Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S. These two phones occupy different spaces in the market, and understanding their differences is key to making the right choice. Here's a structured breakdown to help you navigate through their specs and real-world implications.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-28 | 2023-04-26 | The Redmi Note 12S is about 7 months newer, indicating potentially more refined features, though not necessarily a night-and-day difference. |
| Dimensions | 162.1 × 75.5 × 8.5 mm, 205g | 159.9 × 73.9 × 8.1 mm, 176g | The Mate 50 Pro is larger and heavier, which might be less comfortable for one-handed use but provides a more substantial feel. The Redmi Note 12S is lighter and more pocketable. |
| Build Material | Unspecified | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 (Screen) | The Redmi Note 12S has a glass screen, making it more durable against scratches compared to the Mate 50 Pro. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.74" | 6.43" | Mate 50 Pro offers a larger display, which is better for media consumption and multitasking. The Redmi Note 12S is slightly more compact. |
| Resolution | 1212x2616 | 1080x2400 | Mate 50 Pro has a higher resolution, providing crisper visuals and sharper text. |
| Pixel Density | 428 PPI | 409 PPI | Both offer sharp displays, but the Mate 50 Pro has a slight edge in sharpness. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both utilize vibrant OLED/AMOLED technology, offering deep blacks and high contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The Mate 50 Pro’s 120Hz refresh rate makes animations smoother and more responsive, especially when scrolling or gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | Redmi Note 12S is much brighter in outdoor conditions, making it easier to see the display under direct sunlight. Mate 50 Pro's brightness not specified so it's tough to know its performance. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4nm) | Helio G96 (12nm) | The Mate 50 Pro's Snapdragon chipset offers significantly higher performance, resulting in faster app loading, better gaming, and smoother multitasking. The Redmi Note 12S is more basic. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,022,043 | 412,400 | The Mate 50 Pro is more than twice as powerful as the Redmi Note 12S, making it better suited for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Mali-G57 MC2 | The Adreno 730 in the Mate 50 Pro provides superior graphics performance, beneficial for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP f/1.4, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | 108MP f/1.8, 1/1.52" Samsung S5KHM2 | The Mate 50 Pro’s wider f/1.4 aperture and the Sony sensor generally offer superior low-light performance despite the smaller resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP f/2.4 | 16MP f/2.4 | Both are decent for selfies; Redmi Note 12S offers slightly higher resolution. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP f/3.5, 1/2" Omnivision OV64B | None | The Mate 50 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens, allowing for better optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 12MP f/2.2 Sony IMX688 | 8MP f/2.2 | The Mate 50 Pro has slightly higher resolution in its wide-angle lens. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP f/2.4 | The Redmi Note 12S includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@60fps, HDR, EIS | 1080p@30fps | The Mate 50 Pro supports 4K video recording, offering significantly higher video quality with more detail, and a lot more HDR, EIS options. |
| DXOMark | Mobile 149, Selfie 145 | No Score available | The Mate 50 Pro's score indicate that it excels in photo and video quality. |
| Camera Features | Extensive, inc. OIS, RAW | Basic set | The Mate 50 Pro offers more advanced features, including optical image stabilization (OIS), and RAW support, providing more control over photo quality. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4700 mAh | 5000 mAh | The Redmi Note 12S has a slightly larger battery, which might lead to marginally longer battery life. |
| Charging | 66W fast charging, 50W wireless | 33W fast charging | The Mate 50 Pro has a much faster charging speed (66W), plus it offers wireless charging, providing more convenience. |
| Other Features | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | The Mate 50 Pro supports the latest WiFi standard, offering higher speeds and more stable connections on supported networks. |
| Security | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S provides a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor, while the Mate 50 Pro is less secure. |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB, no expansion | 64GB / 128GB / 256GB, no expansion | Mate 50 Pro offers larger internal storage options, suitable for users with extensive data requirements. Both lack expandable storage. |
| RAM | 8GB | 6GB / 8GB | Both offer RAM suitable for good multitasking, with the 8GB version of the Redmi Note 12S being slightly better than its 6GB version. |
| Audio | Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | The Redmi Note 12S provides slightly better audio features with High-Res Audio support. |
| OS | Unspecified | Android 13 | The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S has an up to date OS. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Gravity, Hall | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | The Mate 50 Pro comes with more environmental sensors |
2. Key Insights
Huawei Mate 50 Pro Strengths
- Top-Tier Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip provides a significant edge in speed and responsiveness.
- Superior Display: A larger, higher-resolution display with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures a premium visual experience.
- Advanced Camera System: The wider aperture and OIS, plus the telephoto lens makes it more versatile for photography.
- Faster Charging: 66W fast charging plus wireless charging makes it convenient to keep powered.
- More Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 offers improved speed and stability.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Strengths
- Better Screen Brightness: 1000 nits makes the screen much more visible under direct sunlight.
- Decent Battery Life: The slightly larger battery ensures good battery life.
- Hi-Res Audio: Better quality and immersive audio experience for music lovers.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient and modern fingerprint placement.
- Macro Lens: Captures detailed close-up shots.
- Newer OS: Up to date operating system.
Trade-offs and Limitations
- Mate 50 Pro is heavier and bulkier, and its brightness hasn't been specified making it hard to know how well it performs outdoors. Its security features are not as good, and it also has no expandable storage. The OS is also not specified which is not a good look.
- Redmi Note 12S lags behind in performance and camera capabilities, particularly in low-light conditions and optical zoom. Its display is also not as smooth.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei Mate 50 Pro is Best For:
- Power Users: Those who need top-tier processing power for gaming and multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality images and versatile camera capabilities.
- Media Consumers: Those who enjoy watching videos and need a large, high-resolution display.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is Best For:
- Casual Users: Those who need a reliable device for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and media consumption.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users looking for a good balance of features at a more affordable price.
- Outdoor Users: People who need a brighter screen for use under direct sunlight.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help make the choice easier, consider these questions:
- How much do you value performance? If you want cutting-edge performance, the Mate 50 Pro is the clear winner. If you're fine with a capable yet more basic processor, the Redmi Note 12S is suitable.
- Is camera quality a top priority? If photography is crucial, the Mate 50 Pro's versatile camera system, higher quality video and image processing make it ideal. If you just need a decent camera for daily use, the Redmi Note 12S is sufficient.
- What is your budget? The Mate 50 Pro is usually more expensive than the Redmi Note 12S. Consider the financial implications in addition to the functionality of the phone.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- For Gamers: The Huawei Mate 50 Pro offers the performance and smooth display for serious gaming.
- For Casual Users: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is a great, budget-friendly option with a screen that performs well in direct sunlight.
- For Photographers: The Huawei Mate 50 Pro will provide better image quality and creative options.
- For Media Consumers: If brightness doesn't matter as much, the Huawei Mate 50 Pro is the better option with a better display. However, for outdoor usage, you will want the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S.
What I Would Choose and Why
Personally, if I had to pick one, I'd go for the Huawei Mate 50 Pro. The sheer performance jump thanks to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is too significant to ignore. As someone who uses my phone for demanding tasks like mobile gaming, app development, and editing photos and videos, the additional power would be incredibly valuable to me. While the Redmi Note 12S offers some attractive features like its Hi-Res Audio and brighter display, the superior performance, advanced camera system, and faster charging speeds of the Mate 50 Pro would make my daily life much smoother and more efficient. While I might miss the convenience of the Redmi's side-mounted fingerprint sensor and better outdoor brightness, the overall package of the Mate 50 Pro is too compelling for me to overlook. I also prefer having a bigger and sharper display for my media consumption needs.
