Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Honor 70 and the Xiaomi Redmi 12. I'll break down the specs, highlight the key differences, and provide some real-world context to help you decide which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a deep dive into the specs of these two contenders, broken down into categories with practical implications:
| Feature | Honor 70 | Xiaomi Redmi 12 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.4 × 73.3 × 7.9 mm | 168.6 × 76.3 × 8.2 mm | The Honor 70 is more compact and thinner, likely feeling more pocketable and comfortable for one-handed use. The Redmi 12 is larger and may feel bulkier. |
| Weight | 178g | 198.5g | The Honor 70 is significantly lighter, making it easier to hold for extended periods without fatigue. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.79" | Redmi 12 has a slightly larger screen which is good for media consumption, but Honor 70's is still plenty big enough for most tasks. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2460 | Both offer sharp images; you won't notice a significant difference in clarity. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 396 PPI | Both have very similar pixel densities, making them equally sharp |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | Key Difference: OLED offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast than LCD, making the Honor 70's display more visually appealing. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The Honor 70's 120Hz display results in smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable while gaming or navigating apps. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm) | Key Difference: The Snapdragon 778G+ is significantly more powerful, providing faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance compared to the Helio G88. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 249,400 | The Honor 70’s much higher benchmark score translates to much faster performance for demanding tasks, games, and apps. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G52 MC2 | The Adreno 642L in the Honor 70 is a more capable GPU, leading to better graphics rendering in games and other demanding apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 54MP f/1.9 1/1.49" (Sony IMX800) | 50MP f/1.8 1/2.76" (Samsung S5KJN1) | The Honor 70's larger sensor and higher resolution should result in better low-light performance and more detailed images. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.4 | 8MP f/2.1 | The Honor 70's selfie camera provides significantly more detail with its 32MP resolution. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 50MP f/2.2 | 8MP f/2.2 (1/2.8" Sony IMX355) | The Honor 70 captures significantly more details, while the Xiaomi Redmi 12 has slightly bigger pixels. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Comparable macro lens performance on both phones. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, EIS, 1080p@60fps, EIS | 1080p@30fps | The Honor 70 offers higher resolution video with better image stabilization. |
| DXOMark | 115 (Mobile), 115 (Photo), 129 (Video) | Not Tested | The Honor 70 is a more capable camera, as indicated by its DXOMark scores. |
| Camera Features | 4K, digital zoom, EIS, triple camera, autofocus, continuous shooting, geotagging, panorama, HDR, face detection, white balance settings, ISO settings, exposure compensation, scene mode, self-timer, RAW, night mode, Ultra stable video | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW | The Honor 70 has additional features including panorama, night mode, and ultra stable video. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800 mAh | 5000 mAh | The Redmi 12 has a slightly larger battery, but the impact on real-world battery life will be minimal. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Key Difference: The Honor 70 charges much faster, reducing waiting times significantly. |
| Additional Features | Reverse charging | Reverse charging, 9W reverse wired charging | The Xiaomi Redmi 12 has a unique 9W reverse wired charging feature. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13 (upgradable to 14) | Redmi 12 has a newer version of Android, potentially offering a better experience due to feature enhancements and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6, Dual band, MiMO | Wi-Fi ac, Dual band | Key Difference: Honor 70's WiFi 6 support, with MiMO, offers faster speeds and more efficient connections on newer routers. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 (LDAC, SBC, AAC) | 5.3 | Xiaomi Redmi 12 supports a newer version of bluetooth. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512GB | 128/256GB | The Honor 70 has a 512GB storage option, giving more capacity for those who need it. |
| RAM | 6/8/12 GB | 4/6/8 GB | The Honor 70 has a 12GB option, offering more headroom for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so you are stuck with what you buy. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio features | Honor 70 offers high quality audio playback through stereo speakers |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Xiaomi Redmi 12's fingerprint sensor might feel more modern, but both are fast and reliable. |
2. Key Insights
Honor 70: Strengths
- Superior Display: The OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate is a major win, offering vibrant visuals and smooth motion.
- Performance Powerhouse: The Snapdragon 778G+ chipset delivers significantly better performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Enhanced Camera System: Larger sensors, higher resolution, and 4K video recording make it a more capable camera for everyday use.
- Fast Charging: 66W charging is a huge advantage for those who don't want to wait long for their phone to power up.
- Higher Resolution Audio: With Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers, the Honor 70 has an edge in audio quality.
- More RAM/Storage Options: More ram and storage options allow more flexibility.
Xiaomi Redmi 12: Strengths
- Newer Android Version: Comes with Android 13 (with upgrade to 14) out of the box.
- Larger Display: The Redmi 12 has slightly bigger display, perfect for media consumption.
- Slightly Larger Battery: While marginal, the 5000 mAh battery could offer slightly more life.
- Reverse Wired Charging: 9W reverse wired charging is a unique feature.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.3 might offer better connectivity.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Provides a more modern feel.
Trade-offs and Limitations
- Honor 70: The main trade-off is potentially higher price.
- Xiaomi Redmi 12: The main trade-off is performance - it is noticeably less powerful than the Honor 70.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Honor 70
- Ideal for: Power users, gamers, photography enthusiasts, and anyone who prioritizes a smooth and responsive experience.
- Best Use Cases: Gaming, video editing, social media, and all other activities where speed and display quality are important.
Xiaomi Redmi 12
- Ideal for: Budget-conscious users, everyday users who do not need intensive performance, and users who need the latest software.
- Best Use Cases: Basic smartphone tasks, media consumption, and photography in good lighting.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
- How important is performance to you? If you prioritize speed and performance, especially for gaming, the Honor 70 is the clear winner. The Redmi 12 is adequate for most everyday tasks but not ideal for heavy workloads.
- How important is display quality to you? If you value rich colors, deep blacks, and smooth visuals, the Honor 70's OLED display is a must. The Redmi 12's IPS LCD is fine but not as impressive.
- How much do you value fast charging and battery life? The Honor 70’s 66W fast charging is a huge convenience and the slightly smaller battery should not make that much of a difference. The Redmi 12 has slightly better battery capacity, which might provide a slightly longer battery life.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "I need a reliable phone for everyday use": The Redmi 12 is a solid budget-friendly option, but consider the Honor 70 if you are a heavy user.
- Scenario 2: "I'm a mobile gamer and always on the go": The Honor 70 is the better choice due to its high performance, 120 Hz OLED display, and fast charging capabilities.
- Scenario 3: "I care more about price than performance": If budget is your main concern, then the Xiaomi Redmi 12 is the better choice.
Conclusion
After analyzing all the specifications, I would choose the Honor 70.
Here's why:
- The OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate is a game changer for how I interact with the phone. It's so much smoother and the colours are vibrant and true to life.
- The performance gap is huge. The Snapdragon 778G+ is a very capable chip and the AnTuTu score difference is not something to be ignored.
- The 66W charging is a huge convenience. I'd rather spend less time plugged in, and having the ability to fill the battery quickly is a massive help in my busy life.
- Better Camera: The camera is significantly better, both for selfies and for the main camera system.
- Better Audio: With its Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers, the Honor 70 has an edge in audio quality.
While the Xiaomi Redmi 12 has some advantages like a slightly bigger battery and the latest Android OS, the Honor 70 has too many key advantages for me. The biggest difference would be display and performance, and those two are key components of my daily usage.
The Xiaomi Redmi 12 is a great choice for those who don't need top performance and are on a tight budget, but personally, I’d be willing to spend a bit more for the extra power, the superior display, and faster charging that the Honor 70 provides.
