Huawei Nova 12i vs Samsung Galaxy S26 FE
Compare Huawei Nova 12i vs Samsung Galaxy S26 FE side by side: Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G vs Exynos 2500, 5000mAh vs 4900mAh battery, $699 vs $699. Full…
Huawei
Huawei Nova 12i
$699
1categories won
Samsung
Galaxy S26 FE
$699
9categories won
3 categories tied · 13 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Samsung Galaxy S26 FE takes the overall win
The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE proves superior overall against the Huawei Nova 12i, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the Galaxy S26 FE leads with superior optics, while battery endurance leans towards the Galaxy S26 FE. Choose the Galaxy S26 FE if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the Huawei Nova 12i if its specific hardware strengths better fit your budget.
Galaxy S26 FE takes battery honors offering 4,900 mAh alongside 45W charging.
Galaxy S26 FE provides greater sustained gaming output with its Exynos 2500 and 8GB RAM.
Galaxy S26 FE takes photography with 50MP optics and 3x optical telephoto capabilities.
Both handsets sit in the exact same pricing bracket around $699.
Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.
Huawei Nova 12i vs Galaxy S26 FE: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Huawei Nova 12i | Galaxy S26 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.7" | 6.7" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388Winner | 1080 x 2340 |
| Pixel density | 391 ppi | 385 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 90 Hz | 120 HzWinner |
| Peak brightness | 650 nits | 1900 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | Huawei Nova 12i | Galaxy S26 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G | Exynos 2500 |
| Process node | — | 3 nm |
| AnTuTu score | 315,000 | 2,400,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 1470 | 8900Winner |
| Maximum RAM | — | 8 GB |
| Maximum storage | — | 512GB |
Camera
| Specification | Huawei Nova 12i | Galaxy S26 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | — | 50 MP |
| Rear cameras | — | 3 |
| Optical zoom | — | 3x |
| Ultrawide | — | 12 MP |
| Selfie camera | 8 MP | 12 MPWinner |
| Max video | 1080p@30fps | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Huawei Nova 12i | Galaxy S26 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5,000 mAh | 4,900 mAh |
| Wired charging | 40 W | 45 WWinner |
| Wireless charging | No | 15 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | Huawei Nova 12i | Galaxy S26 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 199 g | 193 gWinner |
| Thickness | 8 mm | 7.4 mmWinner |
| Water resistance | IP53 | IP68 |
| Build | — | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frame |
Software and support
| Specification | Huawei Nova 12i | Galaxy S26 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | 14 | Android 17 |
| OS updates | — | 7 years |
| Security updates | — | 7 years |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | Huawei Nova 12i | Galaxy S26 FE |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | No | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $699 | $699 |
Huawei Nova 12i
Huawei Nova 12i showcases flagship-inspired Super Star Orbit Ring styling, a 108MP high-resolution camera, 5000mAh battery with 40W Huawei SuperCharge Turbo, and EMUI 14 with customizable lock screens.
- Display
- 6.7"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G
- Battery
- 5,000mAh
- Software
- 14
Samsung Galaxy S26 FE
At $699, the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE delivers a spacious 6.7-inch AMOLED display, a 3nm Exynos 2500 chipset, and an impressive seven years of software updates. It perfectly suits budget-conscious buyers who want flagship-tier build quality, capable triple cameras, and long-term reliability without paying top-tier prices.
- Display
- 6.7"
- Chipset
- Exynos 2500
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 4,900mAh
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