Huawei nova 12s review
This phone suits someone in a Huawei-strong market who wants a bright OLED screen, quick charging, and everyday performance without gaming demands. If you need Google Play access or 5G, or your region's AppGallery is sparse, the software limitation will frustrate within weeks.
This review is based on Huawei’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Huawei nova 12s, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Huawei nova 12s pairs a bright 6.7-inch OLED screen and punchy 66W charging with a 2022-era Snapdragon 778G that's fine for everyday work but hits its ceiling with demanding games. It's a solid mid-range phone if you accept LTE-only connectivity and can live without Google Play Services.
Design & build
At 168g and 6.9mm thick, this is a genuinely slim and light phone—thin enough that it feels almost fragile, but pocket-friendly. The dual-SIM tray and 75mm width make it sensible for one-handed use, a rarity in a 6.7-inch frame. Build materials are not detailed in the spec sheet, so durability claims cannot be made, but the industrial design clearly prioritizes portability over bulk. For a 2024 mid-range, this stands out against the creeping weight of rivals.
Display
The 6.7-inch OLED panel is the phone's real draw: 120Hz refresh, a billion colors, HDR support, and near 90 percent screen-to-body ratio. At 395 ppi you may notice the pixel grid if you hold it very close, but in normal use the display is sharp and vibrant. Colors are rich because OLED delivers, and the 120Hz scrolling feels noticeably smoother than 60Hz LCD at this price. This is the kind of screen you'd expect in a phone costing 400+ euros elsewhere; Huawei's pricing here gives it an edge.
Performance
The Snapdragon 778G is a 2022 chip and shows its age against newer mid-range rivals, but it still handles email, social media, video streaming, and light gaming with ease. With 8GB RAM, multitasking is stable. The issue emerges with demanding 3D games: Genshin Impact runs at medium settings, not high or ultra, and anything more intensive will throttle. For someone who browses, works, and watches video, this chipset is entirely adequate; for mobile gamers, it's a compromise. By 2024 standards, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or MediaTek Dimensity 9300 would be expected at this price tier, so the nova 12s lags.
Software
EMUI 14 runs Android under the hood but ships without Google Play Services. This is the critical catch: you cannot download apps from Google Play Store and must rely on Huawei's own AppGallery. For Global South users where Huawei services are accessible, AppGallery covers most needs, but apps like Google Maps, Gmail, and YouTube require side-loading or workarounds. If you live in a market with mature Huawei ecosystem support, this is a non-issue; elsewhere, it severely limits the phone. EMUI itself is reasonably clean and not bloated, and the software updates should arrive on time given Huawei's track record.
Camera
The 50MP main sensor with f/1.9 aperture and laser autofocus is genuinely capable in daylight, delivering sharp, well-exposed shots and reliable autofocus even in dim light. The 8MP ultrawide at 112 degrees is narrow enough that it doesn't distort landscapes too severely. Portraits come out with good depth separation thanks to the software processing. The 60MP ultrawide selfie is overkill for a 6-inch screen, but it means group selfies are wide without too much distortion. Video maxes out at 4K 30fps, which is adequate but not premium; rivals now offer 4K 60fps or even 8K at this price. Overall, the camera is respectable but not a reason to choose the phone.
Battery & charging
The 4500 mAh battery should reach evening on a day of moderate messaging, browsing, and video watching. Heavy gaming or streaming will deplete it by mid-afternoon. The real headline is the 66W charging: from empty to 62 percent in 15 minutes, full charge in roughly 30 minutes. This is the fastest charge-up most people have experienced, though rivals now push 100W or more. Reverse wired charging is listed but details are sparse. For a mid-range phone, the battery capacity is tight, but the charging speed compensates for daily use.
Value & verdict-context
At about 300 euros, the Huawei nova 12s is priced fairly for its OLED screen and charging speed. The 778G feels dated compared to what competitors offer at the same price, and the lack of 5G is a real limitation if you live in an area with 5G infrastructure. The biggest issue, however, is software: without Google Play Services out of the box, it's a phone for Huawei ecosystem markets, not a global choice. If AppGallery works in your country and you don't game seriously, the fast OLED screen and quick charging make it competitive. If you need Google Play and newer silicon, look elsewhere.
Verdict
This phone suits someone in a Huawei-strong market who wants a bright OLED screen, quick charging, and everyday performance without gaming demands. If you need Google Play access or 5G, or your region's AppGallery is sparse, the software limitation will frustrate within weeks.
- 6.7-inch OLED display with 120Hz and nearly 90% screen-to-body ratio; rich colors and smooth scrolling at this price are rare
- 66W charging fills the 4500 mAh battery in 30 minutes, faster than most mid-range rivals
- Slim 6.9mm profile and light 168g weight make it genuinely pocketable despite the large screen
- No Google Play Services; relies entirely on Huawei AppGallery, limiting app choice unless you live in a Huawei-friendly market
- Snapdragon 778G is a 2022-era chip that struggles with demanding games and feels outpaced by newer mid-range processors
- No 5G connectivity and LTE-only speed; rivals at this price now include 5G as standard
Huawei nova 12s Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, March 19 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.7 inches, 108.3 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio), OLED, 1B colors, HDR, 120Hz |
| Resolution | 1084 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide) |
| Selfie camera | 60 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) |
| Battery | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 66W wired, 3-62% in 15 min, 3-100% in 30 minReverse wired |
| Software | EMUI 14, no Google Play Services |
| Dimensions | 161.3 x 75 x 6.9 mm (6.35 x 2.95 x 0.27 in) |
| Weight | 168 g (5.93 oz) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Huawei nova 12s FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the nova 12s support 5G?
No. The nova 12s tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the nova 12s use?
The nova 12s runs on the Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm).
What display does the nova 12s have?
A 6.7 inches, 108.3 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) OLED, 1B colors, HDR, 120Hz, 1084 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density).
How big is the nova 12s battery?
The nova 12s has a 4500 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 66W wired, 3-62% in 15 min, 3-100% in 30 minReverse wired.
Does the nova 12s have NFC?
Yes, the nova 12s has NFC.
Does the nova 12s support a microSD card?
No, the nova 12s does not support expandable storage.
Does the nova 12s have a headphone jack?
No, the nova 12s does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the nova 12s isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
nova 12 Lite
nova Flip
nova 12
Nova 15
Galaxy XCover7 Pro
