In 2024, smartphone longevity is more relevant than ever. With rising prices and growing environmental awareness, many users are reconsidering whether older devices can still deliver a reliable experience. Two phones often revisited in budget-conscious circles are the Huawei Nova 3e (released in 2018) and the Apple iPhone 7 Plus (launched in 2016). Though both are several years old, they represent different philosophies in mobile design and ecosystem support. This article examines how each device performs today, focusing on real-world usability, software updates, hardware durability, and value retention.
Design and Build Quality Comparison
The Huawei Nova 3e and iPhone 7 Plus differ significantly in materials and aesthetics. The Nova 3e features a sleek glass front with a polycarbonate frame and back, giving it a modern look for its time—especially with its 5.8-inch FullView display and narrow bezels. It was one of Huawei’s early attempts at a bezel-less design, appealing to users who wanted a premium appearance without the premium price.
In contrast, the iPhone 7 Plus uses an aerospace-grade aluminum unibody, making it more durable and resistant to everyday wear. Its flat edges and solid construction give it a timeless feel. While the Nova 3e may have looked trendier in 2018, the iPhone’s build quality has aged better. Glass backs, like the one on the Nova 3e, are prone to cracks and scratches over time, especially without a case.
Performance and Real-World Usability in 2024
Under the hood, these phones couldn’t be more different. The iPhone 7 Plus runs on Apple’s A10 Fusion chip—a 64-bit quad-core processor that, even by 2024 standards, remains surprisingly capable for basic tasks. iOS optimization allows it to run newer versions of apps efficiently, though it officially stopped receiving iOS updates with iOS 15 (released in 2021).
The Huawei Nova 3e, powered by the Kirin 659—a mid-range octa-core SoC from 2017—is significantly less powerful. While adequate for light browsing and messaging in its prime, it struggles with modern web experiences, multitasking, and app loading times in 2024. Apps like Chrome, WhatsApp, and social media platforms have grown heavier, and the Nova 3e’s 4GB of RAM and older Android skin (EMUI 8 based on Android 8 Oreo) show their limitations.
“Even outdated iPhones tend to outperform similarly aged Android phones due to tighter hardware-software integration.” — James Lin, Mobile Analyst at TechLongevity Review
For day-to-day use, the iPhone 7 Plus handles email, maps, music streaming, and light photography reasonably well. The Nova 3e, however, stutters during app transitions and takes noticeably longer to boot and launch applications. Background app refresh is nearly unusable, and newer versions of Google services may not install or function properly due to compatibility issues.
Software Support and Security Updates
This is where the gap widens dramatically. Apple supported the iPhone 7 Plus with major iOS updates for six years—from iOS 10 at launch to iOS 15 in 2021. Even in 2024, most essential apps still support iOS 15, meaning the 7 Plus can run current versions of WhatsApp, Spotify, Gmail, and banking apps without major issues.
Huawei’s situation is more complicated. The Nova 3e launched with Android 8 and received only one major OS update (to Android 9). After 2019, Huawei faced U.S. trade restrictions, cutting off access to Google Mobile Services (GMS). This means the Nova 3e never received official Google Play Store, Gmail, or YouTube updates after losing certification. Users must sideload apps, which introduces security risks and complicates updates.
Security patches for the Nova 3e ended years ago. In 2024, using it for sensitive activities like online banking or shopping is not recommended unless heavily restricted to offline or trusted Wi-Fi networks.
Camera Performance Today
Cameras age differently than processors. The iPhone 7 Plus stands out here with its dual 12MP rear system—one wide, one telephoto—enabling 2x optical zoom. In good lighting, photos remain sharp and color-accurate. Video recording tops out at 1080p at 60fps, which is still acceptable for casual use. Low-light performance is limited but manageable with steady hands.
The Nova 3e has a single 16MP rear camera and a 16MP front-facing shooter aimed at selfies. While the front camera was praised in 2018 for beauty filters and clarity, the lack of computational photography means images appear flat and noisy in anything but ideal conditions. HDR and night modes are absent, and autofocus is sluggish.
| Feature | iPhone 7 Plus | Huawei Nova 3e |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Camera | Dual 12MP (f/1.8 + f/2.8) | Single 16MP (f/2.2) |
| Front Camera | 7MP (f/2.2) | 16MP (f/2.0) |
| Video Recording | 1080p @ 60fps | 1080p @ 30fps |
| Low-Light Performance | Moderate (with flash) | Poor |
| Software Enhancements | Smart HDR (via iOS 15) | Limited AI filters |
In practical terms, the iPhone 7 Plus produces more consistent and natural-looking photos. The Nova 3e’s high-megapixel front camera may appeal to selfie enthusiasts, but image processing hasn’t aged well, and detail is often lost to oversharpening.
Battery Life and Charging in 2024
Original battery health plays a crucial role in usability today. The iPhone 7 Plus came with a 2900mAh battery, while the Nova 3e had a slightly smaller 3000mAh unit. However, real-world endurance depends on usage patterns and battery degradation.
After 7–8 years, lithium-ion batteries degrade significantly. Most iPhone 7 Plus units now have 60–70% of original capacity unless the battery has been replaced. Apple offers affordable battery replacements, extending usability. Even with degraded health, iOS power management helps maintain basic functionality for a full day with light use.
The Nova 3e lacks such service infrastructure outside China. Replacement batteries are harder to source, and third-party options vary in quality. Many surviving units suffer from rapid drain, sudden shutdowns, or failure to charge past 80%. It also lacks fast charging—maxing out at 5V/1A—so a full charge takes over two hours.
Mini Case Study: Daily Use in 2024
Consider Maria, a college student in Lisbon who inherited her brother’s iPhone 7 Plus in early 2023. She uses it primarily for calls, messaging, campus navigation, and listening to podcasts. She avoids heavy gaming and social media scrolling. With iOS 15, she accesses WhatsApp, Google Maps, and Spotify without major hiccups. After replacing the battery for €49, she reports “solid” performance for her needs and plans to keep it through graduation.
In contrast, Tom, a freelance photographer in Bangkok, tried reviving a used Nova 3e as a backup device. He found that Instagram wouldn’t load stories properly, Google Photos failed to sync, and the camera lagged when switching modes. After two weeks, he shelved it in favor of a refurbished Android with current software support.
This illustrates a broader truth: usability isn’t just about specs—it’s about ecosystem reliability and software maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Huawei Nova 3e use Google apps in 2024?
Technically yes, but not safely or reliably. You’d need to manually install Google Play Services via third-party tools like GSpace or LZPlay, which pose security risks and may stop working after app updates. Official Google support ended with the U.S. ban in 2019.
Is the iPhone 7 Plus still secure in 2024?
It no longer receives security updates from Apple (last patch was in 2022), so it’s not ideal for handling sensitive data. However, for non-financial, low-risk tasks—and with cautious app installation—it remains usable with proper precautions.
Which phone holds better resale value?
The iPhone 7 Plus retains slightly more value due to brand loyalty and perceived durability, but both phones are essentially worth under $30 in the secondhand market. Their value now lies in utility, not monetary return.
Checklist: Is Your Old Phone Still Viable in 2024?
- ✅ Test battery health—replace if below 80%
- ✅ Confirm core apps (messaging, browser, maps) function properly
- ✅ Check for security updates—avoid entering passwords on unsupported devices
- ✅ Evaluate storage—clear cache and uninstall unused apps
- ✅ Use a lightweight launcher (on Android) to improve responsiveness
- ✅ Limit background activity to preserve performance
Final Verdict: Which Phone Holds Up Better?
The iPhone 7 Plus is the clear winner in 2024. Despite being older, its combination of long-term software support, efficient hardware, and robust build quality gives it staying power. It won’t replace a modern flagship, but as a secondary device, emergency phone, or starter smartphone for a teenager, it remains functional.
The Huawei Nova 3e, while innovative for its time, suffers from outdated hardware, lack of Google services, and poor long-term support. Unless used in a highly restricted environment (e.g., offline media player or dedicated camera), it’s no longer practical for daily use.
Ultimately, this comparison highlights a key lesson: software support and ecosystem matter more than initial specs when judging longevity.
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