Huawei Nova 3 Gets EMUI 9 Update Based on Android 9 Pie OS, Third-party Launchers Usage Restricted

The Huawei Nova 3 is finally receiving a stable EMUI 9 update in some regions across the world. This EMUI 9 update is based on the Android 9.0 Pie OS from Google. The update is being seeded via the OTA method to Nova 3 users. This phone, when announced in July this year, came with Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box. As of now, the update is being seeded to only select variants of the phone. However, Huawei should release the update in other areas very soon. The China variant with model number AL00 is currently receiving the update to Android 9.0 Pie.

Huawei Nova 3 EMUI 9 Android Pie Update

Huawei has been testing the EMUI 9 beta on the Nova 3 for quite a while now. It appears that the company is now happy with the testing and have hence, started pushing out the stable version. As we mentioned earlier, the EMUI 9 for Huawei Nova 3 is currently only available in some regions. A user from Spain posted on Reddit that he has received the update on his China variant. It carries the build number PAR-AL00 9.0.0.101 and weighs around 4.7GB in size. That’s a big size for an update and therefore, we recommend that you download the update over a Wi-Fi network.

Credit – ExiledJavi (Reddit)

As per the change-log, the phone receives the latest Android 9.0 Pie software with all of its features. It also receives some other features that are part of EMUI 9. However, the update removes the ability to install third-party launchers. This is a letdown for several users who have been using third-party launchers and actually prefer them over the stock EMUI launcher. The stock launcher is clunky and rather ugly, which is why a lot of users will be unhappy with the choice Huawei has made with the update.

However, the update does improve the performance of the phone. The Reddit user mentioned that the battery life is better, the animations are smoother and the Face Unlock is more accurate. He also found the new HiVision feature works great and is very accurate. HiVision is Huawei’s AI recognition service that can display the calorie value of foods and provide more information when scanning objects, buildings, paintings and more.

This software update is being rolled out in phases, so you may not see the notification right away. It could take a while for users in other regions to see the update notification. You can still try to check for the update manually by heading over to the System Updates option in the Settings app. If you are in China or own the China variant of the phone, then you should receive the update very soon.

Huawei Nova 4 Coming on December 17

The Huawei Nova 4 is the successor to the Nova 3 and it is going to be announced on December 17 in China. We have already seen leaked images of the phone and even Huawei has teased the phone extensively. The company is going all out to make the Nova 4 the first smartphone with a camera cutout hole on the display. The device will not have a notch and will provide an all-screen bezel-less display. The front camera will be placed inside a small 4.5mm cutout on the left top corner of the phone. The phone will also have a triple rear camera setup and most likely feature the latest Kirin 980 flagship chipset.