The HUAWEI nova 14 Pro is a near-flagship smartphone with a large, vibrant display, impressive photography capabilities, integrated AI features, and a design that’s irresistible. Learn more about the new device in our review.
Technical specifications
- Display: 6.78 inches, OLED , resolution 2776×1224, refresh rate LTPO from 1 to 120 Hz , touch sampling rate up to 300 Hz, pixel density 447 ppi
- Processor: Kirin 8020, 8 cores, up to 2.28 GHz
- GPU: Maleoon 920
- RAM: 12 GB
- Storage: 512 GB
- Memory card support: no
- Operating system: EMUI 15.0
- Main camera: 50 MP + 12 MP + 8 MP
- Front camera: 50 MP + 8 MP
- Wireless modules: 2G/3G/4G (5G only for the Chinese version), 2 × Nano-SIM, Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/6/7), Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS, NavIC
- Sensors: gravity, IR sensor, gyroscope, compass, light, proximity (software-level), flicker, color temperature
- Fingerprint scanner: yes, in the side key
- Speakers: Stereo speakers
- Battery: 5500 mAh
- Charging: 100 W
- Protection class: IP65
- Dimensions: 163.4 × 75 × 7.78 mm
- Weight: 207 g
- Colors: blue crystal, pink, white, black
- Materials: tempered glass (front and back panels), plastic (frame)
Equipment and design
The HUAWEI nova 14 Pro comes packaged in the brand’s typical small white box, which only displays the model name and manufacturer information.
The package includes the smartphone , a transparent silicone case, a SIM tray eject tool, a 100W charging adapter (our sample had a Chinese plug, but the ROSTEST version will, of course, have a European plug), and a USB-A to USB-C cable.
The new device’s appearance is sure to delight not only its owner but also those around them. Firstly, the waterfall display feels almost bezel-less, as the curved edges partially extend onto the sides of the case. This design has been criticized for its potential for false touches, but manufacturers of modern models have long since learned to combat this problem, so you can use the smartphone without fear of unintentional touches.
The bottom bezels are very thin, almost invisible. There’s no pronounced “chin” like on budget models. The dual front camera and sensors are neatly integrated into a horizontally elongated area at the top center of the screen.
Secondly, the tempered glass back has a unique marbled texture that shimmers beautifully in the light. Our sample came in Crystal Blue, but the model is also available in pink, white, and black.
The camera module on the back clearly stands out, highlighting the model’s photography capabilities. It’s shaped like an oval matching the back, with a black circle containing the lenses inscribed within. The module is so large that even if you lay the smartphone on its back, it won’t wobble, resting entirely on the cameras. Notably, the oval houses two dual flashes—HUAWEI has ensured good lighting for night photography.
The edges of the case are finished in plastic with a polished metallic finish. The left edge is free of any elements, while the right edge houses the volume rocker and the power button, which also doubles as a fingerprint scanner. The bottom edge houses the dual SIM card tray, the earpiece microphone, the USB-C port, and the speaker, while the top edge houses the second speaker (or rather, the grille that channels sound from the earpiece) and an additional microphone.
The smartphone is IP65 dust and moisture resistant, slightly behind its competitors in this regard: many models, even in the budget segment, already have IP68 and IP69 protection. The included case will protect against scratches, but I would have liked to see something more attractive in its place, rather than the standard silicone case.
Display and sound
The HUAWEI nova 14 Pro features a very bright and crisp 6.78-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2776 x 1224 pixels. The refresh rate ranges from 1 to 120 Hz, and the PWM dimming frequency is 2160 Hz, resulting in virtually no screen flickering even at low brightness settings.
Speaking of screen brightness, the automatic adjustment works smoothly and accurately, and the maximum brightness is sufficient for comfortable use on a sunny day.
Color reproduction is accurate, and the settings offer numerous options for customizing the screen to your needs. For example, you can activate eye protection mode, select a color rendering mode (“normal” and “vivid”), and adjust the color temperature. There are two e-reader modes : “color” for comics and books with illustrations, and “black and white” for text.
The OS offers extensive screen customization options , including themes, wallpapers , and icons that can be selected locally or downloaded from an online library. The Always-on Display mode is fully functional, with constant display. A variety of screensavers are available to choose from: clocks, static and animated images, graffiti , and artistic effects. In short, the HUAWEI nova 14 Pro lets you customize the screen just the way you want.
As noted above, the model features stereo speakers, although the top speaker isn’t dedicated and instead only carries audio from the earpiece. However, this doesn’t affect the sound quality, and the volume is quite decent.
The smartphone doesn’t have a 3.5mm jack, which isn’t a surprise. Wired headphones can be connected via the USB port. For wireless headphones, there’s a Bluetooth 5.2 module with support for L2HC and LDAC profiles, ensuring high-quality sound with the appropriate content.
The vibration feedback is clear and pleasant. The smartphone responds differently to different actions with vibrations.
Performance and OS
The smartphone is equipped with the latest Kirin 8020 chipset—an octa-core platform supported by the Maleoon 920 GPU and a neural network processor. 12 GB of LPDDR5X RAM is paired with 512 GB of storage. There is no SD card support.
The model scores just over a million points in Antutu, without throttling or overheating, remaining cool even under load. In everyday use, the smartphone performs quickly and responds instantly to all commands. Gaming is a bit more challenging – you can expect high frame rates in flagship titles, but the new device doesn’t have the performance headroom, so compromises may be necessary for future AAA titles.
The new device offers excellent connectivity: dual nano-SIM cards with LTE and NFC support, high-speed Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC, as well as GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS, and NavIC navigation. It’s worth noting that the smartphone offers excellent network coverage, even in areas where other brands’ devices struggle.
The fingerprint scanner built into the side key responds instantly to your touch. There’s also facial recognition, which works perfectly using the front camera.
The new device runs EMUI 15. There are no Google services out of the box, but that’s not a problem: alternative app stores like AppGallery and RuStore offer a wide range of apps, and if you can’t find something there, you can install APKs. You can also easily download GBox and use it to add all the missing Google services, including the Google Play Store.
The OS is user-friendly and intuitive, with beautiful effects and useful tools, but it also has some nuances: for example, the user is faced with a seemingly insane number of agreements to accept during initial setup, various services requiring accounts, and recommended apps that require system cleanup. The sheer number of notifications from system services is also annoying.
At the same time, it’s encouraging that the smartphone boasts a number of AI features, including the built-in Alice assistant, which can assist with a wide range of tasks, such as text editing, AI photo processing (including object removal), AI noise reduction during calls, gesture recognition, and much more. There are even interactive lock screen themes that respond to gestures—a truly useful feature that you’ll want to play with constantly.
Cameras
HUAWEI doesn’t strive to compete with other manufacturers in terms of smartphone performance, but it does hold a leading position in the mobile photography segment. This applies to both flagship and mid-range devices.
The main rear camera module features a 50MP RYYB sensor with a variable aperture of ƒ/1.4-4.0 and optical image stabilization. It is complemented by two additional modules: an 8MP ultra-wide lens with an ƒ/2.2 aperture and autofocus, and a 12MP portrait telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, an ƒ/2.4 aperture, and optical image stabilization. The fourth camera module includes a sensor with 1.5 million spectral channels for realistic color reproduction and an infrared sensor.
The HUAWEI nova 14 Pro takes excellent photos without compromise. During daylight hours, the smartphone handles challenging weather conditions with confidence, delivering highly detailed images and accurate color reproduction. HDR adequately captures contrast. Furthermore, there’s no oversharpening typical of cheaper cameras, leaving images crisp and natural.
The telephoto lens handles distant subjects with confidence, delivering detailed photos, albeit with noticeable AI processing. The ultra-wide camera shoots well during the day, with only a slight loss of sharpness at the edges.
At night, the main camera’s image quality remains high, especially when using Night Mode. You can expect good brightness and a lack of noise, preventing complex image areas from turning into mush.
However, it’s not just the main camera that impresses here, but also the front-facing camera, which features two modules: a 50 MP sensor with an aperture of ƒ/2.0 and an 8 MP sensor with an aperture of ƒ/2.2. The second module is responsible for 2x zoom. The front-facing camera takes excellent photos, allowing you to take high-quality selfies in any conditions, whether artificial light, nighttime, or bad weather during the day.
The device records 4K video at 60 frames per second, allowing you to switch between cameras on the fly, activate zoom, and use digital stabilization. It also features filters and background blur, which can be activated on the fly.
The camera app offers all the features a modern user would need: night mode, portrait, pro mode, action shooting, panorama, super macro, and more. Even a beginner can easily navigate the software’s capabilities.
Autonomy
The HUAWEI nova 14 Pro’s 5500 mAh battery lasts all day without recharging, thanks to its energy-efficient display and undemanding platform. You can expect 5-6 hours of screen time with average usage: social media, internet use, video playback, camera recording, and undemanding gaming.
The smartphone supports 100W fast charging and fully charges in 40 minutes using the included power adapter . Wireless charging is not available.
Conclusion
You’ll meet the HUAWEI nova 14 Pro by its looks, impressed by its impeccable design (unless you’re prejudiced against the waterfall display), and you’ll see it off by its intelligence: the smartphone is fast, savvy (including AI features), takes good photos, and lasts a long time without recharging.
The smartphone’s cameras are especially noteworthy: both the main and front-facing cameras perform excellently, defying challenges. The device is also suitable for bloggers who constantly capture themselves and the world around them.
The model’s shortcomings mainly relate to its modest hardware platform compared to its competitors, the lack of a memory card slot, and wireless charging. Google services are a no-brainer—they can be installed in a couple of minutes using online guides.
Ultimately, the HUAWEI nova 14 Pro is a solid option for those looking for a device with a large, bright display for mobile photography, social media, and undemanding gaming.
