The nubia Air arrives in the fiercely competitive mid-range market with a singular objective: to redefine what a budget friendly phone can look and feel like. With an almost unbelievably slim profile, a flagship tier display, and military grade durability, the nubia Air promises a high end experience without the high end price tag.
However, a closer look under the hood reveals the compromises necessary to achieve its attractive ₱12,999 (₱10,999) price point.
Check out UD Jac’s nubia Air review:
Design & Build
The design is the nubia Air’s greatest triumph. The device boasts an incredibly ultra slim 6.7mm profile, tapering to just 5.9mm at its thinnest point, making it feel almost weightless at 172g. This elegant, sleek aesthetic rivals phones several tiers higher.
More impressively, this slimness doesn’t compromise durability. The phone is certified with IP68, IP69, and IP69K ratings, making it resistant to dust, water immersion, and even high pressure water jets. This combination of a delicate look and a “tank like” build is extremely rare in the mid range.
Display
The screen further enhances the premium feel. The nubia Air sports a large 6.78 inch AMOLED display with a sharp 1.5K (1224 x 2720) resolution. The display features a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and an exceptional peak brightness of up to 4,500 nits, ensuring excellent outdoor visibility and a buttery smooth user experience.
The screen is protected by durable Corning Gorilla Glass 7i. For its price, this display is one of the best on the market, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks that are usually reserved for much more expensive devices.
Performance
To maintain the low price, nubia opted for the UNISOC T8300 chipset (6nm) paired with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage. The UNISOC T8300 is a reliable octa core processor that efficiently handles daily applications, social media, and multitasking.
However, this chip does not offer the raw power required for competitive or graphics intensive gaming compared to rivals using the latest Snapdragon or Dimensity 7 series processors in the same segment. While perfectly smooth for daily use, its performance ceiling is the clearest trade off for the phone’s exceptional build and display quality.
Battery & Camera
The battery life is solid, considering the phone’s thinness. It packs a 5,000mAh battery, a respectable size that should comfortably last a full day of mixed use. However, the charging speed is limited to 33W wired charging. This is adequate, but slower compared to the 67W or 80W speeds offered by many competitors in the sub ₱15,000 category.
The camera system is functional but basic. It features a 50MP main sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. Photos are bright and clear in good lighting, but the lack of an ultrawide lens and OIS limits versatility and low light performance. The 20MP front camera provides clear, high resolution selfies.
Final Verdict: Maganda Na
The nubia Air is priced at ₱12,999 (₱10,999) for the 8GB+256GB configuration in the Philippines.
For this price, the nubia Air offers an unprecedented combination of features: a flagship level 1.5K 120Hz AMOLED display and military grade IP69 durability in an ultra slim chassis. This makes it an excellent phone for users who prioritize style, screen quality, and worry free durability.
However, its reliance on the UNISOC T8300 chipset and the modest 33W charging speed prevent it from challenging the performance and charging champions in the mid range. The nubia Air is a Maganda Na (Good Enough/Great) purchase. it is visually stunning and incredibly practical, offering a premium feel that makes it stand out, even if its internal components are simply above average.
Considering the nubia Air’s premium design and IP69 durability, do you agree it is “Maganda Na” (Good/Great Value)?
Let us know!