Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy M12 vs. Huawei nova 11
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-04-30 | 2023-04-27 | Huawei nova 11 is significantly newer, likely offering more up-to-date software and features. |
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 161.3 × 75 × 6.9 mm | Huawei nova 11 is slimmer and slightly smaller, making it more pocketable and comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 212g | 168g | Huawei nova 11 is noticeably lighter, enhancing comfort during prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Huawei nova 11 has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1084x2412 | Huawei nova 11 has a significantly sharper display, with much more detail and clarity. |
| Pixel Density | 270 ppi | 391 ppi | Huawei nova 11 offers noticeably clearer text and images due to the higher pixel density. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | OLED | Huawei nova 11's OLED display provides superior contrast, richer colors, and deeper blacks, enhancing overall viewing quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Huawei nova 11 offers smoother scrolling and animations, leading to a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | Huawei nova 11 is significantly better for outdoor visibility, even in bright sunlight, due to its much higher brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | Huawei nova 11's chipset is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 587,561 | Huawei nova 11 offers substantially better performance for demanding tasks and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 642L | Huawei nova 11's GPU offers better graphics performance, leading to a smoother gaming experience. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Samsung Galaxy M12 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 66W fast charging | Huawei nova 11 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime and ensuring quick power-ups. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Huawei nova 11 can act as a power bank for other devices, offering convenient charging on the go. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0 | 50MP, f/1.9 | Huawei nova 11 has a slightly wider aperture and higher resolution, likely capturing slightly better low-light photos. |
| Front Main Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 60MP, f/2.4 | Huawei nova 11 takes much higher-resolution selfies, offering greater detail and clarity. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | Not available | Samsung Galaxy M12 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in the frame. |
| Portrait (Depth) Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not available | Samsung Galaxy M12 has a depth sensor that helps achieve a better bokeh effect |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not available | Samsung Galaxy M12 has a dedicated macro lens for capturing detailed close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | Not Available | 8MP, f/2.2 | Huawei nova 11 combines a wide-angle and macro camera into one lens, offering versatility. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@960fps (EIS) | Huawei nova 11 offers better slow-motion capabilities and stabilization, while Samsung provides standard social media video quality. |
| Camera Features | Quad, PDAF, HDR | Dual, DIS, PDAF, 4K Video, RAW | Huawei nova 11 provides more advanced video features and RAW image capabilities, while the Samsung offers a more diverse set of cameras |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Unknown | Samsung Galaxy M12 has a known OS, while the Huawei nova 11 OS is currently unknown, making specific software features and compatibilities unknown |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | Huawei nova 11 supports newer Wi-Fi standards, offering faster speeds and better performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 LE | Huawei nova 11 has a newer Bluetooth version with low-energy consumption and improved codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, NavIC | Huawei nova 11 supports more satellite systems, resulting in more accurate positioning. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both support dual SIM usage. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Huawei nova 11 offers significantly more internal storage options, accommodating larger media libraries. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 6/8/12 GB | Huawei nova 11 has more RAM, leading to better multitasking and smoother app performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, requiring reliance on built-in storage or cloud solutions. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio | Stereo Speakers | Huawei nova 11 has stereo speakers offering more immersive and richer sound, and is superior for media consumption. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | Samsung Galaxy M12 features a side-mounted fingerprint reader, which may be seen as better by some. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Huawei Nova 11 has an additional compass sensor, which is useful for navigation. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | No information on screen protection is available for either device. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Offers a slightly larger 5000 mAh battery, which may translate to slightly longer battery life, especially for light users.
- Dedicated Camera Lenses: Includes a dedicated wide-angle, macro and depth sensor.
Huawei nova 11 Advantages:
- Superior Display: Offers a much higher resolution, sharper OLED display with a faster refresh rate and better brightness.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 778G chipset provides drastically better performance, making it suitable for demanding applications and games.
- Much Faster Charging: 66W charging significantly reduces charging times, improving convenience.
- Advanced Camera Features: Captures much higher resolution selfies and supports 4K video recording, digital image stabilization and RAW photography.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers more internal storage and ram.
- Better Audio: Has stereo speakers
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy M12: Sacrifices performance, display quality, and faster charging for a potentially longer battery life.
- Huawei nova 11: Has a slightly smaller battery and lacks dedicated wide angle, macro and depth lenses.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Prioritizes affordability over top-tier performance and features.
- Users needing long battery life: Values longer battery life and basic smartphone functionalities.
- Users who take close up photos: Uses the macro and wide angle lenses
- Light users: Who do not heavily use resource intensive applications like gaming.
Use Cases:
- Everyday communication (calls, messaging).
- Basic web browsing and social media.
- Casual photography.
- Extended battery life for travel or situations with limited charging access.
Huawei nova 11 Ideal User:
- Performance-oriented users: Who need a powerful device for gaming, multitasking, and resource-intensive apps.
- Users who value a high-quality display: Wants a vibrant and sharp display for media consumption.
- Users who take selfies: Captures high quality selfie images
- Users who prioritize camera quality: Needs better cameras and video features.
- Users who value fast charging: Prefers fast charging for convenience.
- Users who consume media: Values the stereo speakers
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and streaming.
- Demanding productivity tasks.
- High-quality photo and video capture.
- Multimedia consumption with vibrant visuals.
- Frequent travelers needing fast charging and more accurate GPS.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If budget is the primary constraint, Samsung Galaxy M12 may be more suitable.
- How important is performance? If you need smooth performance for games and intensive tasks, the Huawei nova 11 is a much better choice.
- What are your display preferences? If you value a sharp, vibrant display, the Huawei nova 11 is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is the main concern. Choose the Samsung Galaxy M12 for basic smartphone needs.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Display are Important. Choose the Huawei nova 11 for a much more premium experience.
- Scenario 3: Battery life is key, and you only use basic functions. The Samsung Galaxy M12 might be a better choice due to a slightly larger battery capacity.
Personal Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Huawei nova 11. Although the lack of a dedicated macro and wide angle lens on the nova 11 is disappointing, the overall package is vastly superior. I prioritize a high-quality display, fast performance, and a superior camera system. The drastically better display, chipset, fast charging and camera system of the nova 11 outweighs the larger battery on the M12, especially since the nova 11 also has reverse charging which can be very convenient. The Huawei nova 11 offers a more future-proof device with a much better overall user experience.
