Huawei nova 12 Ultra vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: A Detailed Comparison of Flagship Features
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent software updates, a refined camera experience, and long-term support, the Google Pixel 8 Pro is the stronger choice. However, the Huawei nova 12 Ultra’s 100W charging and potentially competitive performance offer a compelling alternative for those within the Huawei ecosystem.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Huawei nova 12 Ultra | Google Pixel 8 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - G1MNW |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - G1MNW |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, December 26 | 2023, October 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, January 12 | Available. Released 2023, October 12 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, silicone polymer back (eco leather) | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.1 x 75 x 7.7 mm (6.42 x 2.95 x 0.30 in) | 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 213 g (7.51 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Kunlun Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| Resolution | 1224 x 2776 pixels (~449 ppi density) | 1344 x 2992 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~489 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.76 inches, 108.8 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LTPO OLED, 1B colors, HDR, 120Hz | LTPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 2400 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.62 GHz Taishan Big & 3x2.15 GHz Taishan Mid & 4x1.53GHz Cortex-A510) | Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Kirin 9000S (7 nm)* the chipset is not officially confirmed | Google Tensor G3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Maleoon 910 MP4 | Immortalis-G715s MC10 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 4.0 | Android 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM | 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.4-4.0, 27mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide), AF | - |
| Features | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR | Multi-zone Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra-HDR, panorama, Best Take, Zoom Enhance |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/2.8, 113mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.0, 126˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@24/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 8 MP, f/2.2, 52mm (telephoto), AF, 2x optical zoom 60 MP, f/2.4, 17mm, 100˚ (ultrawide), AF | - |
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 10.5 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm, PDAF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, L2HC (320-960 kbps HD audio) | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature) |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 100W wired, 3-60% in 10 min 5W reverse wired | 30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min 23W wireless Reverse wireless Bypass charging |
| Type | 4600 mAh | Li-Ion 5050 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Mint |
| Models | ADA-AL00U | GC3VE, G1MNW |
| Price | About 600 EUR | € 362.00 / $ 289.97 / £ 329.95 / ₹ 54,999 |
Huawei nova 12 Ultra
- Extremely fast 100W wired charging
- Potentially competitive performance with Kirin 9000S
- Huawei’s design aesthetic
- Uncertainty regarding Kirin 9000S performance and efficiency
- Potentially limited software update support
- Lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS)
Google Pixel 8 Pro
- Industry-leading computational photography
- Guaranteed 7 years of software and security updates
- Smooth and refined Android experience with AI features
- Slower 30W wired charging
- Tensor G3 may not match Snapdragon/Dimensity in raw GPU power
- Higher price point
Display Comparison
The Google Pixel 8 Pro boasts a display capable of reaching 1600 nits peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the nova 12 Ultra’s display specifications are not provided, Huawei typically employs OLED panels with vibrant colors. The Pixel 8 Pro’s panel likely benefits from LTPO technology, enabling variable refresh rates for improved power efficiency. The Pixel 8 Pro’s higher measured brightness gives it a clear advantage for outdoor use.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 8 Pro is renowned for its computational photography prowess, leveraging Google’s AI algorithms for exceptional image processing. While specific camera specs for the nova 12 Ultra are missing, Huawei often focuses on high megapixel counts. The Pixel 8 Pro’s strength lies in its image processing pipeline, delivering consistent results across various lighting conditions. The Pixel 8 Pro’s video capabilities are also likely to be superior, benefiting from the Tensor G3’s dedicated image signal processor (ISP). Without detailed camera specs for the nova 12 Ultra, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison, but the Pixel 8 Pro’s established reputation in this area gives it a significant edge.
Performance
The core of the performance difference lies in the chipsets. The Google Pixel 8 Pro’s Tensor G3, fabricated on a 4nm process, features a nona-core configuration with a Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz. This contrasts with the Huawei nova 12 Ultra’s Kirin 9000S (7nm), an octa-core chip with a Taishan big core at 2.62 GHz. The 4nm process of the Tensor G3 should offer superior power efficiency and thermal management compared to the 7nm Kirin. The Tensor G3’s CPU architecture, including the Cortex-X3, is also expected to deliver stronger single-core performance, crucial for responsive app loading and smooth multitasking. The nova 12 Ultra’s performance will depend heavily on the efficiency of the Taishan cores and the overall software optimization.
Battery Life
The Google Pixel 8 Pro achieves an impressive 11:14h of active use and an endurance rating of 90 hours, indicating excellent battery life. It supports 30W wired charging, reaching 50% charge in 30 minutes, alongside 23W wireless and reverse wireless charging. The Huawei nova 12 Ultra, however, shines with its 100W wired charging, capable of charging from 30-60% in just 10 minutes. This is a substantial advantage for users who prioritize rapid top-ups. While the Pixel 8 Pro offers longer overall battery life, the nova 12 Ultra’s charging speed is unmatched.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 12 Ultra if you need blazing-fast charging speeds and are comfortable with the Huawei ecosystem, potentially accepting a less frequent software update schedule. Buy the Google Pixel 8 Pro if you prioritize a seamless Android experience, industry-leading computational photography, and guaranteed software and security updates for seven years.