Nothing Phone (2) vs Huawei nova 12i - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date July 17, 2023 April 16, 2024
Release Year 2023 2024

Physical

Volume 106.51 cm³ 102.47 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.33 "/g 3.37 "/g
Weight 201.2 g 199 g
Height 162.1 mm 163.3 mm
Width 76.4 mm 74.7 mm
Thickness 8.6 mm 8.4 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • White
  • Dark Gray
  • Black
  • White
  • Green

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1080 x 2412 1080 x 2388
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.2 % 89.1 %
Pixel Density 394 PPI 391 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 1600 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1600 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 104.70 mAh/in² 111.38 mAh/in²
Battery Density 44.13 mAh/cm³ 48.8 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4700 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPU Adreno 730 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 13 N/A
Maximum OS Version 16

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureNothing Phone (2)Huawei nova 12iPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mmVirtually identical in size, with the Nova 12i being slightly thinner. Negligible difference in hand feel.
Weight201.2 g199 gNegligible weight difference.
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameMissing InformationBuild quality and durability comparison impossible without Nova 12i's build material.
Display
Display TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120HzIPS LCD, 90HzThe Nothing Phone (2) will have significantly better contrast, color accuracy, and smoother scrolling due to OLED technology and higher refresh rate.
Resolution1080 x 24121080 x 2388Nearly identical resolution, resulting in similar sharpness.
Peak Brightness1600 nitsMissing InformationThe Phone (2)'s high peak brightness ensures excellent outdoor visibility. Comparison impossible without Nova 12i's peak brightness data.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm)Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm)The Phone (2) will offer significantly faster performance, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities due to a much more powerful chipset.
CPUOcta-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)The Phone (2)'s CPU architecture is newer and more powerful, leading to a substantial performance advantage.
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 610Phone (2)'s GPU provides a substantial advantage in graphics-intensive tasks like gaming and video editing.
RAM12GB8GBMore RAM in the Phone (2) allows for more apps to run in the background and smoother multitasking.
Storage256GB/512GB256GBSimilar storage options, although Phone (2) offers a 512GB variant for users needing more space.
Camera
Video Capabilities4K@30/60fps (HDR, OIS, EIS), 1080p@30/60fps (HDR, OIS, EIS)1080p@30fpsThe Phone (2) offers superior video recording capabilities with higher resolution, frame rates, and stabilization (OIS, EIS) resulting in smoother, more detailed videos. Missing detailed camera specs for both phones prevents further comparison.
Battery
Capacity4700 mAh5000 mAhThe Nova 12i has a slightly larger battery capacity, potentially offering longer battery life. However, real-world battery life depends on various factors including software optimization and display type.
Software
OSAndroid 13Missing InformationComparison impossible without knowing the Nova 12i's operating system.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Nothing Phone (2) Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: Significantly faster processor, GPU, and more RAM.
  • Better Display: OLED technology with higher refresh rate and peak brightness.
  • Superior Video Recording: Higher resolution, frame rates, and stabilization.

Huawei nova 12i Potential Advantages:

  • Larger Battery: Potentially longer battery life, though real-world usage may vary.
  • Potentially Lower Price: Depending on regional pricing, the Nova 12i might be more affordable.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Nothing Phone (2): Users who prioritize performance, a high-quality display, and smooth multitasking, such as gamers, power users, and content creators.

Huawei nova 12i: Users on a tighter budget who prioritize basic functionality and potentially longer battery life. Best for casual users primarily focused on communication and light web browsing. Missing OS information makes a definitive recommendation challenging.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions:

  1. What is your budget? The Phone (2) is likely more expensive.
  2. What are your primary use cases? Gaming, content creation, or casual usage?
  3. How important is display quality and performance?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Gamer: Nothing Phone (2) for its superior performance.
  • Casual User: Potentially the Nova 12i if the price is significantly lower and basic functionality is sufficient. However, the lack of OS information is a significant concern.
  • Content Creator: Nothing Phone (2) for its performance and video recording capabilities.

My Choice: Nothing Phone (2)

While lacking complete information on the Huawei nova 12i makes a definitive comparison difficult, the Nothing Phone (2) is the clear winner based on the available data. The significantly more powerful processor, superior display technology, and advanced video recording capabilities offer a substantial upgrade in user experience. The slightly smaller battery is a minor trade-off considering the substantial performance gains. The missing OS information for the Nova 12i is a major red flag, as it raises concerns about software support and overall user experience. Even if the Nova 12i were significantly cheaper, the performance and feature disparity would make the Nothing Phone (2) a much better long-term investment for most users. The superior hardware ensures a smoother, more responsive experience across a wider range of applications and use cases.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Digital media communication
  • Technical storytelling
  • User-centric technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.