Comparing the Acer Iconia X12 and the Nokia XL is akin to contrasting modern tablet capabilities with a relic from a bygone Android era. The Nokia XL, while representing a functional entry point in its time, is fundamentally outmatched by the Iconia X12’s significantly more powerful hardware and extended battery endurance. This comparison will dissect the key differences, highlighting where the Iconia X12 delivers a vastly superior user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the vast majority of users, the Acer Iconia X12 is the clear winner. Its Helio G99 chipset and 80-hour battery life provide a level of performance and longevity the Nokia XL, with its Snapdragon S4 Play and 62-hour endurance, simply cannot match. The X12 is a viable daily driver, while the XL is best suited for very basic tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | - |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA |
| | - | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, September 03 | 2014, February. Released 2014, May |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, November | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum alloy frame | - |
| Dimensions | 286.2 x 184.4 x 6.5 mm (11.27 x 7.26 x 0.26 in) | 141.4 x 77.7 x 10.9 mm, 109 cc (5.57 x 3.06 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | No | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 500 g (1.10 lb) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 4 | - |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~240 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~187 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.6 inches, 460.3 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 71.2 cm2 (~64.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 400 nits | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A5 |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8225 Snapdragon S4 Play |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 203 |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean), X platform 1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 4GB 768MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 5 MP, f/2.8, 32mm (standard), 1/4.0", AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 480p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | Yes | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 3.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, magnetic accessory connector | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity (accessories only) | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | - |
| Music play | - | Up to 37 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 720 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 16 h (2G) / Up to 13 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 8000 mAh | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable (BN-02) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Matte Black | Bright green, orange, cyan, yellow, black, white |
| Models | A25014, X12-21M, X12-11-845L | - |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.89 W/kg (head) 1.07 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.67 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 62h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 874:1 (nominal), 1.204 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 76dB
|
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 80:31h endurance, 800 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class F | - |
| Free fall | Class E (2 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class C | - |
Acer Iconia X12
- Exceptional battery life (80:31h endurance)
- Powerful Mediatek Helio G99 processor
- Fast 20W wired charging
- Long-lasting battery (800 cycles)
- Camera specifications are unknown
- May be larger and less portable than the XL
Nokia XL
- Extremely low cost (likely)
- Compact size (likely)
- Simple and easy-to-use interface (potentially)
- Outdated Snapdragon S4 Play processor
- Limited battery life (62h endurance)
- Poor performance for modern apps
- Camera quality is likely very low
Display Comparison
Both devices share a contrast ratio of 874:1 (nominal) and 1.204 (sunlight), suggesting similar outdoor visibility. However, the Nokia XL’s display technology is unspecified, while the Iconia X12 likely utilizes an IPS panel given its modern design. The X12’s larger screen size (implied by its 'X12' designation, suggesting a 12-inch display) offers a more immersive viewing experience. The lack of detailed display specs for the XL makes a precise comparison difficult, but it’s safe to assume the X12 offers superior color accuracy and viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having a 'Photo' camera, but lack any specific details. Given the Nokia XL’s age, its camera is likely a low-resolution sensor with limited capabilities. The Iconia X12, while not marketed as a camera-centric device, likely features a more modern sensor and image processing pipeline, resulting in superior image quality. Without further specifications, a detailed camera comparison is impossible, but the X12 is almost certainly the better option.
Performance
The performance gap between these devices is immense. The Acer Iconia X12’s Mediatek Helio G99, built on a 6nm process, features an octa-core CPU (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) and a capable GPU. This is leagues ahead of the Nokia XL’s Qualcomm MSM8225 Snapdragon S4 Play, a dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A5 processor. The G99’s architecture allows for significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and the ability to handle demanding games. The XL’s S4 Play struggles with even basic Android functions by today’s standards. The 6nm node of the Helio G99 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
The Acer Iconia X12 boasts an impressive 80:31h endurance rating and 800 charge cycles, indicating exceptional battery life and longevity. This is a substantial improvement over the Nokia XL’s 62h endurance rating. The X12’s 20W wired charging further enhances its usability, allowing for quicker top-ups. While the XL’s charging speed is unknown, it’s likely significantly slower. The combination of longer endurance and faster charging makes the Iconia X12 the clear winner in the battery department.
Buying Guide
Buy the Acer Iconia X12 if you need a tablet capable of handling modern apps, multitasking, and extended media consumption without frequent charging. It’s ideal for students, travelers, or anyone seeking a versatile and responsive tablet experience. Buy the Nokia XL if you require an extremely basic, low-cost tablet for very limited tasks like reading ebooks or simple web browsing, and are willing to accept significant performance limitations and a dated user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Acer Iconia X12 suitable for gaming?
The Mediatek Helio G99 chipset in the Iconia X12 is capable of handling many Android games at medium settings. While it’s not a flagship gaming tablet, it provides a significantly better gaming experience than the Nokia XL’s Snapdragon S4 Play, which would struggle with even basic titles.
❓ Can the Nokia XL still receive software updates?
Given its age, the Nokia XL is highly unlikely to receive any further software updates. This poses a security risk and limits access to newer apps and features. The Acer Iconia X12, being a more recent device, will likely receive updates for a longer period.
❓ How does the battery life of the Iconia X12 hold up with heavy use?
The Iconia X12’s 80:31h endurance rating is based on typical usage. With heavy use – streaming video, gaming, and multitasking – battery life will be reduced, but the large battery capacity and efficient Helio G99 chipset should still provide a full day of use on a single charge.
❓ Is the Nokia XL a good option for someone who just needs a tablet for reading ebooks?
While the Nokia XL *can* be used for reading ebooks, its limited performance and outdated software may lead to a frustrating experience. A modern, low-cost tablet like the Acer Iconia X12 would offer a much smoother and more enjoyable reading experience, even if it costs slightly more.
