Huawei nova 14i Review: I Survived 10 Days Without Google – Here’s the Reality

Rs 87,999 for a phone without Play Store? Let me tell you about this experiment.

The Google Problem Nobody Talks About

When I got the Huawei nova 14i for Rs 87,999 ($311), my first thought was “no Google apps, this is gonna suck.”

Ten days later? It’s… complicated.

Let me walk you through what it’s actually like living with a Huawei phone in Pakistan where everyone uses WhatsApp, YouTube, and Instagram.

That Massive Screen (And Why It Matters)

The 6.95-inch display is huge. Like, tablet-huge.

First day, I thought “this is too big.” By day three, I was watching YouTube (through the browser) and thinking “every phone should be this big.”

1080p resolution looks sharp. The 90Hz refresh makes scrolling smooth. For watching Pakistani dramas and cricket highlights, it’s genuinely great.

Real situation: Used it outdoors during load shedding (because Pakistan). Screen brightness held up fine in direct sunlight. Not flagship-level bright, but usable.

The App Situation: Let’s Get Real

Here’s what everyone wants to know: Can you actually use this phone without Google Play Store?

Short answer: Yes, but with effort.

Huawei AppGallery has most apps. WhatsApp, TikTok, Facebook – all there. Instagram works through browser or APK download.

YouTube? No official app. Had to use browser version. It works, just not as smooth.

Banking apps? This is where it gets tricky. Some work, some don’t. Had to keep my old phone just for banking. Really annoying.

Google Maps? Used Petal Maps instead. Surprisingly decent for Lahore and major cities. Rural areas? Good luck.

Camera: Better Than Expected, Worse Than Hoped

The 50MP main camera takes solid photos in daylight. Took pictures at a family gathering, and everyone looked good.

Color accuracy is nice – not oversaturated like some Chinese phones. That 2MP depth sensor barely does anything though.

Low light performance? Meh. Indoor photos get grainy fast. Night mode helps a bit but don’t expect miracles.

Video caps at 1080p@30fps. No 4K, no 60fps. In 2025, that’s disappointing at this price.

The 8MP selfie camera is basic. Video calls work fine. That’s about it.

Performance: Snapdragon 680 Shows Its Age

The Snapdragon 680 with 8GB RAM handles daily stuff okay. WhatsApp, Facebook, browsing – all fine.

But this is a 4G-only chipset. No 5G. At Rs 87,999, that stings.

Gaming? PUBG Mobile runs on medium settings with occasional frame drops. COD Mobile? Forget high graphics.

Apps take a second to open. Not terrible, just noticeable if you’re coming from anything recent.

Battery: The Star of the Show

This 7000mAh battery is why you’d actually consider this phone.

I went two full days without charging. Heavy use – videos, social media, calls, everything. Still had 15% left.

Coming from phones that die by evening, this feels like cheating.

22.5W charging is slow for a battery this big. Takes about 2 hours for full charge. But honestly? When battery lasts two days, who cares?

Build: Big and Heavy

At 216g, this phone is a brick. You feel it in your pocket. The size (171.6 x 79.9 x 8.9 mm) makes one-handed use impossible.

Got the Black version. Plastic back, nothing special. Feels cheaper than the price suggests.

No headphone jack hurts. At least the stereo speakers sound decent for calls and videos.

Side-mounted fingerprint sensor works fine. Not fancy, just functional.

Storage: No MicroSD Hurts

128GB storage fills up faster than you’d think. Photos, apps, downloads – gone in two weeks.

No microSD slot to expand. At this price, that’s frustrating. Should’ve gotten the 256GB version.

The EMUI Experience

EMUI 14.2 looks clean but takes adjustment. Coming from Samsung’s OneUI, everything felt different.

Notifications are weird. Some apps don’t notify properly. Had to fiddle with battery settings for each app.

Updates are regular, which is nice. But the learning curve exists.

Living Without Google: The Reality

What works:

• WhatsApp and Facebook work perfectly
• TikTok and social media no problem
• Most apps available through AppGallery or APK
• Petal Maps decent for major cities

What doesn’t:

• Banking apps are hit or miss
• YouTube browser version is clunky
• Some apps just won’t work without Google Services
• Uber/Careem work but need workarounds

Real talk: If you’re tech-savvy and patient, you’ll manage. If you just want things to work, this’ll frustrate you.

What Actually Works

• Battery life is genuinely impressive (2 days easy)
• Screen size great for content consumption
• 8GB RAM handles multitasking fine
• Camera is decent in good light
• Build quality is solid if heavy

What Doesn’t Work

• No Google apps means constant workarounds
• 4G only, no 5G at this price point
• Camera struggles in low light
• Heavy and bulky design
• No expandable storage

Should You Buy This in Pakistan?

Get It If:

• Battery life is your #1 priority
• You’re okay working around Google restrictions
• You mainly use WhatsApp and social media
• You want a huge screen for content

Skip It If:

• You rely on banking apps
• Google ecosystem matters to you
• You need 5G connectivity
• You prefer lighter, compact phones

My Honest Take: 6/10

The Huawei nova 14i at Rs 87,999 is a tough sell in Pakistan.

That 7000mAh battery is genuinely fantastic. The screen is great for content. But living without Google apps in 2025 is harder than Huawei admits.

I spent the first three days just getting apps to work properly. Some banking apps never worked. Had to use browser versions for stuff that should just… work.

For most people? The Google restriction isn’t worth the battery life trade-off.

For specific users – delivery riders, heavy content consumers who don’t care about apps – it makes sense.

Bottom line: Great hardware held back by software limitations. If Huawei had Google services, this would be an 8/10 phone. Without them, it’s a niche product for patient users.

At Rs 87,999, you can get phones with Google services, similar specs, and less hassle. Unless that 7000mAh battery and giant screen are absolute must-haves, there are better options.

Real advice: If you’re considering this, borrow one for a day. Try installing your essential apps. If they all work, great. If not, save yourself the headache.

Living with Huawei without Google? Got specific app questions? Ask – I’ve probably tried to install it.