Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE vs Huawei nova 12i - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

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

Physical

Volume 274.06 cm³ 102.47 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 2.08 "/g 3.37 "/g
Weight 523 g 199 g
Height 254.3 mm 163.3 mm
Width 165.8 mm 74.7 mm
Thickness 6.5 mm 8.4 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Silver
  • Gray
  • Mint
  • Lavender
  • Black
  • White
  • Green

Display

Screen Size 10.9 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1440 x 2304 1080 x 2388
Aspect Ratio 16:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 81.7 % 89.1 %
Pixel Density 249 PPI 391 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 67.33 mAh/in² 111.38 mAh/in²
Battery Density 29.19 mAh/cm³ 48.8 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 8000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support No Yes
Chipset Exynos 1380 (5 nm) Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPU Mali-G68 MP5 Adreno 610

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, Magnetic Connector 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 Tab S9 FEHuawei nova 12iPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions254.3 x 165.8 x 6.5 mm163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mmThe Tab S9 FE is significantly larger, reflecting its tablet nature, while the nova 12i is a more pocketable smartphone.
Weight523g199gThe Tab S9 FE is much heavier, less suitable for one-handed use and extended holding.
Display
Size10.9"6.7"Larger display on the Tab S9 FE offers more immersive content consumption but reduced portability.
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzIPS LCD, 90HzBoth offer smooth scrolling and animations, but IPS LCD may have limitations in color accuracy and viewing angles compared to AMOLED.
Resolution1440 x 23041080 x 2388Higher resolution on Tab S9 FE results in sharper text and images, especially beneficial on a larger screen.
PPI249391Despite lower PPI, the Tab S9 FE's larger screen provides more overall detail. Nova 12i's higher PPI results in sharper individual elements.
Performance
ChipsetExynos 1380 (5nm)Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm)Exynos 1380 generally offers better performance in demanding tasks and multitasking.
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)Tab S9 FE likely has a performance advantage due to newer CPU architecture.
GPUMali-G68 MP5Adreno 610Mali-G68 MP5 offers better gaming and graphics performance.
RAM8GB8GBBoth offer ample RAM for smooth multitasking.
Storage256GB256GBBoth offer the same storage capacity.
Battery
Capacity8000 mAh5000 mAhSignificantly larger battery in the Tab S9 FE should provide much longer battery life.
Other
OSAndroid 13Missing OS information for the nova 12i hinders comparison.
NFCNoYesNova 12i supports contactless payments and data transfer via NFC.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Advantages:

  • Larger, higher-resolution display: Better for media consumption, multitasking, and creative work.
  • More powerful processor and GPU: Smoother performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
  • Significantly longer battery life: Ideal for extended use without frequent charging.

Huawei nova 12i Advantages:

  • More portable and lightweight: Easier to carry and use one-handed.
  • NFC support: Enables contactless payments and data transfer.
  • Potentially lower price: While both are mid-range, the nova 12i might be more budget-friendly.

Trade-offs:

  • Tab S9 FE: Larger size and weight compromise portability. Lack of NFC is a notable omission.
  • Nova 12i: Smaller display and less powerful performance limit productivity and entertainment capabilities.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE: Ideal for users who prioritize a large screen for media consumption, creative work (with a stylus), multitasking, and long battery life. Students, artists, and entertainment enthusiasts would benefit.

Huawei nova 12i: Suitable for users who value portability, one-handed use, and NFC functionality for daily tasks and communication. Suitable for users prioritizing a balanced smartphone experience without demanding high performance.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your primary use case? (Media consumption, productivity, gaming, communication)
  2. How important is portability? (Do you need a device that easily fits in a pocket?)
  3. What is your budget? (Consider the price difference between the two devices.)

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Frequent traveler: Nova 12i for its portability and NFC for mobile payments.
  • Student needing a device for note-taking and media consumption: Tab S9 FE for its larger screen and long battery life.
  • Casual gamer: Tab S9 FE for its superior performance.

My Choice: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE

While I acknowledge the portability advantage of the Huawei nova 12i, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE. The significantly larger and higher resolution display, coupled with the more powerful processor and substantially longer battery life, are compelling advantages for my usage. I prioritize media consumption, productivity tasks, and having a device that can handle demanding applications without frequent charging. The lack of NFC is a drawback, but the overall benefits of the Tab S9 FE outweigh this inconvenience for me. I would likely use this device primarily at home or in settings where portability is less critical, making the larger size less of an issue.

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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