Bogdan Petrovan / Android Authority
With the Nova 13 Pro, Huawei continues its track record of mid-range phones focused on photography and stylish design.
I had the chance to use the Huawei Nova 13 Pro for a week, and I was impressed by the phone’s sophisticated looks, powerful camera, and thoughtful feel.
Nova 13 Pro was first released in China in October 2024 and is now available in the global market, occupying the “mid-to-high-end” price segment. In Europe, that translates to €699, making it an attractive option for buyers looking for a luxury-looking phone without venturing into flagship phone territory.
As with all modern Huawei phones, the caveat is app availability, but if you’re willing to make some compromises, it’s not as dire a situation as it once was.
I tested the Loden Green colorway (the “hero” colorway of this version) and I must say that Huawei’s designers did a great job with this colorway. I love color phones, and while this green hue is pretty understated, it’s still eye-catching.
The elegant green color complements the subtle “checkered” pattern etched on the back of the phone, which catches the light in different ways as you move the phone around. It strikes the right balance between sophistication and dramatic shine without veering into glam.
Bogdan Petrovan / Android Authority
The large black camera module contrasts with the elegant green. The metal ring around it is engraved with the word “Nova”, adding even more bling – a bit of an exaggeration for me, but for everyone.
If you’re looking for a fashion-forward device that complements your style, the Nova 13 Pro is for you. The aqua color looks absolutely fantastic. Meanwhile, the white version exudes an icy cool vibe, while the black version ditches the plaid pattern to appeal to those with minimalist tastes.
The elegance of the color extends to the feel of the phone. If you prefer using your phone without a case, you’ll like the micro-etched texture on the back of the Nova 13 Pro, which prevents fingerprints from setting in, although it’s still a bit slippery.
Huawei Nova 13 Pro perfectly illustrates this: stylish, attractive and a real pleasure to use.
For the Pro model, Huawei eschewed the flat edges on the Nova 13, which is the right decision, at least from an ergonomic perspective. The edges of the phone curve seamlessly towards the frame, as does the front glass. I really like the way the phone feels in my hand, even though it’s a bit heavy at 209 grams.
The smooth contours of the front glass complement the thin, symmetrical bezels surrounding the 6.76-inch screen. The huge camera cutout looms large on the phone’s full-screen front, but Huawei has made the most of the space with dual selfie lenses.
All in all, Huawei nailed it – the Nova 13 Pro is stylish, attractive, and a joy to use.
Bogdan Petrovan / Android Authority
Beyond style and aesthetics, another focus of the Nova range has always been photography and selfie cameras. Like its predecessor, the Nova 13 Pro excels in this regard.
On the front, the 100-degree ultra-wide-angle 60MP main camera will be your default option for selfies, allowing you to switch between “wide angle”, 0.8X and 1X zoom factors. I found the camera to work reliably even in dark winter conditions, but Huawei went a step further and gave the Nova 13 Pro a second telephoto camera that takes selfies to the next level.
The 50MP adjustable aperture camera brings versatility to Nova 13 Pro, seamlessly adapting to any scene.
The second camera offers 2x optical zoom, but you can also use up to 5x digital zoom if you prefer. Huawei thinks it might come in handy if you need to check your makeup, but that’s probably the only scenario where 5x selfie zoom is needed. I’m not sure a 2x zoom is necessary, considering how easily you can crop photos from the main camera to achieve a similar level of detail. But if you don’t mind that and you really like zooming in on your selfies, then this option is for you.
Speaking of selfies, Huawei adds its own take on Google Best Take. Dubbed “AI Best Expression,” the feature can find facial expressions such as smiles through burst sequences, allowing you to “fix” group photos where one person has their eyes closed or isn’t looking at the camera. It worked great – I was able to easily switch from a semi-permanent frown to a more relaxed look. I can see myself using this feature a lot when we go on vacation this summer.
The rear camera setup is equally good. The main camera is 50MP and has an adjustable physical aperture, allowing its aperture (or aperture) to open in 10 different sizes, from f/1.4 to f/4.0. This makes the camera more versatile and better able to adapt to different scenarios. Aperture switching occurs automatically in the default photo mode, or you can control it by switching to professional mode. In scenes with fast-moving subjects, such as stooges, you’ll need a wider aperture (smaller f-number) setting to “freeze” the scene and avoid motion blur; at the same time, when you’re shooting landscapes, you’ll want to use a smaller aperture (smaller f-number). aperture (higher f-number) to capture foreground and background details.
The other main sensor is the 12MP sensor for the telephoto camera. Equipped with 3x optical zoom and OIS, this camera can be used whenever you need to get closer to a subject or want to achieve a natural bokeh effect.
Switching between cameras is seamless, and Huawei’s camera app is well designed and easy to use.
Bogdan Petrovan / Android Authority
Design and photography may be the standout features of the HUAWEI Nova 13 Pro, but the device delivers across the board in other areas as well.
The LTPO OLED display is stunning, offering HDR support and a dynamic refresh rate of up to 120Hz. It’s every bit as impressive as a flagship phone’s screen, offering vibrant colors and smooth visuals.
Performance has been consistent throughout my time with the device. The powerful processor and 120Hz update rate work together to ensure smooth animations and lag-free operation.
Battery life is another highlight. The 5,000mAh battery charges incredibly quickly, charging from 3% to 50% in just nine minutes. There’s a caveat, though: you’ll need a compatible Huawei 100W charger, which may not be available in all markets.
Nova 13 Pro combines a stylish design with a powerful camera to deliver a premium experience at a flagship price.
Software remains a thorny topic for Huawei. For some users, the lack of Google apps and the Play Store remains a hindrance. Huawei’s AppGallery, while improved, still lacks many popular apps. That said, the company has made great strides in offering alternative app repositories that simplify the process of finding essential apps without too much hassle.
For apps missing from the AppGallery, the phone even recommends installing MicroG, an open source toolkit that replicates Google’s proprietary Play Services. This allows applications that rely on Google APIs to function properly. For example, I installed Spotify easily even though it’s not available on the official Huawei store.
Google applications can also be run through third-party solutions such as GBox. While this option works well, it requires users to trust apps that emulate Google’s ecosystem — a consideration that may not be suitable for everyone.
The HUAWEI Nova 13 Pro is a beautifully designed phone that excels in photography and offers a premium experience at a competitive price. While it faces software challenges due to the lack of Google services, Huawei has taken steps to mitigate these issues through alternative solutions. For users willing to adapt, the Nova 13 Pro is worth considering.
