nubia V80 Design Review: Slim, Stylish, and Surprisingly Capable for Its Price

The nubia V80 Design is a budget-friendly phone that manages to look stylish without feeling cheap. Its slim 7.7mm body, clean back finish, and premium-inspired design make it stand out, while the practical features inside make it easy to use every day. 

Design and Build Quality

The V80 Design is surprisingly light and comfortable to hold. Scrolling through social media or watching videos for long stretches didn’t feel tiring, which is a nice bonus in a budget phone. Its clean back design looks modern, and the four color options, Midnight Black, Peach Fuzz, Celadon Cyan, and Pale Amber, are subtle yet elegant.

The triple-camera layout adds a premium vibe without feeling like it’s copying other brands. On the right, the volume keys and power button (which doubles as a fast side-mounted fingerprint scanner) are easy to reach. The left side houses the SIM slot, along with the dedicated AI button, which took me a day to get used to since I occasionally pressed it by accident. 

🎬 Unboxed the nubia V80 Design - Watch the unboxing here: https://youtube.com/shorts/pf-m93XlBl0?si=y5pN9BVZqQwOWn5V

At the bottom, there’s a USB-C port, single speaker, microphone, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, a welcome inclusion in a time when many phones skip it. Overall, the V80 Design feels well put together, though the slim and smooth finish can feel a little slippery without a case.

Minor Quirks:
    The back finish picks up fingerprints quickly.
    The single bottom speaker lacks depth.
    The phone can feel slightly delicate if pressed too hard.

Durability

Despite being slim, the V80 Design feels surprisingly sturdy. The buttons are firm, the frame is solid, and minor scratches don’t show easily. It even comes with a free protective case, which adds extra peace of mind for everyday use.

That said, it’s still a slim phone, so I’d handle it with care. The case helps protect against drops, but a hard impact could still cause damage.

Display and Sound

The 6.75-inch HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate is smooth and enjoyable for scrolling, browsing, or watching videos. Colors pop nicely, and the screen can get bright enough (up to 800 nits) to use outdoors, though I did have to tilt it slightly under direct sunlight.

Display customization is generous. Dark Mode, Read Mode, and Eye Comfort for blue-light filtering are all available, and you can adjust the color temperature with presets or a fine-tune palette. The refresh rate can be set to Auto, 60Hz, 90Hz, or 120Hz, letting you balance smoothness and battery life.

Audio is decent for casual use. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is convenient, calls are clear thanks to dual microphones, and media playback is fine for videos and music. Just don’t expect a cinematic sound experience from the single bottom speaker.

Minor Quirks:
    HD+ resolution isn’t as crisp as Full HD, so fine details can appear soft.
    The single speaker lacks fullness for immersive audio.

Performance

The V80 Design runs on a Unisoc T7280 processor, paired with 8GB RAM and an extra 4GB dynamic RAM. For daily tasks, messaging, browsing, social media, and streaming, it’s smooth and responsive. Switching between apps feels seamless, and the generous 256GB storage gives plenty of room for photos, apps, and videos.

Casual games like Stumble Guys and Among Us run smoothly, while more demanding shooters like Call of Duty: Mobile perform steadily if you don’t have too many apps open in the background. Extended gaming heats up the phone a little, but nothing too alarming. AnTuTu scores around 401,700, showing it handles everyday multitasking well.

Minor Quirks:
    Heavy, graphics-intensive games can push it to its limits.
    Extended gaming can make the phone slightly warm.

OS and User Interface

Running MyOS 16 based on Android 16, the interface is clean and easy to navigate. Gesture controls, dark mode, app cloning, and an app drawer make life simple, even for first-time smartphone users. Everything feels responsive and smooth.

The AI suite is extensive: AI Wallpaper, AI Transcript, AI Scam Alert, AI Memory, AI Filter, AI Notepad, Circle to Search, Google Lens, Spam Blocklist, Privacy Sticker, and more. These are easy to access through the dedicated AI button or the home screen. During daily use, notifications, quick settings, and system animations run without lag, keeping the interface simple and distraction-free.

Minor Quirks:
    Some pre-installed apps may feel unnecessary.
    System updates might be slower than on higher-end phones.

Connectivity

The V80 Design supports dual SIM cards and a microSD slot, giving flexibility for both network and storage expansion. Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS, and a USB-C port handle daily connectivity needs well. Calls are clear, messages arrive promptly, and browsing is smooth. NFC is convenient for quick device connections.

Minor Quirks:
    No 5G support, so mobile internet speeds are limited to 4G LTE.

Camera

The 50MP main rear camera and 2MP depth sensor handle daylight photography well, producing sharp and vibrant shots with natural colors. Portrait mode works nicely, and the AI tools like Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, Portrait Light, Filters, and face stickers, make casual photography fun and easy. I enjoyed experimenting with filters to change the mood of shots quickly.

Low-light shots are decent for a budget phone, though some grain appears in darker areas. The 16MP front camera produces clear, bright selfies perfect for social media or video calls. The AI Eraser works most of the time, but sometimes struggles with complex backgrounds and needs a stable internet connection.

Sample Camera Shots

   

Minor Quirks:
    Night shots can be grainy in very dark conditions.
    2MP depth sensor has limited capabilities.
    AI Eraser isn’t perfect and may require a second attempt.

Battery and Charging

The 5000mAh battery comfortably lasts a full day of regular use—browsing, streaming, social media, and casual gaming all included. When you need a boost, 22.5W fast charging replenishes the battery in roughly 2 hours, which is convenient for quick top-ups.

Minor Quirks:
    High-refresh-rate settings or extended gaming can drain the battery faster.
    22.5W charging is decent but slower than some other budget or midrange smartphones.

Pros:

Slim 7.7mm body with a modern back design
6.75-inch HD+ display with 120Hz refresh rate
Dual rear cameras with AI tools
5000mAh battery with 22.5W fast charging
Side-mounted fingerprint scanner
NFC support
Dual SIM + microSD slot

Cons:

HD+ display isn’t as sharp as Full HD
Single bottom speaker lacks depth
No 5G support
Cameras are decent but low-light shots can be grainy
High refresh rate and gaming can drain battery faster
AI features like Magic Eraser aren’t perfect and need stable internet

Verdict

The nubia V80 Design is a solid choice for anyone looking for a stylish, capable, and affordable smartphone. Its slim frame, clean design, and modern camera setup give it a premium feel without the high price tag. Features like the 120Hz display, AI camera tools, large battery, and side-mounted fingerprint scanner make it practical for daily use.

With prices starting at ₱5,799 for the 4+256GB variant and ₱6,499 for the 8+256GB variant, the nubia V80 Design is a smart pick for budget-conscious users who still want a phone that handles everyday tasks comfortably.

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