Discover the Huawei Nova 12i, released in April 2024. Featuring a 108MP camera, Snapdragon 680 chipset, 6.7-inch IPS LCD display, and 5000mAh battery with 40W fast charging, it’s a strong contender in the mid-range smartphone market.
Huawei Nova 12i Specifications
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Released | April 16, 2024 |
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm |
| Weight | 199g |
| Operating System | EMUI 14, no Google Play Services |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (4×2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4×1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB (No card slot) |
| Display | 6.7-inch IPS LCD, 1080×2388 pixels, 90Hz refresh rate |
| Main Camera | Dual: 108 MP (wide) + 2 MP (depth), LED flash, HDR, panorama, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie Camera | 8 MP (wide), 1080p@30fps |
| Battery | 5000mAh, non-removable, 40W wired charging (3-62% in 30 min, advertised) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM or Dual SIM (dual stand-by) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C 2.0, NFC |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Colors Available | Green, Black, White |
| Price | €259.00 |
Huawei Nova 12i Review: A Mid-Range Gem with a Stellar Camera
The Huawei Nova 12i, released in April 2024, is the latest addition to Huawei’s Nova series. Positioned as a mid-range device, this phone aims to bring flagship features at an affordable price. With a 108MP camera, a sizable 6.7-inch display, and a 5000mAh battery with fast charging, it packs a serious punch. But does it deliver where it counts? Let’s take a deeper look.
Design and Build Quality
The Nova 12i has a sleek and premium feel, thanks to its 199g weight and 8.4mm thickness. It’s a large device at 163.3 x 74.7 mm, but its slim profile makes it comfortable to hold. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is responsive and well-placed for ease of use.
Available in Green, Black, and White, the Nova 12i’s design stands out, especially in the green variant, which gives the phone a vibrant and modern aesthetic. While the device lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, the omission is becoming increasingly common in smartphones.
Display Quality
The Huawei Nova 12i boasts a 6.7-inch IPS LCD display with a 1080×2388 resolution, offering a 90Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations. The display’s ~89.1% screen-to-body ratio ensures immersive viewing, whether you’re browsing, watching videos, or playing games. Colors are accurate, and the resolution ensures clear and crisp visuals.
Though the Nova 12i doesn’t feature an OLED screen, the IPS LCD is bright enough for outdoor usage, and the 90Hz refresh rate makes everyday interactions more fluid compared to standard 60Hz displays.
Performance and Software
Under the hood, the Nova 12i is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G chipset, a reliable mid-range processor. The octa-core CPU (4×2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4×1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) is paired with 8GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and efficient performance for most applications. While the Snapdragon 680 is not a gaming beast, casual games run without hiccups, though more graphic-intensive games may require lower settings.
The Nova 12i runs on EMUI 14, Huawei’s proprietary operating system, which lacks Google Play Services due to US trade restrictions. While this can be a downside for users who rely heavily on Google apps, Huawei’s AppGallery has grown significantly, offering alternatives and workarounds for most apps. However, users migrating from Google Play Services may face some initial challenges adapting to the new ecosystem.
Camera Performance
The standout feature of the Huawei Nova 12i is its dual-camera setup, with a whopping 108MP primary sensor. The camera’s f/1.9 aperture ensures excellent performance in daylight, capturing highly detailed photos with vibrant colors and sharpness. The 2MP depth sensor enhances portrait shots, providing solid edge detection and natural-looking bokeh effects.
In low light, the camera holds up surprisingly well, though there is some noise. However, with proper lighting or night mode enabled, the Nova 12i captures clear images. Video capabilities are capped at 1080p@30fps, which is standard for a mid-range phone, but it could have been nice to see 4K support for users who want higher resolution videos.
On the front, the 8MP selfie camera delivers decent results. It’s not groundbreaking, but it gets the job done for video calls, selfies, and social media posts. Selfie performance is generally good, though it struggles slightly in low light.
Battery Life and Charging
One of the Nova 12i’s strengths is its impressive 5000mAh battery. This ensures all-day battery life even with moderate to heavy use. Whether you’re browsing, streaming, or gaming, the Nova 12i can easily get you through the day without needing to reach for a charger.
When you do need to charge, the 40W fast charging ensures you won’t be plugged in for long. Huawei advertises that the Nova 12i can charge from 3% to 62% in just 30 minutes, and in testing, it holds true, making it a great companion for those constantly on the go.
Connectivity and Extras
In terms of connectivity, the Huawei Nova 12i is equipped with dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and a USB Type-C port. It supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, ensuring broad compatibility with mobile carriers. Unfortunately, there’s no 5G support, but that’s expected given its Snapdragon 680 chipset, which is focused on 4G capabilities.
The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable, and the phone also comes with GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, and QZSS for positioning, making it a well-rounded device for everyday tasks.
Conclusion: A Mid-Range Contender with Great Value
The Huawei Nova 12i is a solid mid-range option for users looking for a balance between performance, battery life, and camera quality. Its standout features include the impressive 108MP camera and long-lasting 5000mAh battery, coupled with 40W fast charging. While the lack of Google Play Services may deter some users, Huawei’s growing ecosystem provides many viable alternatives.
At its price point of €259, the Nova 12i competes well in the mid-range market, offering strong value for money. If you’re in the market for a device with excellent camera performance and reliable battery life, the Huawei Nova 12i is worth considering.
Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
