Huawei Nova 3 Vs Samsung S8 Did I Mess Up By Upgrading

Switching smartphones is rarely a simple decision. You weigh features, brand loyalty, ecosystem compatibility, and personal preferences. For many users coming from the Huawei Nova 3, upgrading to the Samsung Galaxy S8 felt like a natural step toward premium Android excellence. But was it really an upgrade—or did you trade something valuable in the process? Let’s break down the real differences between these two devices and determine whether your move was a smart pivot or a misstep.

Design and Build: Glass, Curves, and Practicality

The Samsung Galaxy S8 set a new standard for smartphone aesthetics when it launched. With its nearly bezel-less Infinity Display, curved edges, and sleek glass-metal sandwich, it looked like a phone from the future. The Huawei Nova 3, while also stylish, took a more conventional approach—flat display, wider bezels, and a glossy gradient back that turned heads but attracted fingerprints just as quickly.

However, beauty comes with trade-offs. The S8’s curved screen made accidental touches common, especially when pulling the phone from a pocket. Its glass body, though elegant, was fragile without a case. In contrast, the Nova 3 offered better grip and slightly more rugged handling, even if it didn’t win any design awards.

Tip: If you prioritize durability over minimalism, consider using a protective case on the S8—it’s stunning but delicate.

Display Quality: Immersion vs Usability

The S8’s 5.8-inch Quad HD+ (1440 x 2960) AMOLED display remains one of the best ever put into a smartphone. Colors pop, blacks are truly black, and HDR video playback is exceptional. The 18.5:9 aspect ratio gives extra vertical space, ideal for scrolling and media consumption.

The Nova 3’s 6.3-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD screen can't match the S8’s color depth or contrast, but it holds advantages. It’s brighter under direct sunlight, less prone to burn-in, and easier on battery life. Some users actually preferred the flatter, wider viewing angle of the Nova 3 for reading and multitasking.

If you value cinematic visuals and edge-to-edge immersion, the S8 wins. But if you spend long hours outdoors or want consistent brightness without aggressive power draw, the Nova 3 may have served you better than you realized.

Performance and Software Experience

Under the hood, both phones were powered by high-end chipsets at their release—Huawei used the Kirin 970 (with dedicated NPU for AI tasks), while Samsung opted for the Snapdragon 835 (or Exynos 9810 depending on region). In daily use, both handled apps and games smoothly, but benchmarks consistently favored the S8 in GPU-intensive tasks.

Where the divide widens is software. The S8 shipped with Samsung Experience (later upgraded to One UI) atop near-stock Android, offering timely updates, deep Google integration, and cleaner navigation. The Nova 3 ran EMUI 8.2, Huawei’s heavily customized interface. While feature-rich—gesture controls, app cloning, dual-space mode—EMUI often felt cluttered and inconsistent.

“Samsung struck a balance between customization and usability that Huawei struggled to match during the EMUI 8 era.” — David Lin, Mobile UX Analyst

That said, EMUI offered unique tools like AI scene recognition in the camera and smoother split-screen functionality. If you relied on those niche features, the S8 might feel limiting despite its polish.

Camera Comparison: Style vs Substance

Feature	Huawei Nova 3	Samsung Galaxy S8
Rear Cameras	16MP + 24MP (color + monochrome)	12MP Dual Pixel wide-angle
Front Camera	24MP + 2MP (wide + depth)	8MP fixed focus
Low-Light Performance	Moderate; struggles with noise	Strong; excellent dynamic range
Selfie Features	AI beautification, wide-angle group shots	Basic editing, limited framing options
Video Recording	4K@30fps, no OIS	4K@30fps with OIS

The Nova 3 targeted social media enthusiasts with its powerful front-facing dual cameras. The 24MP primary selfie shooter captured incredible detail, and the ultra-wide lens made group photos effortless. However, processing leaned heavily into artificial smoothing, which could make skin look plastic-like.

The S8’s rear camera wasn’t technically superior on paper, but Samsung’s image processing delivered reliable, balanced photos across lighting conditions. Dual Pixel autofocus ensured sharp shots even in motion. Low-light performance outclassed the Nova 3, and optical image stabilization reduced blur significantly.

If your priority was sharing polished selfies instantly, the Nova 3 had the edge. But for overall photo quality, consistency, and versatility, the S8 was the more dependable choice.

Battery Life and Charging: Real-World Endurance

The Nova 3 packed a 3700mAh battery—larger than the S8’s 3000mAh cell. On paper, this suggests longer usage, and in practice, many Nova 3 owners reported getting through a full day with moderate to heavy use. Fast charging support (18W) helped recover电量 quickly.

The S8, despite its smaller battery, managed decent longevity thanks to efficient hardware and adaptive brightness. However, pushing the high-resolution screen to maximum brightness drained power fast. Wireless charging was a luxury addition, but the lack of fast charging out of the box (only 15W with optional adapter) frustrated some users.

Tip: Enable Adaptive Display and reduce screen timeout to extend S8 battery life beyond average usage.

Mini Case Study: Sarah’s Upgrade Regret

Sarah, a university student and avid Instagram content creator, upgraded from her Nova 3 to an S8 after being impressed by online reviews. She loved the screen and build quality—but quickly noticed issues. Her go-to wide-angle selfie mode disappeared. The AI beauty filters she used daily weren’t available. Battery life dropped noticeably, forcing her to carry a power bank. After three months, she bought a used Nova 3 off a friend and returned to her old device.

“I thought I was upgrading,” she said. “But I lost what mattered most to me—easy, flattering selfies and all-day battery. The S8 looks nicer, but it doesn’t fit how I actually use my phone.”

Sarah’s story isn’t rare. Many upgrades fail not because the new device is worse, but because it doesn’t align with personal usage patterns.

Checklist: Did the S8 Actually Improve Your Experience?

• ✅ Is the display clarity worth the shorter battery life?
• ✅ Do you use Google services heavily (Photos, Drive, Assistant)?
• ✅ Are you satisfied with the front camera for video calls and selfies?
• ✅ Have you taken advantage of Samsung DeX or Bixby Routines?
• ❌ Do you miss EMUI features like App Twin, AI scene detection, or gesture navigation?
• ❌ Are you constantly charging due to higher power consumption?

If you answered “yes” to the first four and “no” to the last two, your upgrade likely paid off. If the reverse is true, your dissatisfaction makes sense—and you didn’t necessarily make a mistake. You simply prioritized different values.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Nova 3-like selfies on the S8?

Not natively. The S8 lacks a wide-angle front camera and advanced AI beautification. Third-party apps like BeautyPlus or YouCam can simulate some effects, but they require manual adjustment and aren’t as seamless.

Is the S8 still supported with updates?

No. The Galaxy S8 received its final major Android update with Android 10 and security patches ended in 2021. This limits app compatibility and security over time. In contrast, Huawei continued providing EMUI updates for the Nova 3 until 2022, though Google services are now restricted on newer Huawei models.

Should I switch back to the Nova 3?

If you value battery life, front camera versatility, and EMUI’s unique features, and don’t rely on the latest apps or security patches, returning to the Nova 3 isn’t illogical. It was a strong mid-range contender with standout strengths—even if it lacked the prestige of the S8.

Final Verdict: You Didn’t Mess Up—You Learned

Calling your upgrade a “mistake” oversimplifies a nuanced decision. The Samsung S8 was objectively a more premium device with superior display technology, tighter software integration, and better low-light photography. But the Huawei Nova 3 excelled in areas that matter deeply to specific users: battery capacity, front-facing camera innovation, and personalized software tools.

Your experience highlights an essential truth: the best phone isn’t the one with the highest specs or the most acclaim. It’s the one that fits seamlessly into your life. Maybe the S8 dazzled you initially, only to reveal practical shortcomings later. That’s not failure—it’s feedback.

🚀 Take action: Reassess what you truly need in a smartphone. Whether you keep the S8, return to the Nova 3, or explore other options, let your actual usage—not marketing hype—guide your next move.