Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi 12 Pro and the Honor Magic4 Pro. As a tech journalist, I'm not just here to rattle off specs; I want to show you what these differences mean in your daily life.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a head-to-head comparison, with a focus on practical implications:
| Feature | Xiaomi 12 Pro | Honor Magic4 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.6 × 74.6 × 8.2 mm | 163.6 × 74.7 × 9.1 mm | The Magic4 Pro is a bit thicker, which might feel slightly bulkier in hand and pocket. |
| Weight | 204g | 209g | Xiaomi 12 Pro is a touch lighter, less tiring during long usage sessions. |
| Build Quality | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Xiaomi's screen is better protected against scratches and drops. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.73" | 6.81" | Negligible difference in screen size, both will feel large. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1312x2848 | Xiaomi 12 Pro offers sharper details and crisper text; better for content creators. |
| Pixel Density | 521 PPI | 460 PPI | Xiaomi 12 Pro's display is noticeably sharper, enhancing the clarity of images and text. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar quality, vibrant colors, and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations, making the experience more fluid. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1000 nits | Xiaomi 12 Pro is considerably brighter, ideal for outdoor use, even under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Both offer top-tier performance, handling demanding apps and games with ease. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,177,498 | 945,832 | Xiaomi 12 Pro benchmarks higher, indicating a slightly snappier experience with apps and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 730 | Identical graphics performance, excellent for gaming and video editing. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, 1/1.28" sensor | 50MP, 1/1.56" sensor | Xiaomi 12 Pro's larger sensor captures more light, resulting in better low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | None | 64MP, 1/2" sensor | Honor Magic4 Pro offers a dedicated telephoto lens with optical zoom capabilities. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, 1/3.14" sensor | 12MP | Xiaomi 12 Pro has a higher resolution front camera for detailed selfies and video calls. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 50MP, 1/2.76" sensor | None | Xiaomi 12 Pro has an ultrawide camera for wide, immersive shots |
| TOF 3D Sensor | None | 0.3MP | Honor Magic4 Pro has a depth sensor for more accurate portrait modes. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 50MP, 1/2.76" sensor | None | Xiaomi 12 Pro has a dedicated camera for depth sensing for portrait shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 50MP | Honor Magic4 Pro has wide angle lens with added macro capabilities, useful for close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Xiaomi 12 Pro is able to capture higher video resolutions for professional uses. |
| DxOMark Score | 129 (136 photo, 125 video) | 126 (132 photo, 117 video) | Xiaomi 12 Pro has higher overall rating, better photo and video performance |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 4600mAh | Similar battery capacity for comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 120W wired, 50W wireless | 100W wired, 100W wireless | Xiaomi 12 Pro charges significantly faster with 120W, but has slower wireless charging. Honor Magic4 Pro has faster wireless charging. |
| Features | Xiaomi Surge P1 chip | Wireless Charging 100W | Xiaomi's Surge P1 chip offers a safe and stable 120W fast charging. The Honor Magic4 Pro has faster wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12 | Both ship with Android 12, offering modern Android features and experiences. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Both offer fast and reliable Wi-Fi connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE, A2DP | 5.2 LE, A2DP, EDR | Both have modern Bluetooth; Honor Magic4 Pro has an EDR added feature. |
| GPS | Comprehensive | Comprehensive | Both are excellent for navigation; Honor Magic4 Pro supports GPS, Galileo. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | Honor offers more storage variants. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 8GB/12GB | Both offer ample RAM for smooth performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device supports expandable storage; consider this when selecting storage size. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, 2 mics | DTS/DTSX | Xiaomi 12 Pro has better quality audio with enhanced spatial and better voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Biometric Sensor | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor technology on both. |
| Sensors | Barometer, RGB, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Proximity, Gravity | Xiaomi 12 Pro offers a more comprehensive suite of sensors suitable for more advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi 12 Pro Strengths:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and pixel density make for a sharper and more visually pleasing display, especially for detailed content and text.
- Brighter Screen: 1500 nits brightness makes it much better for outdoor use compared to the Honor's 1000 nits.
- Faster Charging: 120W wired charging is significantly faster, convenient for quickly topping up the battery.
- Better Main Camera Sensor: The larger sensor captures more light, resulting in superior low-light performance.
- Higher Video Quality: Able to capture up to 8K@24fps.
- Better Audio Quality: Features Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, with improved voice capture.
- Higher Overall Benchmarks Offers better performance with 24% higher benchmark score.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers a superior screen protection against scratches and drops.
- Wider Sensor Suite: Has a larger range of sensors, suitable for advanced features.
Honor Magic4 Pro Strengths:
- Telephoto Lens: Has a dedicated telephoto lens and optical zoom for enhanced photography.
- Larger Storage Options: Offers a 512GB option, beneficial for users needing more space.
- Faster Wireless Charging: 100W wireless charging will fill the battery quickly without wires.
- Wide Angle + Macro Lens: Has a wide angle lens with added macro capabilities.
- More GPS Options: Supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi 12 Pro: Lacks a dedicated telephoto lens and macro lens; lower wireless charging.
- Honor Magic4 Pro: Slightly thicker, heavier, not as bright of a screen, lower resolution, lower benchmark scores; no screen protection information; lower DxOMark Score.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi 12 Pro:
- Content Creators: The combination of a sharper display, larger camera sensor, 8K video recording, and better audio quality is a great fit for multimedia tasks.
- Power Users: The faster charging and higher benchmark score mean it's ideal for those who use their phone heavily throughout the day.
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: The significantly brighter display will ensure comfortable viewing in direct sunlight.
Honor Magic4 Pro:
- Photography Enthusiasts: The telephoto lens and versatile camera system cater well to users who enjoy photography.
- Users Requiring More Storage: With 512GB model, this is a great option.
- Users that Prefer Wireless Charging: The 100W wireless charging is faster.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Key Questions to Ask Yourself:
- How important is display quality? If a sharp, vibrant, and bright display is your priority, the Xiaomi 12 Pro is the better choice.
- How much do you value versatile photography? If you often use telephoto zoom, macro shots and wireless charging, the Honor Magic4 Pro may be more suitable.
- How important is fast charging? If quick wired charging is a priority, the Xiaomi 12 Pro will fill up faster. If wireless charging is important, the Honor Magic4 Pro offers faster wireless charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Daily Commutes and Outdoor Use: The Xiaomi 12 Pro with its brighter screen is the clear winner.
- For Multimedia and Gaming: Xiaomi's higher performance and sharper display offer a more immersive experience.
- For Heavy Photography Users: The Honor Magic4 Pro, with its telephoto lens and added features, caters better to photography enthusiasts.
- For Users that Need More Storage: The Honor Magic4 Pro with its 512GB option caters better to users with large media library.
My Choice and Why
After a thorough review, if I had to choose between these two phones, I'd pick the Xiaomi 12 Pro.
Here's why:
- Display Quality: The sharper display is a big win. As someone who often reads articles, edits photos, and watches videos, the increased clarity and brightness on the Xiaomi 12 Pro make a significant difference in everyday use.
- Performance: While both are powerful, the higher benchmark scores and better processing gives Xiaomi 12 Pro an edge.
- Faster wired charging: 120W charging would make a huge difference when my phone is low on battery.
- Camera: Although the Honor has a Telephoto lens and a macro lens, the overall sensor size of Xiaomi, better DxOMark score, and overall video quality would make the main camera more useful day to day.
- Comprehensive sensor suite: Having a barometer and a virtual ultrasonic proximity sensor is useful.
- Audio quality: Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio adds to the overall value of the device.
While I appreciate the Honor Magic4 Pro's telephoto capabilities and wireless charging, the Xiaomi 12 Pro's superior screen, camera sensor, faster charging, better overall performance, audio, and better sensor suite align more closely with my needs and preferences.
Ultimately, your decision should align with how you plan to use your phone daily. Both of these devices are impressive flagships, and I hope this breakdown helps you choose which phone is perfect for you.
