In a country like South Africa, where value for money plays a huge role in tech buying decisions, affordable smartphones often get more attention than flashy flagships. Huawei, a well-known name among South African users, has been steadily offering budget-friendly phones with decent features, and the nova Y61 is no exception. Priced at under R2,500, this phone is turning heads for all the right reasons.
For students, casual users, and even as a second device, the Huawei nova Y61 brings together essential features in a stylish package, all without costing a fortune.
A Design That Looks More Expensive Than It Is
At first glance, the nova Y61 doesn’t scream “budget phone”. It actually looks quite modern with its sleek body and subtle curves. Available in attractive colours like Sapphire Blue and Midnight Black, the phone has a clean finish that feels comfortable in hand.
The plastic body might not be premium, but Huawei has done well to make it feel durable and stylish. For South Africans who care about aesthetics and want their phone to look good in public, the nova Y61 delivers surprisingly well for its price.
Big Display for Everyday Use
The phone comes with a 6.52-inch HD+ screen, which is ideal for browsing, social media, video calls, and streaming on YouTube or Netflix. The screen is bright enough for indoor use and can manage decently in shaded outdoor environments too.
While it may not offer Full HD or AMOLED quality, for under R2,500, the display is more than acceptable for:
- Watching videos in decent clarity
- Browsing WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook
- Reading articles and e-books comfortably
- Casual gaming and app use
For many South African users who aren’t chasing high-end specs, this display strikes a balance between size and quality.
Smooth Performance for Basic Tasks
Under the hood, the nova Y61 is powered by a MediaTek chipset and 4GB of RAM, which is solid for a phone in this price bracket. You also get 64GB of internal storage, which is plenty of space for apps, photos, music, and downloads.
You won’t be running high-end games or editing videos, but it easily handles everyday tasks like:
- Running multiple social apps at once
- Streaming music or radio
- Video calling with apps like Zoom or Google Meet
- Downloading and storing offline videos or audio
There’s also an option to expand storage using a microSD card, which is perfect for users who save a lot of media content on their phone.
Battery Life That Keeps Up With You
One of the standout features of the nova Y61 is its 5,000mAh battery. This is a big plus in South Africa, where power outages and load shedding can make charging unpredictable. The battery easily lasts a full day, and for light users, even two days.
Battery highlights include:
- Long standby time for people who don’t use their phone constantly
- Enough power to last through a full day of school or work
- Efficient energy use thanks to the phone’s software optimization
It also supports 22.5W fast charging, which means less time plugged in and more time staying mobile.
Decent Camera Setup for Social Media and Daily Use
The nova Y61 includes a 50MP main rear camera, which is impressive for a phone in this price range. It captures good daylight photos with enough detail for social media, casual sharing, and video calls.
The camera setup includes:
- 50MP main sensor for everyday shots
- Depth and macro lenses for close-ups and portrait-style photos
- 5MP front camera for selfies and video calls
While it won’t compete with premium camera phones, it’s more than capable for casual photography and capturing memories.
Software That’s User-Friendly
Huawei’s EMUI software has improved over the years and works smoothly on the nova Y61. It’s simple enough for first-time users, and feature-rich for those who want a few more custom options.
Apps like AppGallery and Petal Search help users find most popular apps even though the device doesn’t use Google Play Services. For South African users, this may take a little adjustment, but many popular apps like WhatsApp, TikTok, and Telegram are easy to install and use.
Why the nova Y61 Is a Smart Buy in South Africa
In the South African market, people need phones that are reliable, affordable, and practical. The nova Y61 checks all those boxes without making users feel like they’re missing out on too much.
It’s a great fit for:
- Students looking for a first smartphone
- Parents buying phones for their kids
- Working-class individuals who need a reliable device on a budget
- Older users who want a simple and clean user experience
You’re getting a long-lasting battery, decent storage, solid performance, and a respectable camera setup – all wrapped in a good-looking package that costs less than many entry-level phones.
Final Thoughts
Huawei has delivered a device that understands what budget users actually need. The nova Y61 doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. Instead, it focuses on the essentials and delivers them well at a price that’s hard to beat in 2025.
If you’re in South Africa and your phone budget is around R2,500, the Huawei nova Y61 is not just a smart option – it might just be the best one.