The Huawei Nova 3 enters the affordable flagship arena as a formidable competitor, boasting top-tier hardware at just Rs. 34,999. Like other Huawei flagships, it sports a Hisilicon Kirin 970 processor, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. Positioned against the OnePlus 6 and ZenFone 5Z, it appears promising on paper. To gauge its real-world performance, particularly in gaming scenarios, we rigorously tested it with resource-intensive games. Let’s delve into the gaming review of the Huawei Nova 3 and assess its performance under stress:
Huawei Nova 3 Gaming Review
Prior to delving into the gaming review, we sought to stress-test the hardware with standard benchmark tests to gauge its performance against competitors. However, we couldn’t install popular benchmarking apps on our review unit as they’ve been blocked by the company.
Huawei Nova 3 Benchmarks
Unable to install benchmarking apps like AnTuTu and Geekbench 4 on our review unit, we ran them on the Huawei P20 Pro instead, boasting identical hardware to the Nova 3—Kirin 970 processor and 6GB RAM. The device scored 208797 in AnTuTu, 1907 in Geekbench’s single-core test, and 6817 in its multi-core test. These scores significantly trail those of the OnePlus 6 and ZenFone 5Z, both equipped with Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 845 processor, likely prompting Huawei’s block on these apps for the Nova 3. (L to R: Nova 3, OnePlus 6, ZenFone 5Z)
Despite this, we managed to install 3DMark on the device. Here, the Nova 3 lagged significantly behind the OnePlus 6 and ZenFone 5Z in both 3DMark test results. Beyond benchmark scores, the Huawei Nova 3 performed well in real-world use. The UI was optimized for smooth performance, resulting in minimal lag. Apps loaded quickly and remained in memory even when several demanding games were open simultaneously.
Gaming Performance of Huawei Nova 3
Synthetic benchmarks provide preliminary device assessment, but they lack depth in portraying real-world performance. To assess the Nova 3’s actual performance, we extensively used the device, playing graphics-intensive games such as PUBG Mobile, Asphalt 9: Legends, and Shadowgun Legends. Surprisingly, the Nova 3 effortlessly ran these games at highest graphical settings, without any stutters or lags.
In PUBG Mobile, the Huawei Nova 3 automatically selected the highest graphical settings and ran the game smoothly. I played several matches consecutively on the device, with no signs of overheating or slowdown. Even when I pushed the graphics settings to HDR and the frame rate to ultra, the device had no problems, and I experienced no lags or frame drops.
Next, I launched Asphalt 9: Legends on the device, and once again, the Nova 3 had no issues running the game at max graphical settings. The game loaded quickly, and I played several races, executing stunts, takedowns, and shockwaves without any stuttering.
Next, I tested Shadowgun Legends on the device, a demanding game known for its stunning graphics and effects. Despite its poor benchmark scores, the Nova 3 performed well in our gaming test without any stutter or dropped frames.
Huawei Nova 3 Gaming Review: Decent Performance Despite Weak Benchmarks
While the Huawei Nova 3 lags behind the OnePlus 6 and ZenFone 5Z in benchmark scores, its real-world and gaming performance rival those devices. I experienced no stuttering or lags while gaming on it. The phone effortlessly handles demanding tasks and is priced at Rs. 34,999, making it a strong contender among affordable flagships. I highly recommend it for those seeking flagship-grade performance at a reasonable price.
Pritam Chopra is a seasoned IT professional and a passionate blogger hailing from the dynamic realm of technology. With an insatiable curiosity for all things tech-related, Pritam has dedicated himself to exploring and unraveling the intricacies of the digital world.
