Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Realme C35 and the Huawei nova 12i. I'll break down the specs, analyze what they mean for real users, and help you figure out which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of the key specs, along with their real-world implications:
| Feature | Realme C35 | Huawei nova 12i | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 × 75.6 × 8.1 mm | 163.3 × 74.7 × 8.4 mm | The Realme C35 is a bit taller and thinner, while the nova 12i is slightly more compact and thicker. Both are fairly similar in size and should handle well. |
| Weight | 189g | 199g | The Realme C35 is 10g lighter, which may feel noticeable during long usage, and slightly more pocket-friendly. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | The nova 12i offers a slightly larger screen, which is better for media consumption. It is marginal though. |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 1080x2388 | Both phones have sharp, Full HD+ resolution that are similar, so they provide sharp visuals for everyday use. |
| PPI | 401 | 391 | Both phones have a sharp pixel density. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both have IPS LCD which means similar viewing angles and color accuracy. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The nova 12i's 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel smoother, a nice upgrade for user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness will be similar on both, although a specification is not available. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | The Snapdragon 680 in the nova 12i is more efficient and powerful, resulting in better app performance and smoother multitasking compared to the C35. |
| AnTuTu Score | 230,726 | 289,000 | The nova 12i benchmarks significantly better, suggesting it can handle demanding tasks like gaming and heavy app use better than the Realme C35. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 610 | The Adreno 610 in the nova 12i is a step up in terms of graphics capability and will perform better in games. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery life, supporting a full day’s usage for most users. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 40W fast charging | The nova 12i charges much faster, reducing downtime and enabling quick top-ups. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Standard for most modern smartphones. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.67", Samsung HM6 | The nova 12i’s 108MP sensor should capture more detailed photos, while the Realme has a slightly wider aperture for low light situations. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Both have an 8MP selfie cam, which means similar selfie performance. |
| Portrait Mode | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The nova 12i includes a dedicated depth sensor, for a better Bokeh effect. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The Realme C35 has a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots. |
| B&W lens | 2MP, f/2.8 | None | The Realme C35 includes a dedicated B&W lens. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both phones have a standard video recording capability. |
| Camera Features | Triple camera, digital image stabilization, CDAF | Dual camera, PDAF | The Realme has triple cameras while the nova 12i uses dual cam, however the nova's main camera is much more powerful, plus it has a portrait camera. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Realme C35 runs on Android 11. Huawei nova 12i operating system is unknown. | |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both have standard WiFi, however the Nova has extra features. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.0 LE, LDAC, SBC, AAC | The nova 12i has better codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The nova 12i has better GPS support, which is good for accurate navigation. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support Dual SIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | The nova 12i has more storage, which is useful for keeping lots of photos, videos and files. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | The nova 12i has double the RAM, which improves multitasking performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio | Basic | Basic | Audio features are basic for both. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both have convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensors. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Screen protection will be similar. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual, gravity | The Realme includes a Gyroscope sensor, useful for 360 videos, the nova 12i includes additional sensors and includes a fingerprint sensor as well. |
2. Key Insights
Realme C35:
- Strengths: The Realme C35 is a fairly budget friendly option. It has a good main camera for daylight situations, and a good set of additional cameras such as the macro and black and white lenses. It includes a Gyroscope sensor.
- Competitive Advantages: Lighter and a bit thinner than the nova 12i
- Trade-offs: Lacks the performance edge of the nova 12i and slower charging. It has a less powerful GPU and only has 4GB of RAM.
Huawei nova 12i:
- Strengths: The nova 12i has a more powerful processor, which performs noticeably better in benchmarking, as well as twice the RAM. It features a faster refresh rate screen, and faster charging than the Realme. The main camera is a much higher megapixel count than the Realme's. It also has better GPS and Bluetooth support.
- Competitive Advantages: The significantly better chipset (Snapdragon 680), more RAM, faster 40W charging, and larger main camera sensor are major upgrades in comparison to the C35.
- Trade-offs: The Nova 12i is slightly heavier, thicker, and lacks the Gyroscope feature, but gains a fingerprint sensor instead.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Realme C35 is best for:
- Budget-conscious users: Who prioritize a low price point above all else.
- Users needing a basic smartphone: Those who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, and light social media.
- Users who want a lighter phone: For pocket-friendly convenience.
- Users who would utilise a Gyroscope sensor: 360 video applications.
Huawei nova 12i is best for:
- Performance-focused users: Those who want a smooth experience while gaming and using a variety of apps.
- Users wanting better battery performance and faster charging: It’s a great device for those on the go.
- Photography enthusiasts: The 108MP main camera offers better detail and image quality.
- Those looking for better connectivity: Including advanced Bluetooth audio codecs and extra GPS support.
- Those wanting more RAM and storage: The extra RAM makes multitasking smooth and the larger internal storage allows for keeping more files.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to ask when choosing between these phones:
- How important is performance for you?
- If you need a snappy experience for gaming and multitasking, the nova 12i is better. If you want to save money, the C35 is a reasonable choice for basic tasks.
- Do you value faster charging?
- If you need to quickly top up your phone, the nova 12i's 40W charging is a clear winner. The Realme C35 charges significantly slower.
- How important is camera quality?
- If image quality matters a lot, the 108MP sensor in the nova 12i is a significant upgrade, and will take clearer and sharper images. If you value the additional Macro and Black and White lenses, then the C35 might be suitable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Budget User: If you just want a basic phone, the Realme C35 will do the job.
- The Daily Driver: If you need a phone that can keep up with all your daily tasks, then the nova 12i is the better choice.
- The Mobile Gamer/Multitasker: The nova 12i wins this category as the additional RAM, stronger processor, and more powerful GPU, means a smoother experience.
- The Photographer: If you prioritise camera clarity, the Nova 12i is the better choice. However if you are looking for a wider variety of additional lenses, the C35 has a dedicated Macro and B&W lens.
What I would choose and why!
Given the detailed specs and my understanding of practical usability, I would choose the Huawei nova 12i without hesitation.
Here's why:
- Performance Edge: The Snapdragon 680 chipset and 8GB of RAM provide a superior and smoother overall experience. This means quicker app loading, better multitasking, and better gaming performance, which is crucial for daily satisfaction.
- Faster Charging: The 40W fast charging is a significant convenience. It reduces the time plugged into the wall, which fits into my on-the-go lifestyle.
- Improved Camera: The 108MP main camera captures significantly better detailed images, which is great for capturing everyday moments with clarity. The additional depth sensor is also a nice addition to give that Bokeh effect on Portrait images.
- Future-Proofing: The nova 12i offers more RAM and storage and feels like a more future-proof device.
- Enhanced connectivity: The additional GPS features will be useful in everyday situations.
- Better Codec Support: The addition of LDAC, SBC, and AAC codecs means better sound quality using bluetooth headphones and accessories.
While the Realme C35 is lighter and cheaper, the nova 12i’s superior performance, charging speed, main camera and connectivity make it the better investment for my needs. I prefer a phone that is responsive, takes good photos, and charges quickly—the nova 12i fits these requirements perfectly and provides more for the user's investment.
