Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and the Xiaomi 12T Pro. As a tech journalist with a passion for the practical side of things, I'll focus on what these specs mean for you, the user, rather than getting lost in the numbers themselves.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a breakdown of the key technical specifications of these two devices, along with the real-world implications of each one:
| Feature | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Xiaomi 12T Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| DESIGN | |||
| Physical Size | 162.1 × 75.5 × 8.5 mm | 163.1 × 75.9 × 8.6 mm | Negligible difference; both are large, but comfortable for most hands. |
| Weight | 205g | 205g | Identical weight; expect similar in-hand feel. |
| DISPLAY | |||
| Size | 6.74" | 6.67" | Very similar; immersive viewing experience on both. |
| Resolution | 1212x2616 | 1220x2712 | Sharp, crisp displays; great for media and text. |
| PPI | 428 | 446 | Excellent pixel density; images and text appear very sharp. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | High-quality, vibrant colors and deep blacks on both devices. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | Xiaomi wins hands-down for outdoor visibility, much brighter display in sunny conditions. |
| PERFORMANCE | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Huawei's version has 4G, whereas Xiaomi is full 5G. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,022,043 | 1,311,127 | Xiaomi is noticeably faster in tasks; faster app loading, smoother operation. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 730 | Identical graphics performance on both phones. |
| CAMERA | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | 200MP, f/1.69, 1/1.22", Samsung ISOCELL HP1 | Xiaomi has much higher resolution, while Huawei has wider aperture, both offering high quality, but different. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4 | 20MP, f/2.24, 1/2" , Sony IMX596 | Xiaomi has more megapixels and slightly wider aperture for better selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2", Omnivision OV64B | None | Huawei offers dedicated zoom lens, a significant advantage for long shots. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, Sony IMX688 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", Samsung S5K4H7 | Huawei boasts better wide-angle shots due to a higher resolution sensor. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" GalaxyCore GC02M1 | Xiaomi includes a macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Video Recording | 4K@60fps, 1080p@480fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | Xiaomi can shoot in 8K, while Huawei has better high frame-rate options. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | Main: 149, Photo: 152, Video: 141 | Main: 129, Photo: 130, Video: 134 | Huawei shows superior mobile camera performance in all areas. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | Main: 145, Photo: 147, Video: 143 | Not tested | Huawei has excellent front-facing camera, even beating some main cameras on other phones |
| BATTERY LIFE | |||
| Capacity | 4700mAh | 5000mAh | Xiaomi has slightly larger battery, which may translate to marginally longer usage. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging; 50W Wireless | 120W Fast Charging | Xiaomi charges much faster; significant time-saver. |
| Features | Reverse Charging, 50W Wireless Charging, 7.5W Reverse | None | Huawei can wirelessly charge other devices, a handy feature. |
| SOFTWARE | |||
| OS | N/A | Android 12, upgradable to 14 | Android 12 with planned updates, vs Huawei's own Harmony OS. |
| CONNECTIVITY | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both have similar Wi-Fi performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.2 LE, A2DP, LE, APT-x, AAC | Xiaomi has a broader range of Bluetooth codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | Huawei has better geolocation due to more satellite connections. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Xiaomi offers the flexibility of eSIM for dual-SIM use. |
| STORAGE | |||
| Internal | 256GB/512GB | 128GB/256GB | Huawei offers more maximum storage. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB/12GB | Xiaomi has a 12GB RAM option, excellent for heavy users and gaming |
| Expandable Storage | None | None | Neither phone supports microSD cards. |
| AUDIO | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi offers a richer audio experience. |
| SECURITY | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Standard biometric security. |
| BUILD QUALITY | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Xiaomi has superior screen protection. |
| SENSORS | |||
| Fingerprint; Proximity; Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Barometer | Fingerprint; Proximity; Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Huawei has more advanced sensor technology, more robust for certain applications |
2. Key Insights
Huawei Mate 50 Pro Strengths:
- Superior Camera Performance: The Mate 50 Pro excels in overall camera quality, demonstrated by higher DxOMark scores. It's got excellent still images and videos. The 64MP telephoto lens and a wider aperture main lens (f/1.4) give it significant advantages in zoom and low-light conditions, with a wider-aperture primary camera and dedicated telephoto zoom lens. Additionally, the selfie camera quality is significantly higher than the Xiaomi's, even beating some main camera's on other phones.
- Advanced Sensors: The inclusion of a barometer and other environmental sensors is beneficial for users who need precise environmental data.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Charging: The ability to wirelessly charge other devices is a convenient feature for those who need a mobile power bank.
- More Internal Storage Options: With a 512 GB storage option, it caters to users who need ample space for photos, videos, and large files.
- More Robust Geolocation: Support for more satellite systems, giving better results in areas with more restricted signals.
Xiaomi 12T Pro Strengths:
- Superior Performance: Boasting a significantly higher AnTuTu score, the 12T Pro provides smoother performance in apps, games, and multitasking.
- Brighter Display: With a 1200 nits maximum brightness, it is much more usable in direct sunlight, crucial for outdoor use.
- Faster Charging: The 120W fast charging is a game-changer for those on the go, dramatically cutting down on charging times.
- Higher Resolution Primary Camera: The 200 MP primary camera offers the potential for incredibly detailed photos.
- Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio: Enhanced audio experience for media consumption.
- More Mainstream Software: The 12T Pro is running standard Android with the latest updates.
- Better Screen Protection: The 12T Pro is rated to a level of Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
Trade-offs:
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro has a weaker chipset and slower charging and lacks the 5G connection capability, but provides a more robust camera system.
- Xiaomi 12T Pro has excellent performance and much faster charging, but lacks the telephoto lens, wireless charging, reverse charging capabilities, and the same level of overall camera quality as the Mate 50 Pro.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei Mate 50 Pro is ideal for:
- Photography enthusiasts: The superior main camera performance, including telephoto, and excellent selfie camera make it the choice for those who want the best possible mobile photography experience.
- Users needing wireless charging: If you rely on wireless charging or need to charge other devices, this is the better option.
- Heavy data users: The 512 GB storage option, if that is chosen, provides ample space for large files.
Xiaomi 12T Pro is best suited for:
- Performance-focused users: If you prioritize speed and responsiveness for apps and games, the 12T Pro will feel much snappier.
- Users who value fast charging: The 120W charging is a massive time-saver.
- Multimedia consumers: The Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and brighter display make it excellent for watching movies or listening to music.
- Users who prefer standard Android: Running an open source, supported version of the software, the 12T Pro has the advantage here.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How important is camera quality to you?
- If a superior camera is a top priority, the Huawei Mate 50 Pro is the better choice due to its superior overall camera scores, dedicated zoom lens, better wide-angle, and better selfie performance.
- If you prefer higher resolution photos but the best overall isn't your top priority, the Xiaomi 12T Pro's 200MP main sensor is a compelling feature.
- How much do you value performance and fast charging?
- If fast performance and rapid charging are essential, the Xiaomi 12T Pro is significantly faster and charges much quicker.
- If you can sacrifice some performance and the speed of charging for other features like a more robust camera, the Huawei might be acceptable.
- What other features are essential for your daily usage?
- If wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, or more internal storage are crucial, then the Huawei Mate 50 Pro is the better option.
- If you need a brighter screen, standard android experience, wider bluetooth audio compatibility, or better audio quality, the Xiaomi 12T Pro is more suited.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Photography Buff: Go for the Huawei Mate 50 Pro; the zoom capabilities and overall camera quality are superior.
- The Power User on the Go: Opt for the Xiaomi 12T Pro. The faster charging and snappier performance will make your life easier.
- The Mobile Media Enthusiast: The Xiaomi 12T Pro's bright display, Dolby Atmos support and Hi-Res Audio make it the superior choice for those who value visual and audio quality.
- The Practical User: Opt for the Xiaomi 12T Pro, the 5G capability, smoother performance and brighter screen are better for everyday practical usage.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I'd lean towards the Xiaomi 12T Pro. Here's why:
While the Huawei Mate 50 Pro’s camera is undeniably excellent, the brighter screen, snappier performance, and significantly faster charging of the 12T Pro are crucial for my everyday needs. As someone who uses their phone for content consumption, gaming, and multitasking, those features provide the best return. Furthermore, the addition of Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio is a great feature for media use.
The 12T Pro feels like a more practical daily driver that balances high-performance with media consumption in the long term. The 12T Pro is the better all-round phone, with few weaknesses in comparison. While I value having the telephoto lens, as well as the superior selfie camera, the trade off in overall daily practical usage makes the 12T Pro a better purchase for the vast majority of people. Ultimately, I am not a professional photographer and don't find myself needing the extra zoom often, thus the benefits of the 12T Pro are more in line with what I value in a smartphone.
