Discover the Huawei Nova 12s, launched in April 2024. Featuring a 50MP dual camera, Snapdragon 778G 4G, 6.7″ OLED display, 66W fast charging, and a sleek 6.9mm design, it’s a powerful mid-range phone with premium features.
Huawei Nova 12s Full Specifications
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Released | April 13, 2024 |
| Dimensions | 161.3 x 75 x 6.9 mm (6.35 x 2.95 x 0.27 in) |
| Weight | 168 g (5.93 oz) |
| Operating System | EMUI 14, no Google Play Services |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (4×2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4×1.8 GHz Kryo 670) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Internal Storage | 256GB (No card slot) |
| Display | 6.7-inch OLED, 1B colors, HDR, 120Hz, 1084 x 2412 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Main Camera | Dual: 50 MP (wide), 8 MP (ultrawide), Laser AF, 4K@30fps, gyro-EIS, LED flash |
| Selfie Camera | Dual: 60 MP (ultrawide), 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Battery | 4500 mAh, non-removable, 66W wired charging (3-100% in 30 min, advertised) |
| Reverse Charging | Reverse wired charging |
| SIM | Single SIM (Nano-SIM) or Dual SIM (dual stand-by) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, Bluetooth 5.2, USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, NFC |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under-display), accelerometer, gyro, compass, color spectrum, virtual proximity sensing |
| Colors Available | Black, Green, White, Gold |
| Price | €472.99 / £527.97 |
| Charging | 66W wired, 3-62% in 15 min, 3-100% in 30 min (advertised), reverse wired |
Huawei Nova 12s Review: Slim Design Meets High-End Performance
Huawei has once again raised the bar for mid-range smartphones with the release of the Nova 12s. Launched in April 2024, this sleek and lightweight phone features powerful hardware and an attractive design, making it a compelling option for users looking for flagship-level performance at a mid-range price. With a dual-camera setup led by a 50MP lens, a Snapdragon 778G processor, and a 66W fast-charging capability, the Nova 12s is packed with features that offer great value for its price.
In this review, we’ll dive deep into what makes the Huawei Nova 12s stand out and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses.
Design and Build Quality
The Huawei Nova 12s is an incredibly slim phone, measuring just 6.9mm in thickness and weighing only 168g. This makes it one of the lightest and slimmest smartphones on the market, a feature that enhances its premium look and feel. The combination of its lightweight frame and compact size makes it extremely comfortable to use, even for extended periods. Its curved edges and matte finish provide a good grip, while its range of color options—Black, Green, White, and Gold—add a touch of sophistication.
One of the more noticeable design choices is the under-display fingerprint sensor, which is quick, responsive, and unobtrusive. Overall, the design of the Nova 12s makes it feel like a premium device at first glance, a testament to Huawei’s attention to detail.
Display: OLED Brilliance with 120Hz Refresh Rate
The Nova 12s features a stunning 6.7-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1084 x 2412 pixels and a refresh rate of 120Hz. With 1 billion colors and HDR support, the screen is nothing short of exceptional, providing deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast. This makes the device perfect for watching videos, playing games, and browsing the web.
The 120Hz refresh rate adds an extra layer of fluidity to the user experience, offering smoother scrolling and animations. Whether you’re scrolling through social media, navigating through apps, or playing games, the high refresh rate makes a noticeable difference. The ~89.5% screen-to-body ratio also ensures an immersive viewing experience, with minimal bezels that allow you to fully enjoy the large display.
Performance: Snapdragon 778G and 8GB of RAM
At the heart of the Huawei Nova 12s lies the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset, a powerful mid-range processor built on a 6nm architecture. Paired with 8GB of RAM, the phone handles multitasking, app switching, and gaming without breaking a sweat. The octa-core CPU is split between four performance Kryo 670 cores clocked at 2.4GHz and four efficiency Kryo 670 cores at 1.8GHz, providing a balance between power and energy efficiency.
The Adreno 642L GPU ensures that the phone can handle most games with ease, even on high settings. Whether you’re playing graphically intensive games like Call of Duty Mobile or engaging in lighter games, the Nova 12s delivers a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.
Running on EMUI 14, Huawei’s latest version of its custom Android skin, the phone provides a feature-rich environment. However, like other recent Huawei devices, it lacks Google Play Services due to trade restrictions. While this may be a drawback for some users, Huawei’s AppGallery has grown substantially and offers a wide variety of apps. Additionally, alternative APKs and web-based solutions can provide access to most popular apps.
Camera System: Dual Cameras with 50MP Excellence
The camera system of the Huawei Nova 12s is one of its standout features. The rear dual-camera setup is led by a 50MP wide-angle lens with PDAF (Phase Detection Auto Focus) and Laser AF, ensuring fast and accurate focusing even in challenging conditions. The f/1.9 aperture allows for impressive low-light performance, and the phone captures vibrant, sharp, and detailed images in daylight.
Accompanying the main sensor is an 8MP ultrawide lens with a 112Ëš field of view, perfect for landscapes or group photos. The ultrawide camera performs well in good lighting, though some distortion may occur at the edges.
The video capabilities are solid, with support for 4K@30fps and 1080p@30fps, along with gyro-EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization) to ensure smooth footage even when you’re on the move.
On the front, the Nova 12s boasts a dual 60MP ultrawide selfie camera. This is an impressive feature for a mid-range device, allowing users to capture wide-angle selfies that retain a high level of detail. The front camera also supports 4K video recording, which is a rarity in this price segment.
Battery and Charging: 66W Fast Charging Powerhouse
The Huawei Nova 12s comes with a 4500mAh battery, which may seem modest by today’s standards, but the phone’s slim profile and power-efficient chipset ensure that it easily lasts a full day on a single charge with moderate usage. Whether you’re browsing the web, using social media, or watching videos, the battery life holds up well.
The real star of the show, however, is the 66W wired fast charging. Huawei advertises that the Nova 12s can charge from 3% to 62% in just 15 minutes, and fully charge from 3% to 100% in about 30 minutes. These claims hold true in real-world testing, making it one of the fastest-charging devices in its segment. The phone also supports reverse wired charging, allowing you to charge other devices.
Connectivity and Sensors
The Nova 12s offers comprehensive connectivity features, including Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, and USB Type-C 2.0 with OTG support. The phone is equipped with advanced GPS capabilities, supporting a variety of satellite systems like GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, and NavIC for precise location tracking.
In terms of sensors, the Nova 12s includes an under-display optical fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, compass, and a color spectrum sensor. The phone also utilizes virtual proximity sensing, adding to its overall premium feel and advanced capabilities.
Conclusion: A Premium Mid-Range Device
The Huawei Nova 12s is a fantastic option for anyone looking for a sleek, powerful mid-range smartphone. Its standout features include a stunning OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a solid camera system led by a 50MP main sensor, ultra-fast 66W wired charging, and an efficient Snapdragon 778G processor. While the lack of Google Play Services may be a drawback for some, the overall package that the Nova 12s offers makes it a worthy competitor in the mid-range market.
At €472.99, the Nova 12s is priced higher than other mid-range phones, but its premium features make it a solid investment for users seeking performance, design, and camera capabilities in one sleek package.
Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
