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

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

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

Physical

Volume 91.39 cm³ 102.47 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.37 "/g 3.37 "/g
Weight 196 g 199 g
Height 157.8 mm 163.3 mm
Width 76.2 mm 74.7 mm
Thickness 7.6 mm 8.4 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Green
  • Graphite
  • Phantom Black
  • Lavender
  • Cream
  • Lime
  • Black
  • White
  • Green

Display

Screen Size 6.6 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1080 x 2340 1080 x 2388
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 88.9 % 89.1 %
Pixel Density 393 PPI 391 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 1200 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1750 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 107.90 mAh/in² 111.38 mAh/in²
Battery Density 51.43 mAh/cm³ 48.8 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4700 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPU Adreno 740 Adreno 610

Connectivity

USB Version 3.2 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.2, OTG USB Type-C 2.0

Software

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

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S23+Huawei nova 12iPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4S23+ is slightly smaller and thinner, making it more pocketable.
Weight (g)196199Negligible weight difference.
Build MaterialUnspecifiedUnspecifiedMaterial differences could impact durability and premium feel; information is lacking.
Display
Display TypeDynamic AMOLED 2XIPS LCDS23+ offers significantly better contrast, colors, and viewing angles due to AMOLED technology.
Display Size (inches)6.66.7Nova 12i has a slightly larger screen, but the difference is minimal.
Resolution1080 x 23401080 x 2388Nearly identical resolutions; sharpness will be similar.
Refresh Rate (Hz)12090S23+'s 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and animations.
Peak Brightness (nits)1750UnspecifiedS23+ likely offers better outdoor visibility due to higher peak brightness. Missing Nova 12i data limits comparison.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm)Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm)S23+ boasts a significantly more powerful processor, resulting in much faster performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
CPUOcta-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)The S23+'s CPU architecture and higher clock speeds deliver a substantial performance advantage.
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 610S23+'s GPU offers significantly better graphics performance for gaming and visually intensive applications.
RAM (GB)88Equal RAM capacity.
Camera
Main Camera (MP)50108While Nova 12i has higher megapixels, S23+'s larger sensor (1/1.57\" vs 1/1.67\") and wider aperture (f/1.8 vs f/1.9) likely result in better low-light performance and overall image quality. Megapixel count isn't everything.
Ultrawide (MP)12.2UnspecifiedS23+ has a dedicated ultrawide lens; unclear if Nova 12i has one.
Telephoto (MP)10UnspecifiedS23+ offers optical zoom; unclear if Nova 12i has a dedicated telephoto lens.
Video RecordingUp to 8K@30fpsUp to 1080p@30fpsS23+ supports much higher video resolution and frame rates.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)47005000Nova 12i has a slightly larger battery capacity, potentially offering longer battery life.
Fast Charging (W)45W40WS23+ supports slightly faster wired charging.
Wireless Charging10WUnspecifiedS23+ supports wireless charging; unclear if Nova 12i does.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy S23+ Advantages:

  • Significantly superior performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers a massive performance leap over the Snapdragon 680, beneficial for demanding tasks, gaming, and future-proofing.
  • Better display: AMOLED technology offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and wider viewing angles. Higher refresh rate enhances smoothness.
  • More versatile camera system: Dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom and likely better overall image quality due to sensor size and aperture. Superior video recording capabilities.
  • Faster charging: Supports slightly faster wired charging.

Huawei nova 12i Advantages:

  • Larger battery: Potentially longer battery life.
  • Lower price: Based on provided pricing data, significantly more affordable.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy S23+: Users who prioritize performance, a premium display, a versatile camera system, and a smooth user experience. Ideal for power users, gamers, content creators, and photography enthusiasts.

Huawei nova 12i: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and basic smartphone functionality. Suitable for casual users primarily focused on communication, social media, and light web browsing.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The S23+ is significantly more expensive.
  2. What are your primary smartphone usage patterns? Demanding tasks and gaming benefit from the S23+'s superior performance.
  3. How important are camera quality and display quality to you? The S23+ offers a clear advantage in both areas.

My Choice: Samsung Galaxy S23+

While the Huawei nova 12i offers a larger battery and lower price, the Samsung Galaxy S23+ is the clear winner for me. The substantial performance difference, superior display, more versatile camera system, and faster charging outweigh the minor battery capacity and price advantages of the Nova 12i. I prioritize a smooth and responsive user experience, high-quality visuals, and the ability to handle demanding tasks and future software updates, which the S23+ delivers convincingly. The price difference is justified by the significant upgrade in overall quality and performance. The lack of key specifications for the Nova 12i, particularly regarding display brightness and camera details, also makes it difficult to fully assess its capabilities.

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.

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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.