Xiaomi 12S review
The Huawei Nova 12s is a mid-range phone that packs some impressive features despite its outdated hardware. The device boasts a slim 6.88mm body profile and a stunning 6.7-inch Full HD+ display, which refreshes at 90Hz. It also comes with dual stereo speakers, making it a great choice for music lovers. However, the phone's true Achilles' heel lies in its specs. Powered by a 3-year-old Snapdragon 778G processor with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, the Nova 12s falls behind its contemporaries. Despite this, the device still manages to perform well in real-world usage, with apps launching quickly and games running smoothly. Another drawback is the phone's lack of official Google Mobile Services (GMS), which can be a significant issue for those who rely heavily on Google services. However, the micro-G framework helps mitigate this limitation by allowing users to access most essential Google apps. Camera performance is another highlight of the Nova 12s, with the main 50MP camera delivering respectable image quality and an impressive 60MP front camera taking superb selfie shots. The phone also boasts a 4,600mAh battery that easily lasts a day on heavy use. Ultimately, the Huawei Nova 12s is a solid mid-range phone that's let down by its outdated hardware and lack of GMS. While it's not worth the hefty retail price of RM2,000, it could be a viable option if priced lower, around RM1,000 or less.
Build Quality and Design
The Huawei Nova 12s is a stylish device that exudes a sense of sophistication, making it a great option for those who value aesthetics over raw performance. The phone boasts a slim 6.88mm body profile, identical to the Nova 11, but with a refreshed new back design. This sleek design approach doesn't look dated even by modern mid-range phone standards. The device features a beautiful 6.7-inch full HD+ display that refreshes at 12 FPS, showcasing vibrant colors and crisp visuals. The dual stereo loudspeakers are another highlight, delivering an immersive audio experience. The camera array, although unique, is a nice touch, adding to the overall premium feel of the phone. Build quality-wise, the Nova 12s feels solid in the hand, with a sturdy construction that suggests a level of craftsmanship not often seen in this price bracket. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that this device relies on older hardware, specifically the Snapdragon 778G 4G processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. While this might raise concerns about performance, our review experience suggests that the Nova 12s still manages to keep up with daily tasks and basic gaming demands. The phone's processor may be a generation old, but it remains capable of handling most tasks without breaking a sweat. Ultimately, if priced competitively, the Huawei Nova 12s would be an attractive option for those seeking a stylish device that performs adequately. However, its high retail price makes it a hard sell, especially considering the lack of official Google support and no support for 5G networks. In its current form, the Nova 12s is more of a fashion statement than a reliable performer.
Battery Life
The Huawei Nova TRS boasts an impressive 4,600mAh battery that can easily last a day with heavy use. This is somewhat expected given the phone's lack of support for 5G networks. Despite its age, the phone's hardware still performs admirably in this regard. In real-world usage, the phone showed no signs of battery drain even after prolonged periods of use. Heavy gaming sessions and video playback did not seem to impact the battery life significantly, with the phone easily lasting a full day on a single charge. While the charging speed is not spectacular, Huawei's SuperCharge technology still manages to juice up the phone relatively quickly. This makes it easier for users to top up their battery when needed. Overall, the battery life of the Huawei Nova TRS is one of its standout features. Given its capabilities and usage patterns, it's clear that the phone has been designed with a focus on delivering all-day battery life, even in heavy use scenarios. In an era where battery life is becoming increasingly important, the Nova TRS does well to deliver on this front. However, the phone's other limitations, such as its outdated hardware and lack of Google support, still need to be considered when weighing up its overall value.
Display
The Huawei Nova 12s is a stylish device that boasts a slim 6.88mm body profile and a beautiful 6.7-inch full HD+ display, which refreshes at 120Hz. The screen is truly impressive, with super-slim and symmetrical bezels that rival even the Samsung Galaxy A55. It's worth noting that the Nova 12s has dual stereo speakers, which are a rarity in mid-range phones. The display itself is a highlight of this device. The full HD+ resolution is crisp and clear, making it perfect for watching videos or browsing through photos. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and minimal lag, even when navigating complex interfaces. Additionally, the display supports HDR10+, which enhances the visual experience with richer colors and more nuanced details. One of the standout features of this device's display is its ability to remain vibrant and engaging, even in bright lighting conditions. This is a testament to Huawei's attention to detail in designing an effective display that can compete with higher-end devices. While other aspects of the Nova 12s may be lacking compared to its competitors, the display is undoubtedly one of its strongest selling points. It's a shame that this device's impressive screen is paired with subpar hardware and a high price point. With more competitive pricing, I believe the Huawei Nova 12s would be an excellent choice for anyone seeking a stylish phone with a top-notch display.
Camera
In today's smartphone landscape, where specifications often take center stage, the Huawei Nova 12s stands out as a testament to good camera performance. Despite being a mid-range phone with a 3-year-old chipset and lacking official Google Mobile Services, the Nova 12s boasts an impressive camera setup that will appeal to photography enthusiasts. At its core is a dual-camera system consisting of a 50-megapixel primary sensor without Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera. While the latter's capabilities are decent, it's the main camera that truly shines. Its images are sharp, with good color reproduction, even in low-light conditions. The lack of OIS might make some users hesitant, but in practice, this doesn't seem to affect image quality significantly. Where the Nova 12s really excels is with its front camera. Boasting a whopping 60-megapixel resolution, it takes superb quality selfies that are among the best I've seen on any mid-range phone. The detail and dynamic range captured by this sensor are truly impressive. Additionally, both rear and front cameras can record 4K video at 30 FPS, which is not commonly found in mid-range devices. While the camera performance of the Nova 12s won't challenge flagship-level shooters, it's a solid effort for a phone in its price bracket. With careful handling of lighting conditions, users will be pleased with the overall image quality delivered by this phone's cameras. In summary, the Huawei Nova 12s's camera setup is a pleasant surprise. While not the best mid-range offering on the market, it provides more than satisfactory results for photography enthusiasts who want to capture memories without breaking the bank. Just keep in mind that this phone's limitations should be taken into consideration when evaluating its overall value proposition. Rating: 3.5/5
Price and Value
The Huawei Nova 12s is a phone that's hard to recommend, despite its impressive features. Priced at 2,000 ringgit, this device feels like a relic from the past. With a 3-year-old chipset and no support for 5G networks, it's difficult to justify the cost. The Snapdragon 778 G processor may have been a powerhouse in its time, but it now lags behind the competition. Even if you don't mind older hardware, the Nova 12s' price tag makes it tough to stomach. Considering the plethora of mid-range phones available today, there are better options for those looking for similar features without breaking the bank. The Huawei Nova 12s' camera system is a highlight, with respectable image quality from its 50-megapixel main sensor and 60-megapixel front camera. However, this doesn't make up for the phone's outdated hardware and lack of official Google support. In an ideal world, the Nova 12s would be priced way lower, perhaps around 1,000 ringgit or less. This would make it a more appealing option for those who don't care about the latest and greatest tech. Unfortunately, at its current price point, this phone feels like a misstep. If you're considering purchasing the Huawei Nova 12s, I'd caution against it unless you have a strong affinity for Huawei's software ecosystem. Otherwise, there are better options available that won't leave you feeling like you've made a dubious purchase.
Performance
The Huawei Nova 12s is a device that raises questions about its value proposition, given its outdated specifications and hefty price tag. Despite this, the phone still manages to deliver decent performance in various aspects. Under the hood lies the Snapdragon 778G 4G processor, which may be three years old but still shows impressive capabilities. The chip is able to handle tasks with ease, including app launches, switching between apps, and even running demanding games like Honkai: Star Rail at 60 FPS on medium graphics settings. One might expect performance issues due to the lack of Google Mobile Services, but surprisingly, the micro G framework enables seamless functionality for essential Google apps. This means users can still sign in to their Google account and access necessary features without hassle. Battery life is also a notable aspect, as the 4,600mAh battery lasts a full day with heavy use. However, the lack of fast charging capabilities, although respectable, feels slightly underwhelming compared to other mid-range phones. While the Nova 12s's performance is commendable, it's essential to consider its overall package in context. The phone's shortcomings become apparent when comparing it to contemporaries. For instance, newer devices boast improved processors and support for 5G networks. Ultimately, the Huawei Nova 12s performs adequately but falls short of expectations due to its outdated hardware. Its inability to keep pace with modern standards, coupled with a steep price tag, makes it challenging to wholeheartedly recommend this device at its current retail price.
Pros
1. The Huawei Nova 12s is a pretty fashionable device that I think some people will really like it has the same slim 6.88 mm body profile as the Nova 11 but with a new back design and it still has the same beautiful 6.7 in full HD Plus ol display that refreshes at 12 with super slim and symmetrical bases that shames even the Galaxy a55
2. The Huawei Nova 12s has dual stereo lot speakers that even some mid-range phones don't come with and it has a really nice unique camera array to anyone who doesn't care about specs and all this is a perfectly fine device that doesn't look dated at all even for modern mid-range phone design standards
3. The cameras although the main 50 megap camera lacks Optical image stabilization it is still able to offer very respectable image quality that some mid-range phones couldn't you also get an 8 megap outro camera that takes pretty acceptable shots but what's even more interesting is the front camera which takes up to 60 megapixel Steels
4. The Huawei Nova 12s has a really good battery life, lasting a single day of heavy use despite having a 4,600 mAh battery and it is pretty expected because it doesn't have support for 5G networks
5. The phone also has superch charging which can juice up the phone in no time if you forget to charge though it isn't the fastest charging wattage it is still pretty respectable and faster than many other mid-range phones
6. Even with a 3-year-old chipset, the Snapdragon 778 G 4G processor works well on the Huawei Nova 12s for most of the stuff we do on the phone
7. The micro G framework which I was surprised that it worked so well even on restoring my WhatsApp chat backup from Google Drive
Cons
1. The Huawei Nova 12s is still really expensive compared to other phones with similar features and specs, despite its limitations such as lack of 5G support and official Google Mobile Services
2. The phone has a 3-year-old chipset, the Snapdragon 778 G 4G processor, which makes it truly lacking behind the competition in terms of performance and features
3. It's not possible to recommend spending R2,000 on this phone when there are better choices available, especially considering its outdated hardware
4. Lack of Google support and official Google Mobile Services can be very troublesome for users who depend entirely on Google services