It’s common practice for brands to release smartphones in different tiers, each catered to meet varying needs of users. In the case of Huawei, the nova series has always been a steady presence in the mid-range market, but that’s not quite the case for Singapore, where the eight-generation iteration last debuted in 2021.
Four years later, the Chinese giant is bringing its latest member back to local shores. Announced at a global launch event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the nova 13 is now available for pre-order at S$598, ahead of its official rollout on 24 February.
Powered by the company’s own Kirin 8000 processor, the handset sports a minimalist exterior that combines a braid pattern with a silky, satin-like texture. The pill-shaped cutout houses a 50-megapixel (MP) main shooter and an 8MP ultrawide macro camera, joined by a 60MP ultrawide front camera, featuring QPD Full-Pixel Precise Focus and 5x Portrait Zoom Lens. Where the former offers a 100-degree ultrawide angle and ensures sharp focus in low light settings, the latter adds 2x and 5x zoom options that work in tandem with PDAF autofocus to deliver crisp images.
Display-wise, users can expect a 6.7-inch FHD+ OLED panel (2,412 x 1,084 pixels) and a 120Hz refresh rate, alongside AI Eye Comfort Display technology. The new feature looks to optimise viewing comfort by detecting ambient lighting, recognising image content, and adjusting blue light levels, with the combination of HDR and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms further enhancing colour, shadows, and highlights.
Other notable features on the nova 13 include AI Best Expression, which scans through burst shots to select the most natural expressions, a 5,000mAh battery, and Huawei SuperCharge Turbo that reaches 50 per cent charge in 10 minutes.
While not available in Singapore, the nova 13 Pro packs more oomph for those who need it. The higher-end sibling touts a display resolution of 2,776 x 1,224 pixels, an additional 12MP telephoto rear camera and 8MP close-up portrait front shooter, alongside a 30x hybrid zoom.
In addition to the smartphone range, Huawei also unveiled an upgraded MatePad Pro 13.2, the FreeArc, its first open-ear earbuds with hooks, and the Band 10 smartwatch during the event. Weighing in at 580 grams, the Kirin T92-powered tablet measures 5.5mm thin and sports a flexible OLED PaperMatte Display that minimises glare or reflections. Resolution comes in at 2,880 x 1,920, with its 94 per cent screen-to-body ratio allowing for wider view and improved multitasking.
Creative professionals or hobbyists, meanwhile, can unleash their imagination on GoPaint, the Huawei-exclusive painting and sketching application, as the device is capable of handling 8K canvas up to 29 layers without any lag. For those who often alternate between drawing and typing, the 2-in-1 bundle promises a desktop-like performance by including a magnetic detachable keyboard and stylus (otherwise known as the M-Pencil).
Rounding out the feature list is a 10,100mAh battery paired with 100W fast charge, alongside improved thermal management. According to Huawei, the tablet’s 3D heat dissipation architecture lowers junction temperature by 10 degrees and boosts overall system performance by 30 degrees, while ensuring low power consumption and stable use.
Now available for pre-order at S$1,498, the MatePad Pro 13.2 comes in Premium Gold and will launch for the public on 24 February.
Moving on to the Huawei FreeArc, the open-ear earbuds are designed for sports enthusiasts, featuring the company’s iconic C-Bridge design, high-performance memory alloy that moulds easily to the user’s ears, and proper weight distribution across the ear. Water-resistant microphones have also been added, making them the brand’s first IP57 water-resistant earbuds, with battery life rated at 28 hours (including charging case).
Finally, the Huawei Band 10 offers upgraded holistic wellness, starting with sleep and emotional wellbeing. The Enhanced Sleep Health Assistant, for instance, presents personalised sleep insights, actionable recommendations, and detailed summaries of the user’s sleep patterns using HRV (short for Heart Rate Variability) data, while Emotional Wellbeing Assistant monitors physiological changes through the day through real-time health readings. For users in Malaysia, the smartwatch can now be used for e-wallet payments on Touch n Go, GCash, and MPay.
Pre-order for the FreeArc will begin 14 March, with local pricing details for both devices set to follow soon.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
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