Huawei Nova + Nova Plus review: Lean and mean

Huawei’s new pair of mid-rangers boasts impressive build quality and flagship-beating battery life.

Expensive, top-tier phones are all well and good. But over the past year, the £300-400 mark is where some of the most meaningful innovation has been happening. Huawei has dabbled in this market through its Honor brand, and its answer to this for the mainstream market is Nova, a new series of mid-tier phones. The Huawei Nova and Nova Plus bring similar specs to two different screen sizes, with a particular focus on camera performance and battery life.

So how do they measure up? Let’s find out.

About this review: We’re publishing this review after three weeks using the Huawei Nova and Nova Plus, on and off, in Berlin, Germany and Manchester and London, UK. Throughout our travels, we used the phones on the EE, Vodafone and Telekom.de networks. The regular Nova (model CAN-L11) was running firmware version B005, while our Nova Plus (model MLA-L11) was running firmware version B130. For part of our time with the Nova Plus, it was paired with a Huawei Watch.

Huawei brings its metal expertise to the mid-range.

Huawei’s been making attractive metal smartphones for a few years now, and its design expertise is plain to see in the Nova and Nova Plus. Externally, the 5-inch Nova and 5.5-inch Nova Plus don’t immediately strike you as being part of the same family of phones — but both share a few common design flourishes: subtly curved brushed metal backs, lustrous chamfers that add visual flair without making the corners sharp, and a generally slim profile that makes them pocket-friendly.

The smaller of the two has echoes of the Nexus 6P, with its wraparound “visor” up top, housing the rear camera. (Which tapers at the edges to match the curvature of the metal.) The Nova’s lines are softer than the 6P’s however, and the phone is generally less bulky, even aside from its smaller overall size. The Nova’s edges are slightly curved, and have a polished, brushed finish which breaks things up visually.

Aside from the orange accent around the power key, the Nova’s design is pretty understated: The front is featureless except for the earpiece and Huawei logo, and the metal frame isn’t unlike that of many comparable phones. Nevertheless, it’s a simple, classy look, with tight tolerances and impressive build quality.

The step up to Nova Plus changes things up a bit — you’ve got a more traditional camera bulge around the back, on account of the beefier camera module, while the fingerprint sensor has been redesigned to match the shape of the camera. As such, you lose the cool Cylon-style glass section up top, and the overall look of the device is a bit more generic as a result. The entire body is traditional brushed aluminum, with fewer visual accents to break things up. From a distance, the Nova Plus could easily be a OnePlus 3, or Mate 8, or any other slightly larger Android slab.

On the inside, both phones pack Qualcomm’s latest mid-range wonder, the Snapdragon 625, along with an ample 3GB of RAM. The 625 is legendarily fast and efficient, as we’ve discovered recently through phones like the Moto Z Play. Thanks to the new 14nm manufacturing process and a beefier GPU, the 625 can (unlike its predecessor, the Snapdragon 615) handle Android 6.0 on a 1080p display with ease. There’s only a small difference in perceptible performance compared to high-end Huawei phones running Kirin 955, and you basically need to have both side-by-side to be able to see the difference.

In terms of casual gaming performance and benchmark scores, the larger Nova actually outclasses the Nexus 6P on Nougat, which probably says more about Snapdragon 810’s thermal/throttling issues than anything. (As well as the lower screen resolution.)

In any case, there’s more than enough performance to go around, and both Novas run remarkably cool compared to previous-gen phones using Snapdragon 615.

You’ll also get 32GB of storage and 3GB of RAM in both models, along with micro-SD expansion through Huawei’s hybrid slot, which lets you load a second SIM or an SD card, but not both at the same time.

The other advantage of a cool, efficient CPU is battery life. The Nova sports a 3,020mAh battery, while the Nova Plus steps up to 3,340mAh. Huawei’s own numbers give mixed usage numbers of 2 days for the smaller model and 2.2 days for the larger one, and to our surprise, we’ve found these numbers are more or less on the money.

With our usage patterns jumping between LTE and Wi-Fi throughout the day, streaming music and using social apps like Twitter, and browsing the web in Chrome, we were finishing the day with at least 50 percent battery remaining on the Nova Plus, with around four hours of screen on time.

Both phones are battery champions — largely thanks to big power packs and an efficient new CPU.

We didn’t push the regular Nova quite as hard, but using the device as an LTE hotspot in areas with mixed coverage drained the battery by about 10 percent per hour, which is impressive. You’re looking at essentially a full day of tethering per charge from a relatively svelte handset.

When it comes to display quality, both Nova and Nova Plus boast 1080p panels, at 5 and 5.5 inches respectively, and both are comparable in terms of brightness, vibrancy, and daylight visibility. (Which is to say they’re pretty good across the board, if not as spectacular as the P9’s 1080p IPS NEO panel.) The default white balance levels for both phones have colors appearing slightly noticeably cooler than other phones, but levels can be adjusted under Huawei’s display settings.

The only noteworthy hardware disappointment is the lack of 5GHz Wi-Fi support in both models — a bizarre omission considering many cheaper phones offer this capability. It’s not a deal-breaker, but if is disappointing to miss out on (potentially) faster connectivity in a €400+ device.

Imaging is another point where the two devices diverge. The regular Nova has basically half of the Huawei P9’s camera loadout — a 12-megapixel sensor behind a f/2.2 lens with 1.25-micron pixels — but with no secondary monochrome lens, nor laser autofocus. The Nova Plus bumps things up to a 16-megapixel sensor with smaller pixels, but behind a brighter f/2.0 lens with OIS (optical image stabilization.) On paper it’s identical to the camera of the OnePlus 3 and Huawei Mate 8.

It feels like the two halves of the phone’s software are at odds with each other.

Both cameras perform similarly in daylight, though the Nova Plus pulls ahead slightly with superior dynamic range. HDR mode irons out some of those kinks, but it’s still disappointing to see no auto-HDR mode in Huawei’s camera app. The camera’s capable Pro and Super Night modes come into their own in low light, particularly in the Nova Plus, which handles itself well in darker conditions. Pro mode gives you full control over white balance, ISO and shutter speed, among other things, while Super Night mode combines several exposures into one clear image for night photography.

Bottom line: The Nova’s camera is decidedly average overall — decent in daylight, but disappointing in the dark considering the price. If photography is a top priority, the Nova Plus’s OIS-equipped shooter is far more dependable in a variety of lighting conditions.

The Nova Plus boasts superior low-light performance.

OIS also helps in video recording, where the Nova Plus produces smoother footage with fewer jitters. That said, neither performs spectacularly as a video camera, with noise creeping in in darker conditions. You do at least benefit from Snapdragon 625’s 4K video support, so Ultra HD video recording is possible on both devices.

As patchy as the Novas’ rear cameras can be at times, it’s great to see that the front camera adapts far more easily to darker conditions. And Huawei’s range of beauty options will let you pretty up yourself, sometimes to terrifying extremes.

On the software side, both Novas run EMUI 4.1, as we’ve seen on several previous phones — Honor 8, P9, P9 Plus — and Huawei’s interface layer adds a feature-dense suite of capabilities atop Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Huawei’s software is highly customized, with an iOS-style home screen, lock screen notifications that’ll seem weird and unwieldy to most Android users, and a notification pulldown that straight-up breaks some apps. EMUI remains fast, and full of some genuinely useful features — like the ability to tweak color balance directly, see how much data tethering is using and set specific limits accordingly, and use fingerprint scanner gestures to swipe down notifications, launch calls, and take pictures.

But make no mistake: EMUI still takes some getting used to. It’s nowhere near as bad as it used to be, and themes make it easier to live with, but until we hit EMUI 5 and Android Nougat, it’s still one of the more obnoxious Android “skins” out there. It’s not necessarily that it looks bad, just that many of Huawei’s design decisions clash with the way Google does things, which leads to a feeling that two halves of the phone’s software are at odds with each other.

Two excellent, if slightly overpriced, mid-range phones.

Overall, the Huawei Nova and Nova Plus are two excellent, if slightly overpriced mid-range phones. As always with Huawei, the build quality is excellent and performance is just fine, but software remains a sticking point. If you can get past (or even learn to like) EMUI, both phones deliver exceptional battery life, pretty good cameras and a choice of two form factors: The regular Nova is svelte and pocket-friendly, while the Nova Plus packs in a significant camera upgrade and a small battery bump alongside its bigger display.

It’s the price tag which gives us pause, though. At €399 for the Nova, and €429 for Nova Plus, you’re butting up against the OnePlus 3 and Honor 8, both of which give you more performance for your money. But if battery life is a top priority — or you can pick up either phone at a discount — both the Nova and Nova Plus are worth considering.

Supercharging Google Cardboard with VRidge

Your smartphone-based VR has another trick.

There’s already a lot you can experience with Google Cardboard. Quick horror experiences to make your friends jump, exciting trips on roller coaster you may never go on yourself, and concerts to watch as though you’re in the audience top a surprisingly long list of possibilities. There are hundreds of Google Cardboard apps available for anyone to try, but if you’re looking for something to try that is just a step above your average app the folks behind VRidge want you to see what desktop-class VR is like without relying on Oculus or Valve for anything.

Read more at VR Heads!

Jet Black iPhone 7 Plus Pre-Orders Shipping Sooner Than Expected

Many customers who pre-ordered a Jet Black iPhone 7 Plus received shipping estimates ranging into October and November, but it appears Apple is working hard to overcome supply constraints and get shipments out earlier than expected.

Starting this morning, MacRumors began hearing reports from customers who originally had deliveries scheduled for a month or two out but will now be receiving their devices over the course of the next few days.

MacRumors reader Daniel was told to expect his Jet Black iPhone 7 Plus in November, but will be receiving it tomorrow, while another customer had a delivery scheduled for October 4 to 10, but will instead receive his iPhone on Wednesday. There are also multiple reports on Twitter from customers who have had similar good news, including some improved delivery estimates from carriers.

@MacRumors just got a shipment notification on my Jet Black 7+. Way ahead of schedule.

— Daniel (@drwebber) September 19, 2016

The new Jet Black iPhone offers both a unique mirror-like finish and a new deep black color, which has made it one of the most popular choices with customers. It uses a different anodization process than the other iPhones to achieve the shine, perhaps explaining why it is in shorter supply.

Reports of improved shipping estimates are encouraging for customers who are expecting to wait until November to receive a new iPhone. When pre-orders for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus took place on September 9, shipping estimates for Jet Black iPhone 7 Plus models slipped to weeks and then months within a matter of minutes, leaving customers who wanted the new color waiting. If Apple can continue ramping up supply, orders may be going out much earlier. Orders placed today on Apple’s website for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus continue to have November delivery estimates.

For those who have ordered a Jet Black iPhone or plan to, Apple warns that the device is prone to significant scratching because of its finish, something that has indeed been seen in early reviews and in the wild already.

Related Roundup: iPhone 7
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What is iPhone 7 HissGate? Plus 4 other “gates” Apple has fallen prey to

The Apple iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus went on sale last Friday to record numbers of pre-orders, the iPhone 7 plus is sold out until November at least. But some of the lucky few who have managed to get their hands on one have noticed a hissing sound when working the A10 processor a little too hard.

Stephen Hackett of 512Pixels.net noticed the problem and posted online about it to bring it to public attention. He first heard the sound when restoring his account from iCloud and said it was loud enough to be heard with the phone sitting on a table, rather than having to hold it up to his ear.

Fortunately, AppleCare replaced the faulty iPhone for him, but since then other owners have noticed the same issue.

It’s not clear if some of the first few batches of iPhones are faulty or just that some owners have been unlucky with their device. In fact, it might just be normal. Rene Ritchie at iMore.com says that when restoring it is acceptable for a device to make slight hissing sounds, especially when putting the processing units under strain.

But hey, where’s the fun in that? After all, every time Apple releases a new device there are reports of some issue or so – and thus a “gate” is born. Here are some of the other famous ones.

BendGate

HissGate is far from the first time that Apple has fallen foul to reports of problems with the iPhone. There have been a number of “gates” with previous models.

One of the standout issues was “bendgate” which saw the iPhone 6 Plus bend when put in a pocket or bag. Nearly 200 people complained to Apple about the problem but the company only replaced some of them, others were left with a charge for replacement or repair. 

AntennaGate

Another gate that received international recognition was Antennagate. Antennagate refers to the iPhone 4 and how signal would drop out if you held it a certain way and bridging the gap between the two antenna pieces around the outside of the phone.

Steve Jobs held an event specifically to debunk the claims and told people to “not hold it that way”. Apple also offered a free iPhone bumper case for anyone that wanted one, but was eventually told to send customers compensation.

U2Gate

U2 Gate spawned at the launch of the first Apple Watch. The Irish band closed out the event and then Bono and Tim Cook confidently told everyone that U2’s latest album would be sent to everyone with an iTunes account. What Apple and U2 failed to realise was that U2 aren’t a band loved by everyone.

Bono issued an apology for the stunt and Apple quickly released a tool to remove the album from accounts. 

MapsGate

It was no surprise that Apple released its own mapping software, after all, why should Apple continue letting Google Maps take the limelight when it could offer its own integral solution instead.

Apple’s first attempt at Maps wasn’t that great, especially when it came to accuracy. What brought even more attention was that Apple removed Google Maps from the App Store. It took a while for Google to release a new app that iPhone owners could download and considering most people probably would have been lost, it was highly appreciated.

Apple has since learned from its original mistakes and now offers a much more accurate mapping tool…although we’d probably still opt for Google.

Fujifilm goes mirrorless medium format: GFX 50S is a 50-megapixel whopper on a small(ish) scale

It’s a rare thing for an all-new camera format to appear, but Fujifilm is pushing into digital medium format with the announcement of its mirrorless GFX line and GF lenses.

The Fujifilm GFX 50S is the first camera announced in the line, complete with a 51.4-megapixel sensor that’s 70 per cent larger than a full-frame DSLR’s sensor. That’s a whole lot more size to benefit from resolution and depth of field effects.

The GFX is interesting for a number of reasons. One, it’s mirrorless, so there won’t be any mirror slap when taking images and, therefore, this ought to negate any sharpness loss that can occur in higher-resolution cameras. Two, it’s small and lightweight by medium format standards – as its 800g body attests. Three, it’s super quiet in operation.

A new sensor needs a new mount, of course, with the new GF lenses arriving initially in 63mm f/2.8, 120mm f/4.0 macro and 32-64mm f/4.0 zoom flavours (remember the crop factor is around 0.8x, making 63mm around 50mm in full-frame (35mm) format). An additional three optics will join the line-up within a year of availability.

With a sensor measuring 43.8 x 32.9mm, Fujifilm hasn’t opted for an unusual X-Trans array as it does with many of its mirrorless cameras, instead sticking to a typical colour array.

With such a large sensor and so much resolution the GFX 50S can benefit from shooting in multiple aspect ratios without losing a huge amount of resolution. Want 16:9? That’ll come in 38-megapixels straight from camera. Same with 1:1 square ratio. And there are all manner of other options, too, from 5:4 to 6:9 and beyond.

The 50S is smaller than you might expect a medium format to be, while embodying some great design concepts: the vari-angle LCD is there for waist-level or overhead work; but in the box there’s a viewfinder included. And it’s no ordinary viewfinder: this clip-on inclusion merges beautifully with the body, but can also be angled through vertical and horizontal rotations to almost any given angle. Very clever.

But if you want big then you’ve got to pay big. When it’s out in the first part of 2017, Fujifilm predicts that the GFX 50S will cost sub-$10,000 with the 63mm lens included. For an all-in-one kit that’s not bad going, if, of course, you’ve got a spare £7,500-odd knocking around.

GoPro’s Karma drone is official, takes flight soon

After months or teasing, GoPro has officially unveiled its latest products, one of which is a company first: The Karma drone. 

GoPro’s aim with the Karma was to build a drone that’s easy to use right out of the box, and one that’s compatible with its own popular action cameras. 

Size-wise, it’s small enough to fit easily in to a small backpack (which it ships with), that the company claims is light enough to wear during any activity without getting uncomfortable. 

What’s more, the controller is designed to be as easy to use as a console gamepad and has a built-in touch screen, so you don’t need a phone to see footage from the Karma. 

As for the camera mounting system, it’s a 3-axis stabiliser which can be removed from the Drone and then attached to an included handgrip and used handheld, giving you super smooth handheld footage. In many ways, the Drone is trying to compete with drones, and handheld gimbal systems with one product. 

Given GoPro’s history in the action camera market, having a drone as part of its product range certainly makes sense. It makes it possible to capture wider action shots, using the GoPro camera equipment that users already have. 

The GoPro Karma will be available to buy from 23 October, though specific country release dates have yet to be detailed. The Karma alone will cost £720 or $799, with no GoPro included. It is compatible with Hero 4 and Hero 5. The GoPro Karma with the Hero 5 Black will cost £999 or $1099. The Karma with the Hero 5 Session will cost $999, with no European pricing available for that bundle as yet.

GoPro Hero 5 Black and Session cameras announced, 4K video with GPS and waterproofing

GoPro has taken the wraps off its latest action cameras; the Hero 5 Black and Hero 5 Session. Like their predecessors, they’re small and easy to mount, but host a number of improved features. 

Chief among the newest additions is waterproofing. That’s right, now when you want to take your Hero 5 Black or Session camera for a spot of underwater shooting, you’ll no longer need a special case. It can survive down to 10 metres deep without being damaged. 

Other features shared between the Hero 5 Black and Session include 4K video recording at 30 frames per second, the ability to auto-upload photos and videos to the cloud when charging, and a simple one-button control system.

They also both have electronic stabilisation during video capture to ensure footage isn’t a hideous shaky mess, as well as voice control with support for seven languages, with new languages on their way.

There’s a new linear view setting for both cameras too which gives you wide angle video and photos without the heavy distortion usually associated with extreme wide angle lenses.

Of course, the Hero 5 Black is the high-end device in the new range. To distinguish itself from the Session it has features like the ability to shoot 12MP pictures in RAW and WDR photo modes and GPS for automatic location tracking. It can record stereo audio, and has some fancy tech to cut out wind noise from recordings.

Like the Hero 4 Silver and Black additions, it has a touchscreen on the back which can be used as a small monitor, and as a control system to change video and photo shooting settings.   

Both cameras are compatible with existing GoPro mounts, including the newly announced GoPro Karma drone. They’ll be available to buy from 2 October. The GoPro Hero 5 will cost £350 or $399 and the Hero 5 Session will cost £250 or $299.