Alright, let's dive deep into a comparison between the Huawei nova Y70 Plus and the Xiaomi 12T. I'll put on my tech journalist hat, blend my engineering know-how with a dose of real-world user understanding, and break this down for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed comparison table that dives into the specifications, along with the real-world implications for each:
| Feature | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Xiaomi 12T | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 168.3 x 77.7 x 9 mm | 163.1 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm | The Nova Y70 Plus is slightly taller, wider, and thicker than the Xiaomi 12T, making it less pocketable. |
| Weight | 199g | 202g | Both phones feel similar in weight, not causing much difference in hand feel. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, no foldable tech here. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.75" | 6.67" | Both offer large screens, the Nova Y70 Plus is negligibly larger. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1220 x 2712 | Xiaomi 12T's higher resolution leads to noticeably sharper text and images. |
| Pixel Density | 260 PPI | 446 PPI | The Xiaomi 12T's higher PPI display is significantly clearer and more detailed. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Xiaomi 12T provides better blacks, contrast, power efficiency with darker themes, and more vivid colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Xiaomi 12T offers a smoother experience with faster scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have similar peak brightness, which is concerning since they should at least show some output |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Dimensity 8100 Ultra (5 nm) | The Dimensity chip in the 12T is significantly faster and more power-efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,500 | 835,913 | The Xiaomi 12T delivers much faster app loading, multitasking, and gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Mali-G610 MC6 | The Xiaomi 12T's GPU offers considerably better graphics performance. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5000mAh | The Nova Y70 Plus's larger battery may offer longer usage, although software optimization and display differences play a significant role. |
| Charging | 22.5W | 120W | Xiaomi 12T charges dramatically faster, a huge convenience. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both have non-removable batteries. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 48MP | 108MP | Xiaomi 12T captures more detailed photos. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.7 | Xiaomi 12T captures more light in dim environments. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 8MP | 20MP | Xiaomi 12T selfie camera captures more details. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.24 | Huawei nova Y70 Plus selfie captures more light in dim environments. |
| Wide Angle Res | 5MP | 8MP | Xiaomi 12T's wide-angle shots have more detail. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP | N/A | Huawei nova Y70 Plus can capture depth shots, whereas the Xiaomi 12T doesn't have a dedicated sensor for this. |
| Macro lens | N/A | 2MP | Xiaomi 12T offers macro photography functionality, allowing for detail shots of smaller items. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Xiaomi 12T has much more versatile and high-quality video recording. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | Xiaomi 12T has better video stabilization. |
| Camera Features | PDAF | OIS, RAW, Night Mode | Xiaomi 12T has more advanced camera features. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Xiaomi 12T features a newer Android version that will be updated to 14, whereas the Huawei has no mention of their OS. | |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 b/g/n | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Xiaomi 12T has faster and more modern WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | Xiaomi 12T has a newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | Standard | Advanced GPS | Xiaomi 12T has more precise location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both devices support two SIM cards simultaneously. |
| Storage & Audio | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | Xiaomi 12T offers more storage, which can be useful for media and files. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | Xiaomi 12T handles multitasking much more effectively. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio | Xiaomi 12T features much higher audio quality. |
| Security & Build | |||
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint | basic fingerprint sensor | Both provide biometric security, side-mounted sensors are generally better than the basic ones. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Xiaomi 12T has robust screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Fingerprint, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Fingerprint, Gyroscope, Proximity | Xiaomi 12T has a wider sensor suite. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Strengths: Its main strength lies in its massive 6000mAh battery, promising longer battery life for users who prioritize endurance. It also features a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, generally seen as more practical than standard ones.
- Competitive Advantages: The large battery is a clear advantage for users seeking all-day (or potentially multi-day) usage.
- Trade-offs: The display is low resolution and not an AMOLED panel, the chipset is dated, and its charging speed is slow. The absence of expandable storage is another drawback. Its camera system, while decent, is not competitive with modern offerings in its class.
Xiaomi 12T:
- Strengths: The Xiaomi 12T excels in many areas, boasting a high-resolution 120Hz AMOLED display, a powerful Dimensity 8100 Ultra chipset, and ultra-fast 120W charging. It also provides a capable 108MP main camera and advanced audio features, and a much newer OS.
- Competitive Advantages: Its performance is substantially better in practically every metric, and its superior screen and camera system make it a much more future-proof device.
- Trade-offs: Its battery capacity is smaller compared to the Nova Y70 Plus, although the much more efficient chipset and charging might compensate for that.
Summary: The Xiaomi 12T is clearly the superior device when it comes to display, performance, camera and charging. The Huawei shines with the battery life, but it is not enough to compete with the Xiaomi 12T.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Best Suited For:
- Users who prioritize battery life above all else.
- Those on a budget looking for a large screen device for basic tasks.
- Individuals who don't game or use processor-intensive apps frequently.
- Use Cases:
- Long commutes without access to charging.
- Casual web browsing, social media, and content consumption.
- Users who primarily make calls and send texts.
Xiaomi 12T:
- Best Suited For:
- Users who demand high performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Those who value a high-quality display and immersive viewing experiences.
- Photography and videography enthusiasts.
- Users who want the newest software and the latest features.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming, video editing, and other demanding applications.
- High-quality content creation (photos and videos).
- Users who stream movies and TV shows frequently.
- Users who prefer future proof devices that get updates.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help guide the decision:
What is your primary need?
- If it’s maximum battery life and basic smartphone functionality, the Huawei nova Y70 Plus is a viable (if not subpar) option.
- If it’s performance, display quality, and camera capabilities, the Xiaomi 12T is the clear choice.
How important is charging speed?
- If fast charging is a priority, the Xiaomi 12T's 120W charging will be game-changing.
- If you are happy to charge less often, and leave your phone plugged for longer the Huawei nova Y70 Plus may be enough for you.
How much do you value future-proofing?
- If you want the latest software and features, the Xiaomi 12T is the better choice.
- If an older device is enough for you, the Huawei nova Y70 Plus may work for your needs.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: A user needs a phone primarily for communication, web browsing, and social media.
- Recommendation: The Huawei nova Y70 Plus will do, but you'll get a much better overall experience with the Xiaomi 12T if budget allows.
- Scenario 2: A user is a mobile gamer and content creator who uses the phone heavily.
- Recommendation: The Xiaomi 12T is the clear choice due to its superior performance, display, and camera system.
- Scenario 3: A user needs a phone with excellent battery life for travel and doesn’t do much else.
- Recommendation: The Huawei nova Y70 Plus may be sufficient but you won't get the best experience in other aspects. The Xiaomi 12T is more convenient due to it's fast charging, but you might have to charge it more often.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I'd absolutely pick the Xiaomi 12T. Here’s why:
As a tech journalist and someone who uses their phone extensively for both work and personal tasks, the Xiaomi 12T offers a significantly better overall experience. The combination of a high-refresh-rate AMOLED display, powerful performance, and fast charging is essential to my daily usage. While I appreciate the larger battery in the Huawei Nova Y70 Plus, the performance, screen quality, and lack of future-proofing are simply not enough to make up for it. The Xiaomi 12T isn't just about raw power, its about providing a fluid and engaging user experience. The camera is also essential to me as it is something I would use to capture memories or for my work. It’s the kind of device that keeps up with how I want to use a smartphone in today’s world.
