Motorola Edge 40 Neo vs. Huawei nova 12i: A Detailed Mid-Range Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and fast charging, the Motorola Edge 40 Neo emerges as the stronger contender. Its MediaTek Dimensity 7030 chipset offers a noticeable performance uplift over the Snapdragon 680 in the nova 12i, coupled with significantly faster 68W charging. While the nova 12i is a capable device, the Edge 40 Neo provides a more future-proof and responsive experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Huawei nova 12i | Motorola Edge 40 Neo |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 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 16 | Available. Released 2023, September 14 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.94 x 0.33 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 | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 170 g or 172 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 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 | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens | 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 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (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, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 40W wired, 3-62% in 30 min | 68W wired, 50% in 15 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Green, Black, White | Black, Soothing Sea, Caneel Bay, Peach Fuzz |
| Models | CTR-AL20, CTR-L81 | XT2307-1 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | $ 299.00 / € 168.73 / ₹ 19,900 |
Huawei nova 12i
- Potentially lower price point
- Reliable Qualcomm chipset
- Familiar Huawei software (depending on region)
- Slower Snapdragon 680 processor
- Slower 40W charging
- Likely less bright display
Motorola Edge 40 Neo
- Faster MediaTek Dimensity 7030 processor
- Significantly faster 68W charging
- Brighter and more vibrant display (1073 nits)
- Longer battery life (10:28h active use)
- Potentially higher price
- Motorola’s software experience may not appeal to all
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, a common pain point for smartphone users. While the nova 12i’s display specifications are not provided, it’s reasonable to assume it falls short of this brightness level. The Edge 40 Neo’s panel likely offers superior contrast and color accuracy, enhancing the overall viewing experience. The absence of refresh rate information for the nova 12i suggests it may be limited to a standard 60Hz panel, further widening the gap in display quality.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera analysis is hampered by limited information on the nova 12i’s camera system. However, focusing on the Edge 40 Neo, its camera capabilities are likely centered around its primary sensor and image processing algorithms. While megapixel counts aren't provided, the Edge 40 Neo’s camera is designed for both photo and video capture, suggesting a balanced approach. The nova 12i’s camera is likely geared towards casual photography, and any 2MP macro or depth sensors should be considered supplementary features rather than core components of the imaging experience. Without further details, it’s difficult to definitively assess the camera performance of the nova 12i, but the Edge 40 Neo’s focus on overall camera quality suggests a more refined experience.
Performance
The core difference between these two devices lies in their chipsets. The Motorola Edge 40 Neo’s MediaTek Dimensity 7030, built on a 6nm process, features a more modern CPU architecture with 2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the Huawei nova 12i’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 680, which utilizes older Cortex-A73 and A53 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz and 1.9 GHz respectively. The Dimensity 7030’s superior core design and higher clock speeds translate to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. While both are 6nm chips, the architectural improvements in the Dimensity 7030 provide a clear advantage. The Edge 40 Neo is likely to handle demanding applications and graphically intensive games with greater ease.
Battery Life
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo shines in the battery and charging department. Its 10:28h active use score demonstrates impressive endurance, and the 80-hour endurance rating (though a less precise metric) reinforces this. Crucially, the 68W wired charging capability allows it to reach 50% charge in just 15 minutes. The Huawei nova 12i, with its 40W charging, takes 30 minutes to reach 62%. While the nova 12i’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Edge 40 Neo’s faster charging significantly reduces downtime, making it more convenient for users who need to quickly top up their battery. The Edge 40 Neo’s combination of good battery life and rapid charging provides a substantial advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 12i if you need a reliable, everyday smartphone with a focus on basic functionality and a potentially more familiar software experience (depending on region and HMS availability). Buy the Motorola Edge 40 Neo if you prioritize smoother performance for multitasking and gaming, faster charging speeds to minimize downtime, and a brighter, more vibrant display for media consumption.