Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Honor 70 and Xiaomi 12T Pro. These two phones, while both aiming for the premium mid-range market, take different approaches to get there. As always, we're going to go beyond the spec sheet and see what these differences actually mean for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Honor 70 | Xiaomi 12T Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.4 × 73.3 × 7.9 mm | 163.1 × 75.9 × 8.6 mm | Xiaomi 12T Pro is slightly larger and thicker, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 178g | 205g | Honor 70 feels lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and pocketability. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.67" | Identical screen sizes mean both offer similar screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1220x2712 | Xiaomi 12T Pro has a sharper display, resulting in finer details and clearer text. |
| PPI | 395 | 446 | Higher pixel density on the Xiaomi 12T Pro translates to less visible pixelation, better for viewing high-resolution content. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Similar display tech, both offering good contrast and color. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations, a standard at this level. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | Xiaomi 12T Pro's display is significantly brighter, vastly improving outdoor visibility under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | Xiaomi 12T Pro offers substantially higher processing power for demanding tasks like gaming and heavy multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 1,311,127 | Xiaomi 12T Pro scores over double the performance, translating to faster app loading and better sustained performance |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 730 | Xiaomi 12T Pro provides superior graphics capabilities, particularly relevant for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res. | 54MP | 200MP | Xiaomi 12T Pro boasts significantly higher resolution, allowing for more detail and better cropping capabilities. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.9 | f/1.69 | Wider aperture on the Xiaomi 12T Pro allows more light, offering better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor | 1/1.49" Sony IMX800 | 1/1.22" Samsung ISOCELL HP1 | Larger sensor on the Xiaomi 12T Pro captures more light and detail. |
| Selfie Camera Res. | 32MP | 20MP | Honor 70 has a higher resolution selfie camera, potentially capturing more detail in selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.4 | f/2.24 | Xiaomi 12T Pro's wider aperture on the selfie lens might offer slightly better low-light performance |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP | 8MP | Honor 70 provides a higher resolution wide-angle lens. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | 2MP | Similar macro capabilities, suitable for close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Xiaomi 12T Pro offers higher video recording resolution, useful for those looking to capture professional-quality content. |
| DxOMark | 115 (Photo) / 129 (Video) | 130 (Photo) / 134 (Video) | Xiaomi 12T Pro demonstrates superior camera performance across photo and video categories. |
| Stabilization | EIS | OIS | Xiaomi 12T Pro has superior optical stabilization technology that provides more stable videos and better low light performance |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800 mAh | 5000 mAh | Slightly larger battery on the Xiaomi 12T Pro may provide marginally longer battery life. |
| Charging | 66W | 120W | Xiaomi 12T Pro charges significantly faster, reducing charging downtime and offering convenience. |
| Reverse charging | Yes | No | Honor 70 has reverse charging functionality, this may come in handy if you have any smaller devices with wireless charging capabilities |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12 with upgrade to 14 | Xiaomi 12T Pro has a longer software support which means more future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Xiaomi 12T Pro additionally offers eSIM for digital carrier switching |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | Xiaomi 12T Pro supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy |
| Storage | |||
| Storage Options | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256 GB | Honor 70 offers more storage variants. |
| RAM Options | 6/8/12 GB | 8/12 GB | Plenty of RAM in both for seamless multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi 12T Pro offers superior audio quality with immersive surround sound. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Xiaomi 12T Pro has a much more durable screen, better for everyday use. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Basic set | Basic set + RGB | Xiaomi 12T Pro has an additional sensor that is useful in photo editing as well as other applications. |
2. Key Insights
Honor 70: Strengths
- Lighter and Slimmer Design: It's significantly more comfortable for extended use and is more pocketable.
- Excellent Wide Angle Camera: The 50MP wide angle lens offers great photo quality.
- Reverse Charging: This allows you to charge other devices.
- More Storage Options: Offers up to 512 GB of internal storage.
Xiaomi 12T Pro: Strengths
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset delivers a significant boost for demanding tasks.
- Sharper and Brighter Display: Higher resolution and brightness significantly enhance the viewing experience, especially outdoors.
- Impressive Main Camera: 200MP camera allows for incredible detail and more room for cropping and editing.
- Faster Charging: 120W charging reduces charging time significantly.
- Better Overall Camera Performance: Offers better photo and video quality in all kinds of conditions, scoring higher on the DXOMARK benchmark.
- Better Audio Quality: Dolby Atmos offers superior audio quality.
- More Durable Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers better screen protection.
- More GPS accuracy: supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy
- Longer Software Support: has longer support for upgrades up to Android 14
Trade-offs
- Honor 70: Loses out on raw power, screen quality, camera sensor technology, build quality, and charging speed.
- Xiaomi 12T Pro: Is heavier, bulkier, has less wide angle lens resolution and does not include a reverse charging function.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Honor 70 is Ideal For:
- Users Who Value Design and Comfort: Those looking for a stylish, lightweight phone with a comfortable grip for everyday use.
- Casual Photographers: Users who prioritize social media and casual photography and the wide angle lens.
- Users that require reverse charging: Useful if you have a variety of smaller devices with wireless charging capabilities.
Xiaomi 12T Pro is Ideal For:
- Power Users and Gamers: Those who need top-tier performance for demanding apps, games, and multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who desire superior photo and video quality, especially in low light and want all the latest technology.
- Users that consume content: If you love watching movies and content on your phone, then the superior screen and audio quality makes this the perfect choice.
- Users that need fast charging: if you are always on the go and need to charge your phone quickly, the 120W fast charging will prove invaluable.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What's my primary usage? Gaming/content creation/ heavy multitasking? (Xiaomi 12T Pro) or Casual use and daily photography? (Honor 70).
- How important is comfort and portability to me? If you want a lighter phone and a comfortable grip, Honor 70. If you don't mind the extra weight, and want a durable phone then Xiaomi 12T Pro.
- Do I value high-end performance and camera technology? If yes, Xiaomi 12T Pro. If not, the Honor 70 provides all the features you need.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The On-the-Go Creator: If you're constantly capturing content and need fast charging and the latest features, the Xiaomi 12T Pro is the clear choice with its high-quality camera, performance, and screen.
- The Casual User: The Honor 70 will serve you well with its stylish design, excellent wide angle camera, and comfortable handling.
- The Gaming Enthusiast: If you're looking for a phone to play demanding games, then the Xiaomi 12T Pro is the better choice with its powerful chipset.
What I Would Choose
If I were to choose between these two devices, I would go for the Xiaomi 12T Pro. Here's why:
As a tech journalist and someone who values cutting-edge tech, the Xiaomi 12T Pro's superior performance, impressive camera capabilities (especially the 200MP sensor and higher DxOMark scores), and faster charging win me over. The brighter, higher-resolution display will enhance my daily usage, particularly when I'm working outdoors. And even though it is slightly bulkier, I don't mind that extra weight considering the benefits this phone provides.
The faster charging is essential for my busy days, and the improved audio quality is a big plus for enjoying media and editing videos. It also has much better build quality and software support which will be useful for the long term. Even though the Honor 70 is more elegant and more comfortable in the hand, its weaknesses are more apparent than the Xiaomi 12T Pro. Ultimately, the Xiaomi 12T Pro offers a more future-proof experience.
