Samsung Galaxy S23 FE vs Huawei nova 12i - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date October 5, 2023 April 16, 2024
Release Year 2023 2024

Physical

Volume 99.11 cm³ 102.47 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.06 "/g 3.37 "/g
Weight 209 g 199 g
Height 158 mm 163.3 mm
Width 76.5 mm 74.7 mm
Thickness 8.2 mm 8.4 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Purple
  • Graphite
  • Mint
  • Cream
  • Indigo
  • Tangerine
  • Black
  • White
  • Green

Display

Screen Size 6.4 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1080 x 2340 1080 x 2388
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 83.2 % 89.1 %
Pixel Density 403 PPI 391 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness 1450 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 109.86 mAh/in² 111.38 mAh/in²
Battery Density 45.4 mAh/cm³ 48.8 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4500 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Exynos 2200 (4 nm) - International Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) - International Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPU Xclipse 920 - International Adreno 610

Connectivity

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

Software

Operating System Android N/A
Initial OS Version 13 N/A
Maximum OS Version 17

Comparison Summary

Let's dive into a comparative analysis of the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and the Huawei nova 12i, dissecting their specifications and uncovering what they truly offer users.

1. Specifications Breakdown

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S23 FEHuawei nova 12iReal-World Implications
Design
Dimensions158x76.5x8.2mm163.3x74.7x8.4mmS23 FE is slightly more compact. Nova 12i is taller and slightly thicker.
Weight209g199gNova 12i is marginally lighter, but the difference is negligible in real-world use.
Display
Display TypeDynamic AMOLED 2XIPS LCDS23 FE offers superior contrast, vibrant colors, and deeper blacks due to AMOLED technology.
Refresh Rate120Hz90HzS23 FE provides smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall feel.
Peak Brightness1450 nitsN/AS23 FE boasts significantly higher peak brightness, ensuring excellent outdoor visibility.
Resolution1080x23401080x2388Nova 12i has a slightly taller aspect ratio, but both offer sharp visuals due to similar pixel density.
Performance
ChipsetExynos 2200 (4nm)Snapdragon 680 (6nm)Exynos 2200 boasts flagship-level performance, though it can run hotter. Snapdragon 680 focuses on efficiency.
CPUOcta-core (Cortex-X2, A710, A510)Octa-core (Cortex-A73, A53)S23 FE provides significantly higher processing power for demanding tasks and gaming.
GPUXclipse 920Adreno 610S23 FE offers a more powerful GPU for graphically intensive applications and games.
RAM8GB8GBBoth phones have ample RAM for multitasking.
Storage256GB256GBBoth phones offer the same storage capacity.
Battery
Capacity4500mAh5000mAhNova 12i has a larger battery capacity, potentially leading to longer battery life.

2. Key Insights

The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is clearly the more powerful device, geared towards users who demand high performance for gaming, content creation, and demanding multitasking. Its superior display delivers a vibrant and immersive visual experience. However, the Exynos 2200's potential for overheating under heavy load is a concern.

The Huawei nova 12i, on the other hand, prioritizes battery life and affordability. While not as powerful, the Snapdragon 680 provides decent performance for everyday tasks. The lack of specific brightness data for the nova 12i is a notable omission, making it difficult to fully assess its display quality.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

S23 FE: Ideal for power users, gamers, and content creators who prioritize performance and a premium display.

Nova 12i: Suitable for budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and reliable performance for everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and light gaming.

4. Buying Decision Framework

Questions to Consider:

  1. What is your budget? The S23 FE will likely command a higher price due to its superior specs.
  2. What are your primary use cases? Gamers and power users will lean towards the S23 FE, while casual users might find the Nova 12i sufficient.
  3. How important is battery life to you? The Nova 12i's larger battery suggests potentially longer usage time.

My Choice

If I were choosing between these two, I'd opt for the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE. While the Nova 12i offers a tempting larger battery, the S23 FE's superior performance, vibrant AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and overall more premium feel are compelling. I value a smooth and responsive user experience, especially for tasks like gaming and photo editing, where the S23 FE's powerful hardware would shine. I'm also willing to manage battery life more actively to gain the significant performance advantages offered by the S23 FE. Furthermore, the potential overheating of the Exynos 2200 is a concern, but manageable with mindful usage. The lack of OS details for the Nova 12i is also a significant factor in my decision. Ultimately, the S23 FE aligns better with my priorities as a tech enthusiast who values performance and a premium user experience.

Alex Griffin
Alex Griffin

Technology analyst specializing in mobile devices and consumer electronics.

Core Expertise

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Consumer electronics evaluation
  • Technical specification interpretation
  • User experience insights

Professional Mission Empowering readers to make informed technology decisions by transforming intricate specifications into understandable, practical guidance.

Demystifying technology, one device at a time.