Alright, let's break down the Honor 70 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G. These two mid-range contenders bring distinct strengths to the table, and understanding those differences is key to choosing the right phone. I'm going to get into the nitty-gritty, but I promise to keep it relatable.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison, focusing on what these specs actually mean for you day to day:
| Feature | Honor 70 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.4 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm | 164.2 x 76.1 x 8.1 mm | Honor 70 is more compact and feels slightly lighter; Xiaomi Note 12 Pro is a bit taller, wider and heavier. |
| Weight | 178g | 201.8g | Honor 70 feels more comfortable for long periods of use, easier to handle one-handed. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.67" | Both offer a large display, great for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have sharp, detailed visuals. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 395 PPI | Both screens are equally sharp and clear. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, great for HDR content, minor differences in color tuning. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and fluid animations make for a more enjoyable experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | HUGE difference here. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G is much more usable outdoors in bright sunlight. Honor 70 will struggle in direct sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) | Honor 70 is noticeably faster, smoother in daily use, and better for gaming; Xiaomi is slower with less processing power. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 397,200 | Honor 70 offers significantly better overall performance, including gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 618 | Honor 70's GPU provides better graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 54MP, f/1.9, 1/1.49", Sony IMX800 | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52", Samsung S5KHM2 | Xiaomi has more megapixels, but Honor has a physically larger sensor for better light capture, making it better in low light situations; The Honor IMX800 is a solid performer. |
| Front Camera | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2", Omnivision OV32C | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471 | Honor 70 captures more detailed selfies. Xiaomi has slightly larger pixel size for better light capture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355 | Honor 70 takes much higher resolution wide-angle photos. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", GalaxyCore GC02M1 | Xiaomi provides a dedicated portrait mode depth sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5", Omnivision OV5675 | Xiaomi Redmi has a better macro sensor. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps with EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | Both can record high quality 4K video at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps. Both with stabilization. |
| DxOMark | Main: 115 Photo:115 Video:129 | Not Tested | Honor 70 camera has been rated by DxOMark, with a respectable score of 115 for photos and 129 for video. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5020mAh | Xiaomi has a slightly larger battery capacity, potentially leading to marginally longer battery life. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Both offer excellent fast charging speeds, virtually identical. |
| Other | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 11 | Honor 70 ships with a newer version of Android out of the box, with a likely better upgrade path. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | Honor 70 supports the faster WiFi 6 standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 with APT-X, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.1 with EDR, HID | Honor 70 offers a more modern Bluetooth connection, with the added codecs giving better audio quality. |
| Storage Options | 128GB/256GB/512GB | 128GB/256GB | Honor 70 offers a 512 GB option for users who require maximum storage. |
| RAM Options | 6GB/8GB/12GB | 6GB/8GB | Honor 70 offers a 12GB RAM variant, great for multitasking. |
| Screen Protection | Unspecified | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Xiaomi offers better screen protection, and is more resistant to scratches. |
| Fingerprint Sensor | basic | Side-mounted | Xiaomi has a more modern and conveniently placed side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | Proximity | Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Honor 70 features a traditional proximity sensor, while the Xiaomi uses an ultrasonic proximity virtual sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Honor 70 Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 778G+ processor gives the Honor 70 a significant performance edge, making it faster for daily tasks, more enjoyable for gaming, and smoother overall.
- Better Main Camera Sensor: The larger 1/1.49" Sony IMX800 sensor on the main camera performs better in low light.
- Higher Resolution Wide-Angle: With a 50MP sensor, you can capture much more detail when shooting wide-angle photos.
- Higher Resolution Front Camera: The 32MP front camera will result in sharper and more detailed selfies.
- Newer Software & Connectivity: Android 12 and WiFi 6 makes the Honor 70 feel more modern.
- More Storage Options The option for a 512 GB model is great for people who need the storage space.
- More RAM Option: The 12GB RAM model will be great for the power users
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G Strengths:
- Much Brighter Screen: The 1200 nits peak brightness makes the screen incredibly visible outdoors.
- Larger Battery: A slightly bigger battery might translate to a bit more battery life.
- More Megapixels on Main Camera: The 108MP sensor will mean very detailed photos in optimal lighting conditions.
- Depth Sensor and Better Macro: The extra sensors give the device more flexibility in different shooting scenarios.
- Corning Gorilla Glass 5: The screen is better protected against scratches and drops.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Provides convenient and quick access.
Trade-offs:
- The Honor 70 sacrifices a little brightness for better processing power and camera performance. It also doesn't have an advertised level of screen protection.
- The Xiaomi trades processing power and a wide-angle camera for a brighter screen, more battery and a more versatile main camera.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Honor 70 is best for:
- Users who want smooth performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Photography enthusiasts who want the best image quality in various lighting conditions.
- Users who value future-proofed features like WiFi 6 and the newest android version.
- Users who need the largest possible storage on the phone itself
- Users who multitask a lot, and want more RAM
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G is best for:
- Users who prioritize outdoor visibility and battery life.
- Casual photographers who want a flexible camera setup and want to get the most megapixel data out of each picture they take.
- Users who want a side-mounted fingerprint reader
- Users who want a screen that's more protected from drops and scratches
4. Buying Decision Framework
Ask yourself these three key questions:
- How important is outdoor screen visibility to you? If you spend a lot of time in bright sunlight, the Xiaomi is a clear winner. If you are usually indoors, or in shaded areas, you may value a better camera over screen brightness.
- How much do you value gaming and smooth performance? The Honor 70 will significantly outperform the Xiaomi in games.
- What are your priorities when taking photos and videos? If you take a lot of wide angle photos and care about video recording the honor is the way to go. If you are more concerned with taking a lot of high resolution photos and depth of field shots the Xiaomi may be better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Gaming Enthusiast: The Honor 70 is the clear winner due to its superior processor and GPU.
- The Outdoor Photographer: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G with its higher brightness makes it easier to use the display outdoors, as well as having a great main camera.
- The Everyday User: The Honor 70 is a solid choice that balances performance, camera quality, and a modern software experience, the better CPU makes the experience of navigating the OS much smoother, as well as being more future-proof.
- The Budget-Conscious User: If price is a primary concern, compare the prices, and see what trade off you are willing to make based on the above recommendations.
My Choice
If I had to pick one, I'd lean towards the Honor 70. The brighter screen of the Xiaomi is incredibly compelling but its lower level of performance and the better cameras on the Honor make it the superior choice for my use case. I value a smooth experience and high quality photos, and the Honor ticks both of those boxes, as well as being more future proof.
I hope this detailed analysis helps you make the right choice for your needs. Let me know if you have any other questions!
