Huawei nova 14 vs Realme 12 Pro+: Which Mid-Range Champion Reigns Supreme?

The Huawei nova 14 and Realme 12 Pro+ represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The nova 14 boasts Huawei’s in-house Kirin 8000 chipset and blazing-fast 100W charging, while the Realme 12 Pro+ counters with Qualcomm’s efficient Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 and a focus on all-day battery life. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw charging speed and a potentially more unique software experience (despite potential app limitations), the Huawei nova 14 is the winner. However, the Realme 12 Pro+ offers a more consistently reliable experience with a modern chipset and demonstrably longer battery life, making it the better choice for most.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 14 Realme 12 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, May 192024, January 29
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, May 19Available. Released 2024, January 29
Body
Dimensions161.7 x 75.5 x 7.2 mm (6.37 x 2.97 x 0.28 in)161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight192 g (6.77 oz)196 g (6.91 oz)
Display
ProtectionAluminosilicate glass-
Resolution1084 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.3 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDR Vivid, 120Hz, 1100 nits (HBM)AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM), 950 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz & 3x2.2 GHz & 4x1.84 GHz)Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetKirin 8000 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G610 MP4Adreno 710
OSHarmonyOS 5.0Android 14, Realme UI 5.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", Dual Pixel PDAF 12 MP, f/2.4, 69mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), AF50 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
Video4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panorama-
Single50 MP, f/2.4, 1/2.5"32 MP, f/2.4, 22mm (wide)
Video4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, L2HC (320-960 kbps HD audio)5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging100W wired, SCP, UFCS, PD, PPS, QC 5W reverse wired67W wired, 50% in 19 min
Type5500 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, BlueSubmarine Blue, Navigator Beige, Explorer Red
ModelsTLR-AL00RMX3840, RMX3841
PriceAbout 330 EUR$ 465.00 / £ 299.00 / € 344.26 / ₹ 28,400

Huawei nova 14

  • Ultra-fast 100W charging
  • Potentially unique Huawei software features
  • Sleek design (assumed based on brand reputation)

  • Kirin 8000 chipset may be less efficient
  • Potential app compatibility issues due to Huawei restrictions
  • Battery life likely shorter than Realme 12 Pro+

Realme 12 Pro+

  • Excellent battery life (13:24h active use)
  • Efficient Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset
  • Bright and clear 802 nit display

  • Slower 67W charging compared to Huawei
  • Less distinctive software experience
  • May lack some of Huawei's unique features

Display Comparison

The Realme 12 Pro+ edges out the nova 14 in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 802 nits. While the nova 14’s display specs are not provided, the Realme’s brightness ensures excellent visibility outdoors. The Realme likely utilizes a standard AMOLED panel, while Huawei’s panel technology remains unspecified. The Realme’s brightness is a tangible benefit for users who frequently consume content in bright environments.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the nova 14, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Realme 12 Pro+ likely features a more modern image processing pipeline thanks to the Snapdragon’s ISP. The Realme’s focus on a primary sensor (details unspecified in context) and OIS suggests a stronger emphasis on image quality in various lighting conditions. The absence of sensor details for the nova 14 makes it difficult to assess its photographic capabilities, but the Realme’s chipset provides a solid foundation for computational photography.

Performance

The Realme 12 Pro+’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm) offers a clear architectural advantage over the Huawei nova 14’s Kirin 8000 (7nm). The smaller 4nm process node translates to improved power efficiency and thermal management, potentially leading to less throttling during sustained workloads. While both CPUs feature octa-core designs with similar peak clock speeds (2.4GHz), the Snapdragon’s Cortex-A78 cores are generally more performant than the Kirin’s core configuration. This benefits gamers and users running demanding applications. The Kirin 8000’s performance is respectable, but the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 provides a more future-proof platform.

Battery Life

The Realme 12 Pro+ demonstrably wins in battery endurance, achieving an active use score of 13 hours and 24 minutes. While the nova 14’s battery capacity is unknown, its 100W charging is its key advantage. The Realme’s 67W charging still delivers a 50% charge in 19 minutes, but the nova 14’s 100W system is significantly faster. However, faster charging is less valuable without a battery that can sustain a full day of use, which the Realme 12 Pro+ clearly achieves.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei nova 14 if you absolutely need the fastest charging available and are comfortable navigating a potentially restricted app ecosystem. Its 100W charging is a significant advantage for power users. Buy the Realme 12 Pro+ if you prioritize long-lasting battery life, a stable Android experience with guaranteed updates, and a well-rounded feature set without compromise. It’s the safer, more practical choice for everyday use.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 8000 chipset in the Huawei nova 14 suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
Given the 7nm process node and the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2’s superior thermal efficiency, the Kirin 8000 is more likely to experience throttling under sustained load. While the Kirin 8000 is a capable chip, the Realme 12 Pro+’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is better equipped to maintain peak performance for longer periods.
❓ What is the impact of Huawei’s app ecosystem restrictions on the nova 14, and will I be able to access all the apps I need?
Huawei’s ongoing restrictions mean the nova 14 lacks full Google Mobile Services (GMS) support. While the AppGallery offers a growing selection of apps, some popular applications may be unavailable or require workarounds. Users heavily reliant on GMS apps should carefully consider this limitation before purchasing the nova 14.
❓ How does the 67W charging on the Realme 12 Pro+ compare to the 100W charging on the Huawei nova 14 in real-world usage?
While 100W is faster on paper, the difference in real-world charging times may not be as dramatic as expected. The Realme 12 Pro+ reaches 50% charge in 19 minutes with 67W, and the nova 14’s 100W advantage is most noticeable in the initial stages of charging. However, the Realme’s superior battery life means you’ll need to charge less frequently.