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Huawei P30 vs iPhone 12

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Huawei P30

Starting at

£134.00
See options

iPhone 12

Starting at

£170.00£649.00 new
See options
(120 reviews)
(464 reviews)

What's the difference between the Huawei P30 and iPhone 12?

Huawei P30 vs iPhone 12 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the Huawei P30 starts at £134, £36 less than the iPhone 12. The iPhone 12 is the newer model, released in 2020.

Refurbished from

£134£170

Chipset

Kirin 980 (7 nm)Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm)

RAM

6 GB4 GB

Battery

3650 mAh2815 mAh

Screen type

OLEDSuper Retina XDR OLED

Main camera

40 megapixels12 megapixels
  • Chipset: Kirin 980 (7 nm) on the Huawei P30, Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12.
  • The Huawei P30 has more RAM: 6 GB vs 4 GB.
  • The Huawei P30 has a bigger battery: 3650 mAh vs 2815 mAh.

Huawei P30 vs iPhone 12 specs

The Huawei P30 and iPhone 12 both offer strong features for different needs. The Huawei P30 has a larger battery capacity and more RAM, suiting users who want longer battery life and keep many apps open simultaneously. It also supports expandable storage via a Nano Memory card and has higher megapixel cameras for detailed photos. It also provides a range of storage options and a slightly higher screen resolution. Your choice depends on whether you prioritise battery and camera detail or software updates and network speed.

Huawei P30 vs iPhone 12 price

Huawei P30 vs iPhone 12 battery life and software updates

Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, and build features that affect daily reliability and device lifespan. The Huawei P30 and iPhone 12 differ in these areas, which may influence how long the device stays useful and current for you.

Battery Capacity

The Huawei P30 has a 3650 mAh battery, which is larger than the iPhone 12's 2815 mAh. This means the P30 is more suited for users who want longer battery life between charges, especially if you use your phone heavily. The iPhone 12's smaller battery might require more frequent charging for the same usage.

Battery

3650 mAh2815 mAh

Foldable

NoNo

Ip rating

IP53IP68

Software updates

N/ASupported, up to iOS 27

Wireless charging

N/AYes

Year of release

20192020

Huawei P30 vs iPhone 12 performance

Performance depends on chipset, RAM, and storage options, affecting speed, multitasking, and space for apps and media. The Huawei P30 and iPhone 12 have different strengths here, which may suit different user needs.

Chipset Efficiency

The Huawei P30 uses the Kirin 980 chipset built on a 7 nm process, while the iPhone 12 has the Apple A14 Bionic chipset built on a 5 nm process. The smaller 5 nm process of the A14 typically means better energy efficiency and performance, which suits users wanting smooth operation in demanding apps.

Memory for Multitasking

With 6 GB of RAM, the Huawei P30 allows more apps to stay active in the background compared to the iPhone 12's 4 GB. This suits users who regularly switch between multiple apps or use memory-intensive applications.

Storage Choices

The Huawei P30 comes with 128GB of storage, suitable for a good amount of apps and media. The iPhone 12 offers three storage options: 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, giving you more flexibility to pick the amount of space you need.

Chipset

Kirin 980 (7 nm)Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm)

RAM

6 GB4 GB

Huawei P30 vs iPhone 12 screen

Screen quality influences how you view photos, videos, and apps daily. Both phones have the same screen size and use OLED technology, but differences in resolution and screen type may affect visual clarity and colour quality.

Screen Resolution

Both devices have a 6.1-inch screen, but the iPhone 12 offers a higher resolution of 1170 x 2532 compared to the Huawei P30's 1080 x 2340. This means the iPhone 12 may deliver slightly sharper images and text, which benefits users who watch high-definition content or read small text often.

Screen Technology

The Huawei P30 uses an OLED screen, while the iPhone 12 features a Super Retina XDR OLED screen. The Super Retina XDR display is designed to provide better brightness and contrast, which suits users who value vivid colours and deep blacks.

Refresh rate

N/A60 Hz

Resolution

1080 x 23401170 x 2532

Screen size

6.1 inch6.1 inch

Screen type

OLEDSuper Retina XDR OLED

Huawei P30 vs iPhone 12 camera

Audiovisual features cover camera capabilities and front-facing camera quality, important for photography, video calls, and selfies. The Huawei P30 and iPhone 12 differ notably in camera resolution, which affects image detail.

Front Camera Detail

The Huawei P30 offers a 32 megapixel front camera, which captures more detail in selfies and video calls compared to the iPhone 12's 12 megapixel front camera. This is valuable for users who prioritise selfie quality or video chat clarity.

Main Camera Resolution

The Huawei P30's main camera has 40 megapixels, which can capture very detailed photos. The iPhone 12 has a 12 megapixel main camera, which focuses on balanced image quality and processing. Photographers who need high resolution might prefer the Huawei P30, while others may appreciate the iPhone 12's overall imaging system.

Camera type

N/ADouble (2x)

Front camera

32 megapixels12 megapixels

Main camera

40 megapixels12 megapixels

Huawei P30 vs iPhone 12 size and design

This section covers additional features such as network compatibility, connectors, physical dimensions, and storage expansion which can affect daily convenience and connectivity.

Mobile Network Support

The iPhone 12 supports 5G mobile networks, offering access to faster data speeds where available. This suits users who want quicker downloads and streaming. The Huawei P30 supports 4G, which is sufficient for many users but does not provide 5G connectivity.

Expandable Storage

The Huawei P30 supports NM (Nano Memory) card expansion, allowing you to increase storage space beyond the built-in 128GB. This suits users who want to store more photos, videos, or apps without paying for higher internal storage tiers.

SIM Card Options

The Huawei P30 uses a physical SIM card, while the iPhone 12 supports both a physical SIM and an eSIM. The eSIM option in the iPhone 12 suits users who want to use two numbers or switch carriers without changing SIM cards.

Connector Types

The Huawei P30 includes both a USB-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack, offering compatibility with a wide range of accessories and traditional wired headphones. The iPhone 12 uses a Lightning connector, which works well with Apple accessories but requires adapters for some devices.

Carrier compatibility

UnlockedUnlocked

Connector

USB-C + Jack 3.5mmLightning

Depth

7.6 mm7.4 mm

Height

149 mm146.7 mm

Mobile network

4G5G

SD card slot

NM (Nano Memory)No

SIM card

Physical SIMPhysical SIM + eSIM

Weight

165 g162 g

Width

71.4 mm71.5 mm

Huawei P30 or iPhone 12: which should you buy?

Buy the Huawei P30 if

  • you want to spend less: it starts at £134, £36 less than the iPhone 12
  • you want more RAM (6 GB vs 4 GB)
  • you want a bigger battery (3650 mAh vs 2815 mAh)

Buy the iPhone 12 if

  • you want 5G
  • you want the newer model (2020)

What our customers say

Customers who chose the Huawei P30 often highlight its excellent battery life and camera quality. Many say the phone runs fast and is in excellent condition, with one user noting the battery lasts about three days with their usage. The fingerprint sensor and colour options also receive praise. Some found it a good value and eco-friendly choice. A few customers mentioned issues with unlocking but overall found the phone reliable and well suited for everyday use.

The iPhone 12 receives strong praise for its like-new condition and smooth performance. Customers appreciate the fast and responsive A14 Bionic chip, with apps opening instantly and multitasking working well. Many mention the phone looks spotless and often comes with extras like a screen protector or phone case. The included new battery in some purchases is also noted. Users value the phone's software updates and 5G network capabilities. The device suits those wanting a premium experience with up-to-date software.

Both phones attract users who want quality refurbished devices, but the Huawei P30 appeals to those who prioritise battery life and detailed cameras, while the iPhone 12 fits those who want the latest software and faster mobile connectivity.

Huawei P30 vs iPhone 12 FAQs

Huawei P30 vs iPhone 12 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Kirin 980 (7 nm) on the Huawei P30, Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12. The Huawei P30 has more RAM: 6 GB vs 4 GB.

The Huawei P30 is cheaper refurbished, from £134 compared with £170 for the iPhone 12.

The Huawei P30 has a bigger battery: 3650 mAh vs 2815 mAh.

The Huawei P30 has a higher-resolution main camera: 40 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.

We don't have published update dates for the Huawei P30. The iPhone 12 is still supported and can run iOS 27.

Refurbished, the Huawei P30 comes in 128GB, and the iPhone 12 in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB.

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