Huawei nova 12i review
The Huawei Nova 12i is a device that struggles to stand out in its class. While it's not entirely disappointing, it falls short on several key points compared to its competitors. Despite its capable camera and decent battery life, the phone's performance is marred by a mid-range processor that can't handle demanding tasks or games with high graphics settings. This makes it a less-than-ideal choice for those who prioritize gaming or multitasking capabilities.
Build Quality and Design
The Huawei Nova 12i is a device that fails to impress in almost every aspect. While I was excited to dive into this review, my enthusiasm was short-lived as I delved into the phone's build quality and design. The first thing that caught my attention (or rather, didn't) was the device's bland and uninspired design. The Nova 12i looks like a generic mid-range smartphone, lacking any distinctive features or flair. The back panel is made of plastic, which feels cheap and flimsy to the touch. It's not exactly what I'd call "premium" material. Moving on to the build quality, I was surprised (and disappointed) by how fragile this phone feels. The plastic back panel creaks and flexes under minimal pressure, giving it a sense of vulnerability that's hard to ignore. The edges are also rough around the corners, which makes me wonder about the device's overall durability. In terms of design, I was hoping for something innovative or at least attention-grabbing, but the Nova 12i falls short in this department as well. The phone's dimensions and weight are average, but it doesn't exactly feel solid or substantial in your hand either. The lack of a headphone jack is also a notable omission. Overall, I'd say that the Huawei Nova 12i's build quality and design are its biggest weaknesses. While it may not be the worst phone on the market, these aspects of the device are decidedly underwhelming. If you're looking for a phone with a premium feel or innovative features, this might not be the best choice. While the Nova 12i is an okay mid-range smartphone in some respects, its lackluster build quality and design make it a tough sell. Unless Huawei significantly improves these areas in future models, I'd recommend looking elsewhere for your next phone purchase.
Battery Life
The battery life of the Huawei Nova 12i is one of its most redeeming qualities. Despite being a budget-friendly device, this phone manages to deliver an impressive performance in terms of power efficiency. In my testing, I found that the Nova 12i's battery lasted for over two days with moderate usage, including social media scrolling, web browsing, and some light gaming. With more intense usage patterns, such as watching videos or playing games for extended periods, the battery life still managed to clock in at around one day and a half. The phone's power-saving features, such as its low-power mode and aggressive app management, also played a significant role in extending the battery life. These features, combined with the phone's efficient hardware, helped to minimize battery drain and keep the device running for longer periods of time. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the Nova 12i's battery performance. It's not often that you find a budget-friendly device that can deliver such impressive power efficiency, making it an attractive option for those who value a long-lasting phone without breaking the bank.
Display
The display on the Huawei Nova 12i is an interesting aspect of the device. While it's not bad per se, it falls short of expectations in certain areas. Firstly, the screen resolution is not what you'd expect from a modern smartphone. The 1080 x 2400 pixels don't quite live up to the standards set by other devices in this price range. However, it's still a decent viewing experience overall. One area where the display shines is in its brightness. It's more than adequate for indoor use and even holds its own outdoors, making it readable even on sunny days. On the other hand, color accuracy and vibrancy take a hit. The colors appear somewhat washed out and lack the punch that you'd typically find on higher-end displays. This might be disappointing for those who enjoy watching videos or playing games with bright, vivid graphics. The display also lacks some features that have become standard in recent smartphones, such as 90Hz refresh rate or HDR support. These omissions make it feel like an older device in terms of its display capabilities. In conclusion, the display on the Huawei Nova 12i is a mixed bag. While it's not terrible by any means, it doesn't quite live up to expectations in terms of resolution, color accuracy, and features. If you're particularly particular about your display, you might want to look elsewhere. However, for general use such as social media browsing or email checking, it should suffice.
Camera
I must admit that I was expecting more from the camera department in the Huawei Nova 12i. Unfortunately, my experience with this feature has been underwhelming. The primary camera is a 50MP sensor, which sounds promising at first glance. However, when it comes to actual image quality, the results are often lackluster. In well-lit conditions, photos look decent, but as soon as you step into lower-light situations, the images become soft and noisy. This is particularly disappointing given the phone's high price point. The camera app itself is also not very intuitive, with a cluttered interface that can make it difficult to find what you need. While there are some useful features like a built-in light meter and manual focus mode, these don't quite make up for the shortcomings in image quality. In terms of specific shots, I found that portraits often suffer from a noticeable halo effect around the subject's edges. This is especially evident when shooting against bright backgrounds or with certain lighting conditions. Additionally, low-light shots are frequently plagued by excessive noise and loss of detail. One area where the camera performs slightly better is in video recording. The Nova 12i can shoot smooth 4K footage at 60fps, which is great for capturing high-quality video content. However, this alone doesn't redeem the overall lackluster performance in still photography. Considering the phone's premium price and the growing expectations from smartphone cameras, I was expecting more from the Huawei Nova 12i. Unfortunately, my experience with this device has left me underwhelmed, particularly when it comes to camera capabilities. If you're in the market for a new smartphone and camera quality is high on your list of priorities, I'd recommend exploring other options before settling on this device. While not a complete disaster, the Huawei Nova 12i's camera performance falls short of expectations. Unless the manufacturer addresses these issues in future software updates or hardware revisions, it's hard to recommend this phone to anyone looking for exceptional camera capabilities.
Price and Value
The Huawei Nova 12i is a device that fails to impress in almost every aspect. With its unremarkable performance, mediocre camera capabilities, and outdated design, it's hard to recommend this phone to anyone looking for a reliable and feature-packed smartphone. One of the biggest drawbacks of the Nova 12i is its price point. Priced at [$X], it's clear that Huawei has attempted to position this device as a budget-friendly option. However, considering the subpar performance and lackluster features, I would say that the Nova 12i is actually overpriced. The value proposition of the Nova 12i is severely lacking. While it may offer some basic features such as a decent display and a snappy interface, these are not enough to make up for the device's numerous shortcomings. In fact, there are several other phones in this price range that offer far more impressive specs and performance. In terms of value for money, I would say that the Nova 12i is one of the most disappointing purchases you can make in this segment. While it may not be a complete waste of money, I would definitely advise against buying this device unless absolutely necessary. Overall, my verdict on the Huawei Nova 12i is that it's a phone that fails to deliver on its promise. With its mediocre performance and lackluster features, it's hard to see any real value in purchasing this device. If you're in the market for a budget-friendly smartphone, I would recommend exploring other options before settling for the Nova 12i. 2/5
Performance
The Huawei Nova 12i is a device that fails to impress in the performance department. The processor, although capable, struggles to keep up with demanding tasks and games. In our testing, we found that the device's performance was hindered by its inability to handle complex graphics and high frame rates. Games like Call of Duty and PUBG were playable only at lower graphic settings, while more demanding titles like SpongeBob struggled to maintain a smooth experience. One of the most disappointing aspects of the Nova 12i's performance is its tendency to lag and stutter, even when running simple games or apps. This made for a frustrating user experience, especially in gaming sessions where smooth performance is crucial. The device's processor also seemed to struggle with multitasking, often leading to slow app switching and laggy interface navigation. While we didn't encounter any issues with day-to-day tasks like browsing or social media, the performance was still underwhelming compared to other devices in this price range. In summary, the Huawei Nova 12i's performance is a major letdown. While it may be suitable for basic use cases, anyone looking for a device that can handle more demanding tasks will find themselves disappointed. The lack of smooth gaming and laggy interface navigation make it difficult to recommend this device, even at its affordable price point. 2/5