Alright, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Honor 70 and the Huawei nova 12i. Buckle up, because we're not just looking at numbers; we're figuring out which of these phones best fits your life.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Okay, let’s get down to brass tacks. Here’s a detailed comparison table that breaks down the key specs and, more importantly, what they mean for you:
| Feature | Honor 70 | Huawei nova 12i | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.4 × 73.3 × 7.9 mm | 163.3 × 74.7 × 8.4 mm | Honor 70 is slightly more compact, easier to handle with one hand. The nova 12i is larger and may feel bulkier. |
| Weight | 178g | 199g | Honor 70 feels lighter, more comfortable for long sessions. Huawei nova 12i will be heavier and may be more fatiguing in long-term use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Negligible difference in size. Both are immersive for media and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2388 | Both offer sharp visuals for everyday use. You won't notice the pixel difference day to day. |
| PPI | 395 | 391 | Both have sharp displays. The difference is minor. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | Honor 70: Richer blacks, more vibrant colors, and better contrast. Huawei nova 12i: Colors may not pop as much, not as good in direct sunlight. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Honor 70: Smoother scrolling and animations, better for gaming. Huawei nova 12i: Can be less fluid, though it's still smooth enough for casual use |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | We don't know about brightness, though it will vary from use case. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325-AE Snapdragon 778G+ 5G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G | Honor 70: Significantly faster, handles demanding apps and games smoothly. Huawei nova 12i: Good for basic tasks, struggles with heavy use. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 289,000 | Honor 70: More than twice the performance, faster app loading and multitasking. Huawei nova 12i: Slower performance overall. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 610 | Honor 70: Superior graphics for better gaming experiences. Huawei nova 12i: Less capable graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 54MP (1/1.49", f/1.9) | 108MP (1/1.67", f/1.9) | Huawei nova 12i: More detail in good lighting. Honor 70: Larger sensor captures better low-light shots with a smaller pixel size. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP (f/2.4) | 8MP (f/2.0) | Honor 70: Higher detail and better color in selfies. Huawei nova 12i: Better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP (f/2.2) | Not present | Honor 70: Can capture more expansive scenes. Huawei nova 12i: missing wide angle lens. |
| Portrait mode | Not present | 2MP (f/2.4) | Huawei nova 12i: additional portrait depth sensor. Honor 70: No additional sensor for portrait shots. |
| Macro lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | Not present | Honor 70: Can take close-up shots. Huawei nova 12i: missing Macro lens. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Honor 70: Crisper, more detailed videos. Huawei nova 12i: Basic video, good for social media. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | Huawei nova 12i: Slightly better potential for longer battery life. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 40W Fast Charging | Honor 70: Significantly faster charging, less time plugged in. Huawei nova 12i: Longer recharge times. |
| Other | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | Honor 70: Faster WiFi on compatible networks. Huawei nova 12i: Standard speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | Honor 70: Newer version with better energy efficiency. Huawei nova 12i: Old bluetooth standard. |
| Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256 GB | Honor 70: Offers an extra large option. Both lack expandable storage. |
| RAM | 6/8/12 GB | 8 GB | Honor 70: More RAM on select versions for better multitasking. Huawei nova 12i: Standard RAM for general use. |
| OS | Android 12 | Unknown | Honor 70: Known OS and upgrade availability. Huawei nova 12i: OS Unknown, difficult to determine software support. |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio | Honor 70: Better sound with more immersion. Huawei nova 12i: Basic audio experience. |
2. Key Insights
Honor 70: The Performance and Media Powerhouse
- Strengths: The Honor 70 is a clear winner when it comes to performance. Its Snapdragon 778G+ 5G chipset is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and a much better gaming experience. The OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate is a treat for the eyes, providing vibrant colors, deep blacks, and buttery-smooth animations. The 66W fast charging is also a huge advantage, meaning less time tethered to a wall. The camera system with a versatile set of lens will take any shot you need. Finally, the better WiFi capabilities will provide faster internet and network stability.
- Competitive Advantages: The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6 and a superior audio setup (Hi-Res, Stereo speakers) put this device in a premium tier compared to the nova 12i. If you are someone who consumes a lot of media or plays graphic intensive games, this device is for you.
- Trade-offs: There aren’t many trade-offs with the Honor 70, the only downside is the slightly smaller battery. The phone also doesn't have a portrait mode camera, but this shouldn't be a big deal for most.
Huawei nova 12i: The Budget-Friendly Contender
- Strengths: The Huawei nova 12i's main appeal is its large 108MP camera and larger battery capacity. The phone also has a slightly lower price point, which can be attractive to budget-conscious users. It also includes a portrait mode sensor, which the Honor 70 lacks.
- Competitive Advantages: The 108MP camera is great for detail-rich images and videos in good lighting. The larger battery will provide marginally better battery life.
- Trade-offs: The nova 12i's chipset is significantly weaker, leading to noticeably slower performance, longer app loading times, and lower gaming performance. The IPS LCD screen pales in comparison to the Honor 70's OLED panel, and the slower 90Hz refresh rate isn’t as smooth. Finally, the 40W fast charge is also much slower, especially when you consider that it has a bigger battery.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Honor 70:
- Best for: Power users, gamers, media consumers, and anyone who values performance and display quality above all else.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, streaming high-definition content, video editing, multitasking between demanding apps, photography and videography in low light situations.
- Huawei nova 12i:
- Best for: Casual users, those on a strict budget, and those who prioritize battery life and camera resolution.
- Use Cases: Basic social media browsing, taking casual pictures, and people who watch the occasional YouTube video. This device is better for people who are mainly focused on social media content and photos.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to ask yourself to help you decide:
- How important is performance? If you want a phone that can handle demanding tasks without breaking a sweat, the Honor 70 is the obvious choice. If you are okay with a slower performance, you can opt for the nova 12i.
- Do you prioritize display quality? The Honor 70's OLED panel offers better visuals for a premium experience. If that’s not a deal breaker, the nova 12i’s LCD screen is good enough for everyday use.
- How much time do you spend gaming and consuming media? The Honor 70's 120Hz display, faster chipset, better GPU, and Hi-Res audio make it the superior choice for these use cases. If these are less of a priority, you can save money and go with the nova 12i.
My Choice: Honor 70
If I were choosing between the two, I'd go for the Honor 70. The significant performance advantage, combined with the superior display, faster charging, and better audio, make it a much more enjoyable device for my daily use. Yes, it may not have the highest megapixel camera on paper, but the quality of the shots in various conditions, plus all the other added features makes the Honor 70 a much better device overall. I often use my phone for editing photos, streaming videos, and playing the occasional mobile game, all of which the Honor 70 does way better than the nova 12i. Even though the battery is a little smaller, the faster charging means I spend less time plugged in. The overall experience of the device feels more premium and future-proofed. Plus, as a bonus, you have a better Wifi connection. The Honor 70 is the all around better choice for most.
