HUAWEI extends its observe document of delivering glorious mid-range telephones targeted on pictures and classy design.

I had the chance to make use of the HUAWEI Nova 13 Professional for every week and got here away impressed with this cellphone’s refined appears, highly effective cameras and considerate touches.

First launched in China in October 2024, the Nova 13 Professional is now out there in markets world wide, occupying an “higher mid-range” value section. In Europe, meaning €699, making it a gorgeous proposition for patrons searching for a luxury-looking cellphone with out coming into flagship territory.

As with all trendy HUAWEI telephones, the caveat stays the supply of apps, however if you happen to’re open to some compromises, the state of affairs is not as dire because it as soon as was.

I examined the Loden Inexperienced shade (the “hero” shade of this model) and I need to say that HUAWEI designers did a beautiful job with this. I really like colourful telephones, and whereas this shade of inexperienced is kind of understated, it is nonetheless very simple on the attention.

The elegant shade of inexperienced is complemented by the refined ‘plaid’ sample engraved on the again of the cellphone, which catches the sunshine in numerous methods as you progress it. It strikes the fitting steadiness between sophistication and crowd pleasing shine, with out turning into glitter.

The big black digicam module actually contrasts with the fashionable inexperienced shade. The metallic ring round it’s engraved with the phrase “Nova”, including a bit extra bling – it’s kind of excessive for me, however to every their very own.

For those who’re searching for a classy gadget to enhance your fashion, the Nova 13 Professional has lots going for it. The sunshine inexperienced appears completely fabulous. In the meantime, the white variant exudes icy freshness, whereas the black one lets go of the cardboard to attraction to these with minimalist tastes.

The class of the colours extends to the way in which the cellphone feels within the hand. For those who want to make use of telephones and not using a case, you will like the truth that the micro-etched texture on the again of the Nova 13 Professional retains fingerprints at bay, though it stays slightly slippery.

For the Professional mannequin, HUAWEI prevented the flat edges you get on the Nova 13, and not less than from an ergonomic standpoint it is the fitting determination. The sides of the cellphone curve easily in the direction of the body, and so does the entrance glass. I actually like how this cellphone sits within the hand, even when it’s a little on the heavy aspect at 209 grams.

The sleek contours of the entrance glass complement the slim, symmetrical bezels across the 6.76-inch display screen. The big digicam cutout is conspicuous on the entrance of the all-screen cellphone, however HUAWEI makes good use of the house with twin selfie lenses.

General, HUAWEI made a abstract – the Nova 13 Professional is trendy, enticing and a pleasure to make use of.

Other than fashion and aesthetics, the opposite huge focus of the Nova collection has at all times been pictures and selfie cameras particularly. Like its predecessors, the Nova 13 Professional excels on this space.

On the entrance, the primary 100-degree ultra-wide 60MP digicam can be your default selfie choice, permitting you to change between “broad”, 0.8X and 1X zoom elements. I’ve seen this digicam carry out reliably even in darkish winter situations, however HUAWEI went a step additional and geared up the Nova 13 Professional with a second telephoto digicam to take selfies to the following degree.

This second digicam presents 2X optical zoom, however you’ll be able to go as much as 5X digital zoom if you happen to really feel inclined. HUAWEI reckons it might be helpful if you have to examine your composition, however that is the one situation the place the 5X selfie zoom appears obligatory. Contemplating you’ll be able to simply crop images from the primary digicam to realize an identical degree of element, I am undecided the 2X zoom is even wanted. But when that is one thing you’ll be able to’t be bothered with and you actually like zoomed-in selfies, this selection is there for you.

Talking of selfies, HUAWEI added its personal look… for Google’s greatest photograph. Referred to as “Greatest AI Expression”, the function goes by way of sequences of photographs to search out facial expressions like smiles, permitting you to “repair” group images the place an individual has their eyes closed or is not wanting on the digicam. It labored effectively – I used to be in a position to simply change my semi-permanent frown with a extra relaxed expression. I can see myself utilizing this function lots this summer season once we go on trip.

The rear digicam setup is equally good. The primary shooter is 50MP and comes with an adjustable bodily aperture, which permits the diaphragm (or iris) to open at 10 completely different sizes, from f/1.4 to f/4.0. This makes the digicam extra versatile, permitting it to higher adapt to completely different scenes. Aperture switching occurs mechanically within the default photograph mode, or you’ll be able to take management by switching to Professional mode. In scenes the place the topic is shifting quick, like a operating canine, you will desire a bigger aperture setting (smaller f-number) to “freeze” the scene and keep away from movement blur; whereas while you’re capturing a panorama, you will wish to use a smaller aperture (larger f-number) to seize element from each the foreground and background.

The opposite most important sensor is the 12MP telephoto digicam sensor. Geared up with 3X optical zoom and OIS, this would be the digicam to make use of at any time when you have to zoom in in your topic or are going for a natural-looking bokeh impact.

Switching between cameras is clean and Huawei’s digicam app is clean and simple to make use of.

Design and pictures stands out as the most outstanding options of the HUAWEI Nova 13 Professional, however the gadget delivers a stable efficiency in different areas as effectively.

The LTPO OLED show is beautiful, providing HDR help and a dynamic refresh fee of as much as 120Hz. It is simply as spectacular because the screens on flagship telephones, providing vivid colours and clean visuals.

Throughout my time with the gadget, efficiency was persistently clean. The highly effective processor and 120 Hz refresh fee labored collectively to make sure clean animations and lag-free operation.

Battery life is one other spotlight. The 5000 mAh battery prices extraordinarily quick, able to going from 3% to 50% in simply 9 minutes. There is a caveat although: you will want a appropriate HUAWEI 100W charger, which is probably not included in all markets.

Software program stays a scorching subject for HUAWEI. The shortage of Google and Play Retailer apps remains to be a hindrance for some customers. HUAWEI’s AppGallery, though enhancing, nonetheless lacks many widespread apps. That mentioned, the corporate has made strides in offering different app repositories, simplifying the method of discovering important apps with out a lot problem.

For apps lacking from AppGallery, the cellphone even suggests putting in MicroG, an open-source toolkit that replicates Google Play’s proprietary providers. This permits apps that rely on Google APIs to perform correctly. For instance, I simply put in Spotify, though it’s not out there on the official HUAWEI retailer.

It is also attainable for Google apps to work by way of third-party options like GBox. Whereas this selection works effectively, it requires customers to belief an app that mimics the Google ecosystem – a consideration that won’t go well with everybody.

The HUAWEI Nova 13 Professional stands out as a superbly designed cellphone that shines in pictures and presents a premium expertise at a aggressive value. Whereas going through software program challenges as a result of lack of Google providers, HUAWEI has taken steps to mitigate these points with different options. For customers who wish to slot in, the Nova 13 Professional is price contemplating.