Huawei has announced a new smartphone which will launch in Australia, and in good news, this one comes with all the Android / Google bells and whistles we’ve come to demand in an Android device.
The Huawei nova 5T launches today, bringing with it flagship level specs – including the Kirin 980 processor, quad-camera array, 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage for just $699. And yes, before you ask, let’s be clear – this phone does include Google Mobile Services, including Play Store, all your favourite Google apps and services.
The nova 5T from Huawei is, in many ways, very similar to this year’s P30 Pro handset, with a large 6.26-inch screen, AI-driven quad-camera array with 48MP main sensor, the same super night mode capabilities and a huge 32MP front-facing selfie camera. Unlike the P30 Pro, though, the screen has no notch, with a small cut-out for the front-facing camera instead in the top left.
Huawei has built a bit of name for itself in the battery space – it’s not sexy, but it’s a must-have, and Huawei knows a thing or two about long battery life. My P30 Pro, for example, can comfortably last a couple of days when I’m not using it every 5 minutes, and Huawei is promising a full day of heavy usage with the nova 5T and its 3,750 mAh battery.
Like the P30 Pro again, it features a dual-SIM setup allowing you to carry your personal and work phone numbers in just one device, and there’s a side-mounted fingerprint sensor as well for convenient unlocking straight from your pocket.
Huawei’s nova 5T is available in two colours – Crush Blue and Black (both pictured above) for $699 from retailers including JB HiFi, The Good Guys and Mobileciti.
The news comes on the back of Huawei announcing a bit of a milestone today – reaching 200 million handset shipments this year, a full 64 days (or two months) earlier than it took to reach the same figure last year.
This result has come about despite the six months (and continuing) trade ban placed on Huawei by the US Government, and while that shows no sign of letting up just yet, there is some hope that ongoing attempts to resolve the broader trade dispute between the US and China will allow Huawei to resume its normal operations in time.
I assume the 5T ships without any access to Google apps or services?
No, it has full google services.
Hi Chris , any idea how they managed to get around the google services embargo thing ?
Well, I know what the phone is, but whether it safely skirts the issue I dunno. The nova 5T is a rebadged Honor 20 (i.e. identical except for the rear case), and the Honor 20 is licensed for GMS etc. Thus, so is the nova 5T. At least, that’s how it looks to me.
Ok , thanks mate .