The Huawei Nova 12, released in January 2024, is an attractive mid-range smartphone that comes packed with some flagship-level features, such as 100W fast charging, a 50MP camera, and an OLED display. The phone’s slim profile, powerful chipset, and overall performance make it a good choice for users looking for a premium experience without breaking the bank. In this review, we explore the Nova 12’s design, performance, camera quality, and battery life.
Key Features at a Glance
- Release Date: January 5, 2024
- Display: 6.7-inch OLED, 120Hz
- Processor: Kirin 830 (7nm)
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB/512GB (no card slot)
- Battery: 4600mAh with 100W fast charging
- Main Camera: 50MP dual-camera with ultrawide lens
- Selfie Camera: 60MP ultrawide sensor
- Price: Approximately €380
1. Design and Build Quality
The Huawei Nova 12 features a sleek and slim design, measuring just 7mm in thickness and weighing 191g. Its elegant body is available in three colors:
- Black
- Blue
- White
The phone is comfortable to hold, and its premium look is accentuated by the glass front and back. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor ensures quick and secure access to the phone, while the dual SIM support allows you to easily switch between different carriers.
2. Display: OLED with 120Hz Refresh Rate
The 6.7-inch OLED display on the Nova 12 offers vibrant colors and sharp visuals, with a resolution of 1084 x 2412 pixels (~395 ppi density). The display’s 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and transitions, making it ideal for both media consumption and gaming.
The HDR support enhances the overall viewing experience, delivering rich contrast and deeper blacks, perfect for streaming content or viewing photos.
3. Performance: Kirin 830 Chipset
The Huawei Nova 12 is powered by the Kirin 830 chipset, built on a 7nm process. This octa-core processor provides a good balance between performance and power efficiency, making it suitable for multitasking, gaming, and daily operations.
With 8GB of RAM, the Nova 12 is capable of handling multiple apps and tasks simultaneously without slowing down. While the Kirin 830 may not be the fastest processor on the market, it offers solid performance for its price range.
The phone comes in two storage options:
- 256GB with 8GB RAM
- 512GB with 8GB RAM
Unfortunately, there is no microSD card slot for expandable storage, but the internal storage options should suffice for most users.
4. Camera: Dual-Camera System with 50MP Main Lens
The Huawei Nova 12 is equipped with a dual-camera setup that includes:
- 50MP wide-angle main sensor with an f/1.9 aperture for capturing sharp, detailed photos in various lighting conditions.
- 8MP ultrawide lens with a 112° field of view, ideal for wide-angle shots, group photos, and landscapes.
The camera performs well in daylight, offering vibrant colors and impressive detail. The Laser AF helps with quick and accurate focusing, while the LED flash and HDR features ensure well-balanced photos even in tricky lighting conditions.
The Nova 12 can record 4K videos at 30fps as well as 1080p videos, making it a solid choice for video capture.
Selfie Camera:
The front-facing 60MP ultrawide camera is one of the standout features of the Nova 12. It allows users to take detailed selfies and also supports 4K video recording at 30fps. The ultrawide field of view is perfect for group selfies and vlogs.
5. Battery Life: 100W Fast Charging
One of the most impressive features of the Huawei Nova 12 is its 100W fast charging capability. The 4600mAh battery can charge from 0% to 60% in just 10 minutes (as advertised), making it incredibly convenient for users who need quick recharges throughout the day.
With moderate use, the battery should easily last a full day, even with heavy usage like streaming, gaming, and social media. Additionally, the phone supports 5W reverse wired charging, allowing you to charge smaller devices, such as wireless earbuds or smartwatches.
6. Software: HarmonyOS 4.0
The Huawei Nova 12 runs on HarmonyOS 4.0, Huawei’s in-house operating system designed to deliver a smooth and user-friendly experience. HarmonyOS provides many features, such as:
- Gesture navigation
- Dark mode
- Multi-window support for multitasking
HarmonyOS integrates well with other Huawei devices, such as smartwatches and wireless earbuds. However, it’s worth noting that the Nova 12 does not come with Google Play Services, which might be a limitation for some users. Instead, users can access apps through Huawei’s AppGallery.
7. Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and More
The Huawei Nova 12 supports a variety of connectivity options, including:
- 5G SA/NSA for fast mobile data speeds.
- Wi-Fi 6 for a stable and fast wireless internet connection.
- Bluetooth 5.2 for seamless pairing with wireless accessories.
- NFC support for contactless payments and file transfers.
The phone also includes USB Type-C 2.0 with OTG support, allowing users to connect external devices like flash drives.
Price and Availability
The Huawei Nova 12 is priced at approximately €380 (EUR), positioning it as an affordable option for users looking for premium features at a reasonable price. With its 100W fast charging, impressive camera setup, and stylish design, the Nova 12 offers excellent value for money.
Conclusion: Is the Huawei Nova 12 Worth It?
The Huawei Nova 12 is a fantastic option for users who want a well-rounded smartphone with impressive features like 100W fast charging, a 50MP camera, and a 60MP selfie camera. Its slim design, powerful performance, and affordable price make it a strong contender in the mid-range smartphone market.
While the lack of Google Play Services may be a drawback for some users, the phone’s overall performance and feature set make it a solid choice for those who are already invested in Huawei’s ecosystem.
Full Specifications Table:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.7-inch OLED, 120Hz, 1084 x 2412 pixels (~395 ppi) |
| Operating System | HarmonyOS 4.0 |
| Processor | Kirin 830 (7nm), Octa-core |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB (no card slot) |
| Main Camera | 50MP wide, 8MP ultrawide |
| Selfie Camera | 60MP ultrawide |
| Battery | 4600mAh with 100W wired fast charging |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, USB Type-C 2.0 |
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.4 x 7 mm |
| Weight | 191g |
| Colors | Black, Blue, White |
| Price | €380 |
Disclaimer: We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
