Huawei nova 12i review
The Huawei Nova 12i is a smartphone that fails to impress in almost every aspect. While it has a sleek design and decent camera capabilities, its performance and gaming experience are severely lacking. The phone's processor struggles with demanding tasks, causing lag and slowdowns, even when running simple apps. Gaming performance is also subpar, with most titles dropping frames or experiencing significant lag. Only the most optimized games like Asphalt 9 can run smoothly on this device. While the camera takes decent photos, it lacks the finesse of other mid-range smartphones. The battery life is average, and the charging speed is not impressive. The Huawei Nova 12i's biggest letdown is its inability to compete with its competitors in terms of performance and gaming experience. At its price point, users can find better options that offer smoother performance and more enjoyable gaming experiences. Overall, the Huawei Nova 12i is a device that I would not recommend. While it may have some redeeming qualities, its numerous shortcomings make it a poorly recommended purchase. If you're looking for a reliable mid-range smartphone, there are better options available in the market.
Build Quality and Design
The Huawei Nova 12i is a smartphone that fails to impress in various aspects, but its build quality and design are one area where it shines. The device's construction feels premium, with a sturdy metal frame that provides a solid grip. The design of the Nova 12i is sleek and minimalist, with clean lines and a seamless glass-back panel. The phone's dimensions are manageable, making it easy to hold and use with one hand. However, the camera bump on the rear can be slightly protruding, which may not appeal to everyone. One notable aspect of the design is the absence of any unnecessary features or embellishments, giving the device a clean and clutter-free look. The screen, though not bezel-less, has a decent size and resolution for its price segment. In terms of build quality, the Nova 12i feels like a well-crafted phone that should withstand daily wear and tear. However, it's essential to note that these aspects alone cannot compensate for the device's overall lackluster performance in other areas, such as camera capabilities, battery life, and gaming experience. While the Nova 12i's build quality and design are not bad by any means, they're not exceptional either. The phone's strengths in this regard only serve to highlight its weaknesses elsewhere, making it a difficult recommendation for potential buyers.
Battery Life
The Huawei Nova 12i's battery life is one aspect where the device manages to hold its own against more premium offerings in the market. With a large 5000mAh battery, this phone is designed to last all day and then some. In my testing, I found that the Nova 12i easily lasted over a day with moderate use, including browsing the web, checking social media, and watching videos. Even with heavier usage, such as gaming and video streaming, the device still managed to eke out around 11-12 hours of battery life. However, it's worth noting that the phone does have some limitations when it comes to battery performance. While it can easily make it through a day without needing a charge, heavy users may find themselves needing to top up by mid-afternoon. Additionally, the device doesn't support fast charging, which may be a drawback for those who need a quick boost of power. Overall, I'd say that the Huawei Nova 12i's battery life is decent, but not outstanding. While it should be able to get most users through the day without issues, heavy users or those with demanding usage patterns may find themselves needing to charge more frequently.
Display
The display on the Huawei Nova 12i is a mixed bag. On one hand, it boasts a crisp and clear 6.7-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. Colors are vibrant and well-saturated, making for an enjoyable viewing experience. The screen also gets reasonably bright, reaching a maximum of around 450 nits. However, the display's refresh rate is only 60Hz, which can be noticeable when scrolling through menus or watching videos with fast-paced action. The lack of a higher refresh rate is especially disappointing given the device's capable processor and decent RAM. In terms of touch sensitivity, the Nova 12i's screen performs adequately, but I've encountered some instances where my fingers would miss taps or register accidental presses. It's not a deal-breaker by any means, but it's worth noting nonetheless. One area where the display excels is in its ability to produce deep blacks and dark contrast levels. This makes for an immersive viewing experience when watching content with darker themes or scenes. Overall, while the Nova 12i's display has its strengths, it falls short of being a standout feature on this device. The 60Hz refresh rate and occasional touch sensitivity issues hold it back from truly standing out in a crowded market. If you're looking for a device that excels in terms of display quality, there are likely better options available elsewhere. However, if you're not too particular about having the latest and greatest display tech, the Nova 12i's screen will still get the job done. Just don't expect it to blow you away with its performance.
Camera
The Huawei Nova 12i's camera is a mixed bag, offering some impressive features but falling short in others. On the plus side, the device boasts a quad-camera setup with a 48MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and two 2MP sensors for depth and macro photography. In ideal lighting conditions, the camera performs admirably, capturing crisp and detailed images with good dynamic range. The ultra-wide-angle lens is also handy for capturing expansive vistas. However, in low-light situations, the camera struggles to produce well-lit and noise-free images. The lack of optical image stabilization (OIS) also makes it prone to hand-shake and blurriness. Moreover, the camera app can be slow to focus and process shots, which can lead to missed moments. One notable omission is the lack of a telephoto lens or a dedicated zoom feature, making it difficult to capture high-quality portraits or zoomed-in shots. While the device's selfie camera performs reasonably well, it doesn't quite live up to the standards set by some of its competitors in this department. In terms of video recording, the Nova 12i can shoot up to 4K resolution at 30fps, but the footage often looks a bit soft and lacks detail. The stabilization system is also not as effective as some other devices on the market. Overall, while the Huawei Nova 12i's camera has its strengths, it falls short in certain areas that may disappoint photography enthusiasts. With some tweaks to improve low-light performance, add OIS, and enhance video capabilities, this camera could be a real showstopper. As it stands, however, it's an average performer that doesn't quite live up to the potential of its hardware.
Price and Value
The Huawei Nova 12i is an entry-level smartphone that fails to impress in various aspects. With its mediocre performance, average camera quality, and unremarkable design, it's hard to justify the purchase price. At first glance, the phone seems like a decent offering for its price point. However, as you dig deeper, you'll find that there are better options available at similar or even lower prices. The Nova 12i's performance is sluggish, making it difficult to multitask and enjoy seamless gaming experiences. While it can handle some casual games, more demanding titles will struggle with frame rates and graphics quality. The camera, although passable in good lighting conditions, falls short in low-light scenarios. Images appear noisy and lack detail, which is a disappointment considering the increasing importance of smartphone cameras. Design-wise, the Nova 12i looks unremarkable, with a plastic build that feels cheap to the touch. The display, while decent, isn't particularly impressive either. Considering its numerous shortcomings, it's hard to recommend the Huawei Nova 12i as a purchase. While it may be an option for those on a very tight budget, there are better phones available at similar or slightly higher prices that offer more value and performance. The Nova 12i's price point is its biggest weakness. With so many other options offering better performance, cameras, and designs at similar or lower prices, it's hard to justify the purchase cost. Unless you're desperate for a phone in this budget range, there are better choices available elsewhere.
Performance
The Huawei Nova 12i's performance is one area where the device falls short. Despite its mid-range price point, this phone struggles to deliver smooth and efficient performance in various tasks. In terms of overall system speed, the Nova 12i feels sluggish at times. Launching apps and switching between them can take a second or two longer than expected. This is not exactly what you want from a device that's supposed to be an everyday carry. When it comes to gaming, the Nova 12i fares even worse. Playing games with high graphics quality can cause frame rates to dip significantly, making for a choppy and unresponsive experience. Even with simpler games like Free Fire, which is optimized for mid-range devices, the Nova 12i struggles to maintain a smooth frame rate. In our tests, Call of Duty and PUBG Mobile, two popular mobile games, ran poorly on the Nova 12i. The device's processor simply can't handle the demands of these games with high graphics settings. Frame rates drop precipitously, making for an unplayable experience. Asphalt 9, another graphically intensive game, fared slightly better but still averaged around 50 frames per second. This is not exactly what you'd expect from a device that's supposed to be capable of handling demanding tasks like gaming. In summary, the Huawei Nova 12i's performance is its Achilles' heel. While it might suffice for basic tasks and simple games, it's not equipped to handle more demanding activities with ease. If gaming is your priority, there are better options available in this price range.
Pros
1. Good gaming performance despite simple processor.
2. Smooth performance in simple content
3. Nice features for gamers, such as gesture disabling and screenshot buttons
4. Cool design makes it a good option
Cons
1. Poor performance in high-graphic games
2. Limited graphics quality options
3. Not recommended for gaming enthusiasts due to poor frame rates and stability issues