The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Huawei nova 12i and Realme 12 Pro+ represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this goal. The nova 12i focuses on a streamlined experience with a familiar chipset, while the 12 Pro+ pushes boundaries with faster charging and a more modern processor.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and faster charging, the Realme 12 Pro+ is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset and 67W charging significantly outperform the nova 12i’s Snapdragon 680 and 40W charging, justifying the potential price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, March 19 | 2024, January 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, April 16 | Available. Released 2024, January 29 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) | 161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM), 950 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 710 |
| OS | EMUI 14, no Google Play Services | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
64 MP, f/2.8, 71mm, (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.4, 22mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired, 3-62% in 30 min | 67W wired, 50% in 19 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Green, Black, White | Submarine Blue, Navigator Beige, Explorer Red |
| Models | CTR-AL20, CTR-L81 | RMX3840, RMX3841 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | $ 465.00 / £ 299.00 / € 344.26 / ₹ 28,400 |
Huawei nova 12i
- Potentially lower price point
- Reliable Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset for basic tasks
- Decent 40W fast charging
- Older Snapdragon 680 chipset struggles with demanding apps
- Likely lower peak display brightness
- Less efficient processor leads to shorter battery life
Realme 12 Pro+
- Significantly faster Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor
- Faster 67W charging for quick top-ups
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Longer battery life during active use
- Potentially higher price
- May not include a headphone jack (market segment assumption)
- Software experience may vary based on Realme UI updates
Display Comparison
The Realme 12 Pro+ boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 802 nits, which translates to better visibility outdoors compared to the nova 12i (brightness data unavailable). While both likely utilize LCD or AMOLED panels (data missing for nova 12i), the Realme’s higher peak brightness is a tangible advantage. Bezels are expected to be similar in size, typical for this price bracket. Color accuracy is also likely comparable, though without specific testing data, it's difficult to definitively say which offers a more color-accurate experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the main sensors, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Realme 12 Pro+ is likely to offer a more versatile camera system due to its more powerful image signal processor (ISP) integrated within the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2. The ISP handles noise reduction, dynamic range, and overall image quality. While the nova 12i may produce acceptable images in good lighting, the 12 Pro+ will likely excel in low-light conditions and offer more detailed photos. We'll assume both phones include standard features like portrait mode and night mode, but the Realme's processing will likely be superior.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 12 Pro+’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm) is a significant upgrade over the Huawei nova 12i’s Snapdragon 680 (6nm). The 7s Gen 2 utilizes newer Cortex-A78 cores in its octa-core configuration (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) compared to the 680’s Cortex-A73 cores (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53). This architectural improvement, coupled with the smaller 4nm process node, results in better performance and thermal efficiency. The Realme will handle multitasking and graphically intensive games with noticeably less lag and throttling. While both phones likely feature similar RAM configurations, the faster processor in the 12 Pro+ will leverage that RAM more effectively.
Battery Life
The Realme 12 Pro+ demonstrates a clear advantage in battery performance, achieving 13:24 hours of active use. While the nova 12i’s battery capacity is unknown, the 12 Pro+’s 67W charging is a game-changer, reaching 50% charge in just 19 minutes. The nova 12i’s 40W charging, while respectable, takes considerably longer to reach similar charge levels (3-62% in 30 minutes). This faster charging speed significantly reduces downtime and provides greater convenience for users on the go. The Realme’s superior chipset efficiency also contributes to longer battery life during typical usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 12i if you need a reliable daily driver for basic tasks, social media, and light multimedia consumption, and prioritize a lower upfront cost. Buy the Realme 12 Pro+ if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience for gaming and demanding apps, and value the convenience of significantly faster charging speeds and longer battery life during active use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 in the Realme 12 Pro+ handle demanding games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is capable of running demanding games like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. While it won't match the performance of flagship chipsets, it offers a significantly smoother gaming experience compared to the Snapdragon 680 in the nova 12i.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the Realme 12 Pro+ compared to the 40W charging on the Huawei nova 12i in real-world use?
The 67W charging on the Realme 12 Pro+ is substantially faster. It can reach 50% charge in approximately 19 minutes, while the Huawei nova 12i takes around 30 minutes to reach 62%. This means you can get a significant charge boost in a much shorter amount of time with the Realme, making it ideal for users who are always on the go.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Snapdragon 680 and Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
While both chipsets can handle everyday tasks, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 in the Realme 12 Pro+ provides a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience. Apps launch faster, multitasking is more fluid, and scrolling is less laggy. The difference is subtle for basic use, but becomes apparent when switching between apps or performing more demanding tasks.
