Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Huawei nova Y70 Plus and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+. I'll put on my tech journalist hat, aiming for a clear, insightful, and practical review.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a breakdown of the key specifications, focusing on what they mean for real-world use:
| Feature | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 168.3 × 77.7 × 9 mm | 162.9 × 76 × 8.9 mm | The Huawei is slightly larger and might feel less comfortable in smaller hands. |
| Weight | 199g | 208.4g | Both phones are hefty, but the Huawei is a tad lighter, which is a nice touch. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.75" | 6.67" | Similar screen sizes, the Huawei is just a smidge bigger. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | The Xiaomi has much sharper visuals, making text and images look clearer. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 260 | 395 | Xiaomi's screen will be visibly more detailed and less pixelated. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | OLED offers deeper blacks, richer colors and superior viewing experience |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Xiaomi is significantly smoother during scrolling and gaming, providing a more fluid experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 900 nits | Xiaomi's display is much brighter and can be easily seen under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) | The Xiaomi's chipset is much more powerful and efficient, providing a better overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,500 | 573,100 | The Xiaomi is significantly faster for apps, multitasking, and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 (PowerVR GE8320) | Mali-G68 MC4 (Mali-G68 MC4) | Xiaomi's GPU is more powerful, leading to better gaming graphics. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5000mAh | The Huawei has a larger battery for potentially longer battery life. |
| Charging | 22.5W | 120W | Xiaomi charges much faster, a huge convenience. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP (f/1.8) | 200MP (f/1.65, 1/1.4") | Xiaomi's main camera is much more detailed and performs better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP (f/2.0) | 16MP (f/2.45) | Xiaomi’s front camera offers more details |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP (f/2.2) | 8MP (f/2.2, 1/2.8") | Xiaomi's wide-angle camera is slightly better. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP (f/2.4, 1/5") | Xiaomi allows you to get very close to your subjects. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP (f/2.4) | N/A | Huawei provides depth sensing for portrait photos |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps | Xiaomi records higher-quality video with more frame rate options. |
| Stabilization | No | Yes | Xiaomi’s video is less shaky, especially in motion. |
| DXoMark Scores | N/A | 113 (Mobile), 117 (Photo/Video) | The Xiaomi has a decent camera performance according to DXoMark |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Xiaomi has more features such as Optical Stabilization(OIS), Night mode, and RAW |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | Xiaomi has better Wi-Fi with newer standards |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 LE | Xiaomi has a slightly more recent Bluetooth for better performance. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | The Xiaomi offers more storage, especially useful if you're a media hoarder. |
| RAM | 4GB | 8/12 GB | Xiaomi has more RAM, leading to better performance when multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic Audio Features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi offers better audio with stereo speakers and spatial audio |
| Security | |||
| Biometrics | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer fingerprint sensors |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Xiaomi offers better screen protection, reducing chances of scratches and breakage |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gravity | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Xiaomi provides more advanced sensor options, suitable for gaming and augmented reality apps |
2. Key Insights
Huawei nova Y70 Plus
Strengths:
- Large Battery: The 6000mAh battery is a significant advantage for users needing long battery life.
- Slightly Lighter: The slightly reduced weight might be noticeable for extended use.
Competitive Advantages:
- Great for users who prioritize battery endurance over performance.
- Its size might appeal to those who prefer a large phone for media consumption.
Trade-offs/Limitations:
- Significantly lower resolution display with a less sharp picture.
- Significantly lower performance with the Kirin 710A processor.
- Basic audio capabilities.
- Very limited camera capabilities.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+
Strengths:
- High-Resolution OLED Display: Offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent clarity, with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
- Powerful Performance: The Mediatek Dimensity 1080 chipset delivers excellent speed for gaming, multitasking, and apps.
- Fast Charging: The 120W charging is a game-changer for topping up quickly.
- Superior Camera: The 200MP main camera, wide lens, macro lens, and video stabilization, make it much better for photography and videography.
- Advanced Audio: The Dolby Atmos audio with stereo speakers delivers richer sound experience.
Competitive Advantages:
- Overall better performance and screen quality, suitable for demanding users.
- Excellent camera capabilities and higher video quality, suitable for content creation.
Trade-offs/Limitations:
- The battery is smaller than the Huawei.
- Slightly heavier than the Huawei
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei nova Y70 Plus
- Ideal for: Casual users who value battery life and have light usage habits.
- Use Cases: Basic browsing, social media, media consumption, and simple games.
- Recommendations: A good budget choice if battery life is your top priority, and you don't require high performance and high-end display quality.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+
- Ideal for: Tech enthusiasts, power users, content creators, and gamers.
- Use Cases: High-end gaming, photography, videography, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Recommendations: The Xiaomi is a far better overall phone if you want a device that handles demanding tasks, offers an excellent display, great camera, and fast charging, but it does come with a slightly smaller battery.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help users decide between these phones:
What is your primary need: battery life or performance?
- If battery life is crucial and you don’t need high performance, choose the Huawei.
- If performance, camera quality, and screen are more important, choose the Xiaomi.
Do you value fast charging, or can you wait longer for the phone to charge?
- If you're in a hurry and need your phone charged quickly, the Xiaomi's 120W charging is a huge advantage.
- If you can charge your phone overnight and fast charging isn't crucial, the Huawei's 22.5W charging can be sufficient.
Are you a heavy media user, photographer or gamer?
- If you consume a lot of media, play demanding games, or are into mobile photography, the Xiaomi is a much better choice.
- If your media needs are modest and you mainly use your phone for social media or web browsing, you may be satisfied with the Huawei, but you have to sacrifice screen quality and performance.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Basic User
- User Profile: Primarily uses phone for calls, texts, social media, and light browsing.
- Recommendation: The Huawei nova Y70 Plus may suffice if battery life is the only priority, but you have to sacrifice a lot in terms of display quality and performance.
- Scenario 2: Moderate User
- User Profile: Occasionally plays games, watches videos, takes photos, and uses various apps.
- Recommendation: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ provides a better experience in almost every aspect
- Scenario 3: Power User
- User Profile: Demanding games, heavy multitasking, consumes high-quality media, and takes a lot of photos and videos.
- Recommendation: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is the better choice thanks to its superior display, processing power, camera system, and fast charging.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two devices, I would absolutely go with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+. Here's why:
As someone who appreciates good tech, I need a device that can handle my daily tasks and deliver an excellent media experience. The Xiaomi's high-resolution OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate is a game-changer for me. I often consume videos, play games, and appreciate a crisp and sharp display. In addition, I also do a lot of photo and video recording, so the 200MP camera and the great video stabilization are extremely enticing. The lightning-fast 120W charging is an added bonus, saving me precious time. While I do appreciate a long lasting battery, the Xiaomi's battery combined with the 120W fast charging, provides a better experience. The performance difference is also night and day between the two devices with the Xiaomi scoring much better on benchmark tests.
Yes, the Huawei has a larger battery, but for me, the sacrifices in other key areas are too big. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is not just an upgrade; it's a leap forward in overall user experience, making it an easy choice.
