Huawei nova 12s review
The Huawei Nova 12s is a mid-range phone that's hard to recommend despite its stylish design and decent features. While it boasts a slim body, beautiful display, and dual stereo speakers, its outdated chipset and lack of 5G connectivity make it seem like a relic from the past. With an unreasonable price tag of around $2000, this phone is a tough sell in today's market. But does its old hardware still have what it takes to deliver a good user experience?
Build Quality and Design
In today's market, it's easy to dismiss Huawei phones due to their limitations in terms of chipsets, 5G capabilities, and official Google Mobile Services. However, the Huawei Nova 12s is a device that stands out despite these drawbacks. This phone boasts a slim 6.88mm body profile, which is impressive even by modern mid-range phone standards. The new back design gives it a fashionable look that will appeal to some users. The 6.7-inch full HD+ display with a refresh rate of 12Hz is stunning and a highlight of the device. Its slim and symmetrical bezels make it stand out, even compared to high-end devices like the Galaxy A55. The dual stereo speakers on this phone are also noteworthy, as they're often absent in mid-range phones. The camera array on the Nova 12s is unique and visually appealing. While the camera specs may not be the most impressive, the cameras themselves deliver respectable image quality, especially considering the price point of this device. The front camera takes stunning 60-megapixel selfies that are among the best I've seen. The build quality of the Huawei Nova 12s is exceptional, with a premium feel to it despite its mid-range price tag. The device's overall design is sleek and modern, making it an attractive option for users who value aesthetics over raw performance. While the phone may not be ideal due to its outdated chipset and lack of official Google Mobile Services, its build quality and design make it worth considering. If priced more competitively, the Nova 12s would be a compelling choice for users seeking a stylish and capable mid-range device.
Battery Life
The Huawei Nova 12s boasts an impressive 4,600mAh battery, which is more than enough to last a day of heavy use. Despite being a 4G phone with no 5G support, the device's power efficiency allows it to deliver respectable battery life. In our testing, we found that the Nova 12s easily lasted a full day with moderate to heavy usage, including social media browsing, gaming, and streaming. We also tested the phone's endurance with continuous music playback and video streaming, and were pleased to find that the battery level remained above 20% even after an entire day of use. Huawei's power-saving features also come into play here, as the device is equipped with a range of tools designed to minimize power consumption. These include power-saving modes, low-power network access, and optimized system settings. While some may be put off by the lack of 5G support in this phone, the Nova 12s's battery life is genuinely impressive, especially considering its age-old processor. For those looking for a reliable and long-lasting device that can keep up with their daily needs, the Nova 12s delivers on this front. In our opinion, the Huawei Nova 12s's battery life is one of its strongest selling points, making it an attractive option for anyone in need of a dependable phone. However, as we've mentioned elsewhere, the phone's other features and pricing may be subject to criticism.
Display
While it's easy to dismiss the Huawei Nova 12s due to its limitations in terms of chipsets and Google Mobile Services, this phone still deserves attention for its impressive display. The 6.7-inch full HD+ OLED screen is a notable feature, with a slim profile of just 6.88mm. It boasts a smooth refresh rate of 12Hz, making it a joy to use for extended periods. One of the standout aspects of this phone's display is its unique design. The Nova 12s has super-slim and symmetrical bezels that are even thinner than those found on some high-end devices, such as the Galaxy A55. This attention to detail elevates the overall aesthetic of the phone, making it a stylish option for those who value looks. While the display is certainly a highlight of this phone, it's worth noting that the Nova 12s' chipset and operating system may not be as impressive by modern standards. However, in terms of visual quality, this device delivers an excellent viewing experience. Whether you're watching videos or scrolling through social media, the screen on the Huawei Nova 12s is certainly capable of handling demanding tasks with ease. Overall, while there are certainly some limitations to consider when evaluating the Huawei Nova 12s as a whole, its display is undoubtedly one of its strongest features. If this phone were priced more competitively, it could be a compelling option for those seeking a stylish and capable device – even if it doesn't have the most up-to-date hardware or operating system.
Camera
The Huawei Nova 12s' cameras are a standout feature of this mid-range device. Despite its price tag, the phone's camera capabilities are surprisingly impressive, especially considering the market competition. Starting with the primary sensor, the 50-megapixel main camera is able to produce respectable image quality, rivalling some high-end devices in its class. While it lacks Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), the results are still commendable, making it a worthy choice for casual snappers and enthusiasts alike. The 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera performs admirably as well, capturing decent shots that are suitable for social media sharing or personal use. However, the real highlight of the Nova 12s' camera setup is its front-facing unit – a 60-megapixel sensor capable of producing exceptional selfies and portraits. What's remarkable about this front camera is not just its resolution but also its ability to take high-quality photos in various lighting conditions. The results are indeed stunning, rivaling some premium devices in terms of image quality. It's worth noting that the phone can record 4K video at 30 frames per second (FPS) with both rear and front cameras, a feature often absent on mid-range smartphones. In addition to its impressive camera capabilities, the Nova 12s' camera app is intuitive and offers a range of features and modes to suit various shooting scenarios. The phone also supports advanced features like manual focus, exposure compensation, and more – making it an appealing option for photography enthusiasts who value flexibility and control. Overall, the Huawei Nova 12s' cameras are a notable aspect of this device, offering exceptional image quality, impressive front-facing capabilities, and a range of useful features. While its price tag may be a barrier to entry, those willing to overlook this drawback will find themselves with a capable camera system that's more than up to par with other mid-range devices on the market. In conclusion, if you're in the market for a smartphone with a great camera, the Nova 12s is definitely worth considering. Just remember to factor in its price point and the potential limitations of not having official Google Mobile Services support.
Price and Value
The Huawei Nova 12s is a phone that raises more questions than answers when it comes to its price and value. On paper, the device's specs don't exactly scream " flagship material," with a 3-year-old chipset and no official Google Mobile Services. Yet, despite these limitations, the phone still carries a hefty price tag of around $2,000. The problem is that there are far better options available in the same price range that offer significantly more value for money. The Nova 12s' lack of 5G capabilities and outdated processor make it feel like a relic from a bygone era, rather than a modern smartphone. But here's the thing: despite its shortcomings, the Huawei Nova 12s still manages to deliver a good overall experience. The cameras are respectable, the battery life is solid, and the design is sleek and stylish. So, why should you pay $2,000 for a phone that feels like it's stuck in a time warp? The answer is simple: you shouldn't. In fact, I would wholeheartedly recommend this phone to anyone who doesn't care about specs or Google services if it were priced way lower, perhaps around the $1,000 mark. At that price point, the Nova 12s starts to feel like a decent mid-range option rather than an overpriced flagship. Unfortunately, Huawei's pricing strategy here feels like a major misstep. By charging such a high premium for a phone with limited capabilities, they're pricing themselves out of contention in a crowded market. The Nova 12s may be a good product, but its price makes it feel like a bad value proposition overall.
Performance
The Huawei Nova 12s is a mid-range device that has been met with skepticism due to its outdated chipset and lack of official Google Mobile Services. However, despite these limitations, the phone still manages to impress in various areas, particularly when it comes to performance. Under the hood, the Nova 12s is powered by a 3-year-old Snapdragon 778G processor, which might seem like a significant drawback at first glance. Nevertheless, this chip has proven itself to be one of the most capable in its class, and it continues to deliver smooth performance on the Nova 12s. In our testing, we found that the phone handled everyday tasks with ease, including app launches, multitasking, and even gaming. The Nova 12s was able to run games like Honkai: Star Rail at 60 FPS in medium graphics settings without any issues, and it didn't show any signs of slowing down even after prolonged use. Another surprising aspect of the Nova 12s' performance is its ability to handle Google apps with relative ease. While not all Google services are available on the phone, many essential apps worked fine, including signing into your Google account, restoring WhatsApp chat backups from Google Drive, and even downloading APK files for other apps. Overall, the Huawei Nova 12s' performance is a pleasant surprise, considering its outdated chipset. It's clear that this phone has been optimized to work well with its hardware, making it a capable device in its own right. However, as we mentioned earlier, its high price point and lack of official Google support make it difficult to recommend at its current retail value.
Pros
1. It is a pretty fashionable device that I think some people will really like
2. The same slim 6.88 mm body profile as the Nova 11 but with a new back design
3. The same beautiful 6.7 in full HD Plus ol display that refreshes at 12
4. Dual stereo lot speakers that even some mid-range phones don't come with
5. A really nice unique camera array to anyone who doesn't care about specs
6. The cameras offer very respectable image quality, especially the front camera which takes up to 60 megapixel shots
Cons
1. It uses a 3-year-old chipset and is hardly even a refresh of the previous model
2. The Nova 12s has no official Google Mobile Services yet
3. The phone's price is unreasonably high at around 2,000 ring
4. The device lacks support for 5G networks
5. It doesn't have Optical image stabilization in the main camera
6. The charging speed of 66W superch charging might not be the fastest