Alright, let's dive into this comparison between the Huawei nova Y70 Plus and the Xiaomi 12T Pro. It's a classic case of a budget-friendly option versus a feature-packed powerhouse, and the differences are pretty stark.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of the specs, keeping real-world implications in mind:
| Feature | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Xiaomi 12T Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 168.3 × 77.7 × 9 mm | 163.1 × 75.9 × 8.6 mm | The Y70 Plus is noticeably taller, wider, and thicker, meaning it'll feel bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 199g | 205g | Despite its size, the Y70 Plus is slightly lighter (6g), though both are generally hefty. |
| Foldable Type | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones (not foldable). |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.75" | 6.67" | Very similar size, with the Y70 Plus having slightly more screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1220x2712 | The 12T Pro's screen is significantly sharper, displaying crisper text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 260 | 446 | The 12T Pro's display looks much more detailed due to higher PPI. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | AMOLED screens offer superior blacks, contrast, and color vibrancy, plus power efficiency for dark themes. The 12T Pro display will "pop" more. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | 12T Pro is much smoother, with animations and scrolling looking fluid, vs the 60 Hz Y70+ |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | The 12T Pro's display is much more visible outdoors in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | The 12T Pro's chip is far more powerful, delivering much faster app loading and snappier overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,500 | 1,311,127 | The 12T Pro is capable of handling intensive games and apps effortlessly, while the Y70+ is for more basic use cases. |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 730 | The 12T Pro will have much better graphics performance for gaming and visual intensive applications. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5000mAh | Y70 Plus has a larger battery, which could translate to longer battery life if software optimization is similar (though the processor has a big impact here) |
| Charging | 22.5W Fast Charging | 120W Fast Charging | 12T Pro charges much faster, a big plus for on-the-go use. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer, Non-removable | Li-Polymer, Non-removable | Both phones have non-removable batteries. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8 | 200MP, f/1.69, 1/1.22" sensor | The 12T Pro has significantly higher resolution and a larger sensor, indicating better detail and low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 20MP, f/2.24, 1/2" sensor | The 12T Pro's front camera captures higher resolution selfies with a larger sensor size, which helps in low light. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 5MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" sensor | The 12T Pro has slightly more resolution and a larger sensor, which helps in low light. |
| Depth Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Y70 Plus has a dedicated depth camera. |
| Macro Camera | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor | 12T Pro has a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 12T Pro offers vastly superior video quality, including 8K recording. |
| Stabilization | No (Y70+) | Yes (OIS on 12T Pro) | 12T Pro has OIS for smoother, less shaky videos. |
| Slow Motion | 120fps (Y70+) | 1920fps (12T Pro) | The 12T Pro is capable of capturing much higher frame rate slow motion videos. |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | N/A | 129 (Photo: 130, Video: 134) | The 12T Pro has been tested to have very capable camera performance. |
| Camera Features | PDAF on Y70+ | OIS, Night Mode, RAW, 8K Video on 12T Pro | 12T Pro has more advanced features for enthusiast photographers. |
| Software and Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android based | Android 12 upgradable to 14 | 12T Pro has a more recent OS that has guaranteed updates to android 14. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | 12T Pro has faster, more reliable Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | The 12T Pro has a slightly newer bluetooth version. |
| GPS | Standard GPS systems | Enhanced GPS (L1+L5) | The 12T Pro has better accuracy in supported regions and under difficult conditions. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | 12T Pro adds support for an eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | The 12T Pro offers more storage capacity. |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB/12GB | 12T Pro allows for much better multitasking and future-proofing with increased ram. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither support expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | The 12T Pro offers a far better audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both have fingerprint scanners, though the Y70+ is side-mounted vs on the screen for the 12T pro. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The 12T Pro has better scratch and impact resistance. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | 12T Pro includes sensors required for more accurate navigation, AR, and gaming use cases. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Strengths: Its main strength lies in its large 6000mAh battery, potentially offering excellent battery life for those who prioritize it. It's a basic, budget-friendly device designed for less demanding tasks.
- Competitive Advantage: It is cheaper and provides good battery life; the side-mounted fingerprint sensor is also a nice touch for some users who prefer it vs. the in-display sensor on the 12T Pro.
- Trade-Offs: This phone has a low-resolution display, slower performance, and an older chipset. The camera system is basic, and it lacks many of the advanced features found in the 12T Pro.
- Limitations: It lacks advanced features, has a basic display, and may feel sluggish for users used to higher-end phones.
Xiaomi 12T Pro:
- Strengths: The 12T Pro is a true powerhouse, featuring a top-tier Snapdragon chipset, a high-resolution 120Hz AMOLED display, and a versatile camera system with a 200MP main sensor. It is geared towards performance and advanced features.
- Competitive Advantages: It offers unmatched performance, a premium display, significantly faster charging, and a much more capable camera system.
- Trade-Offs: It has a smaller battery than the Y70 Plus, and it can be more expensive.
- Limitations: It lacks expandable storage and, while great, it doesn’t have all the top-end features, particularly when compared to much more expensive flagship phones (e.g., a better telephoto lens)
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Best Suited For:
- Users on a tight budget who need a phone with reliable battery life for basic daily tasks.
- Those who don’t play demanding games or engage in heavy multitasking.
- Users who prioritize simplicity and ease of use over advanced features.
- Use Cases: Ideal for browsing, social media, calling, texting, and basic photo capture.
- Recommendation: An excellent option for those looking for a simple, long-lasting phone without frills.
Xiaomi 12T Pro:
- Best Suited For:
- Tech enthusiasts who want top-tier performance and cutting-edge features.
- Users who play demanding mobile games, do heavy multitasking, and edit photos/videos.
- Users who care about photography and want a versatile camera system.
- Use Cases: Perfect for gaming, professional photography, video creation, and heavy mobile productivity.
- Recommendation: The go-to device for those who demand power, performance, and a premium mobile experience.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to guide your decision:
- How important is raw performance to you?
- If crucial: Go for the Xiaomi 12T Pro with its superior processor, RAM, and graphics capabilities.
- If not a major factor: The Huawei nova Y70 Plus is adequate for basic tasks.
- What's your budget?
- Budget-conscious: The Huawei nova Y70 Plus is much more affordable.
- Willing to spend more for advanced features: The Xiaomi 12T Pro is a worthwhile investment.
- What kind of screen and camera do you value?
- Basic display is okay: The Huawei nova Y70 Plus is adequate.
- Premium display and camera are a must: The Xiaomi 12T Pro will be far more appealing.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget Gamer: Go for the Xiaomi 12T Pro. Its gaming performance blows away the Y70 Plus.
- Photography Enthusiast: Definitely choose the Xiaomi 12T Pro. Its camera system is miles ahead of the Y70 Plus.
- Long-Lasting Battery User: The Huawei nova Y70 Plus would be suitable here but for most use cases, the 12T pro should still be preferred due to its performance and better charging speed.
- Price-Conscious User: The Huawei nova Y70 Plus is the choice to save money, but be prepared to make compromises on features, performance, and the display.
What I Would Choose and Why
If I had to pick between these two phones for myself, I'd definitely go with the Xiaomi 12T Pro. The primary reason is that it aligns with my performance needs. As someone who frequently uses demanding apps and enjoys mobile gaming, the performance gap between these devices is simply too vast to ignore.
Also, the display is a key aspect that is important to me and the 12T Pro is a clear winner with its high resolution AMOLED and 120 Hz refresh rate.
Finally, the 12T Pro's camera system is significantly better and more versatile, which is very appealing for content creation and day-to-day photo capture. Yes, I'd trade some battery life, but the 120W fast charging more than makes up for it with minimal downtime needed to top up. For me, the trade-off in cost is justified by the significant performance and feature upgrade.
