The Huawei nova 13 is a mid-range phone focused on design, selfies and fast charging. Huawei announced it in China on October 22, 2024, and sales there began on October 25. The China version started at CNY 2,699. A global launch followed in December 2024. In Europe, it costs €549 with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
Design and display
The nova 13 has a flat 6.7-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2412 x 1084 pixels. It refreshes at up to 120Hz and samples touch input at 300Hz. Huawei also uses 1440Hz PWM dimming at low brightness. The back has a plaid texture, and a large round camera ring sits in the upper corner.
The body measures 161.4 x 75.3 x 6.98 mm and weighs about 195 grams. The fingerprint reader sits under the display. Unlike the nova 13 Pro, the standard model has no IP rating.
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 rear has two cameras. The 50MP main camera uses an RYYB color filter and an f/1.9 aperture. An 8MP ultrawide camera also works as a macro lens, with focus down to 2 cm. A laser focus sensor and a color temperature sensor help the cameras. The main camera has no optical stabilization.
The front holds a 60MP ultrawide selfie camera with an f/2.4 aperture. Both the rear and front cameras record video at up to 4K resolution.
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 10 minutes. The phone does not support wireless charging.
Software and updates
Outside China, the nova 13 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 and an IR blaster. There is no headphone jack.
Should you buy the nova 13?
The nova 13 suits buyers who care about selfies, a slim body and fast charging. Its 60MP front camera and 100W charging stand out in this price range.
However, the global model lacks 5G, Google apps, water resistance and wireless charging. The rear setup has no telephoto lens. Buyers who need them can consider the nova 13 Pro, HONOR 200 or Galaxy A55 5G.
