Expert Score: 7.9 — Okay
A bit pricey for what it offers
Scores:
– Design and Build Quality: 8.5
– Performance: 6.5
– Camera: 8.0
– Software: 8.0
– Battery: 10.0
– Price: 6.5
Positive
– Good battery life
– Attractive design overall
– Surprisingly capable rear camera
– Generous storage for an entry-level device
– IP64 rating
Negatives
– Outdated processor
– Notch feels dated in 2025
– A bit pricey for what it offers
Introduction
The HUAWEI nova Y73 is an entry-level device that promises reliable daily performance, capable cameras, and excellent battery endurance. With a 6,620 mAh battery and a 50 MP main camera, it aims to balance affordability and functionality. However, as we’ll see, the nova Y73 is a mixed proposition: it delivers genuine strengths but also makes compromises that don’t fully justify its price.
Design and Build Quality
At first glance, the nova Y73 defies expectations for an entry-level phone. The rear design is appealing, with a matte metallic finish that contrasts nicely with a glossy camera module—an aesthetic that gives the device a premium look. The phone adopts a contemporary flat-sided design that feels modern in the hand.
The front, however, betrays its budget positioning with a notch for the front-facing camera, a design choice that feels dated in 2025. Construction is primarily plastic, which is typical for this price class, but HUAWEI managed to include an IP64 rating for reasonable protection against dust and water splashes.
Button layout is straightforward: a volume rocker and a power button that doubles as a fingerprint scanner, plus an extra customizable button on the left that can be programmed for quick access to apps or functions—a useful addition. The absence of a headphone jack may disappoint some, though that trend is common across many price segments.
Performance
Performance is where the nova Y73’s compromises are most apparent. It runs on a Kirin 710A processor, a 14 nm chip introduced in 2020. For basic tasks the chip is adequate, but its age raises questions about long-term viability and overall value at this price.
The unit includes 8 GB of RAM, which helps with multitasking and keeps app switching reasonably smooth. Internal storage is generous at 256 GB, but there’s no microSD expansion.
In day-to-day use the nova Y73 handles social media, music streaming, and video playback without major issues, though occasional sluggishness appears when launching apps or under heavier loads. Casual games like Mobile Legends run acceptably, but users who want strong performance in demanding titles should look elsewhere.
Camera
The nova Y73’s standout feature is its camera performance for an entry-level device. The single 50 MP main sensor captures good detail and sharpness in daylight, producing images that outperform many competitors in the same category.
Night photography is respectable, though the dedicated night mode requires patience—the capture process takes roughly 3.5 to 4 seconds. The main limitation is the single-lens setup: there’s no ultrawide lens, so you must physically move back to capture wider scenes. Users used to multi-lens systems will notice this constraint.
The front-facing 8 MP selfie camera is serviceable for basic selfies but doesn’t deliver anything exceptional.
Audio and Multimedia
The nova Y73 has a 6.67-inch HD+ LCD display with a 90 Hz refresh rate. For an entry-level phone, this combination is decent: the 90 Hz panel provides smoother scrolling and animations than standard 60 Hz displays, but the HD+ resolution means text and fine details aren’t as crisp as on higher-resolution screens. Color reproduction is reasonably punchy, making the display adequate for casual media consumption, though not a premium experience.
Audio comes from a single bottom-firing speaker that gets loud enough for personal use. It offers a decent balance with some low-end presence, clear vocals, and acceptable treble, but it won’t replace dedicated speakers for serious listening.
Battery and Charging
The 6,620 mAh battery is a major selling point. It easily delivers a full day of use for most people and can last up to two days for light-to-moderate users. When charging is needed, the phone supports 40 W HUAWEI SuperCharge, which replenishes the battery relatively quickly.
Software
The software experience brings both opportunities and challenges. Like other recent HUAWEI phones, the nova Y73 ships without Google Mobile Services (GMS), which can create compatibility issues for users deeply invested in Google’s ecosystem. That said, many popular apps—Facebook, YouTube, Spotify—can still be installed via the Huawei AppGallery and work properly.
For apps not available in the AppGallery, HUAWEI offers GBox to access the Google Play Store. HUAWEI highlights GBox’s safety and vetting through the AppGallery approval process, but the extra setup may deter less technical users.
The device runs EMUI 12 and receives regular security updates—the review unit had the March 1, 2025 security patch. The interface includes several preloaded shortcuts that can clutter the UI.
Verdict
The HUAWEI nova Y73 is priced at PHP 9,999, which places it awkwardly between entry-level specs and expectations for the low mid-range. Its exceptional battery life, attractive design, strong main camera, 90 Hz display, and large internal storage are clear strengths. However, the aging Kirin 710A processor undermines the value proposition at this price; buyers spending around PHP 10,000 reasonably expect more future-proof hardware.
The nova Y73 is best suited to users who prioritize battery life, appreciate good design, and mainly use their phones for basic tasks. For those who need stronger performance or prefer a more current front design and multi-lens camera systems, other alternatives in similar price ranges may offer better overall value.
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