Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 vs Huawei nova 12i - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date August 11, 2023 April 16, 2024
Release Year 2023 2024

Physical

Volume 81.91 cm³ 102.47 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.58 "/g 3.37 "/g
Weight 187 g 199 g
Height 165.1 mm 163.3 mm
Width 71.9 mm 74.7 mm
Thickness 6.9 mm 8.4 mm
Foldable Design Yes No
Available Colors
  • Yellow
  • Blue
  • Green
  • Graphite
  • Gray
  • Mint
  • Lavender
  • Cream
  • Black
  • White
  • Green

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1080 x 2640 1080 x 2388
Aspect Ratio 22:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 85.5 % 89.1 %
Pixel Density 425 PPI 391 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness 1750 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 82.42 mAh/in² 111.38 mAh/in²
Battery Density 45.17 mAh/cm³ 48.8 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 3700 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 14

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy Z Flip5Huawei nova 12iPractical Impact
Design
Form FactorFoldableStandardZ Flip5 offers portability and a unique form factor but may be less durable. Nova 12i is a traditional slab phone.
Dimensions (mm)165.1 x 71.9 x 6.9 (folded)163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4Z Flip5 is significantly more compact when folded, making it pocket-friendly. Nova 12i is thinner when unfolded.
Weight (g)187199Z Flip5 is slightly lighter.
Display
TypeFoldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+IPS LCD, 90HzZ Flip5 offers superior contrast, vibrant colors, smoother scrolling, and higher peak brightness for better outdoor visibility.
Size (inches)6.76.7Same screen size.
Resolution1080 x 26401080 x 2388Z Flip5 has a slightly higher resolution, resulting in marginally sharper text and images.
Refresh Rate (Hz)12090Z Flip5 provides a smoother and more responsive user experience.
Peak Brightness1750 nitsNot specifiedZ Flip5's high peak brightness ensures excellent outdoor readability. Lack of data for Nova 12i limits comparison.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)Z Flip5 offers significantly better performance in demanding tasks, gaming, and multitasking.
CPUOcta-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & ...)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz...)Z Flip5's CPU is more powerful and efficient.
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 610Z Flip5 has a much more powerful GPU, ideal for gaming and graphically intensive applications.
RAM8GB8GBSame RAM capacity.
Storage512GB256GBZ Flip5 offers double the storage capacity.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)37005000Nova 12i has a significantly larger battery capacity, potentially offering longer battery life.
Other
OSAndroid 13Not specifiedOS for Nova 12i is unspecified, limiting comparison.
NFCYesYesBoth phones support contactless payments and data transfer.
USBUSB Type-C 3.2USB Type-C 2.0Z Flip5 offers faster data transfer speeds.
Video Capabilities4K@60fps (HDR), up to 960fps slow motion1080p@30fpsZ Flip5 provides significantly better video recording capabilities, including higher resolution, frame rates, and HDR.
SensorsAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, Fingerprint (side-mounted)Accelerometer, compass, Fingerprint (side-mounted)Z Flip5 includes additional sensors like gyro and barometer for enhanced functionality. Missing data for Nova 12i.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 Advantages:

  • Significantly more powerful: Superior chipset, CPU, and GPU for demanding tasks and gaming.
  • Higher quality display: Foldable Dynamic AMOLED with higher refresh rate, resolution, and brightness.
  • More versatile form factor: Foldable design for portability and unique usage scenarios.
  • Superior video recording: Higher resolution, frame rate, and HDR support.

Huawei nova 12i Advantages:

  • Larger battery capacity: Potentially longer battery life.
  • Potentially lower price: While both are in the "medium price" range, the Nova 12i may be more affordable depending on region-specific pricing.

Trade-offs:

  • Z Flip5: Higher price, smaller battery, potential durability concerns due to foldable design.
  • Nova 12i: Lower performance, less impressive display, standard form factor.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5: Users who prioritize performance, a premium display, a compact and unique design, and cutting-edge features. Ideal for content creation, gaming, and multitasking.

Huawei nova 12i: Users who prioritize battery life, affordability, and prefer a traditional smartphone experience. Suitable for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and communication. Lack of detailed specs limits specific use case recommendations.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions:

  1. What is your budget? The Z Flip5 is likely more expensive.
  2. What are your performance needs? For demanding tasks, the Z Flip5 is significantly better.
  3. Do you value portability and a unique design? The Z Flip5's foldable design is a key differentiator.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Heavy user, gamer, content creator: Z Flip5
  • Casual user, focused on battery life and affordability: Nova 12i (pending confirmation of final pricing and OS details)

My Choice: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5

While the Huawei nova 12i likely offers excellent battery life and potential affordability, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 is the clear winner for me. Its superior performance, stunning display, and innovative foldable design outweigh the smaller battery and potential price difference. The Z Flip5 offers a premium user experience that caters to my need for a powerful and portable device for productivity, entertainment, and content creation. The significantly faster processor and vastly superior GPU make the Z Flip5 a future-proof choice, capable of handling demanding applications for years to come. The lack of clear OS information and peak brightness data for the Nova 12i further solidifies my choice.

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.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.