The Huawei Nova 2s, launched in December 2017, was designed to offer premium performance at a more affordable price point. With its sleek glass front, aluminum back, and slim 7.5 mm profile, it combined both elegance and durability. At just 169 g, the phone was lightweight and easy to handle, making it a strong contender in the mid-range smartphone market.
Powered by the Kirin 960 chipset and offering up to 6 GB RAM, the Nova 2s delivered impressive multitasking and gaming performance. With its 6.0-inch Full HD+ display and dual front and rear cameras, it became especially popular among photography enthusiasts, offering both style and functionality.
Let’s explore the full specifications of the Huawei Nova 2s and what made it stand out in the competitive mid-range segment.
Huawei Nova 2s Full Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Phone |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | Announced Dec 2017, Released Dec 2017 |
| Status | Discontinued |
| Body / Build | 156.9 × 75.1 × 7.5 mm, 169 g, Glass front, Aluminum back & frame |
| SIM | Dual Nano-SIM |
| Display | 6.0″ IPS LCD, 1080 × 2160 px, 18:9 ratio (~403 ppi) |
| OS | Android 8.0 (Oreo), EMUI 8 |
| Chipset | Kirin 960 (16 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (4 × 2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4 × 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP8 |
| Memory / Storage | 64 GB 4 GB RAM, 64 GB 6 GB RAM, 128 GB 6 GB RAM, microSDXC (shared SIM slot) |
| Rear Camera | Dual: 16 MP (f/1.8, wide) + 20 MP (f/1.8, B/W), PDAF, OIS |
| Camera Features | LED flash, HDR, Panorama |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Front Camera | Dual: 20 MP (f/2.0, wide) + 2 MP (depth), LED flash |
| Sound | Loudspeaker, 3.5mm jack |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, USB Type-C 2.0 OTG |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | Li-Po 3340 mAh, non-removable, 18W fast charging |
| Colors | Black, Gray, Red, Rose Gold, Light Blue |
| Models | HWI-AL00, HWI-TL00, HWI-L29 |
| Approx. Price (at launch) | ~ EUR 200 |
Design and Display
The Huawei Nova 2s featured a 6.0-inch Full HD+ display with a 1080 × 2160 px resolution and an 18:9 aspect ratio, providing vivid and sharp visuals. The display was perfect for streaming videos, gaming, and browsing, offering a truly immersive viewing experience.
The glass-and-metal design of the device gave it a premium feel while ensuring durability. With a slim 7.5 mm profile and a lightweight design of 169 g, the Nova 2s was comfortable to hold and easy to carry around.
Performance and Storage
Powered by the Kirin 960 chipset and coupled with 4 GB or 6 GB of RAM, the Huawei Nova 2s was built for smooth multitasking and reliable performance. Whether you were browsing, streaming, or playing mid-range games, the phone handled everything with ease. The device offered generous internal storage options, ranging from 64 GB to 128 GB with no need for expandable storage, making it ideal for users who need plenty of space.
With the Android 8.0 Oreo operating system and EMUI 8 running on top, the Nova 2s delivered an intuitive user interface, with plenty of customization options for a more personalized experience.
Camera and Multimedia
One of the standout features of the Huawei Nova 2s was its dual-camera setup on both the front and rear, catering to photography enthusiasts. The 16 MP (f/1.8) rear camera combined with a 20 MP (f/1.8) monochrome sensor offered crisp photos with enhanced detail and depth, especially in low-light conditions thanks to optical image stabilization (OIS) and phase detection autofocus (PDAF).
The dual front cameras (20 MP + 2 MP) were designed to capture sharp, high-quality selfies with depth effects and LED flash for better low-light performance. The 4K video recording at 30fps and 1080p video at 30/60fps further elevated its capabilities for video recording.
With stereo sound and the 3.5mm headphone jack, the device was designed with multimedia consumption in mind, offering rich audio quality to complement the immersive display and photography features.
Battery and Connectivity
The 3340 mAh battery in the Huawei Nova 2s provided enough power for a full day of use, even with moderate to heavy usage. The device supported 18W fast charging, ensuring that the phone could recharge quickly—58% in just 30 minutes.
Connectivity-wise, the Nova 2s offered dual SIM support, USB Type-C 2.0, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC, and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, making it versatile for all your needs. It also featured GPS, GLONASS, and BDS for reliable positioning.
Conclusion
The Huawei Nova 2s was a standout device in the mid-range smartphone market. With its premium design, impressive dual-camera system, and solid performance, it offered a great balance of features for those looking for a powerful smartphone at an affordable price. Though discontinued, the Nova 2s remains a competitive option for budget-conscious consumers who want excellent multimedia features and reliable performance.
With its high-quality display, dual-camera setup, and fast charging capabilities, the Huawei Nova 2s was an excellent choice for users seeking a stylish yet capable smartphone without the premium price tag.
