UAE Price
AED 1,099
Links may include affiliate commissions. Disclosure.
Smartphone · Huawei Test · 2024
The Huawei nova 12i 256GB is Huawei Test's 2024 smartphone featuring a 6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) display, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) chipset. It comes with a 5000 mAh battery. Available in the UAE from AED 1,099.
The Huawei nova 12i 256GB excels with its 108MP main camera capturing detailed daytime shots, 5000mAh battery delivering all-day endurance, and 40W wired charging reaching 62% in 30 minutes. It targets budget-conscious buyers in UAE who prioritize long battery life and high-resolution photography without needing Google apps, such as students or office workers using local apps like Careem or Paytm. Its weakness is the Snapdragon 680 chipset—struggles with sustained gaming or multitasking, causing noticeable throttling after 15 minutes of heavy use. In UAE at AED 1099, it’s competitive because no other 108MP phone under AED 1200 offers 40W charging and NFC. In India, where pricing is unavailable, it’s not recommended due to EMUI 14’s lack of Google Play Services, limiting app access for most users who rely on WhatsApp, YouTube, or Maps. The absence of 5G further narrows its appeal in a market rapidly adopting faster networks.
Consider instead
A5 Pro
OPPO · AED 1,000 · different brand, similar price
| Loudspeaker | Yes |
| 3.5mm jack | No |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 40W wired, 3-62% in 30 min |
| Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh |
| Dual | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| NFC | Yes |
| Radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density) |
| Card slot | No |
| Internal | 256 |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Colors | Green, Black, White |
| Models | CTR-AL20, CTR-L81 |
| Price | About 110 EUR |
| Announced | 2024, March 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, April 16 |
| OS | EMUI 14, no Google Play Services |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 |
Specs sourced from official manufacturer website and GSMArena.
Common questions about the Nova 12i.
It may still be a decent budget option if you prioritize storage and basic performance over the latest software updates. However, without access to Google services and newer Android versions, its long-term usability could be limited.
The Huawei nova 12i 256GB is priced at AED 1099 in the UAE. It is available through major retailers and authorized Huawei stores across the country.
The Huawei nova 12i 256GB is not officially available in India, so there is no listed price. It cannot be purchased through official channels there.
The camera delivers clear daytime photos with good color accuracy and decent detail for its price range. Night mode improves low-light shots, though fine textures can appear softened.
The battery lasts a full day with moderate use, including social media, browsing, and calls. Heavy usage may require a midday charge, but it handles typical daily tasks without issue.
Ready to buy the Nova 12i?
From AED 1,099 on Amazon UAE and Noon.
