Huawei Nova 8i Price in South Africa – A Detailed Guide
The Huawei Nova 8i is a mid-range smartphone that combines solid performance, a stylish design, and an impressive camera setup at a competitive price point. As part of Huawei’s Nova series, the Nova 8i offers many of the premium features found in high-end devices, making it an excellent choice for consumers in South Africa who are looking for a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank.
In this article, we’ll dive into the Huawei Nova 8i price in South Africa, its standout features, and where you can purchase it.
What is the Huawei Nova 8i?
The Huawei Nova 8i is a stylish, mid-range smartphone designed to offer users a balance between performance and affordability. It boasts a large 6.67-inch display, a capable quad-camera system, and solid internal specifications, making it an appealing option for anyone looking for a feature-packed device without the flagship price tag. The Nova 8i was designed to cater to consumers who enjoy watching videos, playing games, or taking photos on their smartphones while enjoying a smooth and lag-free experience.
Despite not having Google services (as with other Huawei devices), the Nova 8i comes equipped with Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and the AppGallery, Huawei’s proprietary app store.
Key Features of the Huawei Nova 8i
1. Display and Design
- Display: 6.67-inch IPS LCD, Full HD+ (2376 x 1080 pixels)
- Refresh Rate: 90Hz
- Design: Modern design with a large screen and slim profile, available in colors such as Midnight Black, Interstellar Blue, and Crush Green
The Huawei Nova 8i features a large 6.67-inch Full HD+ display, which is ideal for watching videos, playing games, and browsing social media. The 90Hz refresh rate provides a smoother experience while scrolling or navigating through the user interface, offering a more fluid and responsive touch experience than the standard 60Hz screens found in some other mid-range devices.
The design is sleek and modern, with thin bezels around the screen that give it a more premium look. It has a glass back and a metal frame, making it feel sturdy and well-built, even in the mid-range category.
2. Camera System
The Huawei Nova 8i is equipped with a quad-camera setup, which includes:
- 64 MP Main Camera: The primary camera is designed to capture clear, detailed images in various lighting conditions.
- 8 MP Ultra-Wide Angle Camera: Perfect for wide-angle shots, landscapes, and group photos.
- 2 MP Depth Sensor: Helps achieve better portrait shots with a bokeh effect.
- 2 MP Macro Camera: Allows for close-up shots of small objects.
The 64 MP primary camera ensures that your photos are sharp, vibrant, and packed with detail. With the 8 MP ultra-wide camera, you can capture more expansive scenes, while the macro camera enables you to zoom in and take close-up shots with impressive detail. Additionally, Huawei’s AI-driven photography system enhances your images by adjusting settings automatically based on what you’re capturing.
For video recording, the Huawei Nova 8i supports 4K video recording, making it a great device for content creators looking for a budget-friendly option to record high-quality videos.
3. Performance
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 662
- RAM: 6GB or 8GB
- Storage: 128GB (expandable with microSD card)
The Huawei Nova 8i is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor, which offers a balance between power efficiency and solid performance. It is ideal for everyday tasks such as browsing, social media, and light gaming. While the Snapdragon 662 is not the latest chipset available, it provides sufficient processing power for most tasks without lag or stutter.
The 6GB or 8GB RAM ensures smooth multitasking, enabling users to open multiple apps without experiencing significant slowdowns. The device also offers 128GB of internal storage, which is adequate for most users. Plus, if you need more space, you can expand it further using a microSD card, which is a convenient feature not available on many flagship devices.
4. Battery and Charging
- Battery Capacity: 4300mAh
- Charging: 66W SuperCharge (fully charges the phone in around 35 minutes)
The Huawei Nova 8i comes with a 4300mAh battery, which should last most users through a full day of typical usage. For users who watch videos, play games, or browse social media more intensively, the battery might need to be topped up before the end of the day.
However, one of the standout features of the Nova 8i is its 66W SuperCharge technology, which is incredibly fast compared to other devices in its price range. The phone can be charged from 0% to 100% in just about 35 minutes, making it one of the quickest charging devices in the mid-range category. This fast-charging feature is especially useful when you’re in a rush or need to charge your phone quickly.
5. Software and Features
The Huawei Nova 8i runs on EMUI 11, which is based on Android 10. While the device doesn’t come with Google services (due to the ongoing trade restrictions), it does feature Huawei Mobile Services (HMS), which provides access to apps via the AppGallery. Many apps are now available through the AppGallery, though some popular ones may require workarounds.
The EMUI 11 interface provides a clean and intuitive user experience, with plenty of customization options, such as different themes, wallpapers, and gesture controls. It also offers features like Huawei Share for seamless sharing between Huawei devices and Huawei HiVision for object recognition using the camera.
6. Connectivity
- 5G Support: No
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac)
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.0
- NFC: Yes
The Huawei Nova 8i does not support 5G, so users will be limited to 4G LTE connectivity. However, for most South African users, this should not be a major issue, as 5G networks are still in the early stages of deployment. The phone also offers Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0, ensuring fast data transfer and reliable connectivity for most tasks.
Huawei Nova 8i Price in South Africa
The Huawei Nova 8i is positioned as an affordable mid-range smartphone, offering strong value for its features. The price in South Africa for the Huawei Nova 8i typically ranges between R6,499 and R7,499, depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions.
Here’s a breakdown of the price:
- Huawei Nova 8i (6GB RAM, 128GB storage): R6,499 – R6,999
- Huawei Nova 8i (8GB RAM, 128GB storage): R7,199 – R7,499
Where to Buy the Huawei Nova 8i in South Africa
You can find the Huawei Nova 8i at various online and physical retailers in South Africa:
- Huawei South Africa Official Website: The official Huawei site offers direct purchase options for the Nova 8i, along with details about promotions and accessories.
- Online Retailers:
- Takealot: One of the most popular e-commerce platforms in South Africa, often offering discounts or deals on the Nova 8i.
- Makro: Offers the phone with competitive pricing and delivery options.
- Loot: Another reliable online platform that regularly features Huawei smartphones.
- Physical Retailers:
- Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, and Telkom stores may have the Huawei Nova 8i available, especially with contract plans.
- Authorized Huawei Dealers: Other tech retailers or mobile stores that carry Huawei devices might also stock the Nova 8i.
Huawei Nova 8i vs. Competitors
The Huawei Nova 8i competes with other mid-range smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy A52 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro. Here’s how it stacks up:
- Samsung Galaxy A52: The Galaxy A52 offers a 90Hz Super AMOLED display, a 64 MP camera, and a 4500mAh battery. However, it lacks the 66W fast charging seen in the Nova 8i.
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro: The Redmi Note 10 Pro comes with a 108 MP camera and a 5020mAh battery. While the Redmi Note 10 Pro offers superior camera specs, the Nova 8i shines in the charging speed and overall value.
The Huawei Nova 8i is an excellent mid-range smartphone that provides solid performance, a good camera setup, and fast charging—all at an affordable price. Priced between R6,499 and R7,499, the Nova 8i offers great value for those who want a high-quality device without spending a premium price. Its sleek design,
capable specs, and fast charging make it a worthy contender in the competitive mid-range market.
If you’re looking for a reliable smartphone with a large screen, good cameras, and fast charging, the Huawei Nova 8i is a solid choice in South Africa. You can buy it directly from retailers like Takealot, Makro, or Huawei’s official store.
I hope that gives you a clear picture of the Huawei Nova 8i and its value in the South African market! If you have any more questions or need more details, feel free to ask!