Nokia G21 vs Huawei nova 12i - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Nokia G21
Nokia G21
Nokia

General

Launch Date February 15, 2022 April 16, 2024
Release Year 2022 2024

Physical

Volume 106.19 cm³ 102.47 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.42 "/g 3.37 "/g
Weight 190 g 199 g
Height 164.6 mm 163.3 mm
Width 75.9 mm 74.7 mm
Thickness 8.5 mm 8.4 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Dusk
  • Nordic Blue
  • Black
  • White
  • Green

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.7 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1080 x 2388
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 81.6 % 89.1 %
Pixel Density 270 PPI 391 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness 400 nits N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 119.53 mAh/in² 111.38 mAh/in²
Battery Density 47.56 mAh/cm³ 48.8 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5050 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Unisoc T606 (12 nm) Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPU Mali-G57 MP1 Adreno 610

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android N/A
Initial OS Version 11 N/A
Maximum OS Version 13

Comparison Summary

Okay, let's dive into a user-focused comparison of the Nokia G21 and Huawei nova 12i. Forget the spec sheet jargon for a moment; let’s talk about how these phones would fit into your life.

User Experience Analysis: A Tale of Two Phones

Feature CategoryNokia G21Huawei nova 12iUser Experience Impact
Interface DesignAndroid 11, aiming for simplicity and familiarity. The design prioritizes ease of use and clarity with a focus on stock Android experience with Nokia's clean interface.Runs a custom OS based on Android; the visual style emphasizes a modern, sleek aesthetic with more customization options.Nokia G21: Great for users who prefer a straightforward, uncluttered interface. Huawei nova 12i: Suits users who want a more stylish and personalized user interface with more options for customization and additional features. The experience is slightly different with the custom OS which includes its own ecosystem of apps and services.
Interaction FlowNavigation is largely dependent on the Android system, with simple and straightforward gestures for returning to home, going back, and bringing up the app drawer.Navigation is gesture-based, and it may require a slight learning curve, especially if you're coming from a stock Android phone.Nokia G21: Easy and familiar interaction, good for users who value straightforward navigation and ease of use. Huawei nova 12i: Can be more fluid and modern for those familiar with gesture-based navigation but a slight adjustment may be required initially.
Accessibility FeaturesStandard Android accessibility features including screen reader, magnification, and high-contrast text. May not have as many advanced customization options.Offers a similar suite of Android accessibility features but may offer greater range and granularity in customization.Both: Standard accessibility options are present. Users with specific accessibility needs might find the custom operating system on the Huawei offers greater fine-tuning but they must delve deeper.
Design ErgonomicsSlightly taller and wider, with a lighter feel. It is made from a sturdy plastic and is durable for daily use, though lacking the premium design touch.Slightly shorter and thinner, with a slightly heavier feel. Designed with more attention to visual appeal and ergonomics, with curved edges and refined aesthetic.Nokia G21: Comfortable for most users, though it may not have the most premium or visually impressive build. Huawei nova 12i: Offers a more contemporary and refined feel in the hand; it can be more appealing for users who prefer a sleeker, modern design, but may be slightly less comfortable for those who want a light phone.

Story Time: Bringing Tech to Life

Let’s step into a day with these phones:

Scenario 1: The Urban Explorer

Imagine Sarah, a city explorer. She's using her phone to navigate through busy streets and capture the essence of urban life, with the need to quickly capture and share on social media.

  • Nokia G21: With its reliable GPS and the familiar Android interface, Sarah can easily navigate to new locations. Its triple camera, with an additional macro lens, lets her capture city details and upload the images to her social media with ease.
  • Huawei nova 12i: The larger, sharper screen on the nova 12i makes the maps easier to read. The upgraded camera offers better image quality, ensuring that Sarah's photos of urban landscapes are vivid and detailed. Its fast charging allows for a quicker top-up during a coffee break.

Scenario 2: The Creative Content Creator

Now, meet Alex, a budding content creator. They need a phone that can keep up with their creative flow, from shooting videos to editing on the go.

  • Nokia G21: Alex appreciates the simplicity of capturing moments and editing on the go, the video quality is basic enough to edit content quickly for basic social media posts. The battery allows a full day's use, making sure that Alex's social media updates always reach the online world.
  • Huawei nova 12i: Alex benefits from the higher resolution screen, allowing for precise edits. With its more advanced camera setup, their video and photo content have a professional look and the larger storage size gives room for lots of content.

Scenario 3: The Everyday Communicator

Finally, consider David, who uses his phone primarily for communication, email and everyday tasks. They value simplicity, reliability and a long-lasting battery.

  • Nokia G21: The G21’s long battery life makes it ideal for David, and they appreciate the intuitive interface and simple interaction flow. The reliable connectivity means they can always stay in touch.
  • Huawei nova 12i: With the advanced sound features, David can fully enjoy their audio and media when consuming entertainment. The increased ram makes the phone smooth for most tasks.

Inclusive Tech: Tailoring to Diverse Needs

  • For the Budget-Conscious User: The Nokia G21 presents itself as a reliable option at a lower price.
  • For the Visually Inclined: The Huawei nova 12i's superior screen and camera system will be beneficial.
  • For the Customization Enthusiast: The Huawei nova 12i's custom UI offers more flexibility for personalization.
  • For the Tech Novice: The Nokia G21 offers a more familiar stock android experience that may be easier to pick up and use than the Huawei's custom UI.

Design-Centric Decision Framework

FeatureNokia G21Huawei nova 12iUser Recommendation
Display6.5”, lower resolution, standard brightness6.7”, higher resolution, standard brightnessThe Huawei is better for media consumption and clarity
PerformanceGood for basic tasksSlightly better for moderate tasksThe Huawei offers slightly better performance
CameraVersatile with macro lensSuperior main camera, better photosThe Huawei is better for everyday photos
Battery & ChargingLarge battery, slower chargingLarge battery, faster chargingThe Huawei is better for faster charging and those with shorter periods to charge their phone, the Nokia for users that want a phone to last the whole day
SoftwareStock AndroidCustom OS, different ecosystemThe Nokia for those who like a standard android experience, the Huawei for those that like a more custom experience.
StorageLower storage optionsHigher storage optionsThe Huawei is better for content creators and those that need space
DesignBasic, sturdy buildModern, sleek buildThe Huawei may appeal to those that value design more.

My Choice and Why

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would lean towards the Huawei nova 12i. Here's why, from a user-centric perspective:

  1. Better Display for Enjoyment: The higher resolution screen would significantly enhance my daily experience, whether I'm browsing, watching videos, or working.
  2. Improved Camera for Everyday Moments: As someone who uses their phone camera regularly, the significantly superior camera on the Huawei is a significant benefit.
  3. Faster Charging for Convenience: The 40W fast charging is a practical feature that suits my busy lifestyle.
  4. Slightly Better Performance: The increased RAM, slightly faster CPU, and updated GPU, offers better performance for everyday tasks and the occasional gaming session.

While the Nokia G21 is a reliable option with an affordable price, the Huawei nova 12i provides better user experience overall with its better display, camera, faster charging and increased performance, which I prioritize. It may cost a bit more, but the improvements are well worth the investment for the user who prioritizes these specific features.

Sophia Rodriguez
Sophia Rodriguez

Technology Communications Specialist

Expert in transforming complex technological innovations into accessible, engaging narratives.

Key Strengths:

  • Technology storytelling
  • User experience design analysis
  • Inclusive technology communication
  • Design-driven technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with human-centered understanding.