Huawei Nova 12i smartphone review
Huawei Nova 12i Smartphone Review: Over the last year, Huawei has launched several phones in the Nova 12 lineup, from the flagship Nova 12 Ultra to the fan favorites Nova 12 SE and Nova 12s. Not long ago, the company also introduced a new phone known as Huawei Nova 12i, which will target the entry-level segment. Like most smartphones, you’ll notice a fabulous set of features with a unique design.
However, the look of the design may be subject and your opinion may differ. But still, smartphone manufacturers offer a good configuration of specifications. However, we cannot determine the value of a phone based on specifications, and manual use is something that also matters. So, let’s know more about the Huawei Nova 12i review to know whether it is worth buying or not.
Huawei Nova 12i smartphone review
Reflexes
- The phone comes with a 6.7-inch IPS LCD panel with a smooth 90Hz refresh rate.
- In terms of software layers, EMUI 14 supports the interface with a wide range of customization capabilities.
- As for the hardware configuration, the device is equipped with the Snapdragon 680 4G chipset.
- A decent 108MP dual camera with an 8MP selfie camera will appear on this phone.
- The phone is powered by a 5000mAh battery with 40W wired charging support.
Design and display
The Huawei Nova 12i device arrives with a glossy finish with fabulous color spots such as green and black. Both come with a solid color design without any additional texture or attractive look. The simple design feels a bit bland. But still, the circular camera design looks attractive and quality. At the same time, you will get fabulous build quality with this phone.
As far as build quality is concerned, the Huawei phone arrives with a standard build while the company used a plastic body for the back panel. Next, the device comes with a standard side panel and a fingerprint scanner on the power button. Through this, users can improve the security attribute.
On the other hand, the Huawei Nova 12i comes with an average 6.7-inch IPS LCD panel. Provides immersive colors and precise contrast while watching content. At the same time, users can enjoy content in FHD resolution, while the brightness is slightly lacking. Although the screen is visible outdoors, you should maximize the brightness level. Lastly, the phone offers haptic feedback with a 90Hz refresh rate.
Memory and internal
Under the hood, the Huawei Nova 12i phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G chipset, known for delivering decent performance in mid-range phones. Additionally, the phone can handle normal levels of gaming and multitasking to some extent, while the processing speed is average. However, the user will not face serious problems like overheating or lags in extreme games.
But still, it is worth noting that the screen offers a refresh rate of 90 Hz. Thanks to this, you will not have any problems with navigation. Apart from this, you get the EMUI 14 custom skin, while there are tons of Chinese apps available on the interface. But you won’t find any Google ecosystem apps under the hood. However, users can download alternative apps and tools to compensate for those losses.
On the other hand, the Huawei Nova 12i brings sufficient storage capacity according to the needs of the average user. With 256GB of storage, users can efficiently manage space to store apps, media, and Office files. Additionally, the phone can intelligently allocate storage and save space. At the same time, you get 8GB RAM support on the Huawei Nova 12i.
Camera
Undoubtedly, the phone has a unique camera module. But realistically, the combination of a 108MP primary lens and a 2MP depth lens provides above-average photos and videos. For daylight photography, you can use the native camera app and let the camera app handle colors, saturation, and white balance. It includes several camera modes so you can capture precious moments with ease.
On top of that, dynamic range is improved thanks to HDR support and sharp 108MP professional photos. Apart from this, you can also rely on beauty mode to click social media-ready images without any hassle. In addition to this, the night mode handles low light. But you will notice grain and background noise. Camera quality improves a bit with camera technology.
However, the 8MP selfie camera can only produce average photos and videos. The reason would be low quality lenses, which provide mediocre camera results. However, you can use a third-party camera app to improve the overall results. But you can’t do much with 1080p video recording as the phone lacks proper video stabilization support.
Battery and others
Under the hood, the Huawei Nova 12i is equipped with a 5000 mAh battery. It has a huge battery capacity that will provide incredible screen time whether you’re gaming, enjoying social media, or streaming content. Generally, users can expect up to four hours of screen time for their daily activity, while the phone can support up to two hours of gaming without any issue.
In terms of charging speed, the phone can recharge the battery in less than an hour using 40W wired charging. The device can recharge the battery up to 60% in 30 minutes. At the same time, the phone will offer decent sensors, communications and good speakers. Last but not least, the Huawei Nova 12i is priced around $300 (Rs 24,990 in India) approximately.
Pros and cons of the Huawei Nova 12i
Detail of the specifications of the Huawei Nova 12i
Below you can see the Huawei Nova 12i Smartphone Full Specifications.
| Specifications | Huawei Nova 12i |
| Grid | 2G, 3G, 4G |
| Announced | March 2024 |
| SIM | Dual SIM |
| Dimensions | 6.43 x 2.94 x 0.33 inches |
| Weight | 199 grams |
| Size | 6.7 inches |
| Show | IPS LCD 90Hz ~391 PPI density |
| Protection | No |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels |
| SW | EMUI 14, without Google Play services |
| chipset | 6nm: Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G |
| CPU | Eight cores Cortex-A73 4 × 2.4 GHz Cortex-A53 4 × 1.9 GHz |
| GPU | adreno 610 |
| card slot | No |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Internal | 256GB |
| Camera | 108 MP (wide), PDAF 2 MP (depth) LED flash, HDR, panorama Maximum: 1080p at 30fps |
| selfie | 8 megapixels (wide) Maximum: 1080p at 30fps |
| Loudspeaker | Yeah |
| 3.5mm jack | No |
| Wifi | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual band |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| NFC | Yeah |
| infrared port | No |
| Radio | No |
| USB | USB Type C 2.0 |
| Sensors | Side-mounted fingerprint, accelerometer and compass |
| Battery | 5000mAh 40W fast wired charging |
| Colors | Green, Black |
| Expected price | $300 (Rs 24,990 in India) approximately |
Conclusion
Finally, let’s discuss whether this Huawei Nova 12i smartphone is worth buying or not. From the specifications and features overview, one thing is clear: Huawei Nova 12i can handle the performance, battery life, and viewing experience. On the other hand, the camera department works well with daylight photos and videos. But the same doesn’t apply to low-light photography or videography.
Anyway, the phone is exclusively available in China and it would be difficult to get it in other countries. In that scenario, you should check alternative options like Nothing Phone 2A. It is a complete package of performance, camera and features. In the meantime, make a decision based on your requirements and needs.
