The Huawei Nova 12i, released in April 2024, is a mid-range smartphone that boasts an impressive 108MP camera, a large 6.7-inch display, and reliable battery life. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G chipset, the Nova 12i is designed for users looking for an affordable phone with solid performance and great photography capabilities. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the Nova 12i’s design, display, performance, and camera quality to help you decide if this phone is right for you.
Key Features at a Glance
- Release Date: April 16, 2024
- Display: 6.7-inch IPS LCD, 90Hz
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm)
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB/256GB (no card slot)
- Battery: 5000mAh with 40W wired charging
- Main Camera: 108MP dual camera with PDAF
- Selfie Camera: 8MP wide
- Price: Approximately €305.12
1. Design and Build Quality
The Huawei Nova 12i sports a sleek and modern design with a 6.7-inch display that covers 89.1% of the front panel. Weighing 199g and measuring 8.4mm in thickness, the phone feels lightweight and comfortable in the hand. Its slim profile makes it easy to handle, and the side-mounted fingerprint sensor ensures quick access to the device.
The phone is available in three elegant colors:
- Green
- Black
- White
While the Nova 12i does not feature premium materials like glass on the back, its design is solid, offering a smooth finish that gives it a more premium look than its price suggests.
2. Display: Large and Smooth
The 6.7-inch IPS LCD display offers a resolution of 1080 x 2388 pixels, giving it a pixel density of 391 ppi. The display delivers sharp visuals and vibrant colors, making it ideal for watching videos, browsing the web, or playing games. With a 90Hz refresh rate, the display provides smooth scrolling and fluid transitions, which enhances the overall user experience.
Although it’s not an OLED display, the IPS LCD panel provides good viewing angles and decent brightness levels, making it easy to use the phone outdoors.
3. Performance: Powered by Snapdragon 680 4G
The Huawei Nova 12i is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G chipset, built on a 6nm architecture. The octa-core CPU includes:
- 4x Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz for high-performance tasks
- 4x Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.9 GHz for power efficiency
Paired with 8GB of RAM, the Nova 12i delivers decent performance for everyday tasks such as browsing, social media, and light gaming. While it may not be the fastest phone for more demanding applications or heavy multitasking, the Snapdragon 680 handles most tasks smoothly.
The phone comes in two storage options:
- 128GB with 8GB RAM
- 256GB with 8GB RAM
Unfortunately, there is no microSD card slot for storage expansion, but the internal storage should be sufficient for most users.
4. Camera: Stellar 108MP Main Sensor
The standout feature of the Huawei Nova 12i is its 108MP dual-camera setup, which offers impressive photography capabilities for its price range. The camera system includes:
- 108MP wide-angle main sensor with f/1.9 aperture and PDAF for fast autofocus. This sensor allows the phone to capture detailed and sharp images, even in low-light conditions.
- 2MP depth sensor for improved bokeh effects in portrait mode, providing a nice background blur for portraits.
The camera app offers several shooting modes, including HDR and panorama, giving users the flexibility to capture high-quality images in various scenarios. The main camera can also record videos in 1080p at 30fps, offering decent video quality for everyday use.
Selfie Camera:
The 8MP front-facing camera with f/2.0 aperture does a solid job for selfies and video calls. It also supports 1080p video recording, making it suitable for users who want to record videos for social media.
5. Battery Life: All-Day Power
The 5000mAh battery in the Huawei Nova 12i ensures long-lasting battery life, making it an excellent choice for users who need a phone that can last through a full day of use. Whether you’re streaming videos, browsing, or using social media apps, the battery should easily last a full day on a single charge.
The phone supports 40W wired charging, which can charge the device from 3% to 62% in just 30 minutes (as advertised), ensuring that you can quickly top up your battery when needed.
6. Software: EMUI 14 Without Google Play Services
The Huawei Nova 12i runs on EMUI 14, which is based on Android but lacks Google Play Services. Instead, users will rely on Huawei’s AppGallery to download and install apps. Although the lack of Google services might be a downside for some users, the AppGallery has been growing steadily, offering a wide range of popular apps.
The software offers a smooth and user-friendly experience with plenty of customization options. EMUI 14 supports features like multi-window functionality and gesture-based navigation, which improves multitasking and overall usability.
7. Connectivity: 4G and Wi-Fi 6
The Huawei Nova 12i supports 4G LTE connectivity, providing reliable internet speeds for everyday tasks. While it lacks 5G support, the Snapdragon 680 chipset ensures that 4G performance is smooth and responsive.
Other connectivity features include:
- Wi-Fi 6 for faster and more reliable wireless internet connections.
- Bluetooth 5.0 for seamless connections with wireless devices.
- NFC for mobile payments and quick data transfers.
- USB Type-C 2.0 for fast data transfers and charging.
Price and Availability
The Huawei Nova 12i is priced at approximately €305.12, making it an affordable mid-range option for users looking for good camera performance, reliable battery life, and solid everyday performance.
Conclusion: Is the Huawei Nova 12i Worth It?
The Huawei Nova 12i is a well-rounded mid-range smartphone that offers great value for its price. With its 108MP main camera, large display, and 5000mAh battery, it’s an excellent choice for users who prioritize photography and long battery life.
While the absence of Google Play Services might be a drawback for some, the phone still offers a smooth experience through EMUI 14 and AppGallery. For users in regions where Huawei’s services are fully supported, the Nova 12i is a solid option for those seeking an affordable, feature-packed smartphone.
Full Specifications Table:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.7-inch IPS LCD, 90Hz, 1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi) |
| Operating System | EMUI 14 (no Google Play Services) |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm), Octa-core |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB (no card slot) |
| Main Camera | 108MP wide, 2MP depth |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP wide |
| Battery | 5000mAh with 40W wired charging |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC |
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm |
| Weight | 199g |
| Colors | Green, Black, White |
| Price | €305.12 |
Disclaimer: We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
