Design and Construction
The HUAWEI nova 13 Pro boasts a premium feel, highlighted by its curved frame and slim body. Its standout feature is the plaid design, which is exclusive to the Loden Green colorway.
While the textured finish is visually appealing, it’s also quite functional. It resists smudges and feels sturdy, thanks to the glass back panel. The phone carries a comfortable weight, making it easy to handle while maintaining a premium build.
The rear panel houses a slightly protruding enclosure in the upper-left corner, containing the camera sensors and LED flash. Upfront, the display features thin, symmetrical bezels and a top-positioned front camera, adding to its sleek look.
Buttons and ports are intuitively placed:
- Right side: Power button and volume rocker
- Left side: Clean and minimal
- Bottom: SIM tray, USB Type-C port, speaker grille, and one of the microphones
- Top: Secondary microphone and another speaker
HUAWEI has managed to strike a balance between style and functionality, making the nova 13 Pro both fashionable and practical.
Display, Multimedia, and Biometrics
The nova 13 Pro features a 6.76-inch OLED screen with an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz. My experience with the device included YouTube streaming, browsing, and gaming, and the display performed exceptionally well.
Navigating through the home screen felt smooth, thanks to the high refresh rate. For video lovers, the FHD+ resolution provides sharp, crisp, and colorful visuals. The thin bezels further enhance the viewing experience.
Audio-wise, the device has dual stereo speakers located on the top and bottom. While I generally prefer wireless earbuds, the sound quality was surprisingly good. The soundstage is balanced, with strong lows and mids that don’t sacrifice clarity, even at higher volumes. The placement of the speakers ensures minimal obstruction during horizontal use, such as gaming.
For biometrics, the nova 13 Pro offers modern security features:
- In-display fingerprint sensor: Fast and reliable
- Face unlock: Quick recognition, taking less than half a second
Both methods are efficient and work seamlessly.
Cameras
The HUAWEI nova 13 Pro is equipped with triple rear cameras:
- 50MP main camera with adjustable aperture and OIS
- 12MP telephoto lens with OIS
- 8MP ultra-wide and macro sensor
For selfies, the device shines with dual front cameras:
- 60MP ultra-wide
- 8MP telephoto capable of 0.7x to 5x zoom
The rear cameras produce excellent shots with sharp details, wide dynamic range, and accurate color reproduction. Notably, the processing tends toward warmer tones while preserving highlights in most scenarios.
Selfie performance is where the nova 13 Pro excels. The dual front cameras deliver stunning results, capturing great skin tones and social-media-ready images even in challenging lighting conditions. AI Best Expression is a standout feature, ensuring group photos or selfies always come out great by intelligently selecting the best frames.
For video enthusiasts, both the front and rear cameras support 4K recording at 30fps, delivering high-quality results.
OS, Apps, and UI
The nova 13 Pro runs on EMUI 14.2 out of the box. The interface is minimal, easy to navigate, and consistent in its design language. However, it does come with a significant amount of bloatware, and the pre-installed browser often displays ads and unwanted app recommendations.
If you prefer a cleaner browsing experience, downloading an alternative browser is recommended. Additionally, some UI elements are reminiscent of Apple’s iOS, particularly the control panel.
Despite these quirks, the overall software experience is smooth, with fast app installations via the AppGallery.
Performance and Benchmarks
The HUAWEI nova 13 Pro is powered by the Kirin 8000 chipset, paired with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage (in the reviewed unit).
The device handles everyday tasks, multitasking, and gaming with ease. I tested it with demanding games like Teamfight Tactics, and the performance remained stable. Frame drops were minimal, and the phone stayed relatively cool under load.
Pricing
The HUAWEI nova 13 Pro is priced at approximately $849 USD. This places it in the premium midrange category, offering solid features at a competitive price point compared to similar models.
Conclusion
The HUAWEI nova 13 Pro is a well-rounded device that delivers on multiple fronts, from its stunning display and camera performance to its smooth everyday usage. Its design stands out, especially with the unique Loden Green plaid finish, and the phone exudes a premium vibe.
However, the software experience might not appeal to everyone due to bloatware and some iOS-inspired elements. For those who prioritize camera capabilities, multimedia consumption, and design, the nova 13 Pro is an excellent choice. Its pricing at $849 USD feels justified, given the features and overall experience.
