HUAWEI has recently launched its latest mid-range phone, the nova 13 Pro, in the Philippines. The handset brings its expertise in photography, along with powerful features including a 1.5K LTPO OLED display, a Kirin 8000 processor, and a 100W HUAWEI SuperCharge Turbo fast charging.
We tested the smartphone over the course of two weeks, and here are our findings. Let’s get into it.
Design and Display
The HUAWEI nova 13 Pro features a sleek and premium design accentuated by a quad-curved display. It is slim and compact, measuring 163.4 x 74.9 x 7.82 mm, and weighing only 209 g. In terms of hand feel, it is both ergonomic and very comfortable to hold.
Our review unit arrived in an eye-catching Loden Green variant showcasing a beautiful plaid design that plays with light and shadow. HUAWEI’s Super Star Orbit Ring adds a stylish accent to the camera module, grabbing attention. For those who prefer a more classic look, the phone also comes in a sleek black option.
The 6.76-inch display is truly impressive, featuring an LTPO OLED panel with a sharp 1.5K resolution of 2776×1224 pixels and an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz. The screen delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks, making photos and videos jump off the screen. Moreover, it has good brightness offering good visibility even under direct sunlight.
The nova 13 Pro features a volume rocker and a power button on the right side. The power button has a red accent, adding to the phone’s premium aesthetics. The device also boasts good-sounding stereo speakers, a USB-C port, and an IR blaster for remote control functionality.
Performance
The nova 13 Pro delivers exceptional performance and is capable of managing demanding tasks, including gaming and multitasking.
The phone is equipped with HUAWEI’s own Kirin 8000 — an octa-core chip with a 4+3+1 configuration consisting of four 1.84GHz small cores, three 2.19GHz medium cores, and one 2.40GHz large core. It is paired with a Mali-G610 GPU, 12GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage.
The nova 13 Pro runs on EMUI 14.2. It looks good and clean, however, you can start noticing its age. It also has its fair share of bloatware. Thankfully, you can just uninstall or disable what you don’t need.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the absence of the Google Play Store and Google apps. It’s not a deal breaker. There are multiple ways to access Google services like Search, Gmail, YouTube, and more through GBox or MicroG — though we’ll skip the technical details here.
For some users, the Play Store isn’t a necessity anymore. HUAWEI’s AppGallery has come a long way and now offers the most popular and frequently used apps. A quick look shows that essential apps are present, including banking apps such as BPI, BDO, Metrobank, East West Bank, Chinabank, Security Bank, and others. You’ll also find e-wallets GCash and Maya, shopping platforms like Shopee, Lazada, and Shein, and other popular apps such as Grab, Angkas, and TikTok.
Performance-wise, the nova 13 Pro is smooth and responsive across the board. Media consumption is a good experience, thanks to decent stereo speakers and a bright, colorful display. The in-display fingerprint scanner is also fast and reliable, adding a convenient layer of security without sacrificing speed.
This is attested by several benchmark tests, shown below.
- AnTuTu Benchmark
Total: 613,698 - Geekbench 6
CPU Benchmark
Single-core: 932
Multi-core: 2,686 - 3DMark
Wild Life: 3,570
Cameras
HUAWEI’s nova line has consistently shown strong performance in the camera department, and the nova 13 Pro is no exception. The phone produces impressive image quality with excellent detail, dynamic range, and color accuracy — making it a solid choice for photography enthusiasts and casual users alike.
The nova 13 Pro features a versatile triple-camera system on the back. It boasts a 50MP main camera with OIS for sharp and steady shots. Accompanying it is a 12MP telephoto lens offering up to 3x optical zoom and an 8MP ultra-wide macro lens for landscapes and detailed close-ups.
Here are some of the sample photos.
Main Camera
Zoom Photos
The image quality of zoomed photos is generally good in bright lighting conditions. I found 2x zoom to be a good distance for photos. Zooming in beyond 5x will result in softer images.
Low Light and Night Photos
In-door, Low-light, and night shots are decent. The details and colors are generally good, but there is some noise.
Selfies
Selfies have good detail and colors, and pleasant skin tones.
Battery and Charging
The nova 13 Pro impresses with its 5000mAh battery, able to last an entire day — even under heavy usage — and still leave a bit of juice in the tank by evening.
However, the nova 13 Pro truly shines with its 100W HUAWEI SuperCharge Turbo fast charging — one of its strongest features. Charging is blazing fast, especially during the initial stretch. It slows down when almost full, likely to preserve the battery’s lifespan.
WIth the included 100W charger is a game-changer, our tests show the phone charges from 10% to 46% in just 10 minutes. Extend that to 15 minutes, and you’re at 58%. A 30-minute charge takes the battery up to 95%. Fully charging the phone takes less than 50 minutes.
Final Remarks
If you’re looking for a smartphone that delivers good camera performance and dependable functionality, the HUAWEI nova 13 Pro is worth considering. The phone features a sleek design, decent performance, and a long battery life with fast charging speeds.
Granted, the absence of the Google Play Store and apps might give some users pause. However, don’t let that be a deal-breaker. HUAWEI’s AppGallery has grown significantly and now offers most of the apps you need for daily use.
All in all, if you want a phone that helps you easily capture and share good quality content, the HUAWEI nova 13 Pro has got you covered. It hits that sweet spot between impressive features and user-friendly experience, making it a strong contender as your next camera phone.
Price and Availability
The HUAWEI nova 13 Pro is available in Loden Green and Black colors. The 12GB+512GB configuration is priced at PHP 32,999. available on Shopee, Lazada, TikTok, HUAWEI Online Store, and HUAWEI Experience Stores nationwide. Until February 28, it is bundled with a free HUAWEI Watch GT4 worth PHP 12,999.
Also available is the nova 13 with 12GB+512GB is priced at PHP 24,999, and the nova 13i with 8GB+256GB for PHP 12,999. For more details, read our post here.
HUAWEI nova 13 Pro specs
- Display: 6.76-inch 1.5K LTPO quad curved OLED display, 2776×1224, 1-120Hz refresh rate, AI HDR
- Processor: Kirin 8000
- RAM/Storage: 12GB+512GB
- Rear Camera:
50MP main, OIS
12MP telephoto portrait, 3x optical, OIS
8MP ultra-wide macro - Front Cameras:
60MP ultra-wide, AF
8MP close-up portrait - Network: 4G LTE
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, NFC, IR
- Others: In-display fingerprint sensor, face recognition, stereo speakers
- OS: EMUI 14.2
- Colors: Loden Green, Black
- Battery: 5000mAh Battery, 100W HUAWEI SuperCharge Turbo
