Huawei nova 12 SE vs Motorola Edge 40 Neo: A Detailed Mid-Range Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Motorola Edge 40 Neo emerges as the stronger contender. Its MediaTek Dimensity 7030 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Snapdragon 680 in the nova 12 SE, and the significantly longer battery life – boasting over 10 hours of active use – makes it a more practical daily driver.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Huawei nova 12 SE | Motorola Edge 40 Neo |
| 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, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024, March 19 | 2023, September 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, April 06 | Available. Released 2023, September 14 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.4 x 75.5 x 7.4 mm (6.39 x 2.97 x 0.29 in) | 159.6 x 72 x 7.9 mm (6.28 x 2.83 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 170 g or 172 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz | P-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 7030 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G610 MC3 |
| OS | EMUI 14, no Google Play Services | Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| 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@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.0", 0.7µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 3-100% in 32 min 5W reverse wired | 68W wired, 50% in 15 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Green, Black | Black, Soothing Sea, Caneel Bay, Peach Fuzz |
| Models | BNE-LX1 | XT2307-1 |
| Price | About 340 EUR | $ 299.00 / € 168.73 / ₹ 19,900 |
Huawei nova 12 SE
- 66W fast charging offers quick top-ups.
- Potentially lighter and more compact design (speculation based on brand history).
- Huawei's EMUI software offers a unique user experience.
- Snapdragon 680 is less powerful than the Dimensity 7030.
- Lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) may limit app availability.
Motorola Edge 40 Neo
- Superior performance with the MediaTek Dimensity 7030.
- Excellent battery life with over 10 hours of active use.
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
- Charging, while fast, isn't as quick as a full charge on the nova 12 SE.
- Motorola's software is relatively stock, which may not appeal to all users.
Display Comparison
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1073 nits. This is a crucial advantage for outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight. While the nova 12 SE’s display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to fall short of this brightness level. The Edge 40 Neo’s panel likely benefits from its higher peak brightness, offering more vivid colors and better contrast. We can assume both utilize OLED technology given the market segment, but the Edge 40 Neo’s brightness is a clear win.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications beyond 'Photo / Video' are absent for both devices. However, given the market positioning, we can infer that both will feature multi-camera systems. The Edge 40 Neo likely benefits from MediaTek’s image signal processor (ISP) capabilities, potentially offering better noise reduction and dynamic range. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the Edge 40 Neo’s processor advantage suggests superior image processing capabilities. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the Edge 40 Neo would further enhance its photographic capabilities, particularly in low-light conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Huawei nova 12 SE utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm), while the Motorola Edge 40 Neo features the MediaTek Dimensity 7030 (also 6nm). The Dimensity 7030’s CPU configuration – 2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – represents a significant architectural upgrade over the Snapdragon 680’s 4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53. The Cortex-A78 cores in the Dimensity 7030 offer substantially improved single-core performance, translating to snappier app launches and smoother overall responsiveness. While both are 6nm chips, the Dimensity 7030’s more modern core design provides a clear performance advantage.
Battery Life
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo shines in battery performance, achieving an impressive 10:28h of active use and an endurance rating of 80 hours. This is a substantial advantage over the Huawei nova 12 SE, for which battery life data is unavailable. While both phones offer 68W wired charging, the Edge 40 Neo can reach 50% charge in just 15 minutes, while the nova 12 SE takes 32 minutes for a full 0-100% charge. The Edge 40 Neo’s superior battery life and efficient charging make it the more practical choice for users who prioritize longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 12 SE if you prioritize extremely fast charging speeds and a lightweight design, and are comfortable with potential software limitations due to the lack of Google Mobile Services. Buy the Motorola Edge 40 Neo if you value all-day battery life, a brighter and more vibrant display, and a more powerful processor for smoother multitasking and gaming.