The Huawei nova 13 Pro is an upper mid-range phone built around portrait photography. Huawei announced it in China on October 22, 2024, and sales there began on October 25. The China version started at CNY 3,699. A global launch followed in December 2024. In Europe, it costs €699 with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
Design and display
The nova 13 Pro has a 6.76-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2776 x 1224 pixels. The panel curves on all four edges, and its LTPO refresh rate adjusts from 1Hz to 120Hz. Huawei also uses 2160Hz PWM dimming at low brightness.
The glass back has a plaid texture, and a large oval camera module sits in the upper corner. The body measures 163.4 x 74.9 x 7.82 mm and weighs about 209 grams. The phone has an IP65 rating, so it resists dust and splashes. The fingerprint reader sits under the display.
Performance
The phone runs on the Kirin 8000 chip, which Huawei lists on its regional spec pages. Every version has 12GB of RAM. Storage options are 256GB and 512GB, plus a 1TB model in China. There is no microSD card slot.
Cameras
The main camera has 50MP, an RYYB color filter and a variable aperture from f/1.4 to f/4.0. It also has optical stabilization. A 12MP telephoto camera with OIS offers 3x optical zoom and up to 30x hybrid zoom. An 8MP ultrawide camera doubles as a macro lens.
The front has two cameras. A 60MP ultrawide camera with autofocus handles regular selfies. An 8MP close-up camera adds a longer focal length for portraits. Both the rear and front cameras record video at up to 4K.
Battery and charging
The battery has a typical capacity of 5,000mAh, with a rated capacity of 4,900mAh. Wired charging reaches 100W with Huawei’s SuperCharge charger and cable. Huawei says this charges the battery from 3% to 50% in 9 minutes. The phone does not support wireless charging.
Software and updates
Outside China, the nova 13 Pro runs EMUI 14.2 and supports 4G networks only. Apps come from Huawei AppGallery, as Google Mobile Services are not included. The China version runs HarmonyOS 4.2, supports 5G and can send BeiDou satellite messages. Huawei has not published an update period for this phone.
Other features include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, an IR blaster and stereo speakers. There is no headphone jack.
Should you buy the nova 13 Pro?
The nova 13 Pro suits buyers who take many portraits and selfies. Its variable-aperture main camera, 3x telephoto and dual front cameras are rare at this price. The 100W charging is also fast.
However, the global model lacks 5G, Google apps and wireless charging. Huawei also promises no update period. Buyers who need these features can consider the HONOR 200 Pro or the Xiaomi 14T.
