The Huawei nova 3i arrived in mid-2018 as a style-focused mid-range phone that leaned heavily on its quad-camera setup and a then-fresh notched display. Announced on 18 July 2018 and released on 27 July 2018, it was built around Huawei’s own Kirin 710 chipset and EMUI software, targeting buyers who wanted a big screen and selfie-friendly cameras without paying flagship money. It now carries a Discontinued status, so this article treats it as a reference and second-hand buying guide rather than a current release.
With a 6.3-inch IPS LCD, a 3340 mAh battery, and an approximate launch price of around 220 EUR, the nova 3i sat firmly in the affordable bracket. The sections below break down what it offered, where it has aged well, and where its 2018 hardware shows its limits today, so you can judge whether a used unit still makes sense.
Full Specifications
Network
| Technology: | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 2G bands: | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands: | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands: | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed: | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
Launch
| Announced: | 2018, July 18. Released 2018, July 27 |
| Status: | Discontinued |
Body
| Dimensions: | 157.6 x 75.2 x 7.6 mm (6.20 x 2.96 x 0.30 in) |
| Weight: | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| Build: | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| SIM: | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
Display
| Type: | IPS LCD |
| Size: | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution: | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
Platform
| OS: | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.0 |
| Chipset: | Kirin 710 (12 nm) |
| CPU: | Octa-core (4×2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4×1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| GPU: | Mali-G51 MP4 |
Memory
| Card slot: | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal: | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 |
Main Camera
| Dual: | 16 MP, f/2.2, PDAF 2 MP, (depth) |
| Features: | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video: | 1080p@30fps |
Selfie camera
| Dual: | 24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8″, 0.9µm 2 MP, depth sensor |
| Features: | HDR |
| Video: | 1080p@30fps |
Sound
| Loudspeaker: | Yes |
| 3.5mm jack: | Yes |
Comms
| WLAN: | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Bluetooth: | 4.2, A2DP, LE, EDR, aptX HD |
| Positioning: | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| NFC: | No |
| Radio: | FM radio |
| USB: | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
Features
| Sensors: | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
Battery
| Type: | Li-Ion 3340 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging: | 10W wired |
Misc
| Colors: | Black, Pearl White, Iris Purple |
| Models: | INE-LX1, INE-LX1r, INE-LX1, Sydney 6353, INE-LX2r, INE-AL00, INE-TL00 |
| Price: | About 220 EUR |
Price and Availability
The Huawei nova 3i offers a compelling combination of features and performance. While the base price is around €220, the actual cost may vary depending on your location and retailer. Below, you’ll find the approximate price of the Huawei nova 3i converted into various currencies. Please note that these are estimates based on recent exchange rates as of May 21, 2026 and may not reflect the exact price you’ll find at a retailer.
- United States: $256
- Japan: ¥40,616
- United Kingdom: £190
- Australia: A$358
- Canada: C$351
- Taiwan: NT$8,074
- Denmark: kr1.642
- Saudi Arabia: ﷼958
- South Korea: ₩383,890
- Germany: €220
- Brazil: R$1.285
- Vietnam: ₫6.683.472
- Kenya: KSh 33,026
- India: ₹24,733
- Indonesia: Rp 4.506.253
- Nigeria: ₦347,589
- Pakistan: ₨71,258
- Philippines: ₱15,740
- Bangladesh: ৳৩১,৩৭৯
Is the Huawei nova 3i Still Worth Buying?
At its launch price of roughly 220 EUR, the nova 3i was positioned as an accessible mid-ranger with four cameras and a large display. As a discontinued model, its value today depends entirely on the second-hand price and the condition of the unit. It can still serve as a basic communication and media device, but buyers should weigh its 2018-era software and microUSB port against newer budget phones before committing. For exact specification confirmation, the Huawei nova 3i official specifications page remains the most reliable anchor.
Design and Build Quality
The nova 3i measures 157.6 x 75.2 x 7.6 mm and weighs 169 g, giving it a slim, manageable footprint for a phone with a 6.3-inch screen. Huawei paired a glass front with a plastic back and plastic frame, a reasonable combination for the price that helped keep the weight down. It shipped in Black, Pearl White, and Iris Purple, with the gradient finishes being a notable selling point at the time. A rear-mounted fingerprint sensor handles biometric unlocking.
Display Experience
The 6.3-inch IPS LCD panel uses a 1080 x 2340 resolution at a 19.5:9 aspect ratio, for roughly 409 ppi and an approximately 82.2% screen-to-body ratio. The notch at the top was a defining design trend of 2018. While it lacks the contrast and deep blacks of OLED, the Full HD+ resolution keeps text and video sharp, and the tall ratio suits browsing and split-screen tasks. There is no high refresh rate, so motion is standard 60 Hz.
Performance and Software
Power comes from the Kirin 710, a 12 nm octa-core chip with four Cortex-A73 cores at 2.2 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.7 GHz, paired with a Mali-G51 MP4 GPU. Memory options include 64GB/4GB, 128GB/4GB, and 128GB/6GB configurations on eMMC 5.1 storage, with a microSDXC card slot that shares the second SIM tray. The phone launched on Android 8.1 (Oreo) and is upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) with EMUI 9.0. Buyers should note that, as a discontinued device, it no longer receives current security or feature updates.
Camera Capabilities
The nova 3i markets itself as a four-camera phone. The rear pairs a 16 MP f/2.2 main sensor with PDAF and a 2 MP depth sensor, supported by LED flash, HDR, and panorama, with video capped at 1080p at 30fps. The front houses a 24 MP f/2.0 wide camera alongside a 2 MP depth sensor, also recording 1080p at 30fps. The high-resolution selfie camera and AI-assisted portrait effects were central to its appeal, though the absence of 4K recording and optical stabilisation reflects its mid-range tier.
Battery and Charging
A non-removable 3340 mAh Li-Ion battery keeps the nova 3i running, a sensible capacity for a Full HD+ LCD and an efficient 12 nm chipset, typically good for a full day of moderate use. Charging is handled over a 10W wired connection through a microUSB 2.0 port. By modern standards this is slow, and the dated port is one of the clearest signs of the phone’s age compared with current USB-C devices.
Connectivity and Network
The phone supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE, with LTE Cat12 speeds rated up to 600/150 Mbps and broad 4G band coverage. It includes dual Nano-SIM support, Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2 with aptX HD, GPS with GLONASS and BDS, FM radio, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. There is no NFC, which limits tap-to-pay use, and Wi-Fi is restricted to the 2.4 GHz-friendly b/g/n standards rather than newer, faster protocols.
Who Should Consider the nova 3i?
The nova 3i suits buyers looking for an inexpensive secondary phone, a first smartphone for light users, or a backup device, particularly if a clean used unit is available at a low price. It is less suitable for anyone who needs NFC payments, fast charging, long-term software updates, or strong gaming performance. Shoppers who can stretch their budget will generally get better longevity from a newer entry-level model.
Conclusion
The Huawei nova 3i was a well-rounded mid-range phone for 2018, combining a large Full HD+ display, the capable Kirin 710 chipset, and a four-camera system at an accessible price of around 220 EUR. Today it is best understood as a discontinued device whose appeal rests on low second-hand pricing. If you find one in good condition and only need everyday calling, messaging, and media, it remains usable; but if you want NFC, fast charging, USB-C, and ongoing updates, a current budget smartphone is the wiser choice. Always confirm specifications and model variants against Huawei’s official pages before buying.
Official references
- HUAWEI nova 3i Official Specifications – Primary manufacturer specifications for dimensions, display, OS/EMUI, memory variants, cameras, battery, network bands, connectivity, sensors, and box contents.
- HUAWEI nova 3i Official Product Page – Official manufacturer overview for product positioning and marketed features including colors, cameras, Kirin 710, AI camera functions, and slow-motion video.
- HUAWEI nova 3i Official Support Page – Official support page confirming the model and providing access to Huawei support resources, downloads, repair, warranty, and service information.
- HUAWEI Consumer Device Certification (consumer.huawei.com) – Official Huawei certification area to verify declarations of conformity, regulatory details, and SAR-related information for model variants such as INE-LX1 or INE-LX2 when available.
