Huawei nova 12 SE vs Google Pixel 8a: Which Mid-Range Phone Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing camera quality, software support, and long-term performance, the Google Pixel 8a is the superior choice. Its Tensor G3 chip and exceptional battery endurance outweigh the nova 12 SE’s faster charging, offering a more polished and future-proof experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Huawei nova 12 SE | Google Pixel 8a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 66 - G6GPR (International) |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G6GPR (International) |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024, March 19 | 2024, May 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, April 06 | Available. Released 2024, May 14 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.4 x 75.5 x 7.4 mm (6.39 x 2.97 x 0.29 in) | 152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.86 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Mohs level 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~430 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz | OLED, HDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) | Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Google Tensor G3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Immortalis-G715s MC10 |
| OS | EMUI 14, no Google Play Services | Android 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP (16 MP eff.), f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra HDR, panorama, Best Take |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual/tri-band (market/region dependent) |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 3-100% in 32 min 5W reverse wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless Bypass charging |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4492 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Green, Black | Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Aloe |
| Models | BNE-LX1 | GKV4X, G6GPR, G8HHN, G576D |
| Price | About 340 EUR | $ 229.98 / C$ 417.99 / £ 279.00 / € 299.99 / ₹ 33,300 |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | - | 40:06h endurance, 1000 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class B |
| Free fall | - | Class A (270 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class B |
Huawei nova 12 SE
- Significantly faster 66W wired charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Less powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Likely inferior camera performance
- Limited software update support
Google Pixel 8a
- Superior performance with Google Tensor G3
- Exceptional battery life and endurance
- Industry-leading camera and image processing
- Slower 18W wired charging
- Higher price compared to nova 12 SE
- No reverse wireless charging
Display Comparison
The Google Pixel 8a boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1508 nits, compared to an unspecified peak brightness for the nova 12 SE. This translates to superior visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While the nova 12 SE’s panel technology isn’t detailed, the Pixel 8a’s brightness advantage is substantial. The Pixel 8a’s display is likely to offer better color accuracy and viewing angles, enhancing the overall visual experience. Bezels are expected to be similar, given both phones target the mid-range segment.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 8a’s camera system is a clear advantage, leveraging Google’s renowned computational photography expertise. While specific sensor details for the nova 12 SE are missing, the Pixel 8a’s image processing capabilities, combined with its likely larger main sensor, will deliver superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The Pixel 8a’s focus on software optimization and features like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur further enhance its photographic prowess. We can expect the Pixel 8a to offer more consistent and reliable results across various shooting scenarios.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Huawei nova 12 SE utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm), while the Pixel 8a is powered by Google’s Tensor G3 (4nm). The Tensor G3, with its nona-core architecture (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3, 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715, 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510), offers a significant performance leap over the Snapdragon 680’s octa-core configuration (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53). The 4nm process node of the Tensor G3 also provides better power efficiency, contributing to the Pixel 8a’s impressive battery life. While the Snapdragon 680 is adequate for everyday tasks, the Tensor G3 excels in demanding applications like gaming and image processing.
Battery Life
The Google Pixel 8a demonstrates exceptional battery performance, achieving a remarkable 40:06h endurance rating and 11:25h of active use. This is likely due to the efficient 4nm Tensor G3 chip and optimized software. The nova 12 SE compensates with 66W wired charging, achieving a 3-100% charge in just 32 minutes, significantly faster than the Pixel 8a’s 18W charging. However, the Pixel 8a’s longer battery life and 1000 cycle lifespan may negate the need for frequent fast charging, offering a more sustainable long-term solution. The Pixel 8a also offers 7.5W wireless charging and bypass charging, features absent on the nova 12 SE.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 12 SE if you prioritize extremely fast charging and a lighter price tag, and aren't heavily reliant on Google services. It's ideal for users who frequently top up their phones and need a quick power boost. Buy the Google Pixel 8a if you value a superior camera system, guaranteed software updates, and a smoother, more responsive user experience powered by Google’s Tensor G3. It’s the better option for photography enthusiasts and those invested in the Google ecosystem.