Alright, let's dive deep into this comparison of the Xiaomi 12 Pro and the Huawei Pura 70 Pro. We’re not just looking at numbers here; we're figuring out which phone fits into your life. Ready? Let’s go.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a head-to-head breakdown, focusing on the why behind the tech specs, not just the what.
| Feature | Xiaomi 12 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 74.6 x 8.2 mm | 162.6 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | Very similar size, Pura 70 Pro is slightly thicker and heavier |
| Weight | 204g | 220g | Xiaomi 12 Pro is noticeably lighter, easier for long holds |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.73" | 6.8" | Near identical screen real estate |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1260 x 2844 | Xiaomi 12 Pro has a sharper display for crisper visuals |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 521 | 460 | Xiaomi 12 Pro delivers finer detail and clarity |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer rich colors, deep blacks, great visual quality |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 2500 nits | Pura 70 Pro is significantly brighter for outdoor visibility |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) | Kirin 9010 (7nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is generally more performant on paper |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,177,498 | 869,707 | Xiaomi 12 Pro provides smoother daily use and gaming |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Maleoon 910 | Differences in graphics performance, though not drastic in day-to-day use |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.28" | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.3" | Pura 70 Pro has a wider aperture for better low-light, 12 Pro has a slightly bigger sensor |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 48MP, f/2.1 | Pura 70 Pro has dedicated zoom capabilities |
| Ultrawide Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" | 12.5MP, f/2.2 | Xiaomi 12 Pro has higher resolution ultrawide sensor |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, 1/3.14" | 13MP, f/2.4 | Xiaomi 12 Pro captures more detailed self-portraits |
| Portrait (depth) | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/2.76" | None | Xiaomi 12 Pro has a dedicated depth camera for better portraits |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, EIS | 4K, EIS | Xiaomi 12 Pro has 8K video recording and additional recording options |
| DXOMark | Main Score: 129 | Not Available | Xiaomi 12 Pro is tested on DXOMark and offers decent image quality |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 5050mAh | Pura 70 Pro has a slightly larger battery, potentially better battery life |
| Charging | 120W wired, 50W wireless, 10W reverse | 100W wired, 80W wireless, 20W reverse | Xiaomi 12 Pro has faster wired charging, Pura 70 Pro faster wireless |
| Other | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Different operating systems | |
| Storage | 128/256GB | 256/512/1024GB | Huawei Pura 70 Pro offers significantly more storage options |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 12GB | Both offer plenty of RAM for most users |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither support memory card expansion |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support similar Wi-Fi standards |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.2 | Both support similar Bluetooth standards |
| GPS | Multiple Satellite Systems | Multiple Satellite Systems | Both support multiple satellite systems |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi 12 Pro:
- Strengths: The Xiaomi 12 Pro is a performance beast, boasting a sharper display, more powerful chipset based on benchmarks, faster wired charging and higher resolution front and ultrawide cameras. The inclusion of a dedicated depth camera and a solid video recording suite make it a versatile option for media creation. The 8K video is a nice professional addition.
- Competitive Advantages: Superior benchmark performance, faster charging, and higher resolution display, along with a tried and true user friendly android OS.
- Trade-offs: It has a lower battery capacity and slightly dimmer display, and no dedicated telephoto lens, and the lack of wireless charging speed compared to the Pura 70 Pro could be a drawback for some users.
Huawei Pura 70 Pro:
- Strengths: The Pura 70 Pro shines in battery life and outdoor visibility with an incredibly bright display and a larger battery. The inclusion of a dedicated telephoto lens is beneficial for capturing zoomed shots without significant loss of quality, and it features faster wireless charging.
- Competitive Advantages: Brighter display, larger battery, wireless charging capabilities, and more storage options, including a massive 1TB model, and a better main camera aperture and telephoto lens.
- Trade-offs: Lower benchmark performance scores, a lower resolution display, no portrait camera, and the missing official OS details would raise a few eyebrows for some users.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi 12 Pro:
- Best For: Gamers and performance users who prioritize speed, smoothness, and visual clarity. Media creators who need high-resolution video and detailed selfies. Users who value fast wired charging speeds will also appreciate the Xiaomi 12 Pro.
- Use Cases: High-performance gaming, heavy multitasking, video content creation, and photography enthusiasts who value clear front-facing images.
- Price-to-Value: A great option if you are looking for the most processing power, and don't need the highest end display brightness and telephoto capabilities.
Huawei Pura 70 Pro:
- Best For: Users who spend a lot of time outdoors, those who prioritize a long battery life, and those who need zoom capabilities. Users who don't mind lower benchmark scores will love this phone.
- Use Cases: Outdoor photography, extensive daily use without frequent charging, travel photography with the zoom lens, those who desire more storage.
- Price-to-Value: It's an excellent choice for those who value a bright display, long battery life, and high storage capacity, despite its lower benchmark performance.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
- Do you prioritize raw performance and the smoothest gaming experience? If yes, the Xiaomi 12 Pro is the better choice with its higher benchmarks.
- Do you spend a lot of time in bright sunlight and need the best outdoor screen visibility? If yes, the Huawei Pura 70 Pro with its 2500 nits of brightness is the clear winner.
- Do you value battery life and the convenience of wireless charging? If so, the Huawei Pura 70 Pro will offer superior battery life and faster wireless charging speeds.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Gamer: If you're primarily a gamer, the Xiaomi 12 Pro will be a better fit due to its higher performance and smoother experience.
- The Outdoor Photographer: The Pura 70 Pro wins for you. Its bright display, dedicated telephoto lens, and superior battery life make it ideal for outdoor photography.
- The Daily User: If your main priorities are reliable performance, all day battery life, and convenience, the Huawei Pura 70 Pro is a very good choice.
- The High Performance Creator: The Xiaomi 12 Pro would be a more optimal choice for your 8K video recording, better front facing and ultrawide images.
- The Power User: The Huawei Pura 70 Pro would be a more optimal choice for your high storage and higher battery needs.
My Choice:
If I were making this choice today, I would pick the Xiaomi 12 Pro.
Here’s why:
While the Pura 70 Pro has a very impressive display and battery, I'm a sucker for a fast, smooth experience and the most versatility when taking photos and videos. The 8K recording on the Xiaomi is a big plus, as is the higher resolution on front facing and ultrawide cameras. The performance boost is also something I value. While the Xiaomi doesn't have a telephoto lens, the other camera specifications are a nice trade off. It’s about maximizing those key areas, even if it means trading off on some battery and brightness.
