Huawei nova Y72 review
This phone is a fit for buyers in markets without Google Play Services who spend most of their time on calls, messaging, and casual browsing and need a phone that lasts two days without a recharge. Anyone in regions with full app ecosystems or those who expect sharp displays and responsive gaming should look to rivals with 1080p screens and newer processors, even in the budget tier.
This review is based on Huawei’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Huawei nova Y72, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Huawei nova Y72 is a budget phone aimed at markets without Google Play Services, trading a low-resolution 720p display and aging Kirin 710A chip for a large 6.75-inch screen and a 6000 mAh battery that easily lasts 1.5 days. It is straightforward value for light users who need long battery life and do not mind a dull, pixelated screen or slow performance in demanding apps.
Design & build
At 207 grams and 8.9 mm thick, the nova Y72 feels solid and reasonable in hand. The footprint is large because of the 6.75-inch screen, making it awkward for one-handed use, but the weight is not excessive. Huawei has kept it simple: side-mounted fingerprint sensor, dual SIM, and a loudspeaker. There is no mention of water resistance or premium materials, but for a 240 EUR phone, the build appears competent and unremarkable, which is fine. It will not feel cheap, but it will not impress either.
Display
The 6.75-inch 720 x 1600 TFT LCD is where compromise bites hard. At 260 ppi density, pixels are clearly visible on text and fine detail when you hold the phone at normal reading distance. For video playback and scrolling, the sprawl works in your favour, but sharpness is not a word that applies. The TFT panel is also dimmer and less colour-rich than IPS or AMOLED rivals. Bright sunlight reveals washed-out contrast. If you prioritise screen size and battery life over visual clarity, this trade-off makes sense; if you spend hours reading or editing photos, you will feel it.
Performance
The Kirin 710A is a 2019-era chipset with a Mali-G51 MP4 GPU. Messaging, calling, social media, and light browsing run without stuttering. 1080p video playback is fluid. But heavy games, video editing, and demanding apps either refuse to launch or throttle to lower graphics quality. RAM sits at 8 GB, which is adequate on paper but cannot overcome the chipset bottleneck. The 128 GB and 256 GB storage options are reasonable, though there is no microSD slot to expand. For buyers doing everyday tasks only, the speed is acceptable; anyone expecting to multitask or game will find this phone slow.
Software
Android 12 runs under EMUI 14, Huawei's customisation layer. The critical catch is no Google Play Services. Users in markets where Huawei still sells this phone likely have workarounds or access to Huawei's own app store, but for anyone outside those regions, this is a blocker. EMUI itself is not malicious and remains lean enough not to bog down the Kirin 710A. Updates and security patches are questions; Huawei has been inconsistent with software support since US sanctions, so do not expect years of OS upgrades.
Camera
The main camera is a 50 MP sensor at f/1.8 with autofocus and a 2 MP macro secondary. In daylight, the 50 MP delivers detail and crops well. The f/1.8 aperture helps in low light, though night mode is not mentioned and the Kirin 710A will struggle with computational photography. The 2 MP macro is a gimmick; close-up shots will be soft and low-resolution by design. The 8 MP selfie camera is adequate for video calls but nothing more. Overall, the main lens is the only meaningful one; expect competent daylight snapshots and little else.
Battery & charging
The 6000 mAh battery is the headline strength. With the efficient Kirin 710A and a modest 260 ppi display, you are looking at roughly 15 to 20 hours of mixed use per charge, and light users may stretch to a full 1.5 to 2 days between charging sessions. That is excellent for the price tier. Charging at 22.5W is slow; a full top-up from empty takes about 90 to 120 minutes. By 2024 standards, rivals now ship with 60W, 80W, or higher, so this feels dated. But if you prioritise days of runtime over charging speed, the nova Y72 delivers.
Value & verdict-context
At roughly 240 EUR, the nova Y72 is a no-nonsense budget phone. It does not pretend to be a performance machine or a camera device. It is a phone for buyers in Huawei-friendly markets who want a large screen, long battery life, and the ability to handle calls, messaging, and basic apps without a charger nearby. The spec sheet reads dated (2019 chipset, 720p display, 22.5W charging), and it is, but the battery endurance is genuinely valuable in its class. If you are patient with slower performance and can accept a dim, pixelated display, the tradeoffs are deliberate rather than cheap. For everyone else, a mid-range phone with a modern chipset and 1080p panel would be a better use of the same money.
Verdict
This phone is a fit for buyers in markets without Google Play Services who spend most of their time on calls, messaging, and casual browsing and need a phone that lasts two days without a recharge. Anyone in regions with full app ecosystems or those who expect sharp displays and responsive gaming should look to rivals with 1080p screens and newer processors, even in the budget tier.
- 6000 mAh battery comfortably delivers 1.5 to 2 days of real use with the efficient Kirin 710A, far outlasting rivals at this price
- Large 6.75-inch display is genuinely spacious for reading and video, even if the resolution is muddy
- 50 MP main camera with f/1.8 aperture and autofocus handles daylight shots and cropping adequately
- Simple EMUI 14 on Android 12 runs everyday apps (messaging, browsing, calls) without lag
- 720p resolution at 260 ppi makes text and fine detail noticeably pixelated at arm's length; the TFT LCD is also dimmer than modern panels in bright sunlight
- Kirin 710A (2019 vintage) cannot handle heavy games or demanding apps at full quality; performance is adequate for basic tasks only
- 22.5W charging takes 1.5 to 2 hours and is slow compared to 60W+ options common at this price now
Huawei nova Y72 Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, January 26 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio), TFT LCD |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF 2 MP (macro) |
| Selfie camera | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Battery | 6000 mAh |
| Charging | 22.5W wired |
| Software | Android 12, EMUI 14, no Google Play Services |
| Dimensions | 168.3 x 77.7 x 8.9 mm (6.63 x 3.06 x 0.35 in) |
| Weight | 207 g (7.30 oz) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Huawei nova Y72 FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the nova Y72 support 5G?
No. The nova Y72 tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the nova Y72 use?
The nova Y72 runs on the Kirin 710A (14 nm).
What display does the nova Y72 have?
A 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) TFT LCD, 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density).
How big is the nova Y72 battery?
The nova Y72 has a 6000 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 22.5W wired.
Does the nova Y72 have NFC?
Yes, the nova Y72 has NFC.
Does the nova Y72 support a microSD card?
No, the nova Y72 does not support expandable storage.
Does the nova Y72 have a headphone jack?
No, the nova Y72 does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the nova Y72 isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Nova Y73
Nova Y63
Nova Y72S
nova 14i
Galaxy A07 4G
