Choosing a mid-range smartphone can be tough. The Huawei nova 6 SE and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S are both popular contenders, offering compelling features at competitive prices. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei nova 6 SE boasts a significantly more powerful chipset and faster charging. However, the Redmi Note 12S often offers a more modern design and potentially better software support. For raw performance, the nova 6 SE wins, but consider your priorities.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December. Released 2019, December | 2023, March 06 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, April 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 76.3 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 3.00 x 0.34 in) | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.30 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits (HBM), 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 810 (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP6 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play Services | Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | - |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1), BDS (B1) |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired | 33W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 386 h (2G) / Up to 386 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 16 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 11 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 4200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Emerald Green, Light Pink/Blue | Onyx Black, Ice Blue, Pearl Green |
| Models | JNY-AL10, JNY-TL10 | 2303CRA44A, 23030RAC7Y, 2303ERA42L |
| Price | About 280 EUR | € 122.47 / $ 149.99 / £ 229.89 |
Huawei nova 6 SE
- Superior Performance (Kirin 810)
- Faster 40W Charging
- Good Display Quality
- Sleek Design
- Potential Software Limitations (Huawei App Store)
- Camera may not be as high-resolution as competitors
- Availability may be limited in some regions
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S
- Higher Resolution Main Camera
- Potentially Better Software Updates
- Stylish Design
- Good Value for Money
- Less Powerful Chipset (Helio G96)
- Slower 33W Charging
- Performance may struggle with demanding games
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch display, but the nova 6 SE likely has a slightly higher resolution (FHD+) and potentially better color accuracy. The Redmi Note 12S may offer a more modern refresh rate (90Hz or 120Hz) for smoother scrolling, though the nova 6 SE's display is still perfectly adequate.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi Note 12S typically features a higher resolution main camera (likely 108MP) compared to the nova 6 SE (around 48MP). While megapixels aren't everything, the Redmi Note 12S may offer slightly more detailed photos in good lighting. Both phones offer decent ultrawide and macro lenses.
Performance
The Kirin 810 in the nova 6 SE is the clear winner here. Its 7nm process and Cortex-A76 cores provide a noticeable performance advantage over the Redmi Note 12S's Helio G96. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the nova 6 SE.
Battery Life
Both phones have a similar battery capacity (around 4200-4500mAh). However, the nova 6 SE's 40W charging is significantly faster than the Redmi Note 12S's 33W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Huawei nova 6 SE is ideal for users prioritizing performance and fast charging. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is a great choice for those seeking a stylish design, potentially better software updates, and a reliable all-around experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Huawei nova 6 SE worth buying in 2024?
It depends. If performance is your top priority and you're comfortable with potential software limitations, it's still a capable phone. However, consider newer alternatives if you need the latest features and software support.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Huawei nova 6 SE's Kirin 810 chipset provides significantly better gaming performance compared to the Redmi Note 12S's Helio G96.
