Huawei Hi Nova 12z specifications and in-depth review

Huawei Hi Nova 12z

Manufacturer: Huawei

The Huawei Hi Nova 12z is a smartphone that blends sleek design with strong performance. It features a vibrant 6.67″ OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, making it a solid choice for everyday use. With 8GB of RAM and a powerful HiSilicon Kirin 8000 chipset, the device offers a smooth and responsive experience. The phone also boasts a generous 256GB of internal storage, allowing for ample space for apps, media, and more. The battery, with a capacity of 4500 mAh, supports fast charging at 66W, ensuring you can quickly power up when needed. Its 32MP front camera ensures high-quality selfies and video calls.

The Huawei Hi Nova 12z delivers a range of impressive technical features. It supports 5G connectivity for fast internet speeds, and the dual-lens main camera setup, equipped with phase-detection autofocus, ensures sharp photos. The device is also equipped with a fingerprint scanner for added security. Notable connectivity options include NFC, Bluetooth 5.1, and USB Type-C, and it also supports multiple sensors such as a gyroscope, GPS, and barometer. With a smooth OLED display and a robust performance package, this smartphone caters to both casual and power users alike.

Pros
  • Supports 5G connectivity for faster data speeds.
  • Has NFC for easy wireless communication with other devices.
  • Includes a fingerprint scanner for enhanced security.
  • Supports GPS and a compass for accurate location tracking.
Cons
  • Lacks wireless charging support.
  • Does not have a curved display, which might limit design appeal for some users.
  • No external memory slot for additional storage expansion.
  • Does not support sapphire glass display, which is more resistant to scratches.
Who is this for?

This product is ideal for users who prioritize fast connectivity and security features, thanks to its 5G support and fingerprint scanner. It is also a great choice for those who need reliable location tracking with GPS and a compass. Whether for navigation, outdoor activities, or general daily use, it is well-suited for users looking for connectivity and convenience in urban and varied environments.

Who is this NOT for?

This product may not be the best choice for users who need extensive storage expansion or the latest in display durability. It lacks an external memory slot for extra storage and does not feature a sapphire glass display, which is more resistant to scratches. Additionally, those seeking wireless charging or a curved display for enhanced design might find it lacking in these areas.

Design:

weight 185 g
thickness 7.5 mm
width 75.5 mm
height 162.4 mm
volume 91.959 cm³
has a rugged build
can be folded

The design of the Huawei Hi Nova 12z is sleek and compact, featuring a weight of 185 g and a thickness of just 7.5 mm, making it comfortable to hold and use. With dimensions of 75.5 mm in width and 162.4 mm in height, it offers a balanced form factor. The phone’s total volume is 91.959 cm³, which contributes to its slim profile. While it does not have a rugged build, it is built for everyday use without the ability to fold.

Display:

Display type OLED/AMOLED
screen size 6.67"
pixel density 395 ppi
resolution 1080 x 2400 px
refresh rate 120Hz
has branded damage-resistant glass
supports HDR10
supports HDR10+
supports Dolby Vision
Has a secondary screen
has a touch screen

The Huawei Hi Nova 12z features a 6.67″ OLED/AMOLED display, offering a sharp resolution of 1080 x 2400 px and a pixel density of 395 ppi for clear, detailed visuals. The display supports a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, providing a fluid experience during interactions. Although it lacks branded damage-resistant glass and advanced HDR technologies like HDR10 or Dolby Vision, it does offer a responsive touch screen for user convenience.

Performance:

internal storage 256GB
RAM 8GB
Chipset (SoC) name HiSilicon Kirin 8000
GPU name Maleoon 910
CPU speed 1 x 2.2 & 3 x 1.5 & 4 x 2 GHz
GPU clock speed 750 MHz
Has integrated LTE
RAM speed 2200 MHz
semiconductor size 5 nm
Supports 64-bit
Has integrated graphics
Uses big.LITTLE technology
maximum memory amount 16GB
uses multithreading
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 6W
DDR memory version 4

The Huawei Hi Nova 12z is powered by the HiSilicon Kirin 8000 chipset and features 8GB of RAM, providing a smooth and responsive performance. With a total CPU clock speed of up to 2.2 GHz for one core and 1.5 GHz for three cores, plus four cores running at 2.0 GHz, the device ensures efficient multitasking and processing power. The integrated Maleoon 910 GPU runs at a clock speed of 750 MHz, handling graphics tasks with ease. It also supports 256GB of internal storage and has the capability to handle up to 16GB of RAM, thanks to its 5 nm semiconductor size and multithreading support for enhanced performance across multiple tasks.

Cameras:

Has a dual-lens (or multi-lens) main camera
megapixels (front camera) 32MP
has built-in optical image stabilization
video recording (main camera) 1080 x 30 fps
Has a dual-tone LED flash
number of flash LEDs 2
has a BSI sensor
has a CMOS sensor
has continuous autofocus when recording movies
Has phase-detection autofocus for photos
supports slow-motion video recording
has a built-in HDR mode
has manual exposure
has a flash
optical zoom 0x
has manual ISO
has a serial shot mode
has manual focus
has a front camera
Has laser autofocus
Shoots 360° panorama
has manual white balance
shoots raw
has touch autofocus
has manual shutter speed
can create panoramas in-camera
wide aperture (front camera) 2.45f
Has timelapse function
Has a front-facing LED flash
has a dual-lens (or multi-lens) front camera
supports HDR10 recording
supports Dolby Vision recording
has a front-facing camera under the display
Has a RGB LED flash
has 3D photo/video recording capabilities

The Huawei Hi Nova 12z features a dual-lens main camera with a built-in phase-detection autofocus for crisp and accurate photos. The camera system includes a dual-tone LED flash and a BSI sensor for better low-light performance. It supports 1080 x 30 fps video recording and offers useful features like slow-motion video recording, HDR mode, and manual exposure settings. The front camera boasts 32MP resolution with a wide aperture of f/2.45, and supports features such as timelapse and touch autofocus for enhanced selfie and video capabilities.

Operating system:

has camera/microphone privacy options
has dark mode
has battery health check
Has customizable notifications
supports split screen
gets direct OS updates
Can be used as a PC
Has sharing intents
has a child lock
Supports widgets
has voice commands
Tracks the current position of a mobile device
is a multi-user system

The operating system on the Huawei Hi Nova 12z provides a range of user-friendly features to enhance the experience. It includes dark mode for a more comfortable viewing experience in low light and offers customizable notifications to suit individual preferences. Users can take advantage of split-screen functionality for multitasking, as well as sharing intents to easily share content. The device also supports voice commands and has multi-user capabilities, allowing multiple users to manage their profiles on the same device. Privacy is a priority, with options to control camera and microphone access, as well as a child lock for added security.

Battery:

battery power 4500 mAh
has wireless charging
Supports fast charging
charging speed 66W
comes with a charger
has a removable battery
has a battery level indicator
has a rechargeable battery

The Huawei Hi Nova 12z is equipped with a 4500 mAh rechargeable battery that supports fast charging at a speed of 66W, ensuring quick power-ups when needed. While it does not feature wireless charging, the device comes with a charger included. It also includes a battery level indicator, allowing users to monitor their charge status easily. However, the battery is not removable, and the phone does not support wireless charging.

Audio:

has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
has stereo speakers
has aptX
has LDAC
has aptX HD
has aptX Adaptive
has aptX Lossless
Has a radio

The Huawei Hi Nova 12z does not include a 3.5 mm audio jack or stereo speakers, but it supports high-quality audio through LDAC for enhanced Bluetooth audio streaming. However, it lacks support for other advanced Bluetooth audio codecs like aptX, aptX HD, or aptX Adaptive. The device also does not include a built-in radio feature.

Connectivity & Features:

release date February 2025
has 5G support
Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
SIM cards 2 SIM
Bluetooth version 5.1
has an external memory slot
Has USB Type-C
USB version 2
has NFC
Has a fingerprint scanner
has emergency SOS via satellite
has crash detection
is DLNA-certified
has a gyroscope
supports ANT+
Has a heart rate monitor
has GPS
has a compass
supports Wi-Fi
Has an infrared sensor
has an accelerometer
has a cellular module
Has a barometer
has an HDMI output
Uses 3D facial recognition
Has an iris scanner
Stylus included
supports Galileo
Has motion tracking
Has optical tracking
Has a built-in projector

The Huawei Hi Nova 12z offers a solid range of connectivity features, including 5G support for fast network access and Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) for reliable wireless connections. It supports dual SIM cards and Bluetooth 5.1 for seamless pairing with devices. The phone also includes NFC, USB Type-C, GPS, and a fingerprint scanner for added convenience and security. While it lacks features like external memory slots and infrared sensors, it offers an accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, and barometer for versatile functionality.

Miscellaneous:

has a video light
Has sapphire glass display
Has a curved display
Has an e-paper display

The Huawei Hi Nova 12z is equipped with a video light for improved lighting during video recording. However, it does not feature sapphire glass display, a curved display, or an e-paper display, which are some advanced display options found in other devices.

Final Verdict

The product stands out for its 5G support and robust connectivity features, making it an excellent choice for users who need reliable performance and security. With added benefits like GPS, compass, and fingerprint scanning, it excels in providing a solid user experience in daily and outdoor environments. However, the lack of expandable storage and wireless charging may limit some users. Overall, this product is well-suited for those seeking a balanced device for connectivity and security-focused tasks.