Huawei has not finished releasing smartphones in 2018, and has an exciting new device coming in December. It’s called the Nova 4, and it will have a large, bezel-less screen without a notch. That’s not so unusual these days, of course, but this screen may use a pinhole-style cutout to house the selfie camera instead. Here’s what you need to know about the phone.
Design and screen
What will the Nova 4 look like? Huawei has not been shy about showing off the unusual design. On December 3 it sent out a message on the Weibo social network giving the phone’s release date, along with a new image showing the cutout for the camera. It’s the second time Huawei has shown the Nova 4 on its official Weibo page. There has been no mention of the device on Huawei’s international social media channels, suggesting the phone will only receive a Chinese release, at least initially.
The Nova series usually remains in China and selected other countries around the world, but has had brief international launches in the past. Nova phones usually target younger smartphone buyers, and have vibrant, often celebrity-driven advertising campaigns. It’s unusual for Huawei to unveil new technology on the Nova series.
This links with another glimpse of the phone. During Chinese pop star Jackson Yee’s 18th birthday celebration livestream, Huawei chose to show what appears to be the Nova 4 off in its final form. The phone’s screen cutout is clearly shown, thanks to the white background on the display, but the device itself may be inside a case. We have also not seen the design on the back of the phone.
What makes this interesting is that it’s a similar design to one Samsung is experimenting with, and has been rumored for inclusion on the Galaxy S10, and a new entry into its growing A-Series, the still-unofficial Galaxy A8S. Samsung calls the display type “Infinity O,” according to slides captured during a Samsung presentation. The Galaxy A8S will be made official a week before the Huawei Nova 4.
Despite Samsung being linked with the screen technology, Huawei has also been investigating notch alternatives for a while. In July, a leak discussed a Huawei screen with a circular cutout rather than a notch. The screen was apparently being prepared for release by the end of 2018 and would measure 6 inches. It could be the screen that’s used for the Nova 4.
Release and announcement
Huawei will reveal the Nova 4 on December 17, according to the date attached to its latest teaser. It’s not known if the Nova 4 will be released outside China. We’ll keep you updated here.
