Alright, let's dive deep into the Xiaomi 12 Pro and the Sony Xperia 1 VI. We've got two very different approaches to the modern smartphone, and understanding their strengths and trade-offs is key to figuring out which one is right for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Xiaomi 12 Pro | Sony Xperia 1 VI | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| DESIGN | |||
| Dimensions | 163.6 × 74.6 × 8.2 mm | 162 × 74 × 8.2 mm | Similar width and thickness; Xiaomi is a touch taller. |
| Weight | 204g | 192g | The Xperia is a bit lighter, which could be preferable for prolonged use. |
| DISPLAY | |||
| Size | 6.73" | 6.5" | The Xiaomi provides a slightly larger display. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2340 | The Xiaomi offers significantly sharper visuals due to higher resolution. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 521 | 396 | The Xiaomi's display will look noticeably crisper than the Sony's. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both are excellent quality display panels. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | The Xiaomi is much better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. The Sony is likely to have it’s brightness figures not disclosed in the documents |
| PERFORMANCE | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Xperia has a newer and significantly more powerful chip, leading to faster app loading and better multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,177,498 | 2,110,000 | The Xperia has much better benchmark performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 750 | The Xperia has a newer and more powerful GPU, which means better gaming performance. |
| BATTERY | |||
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 5000mAh | The Xperia provides a bit more battery capacity, potentially for slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 120W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | The Xiaomi offers much faster charging times compared to the Sony. |
| Battery Features | 120W wired, 50W wireless, 10W reverse wireless | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Reverse Wireless | Xiaomi offers ultra fast wired and wireless charging. Sony includes bypass charging which is a nice feature. |
| CAMERA | |||
| Main Camera | |||
| Resolution | 50MP | 48MP | The Xiaomi boasts a slightly higher resolution for capturing fine details. |
| Sensor Size | 1/1.28" | 1/1.4" | The Xiaomi’s larger sensor might perform slightly better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | |||
| Resolution | 32MP | 12MP | The Xiaomi has a significantly higher resolution for detailed selfies. |
| Sensor Size | 1/3.14" | 1/2.93" | The Sony has a slightly larger sensor for better low light performance. |
| Telephoto lens | |||
| Resolution | N/A | 12MP | The Sony features a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom. |
| Wide Angle lens | |||
| Resolution | 50MP | 12.2MP | Xiaomi provides a higher resolution for wide angle capture |
| Sensor Size | 1/2.76" | 1/2.55" | Sony features a larger sensor for capturing images with more light in each pixel. |
| Portrait mode (depth) | |||
| Resolution | 50MP | N/A | Xiaomi includes a depth sensor to help improve portrait shots |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@120fps | Xiaomi offers higher resolution video recording. |
| Features | 8K Video, OIS, EIS, many modes | OIS, EIS, many modes | Both offer a lot of video and photo features. Sony includes Noise Reduction and Time-Lapse. |
| DxoMark Score | 129 | N/A | Xiaomi Camera has been tested by DxoMark (129) |
| SOFTWARE & CONNECTIVITY | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 | Android 14 | The Xperia comes with a more recent version of Android. |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | The Xperia supports a newer WiFi standard, offering faster speeds and reduced latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 | The Xperia uses the latest Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5) | Xiaomi uses more satellite systems for better accuracy in location services. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Sony has an additional eSIM option. |
| STORAGE | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256 GB | 256GB/512GB | The Xperia offers more storage space than the Xiaomi. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 12GB | Both phones have a good amount of RAM for multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both do not have an option to use a SD card. |
| AUDIO & SECURITY | |||
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 Microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | The Xiaomi has slightly better quality audio components. |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint | Side-Mounted Fingerprint | Sony uses a better fingerprint sensor. |
| BUILD QUALITY | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Both have excellent screen protection. |
| SENSORS | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Xiaomi includes additional sensors that could be used to enhance the user experience. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi 12 Pro Strengths:
- Display: The higher resolution and pixel density make the screen noticeably sharper, which is great for viewing detailed content and enjoying high-definition videos. Also brighter, meaning the screen is much better under sunlight.
- Charging: The 120W fast charging is a game-changer, allowing you to quickly top up your battery and get back to using your phone without waiting for long periods.
- Camera: Features higher resolution in the main, wide and selfie cameras, also includes 8K video. The depth sensor and better audio components give some extra flexibility in certain use cases.
- Audio: The enhanced audio features like Hi-Res audio and dual mics are a great feature for those who consume and create high quality media.
- Sensors: Includes additional sensors like Ultrasonic proximity, which can improve the performance of certain features.
Sony Xperia 1 VI Strengths:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip offers superior performance, making the Xperia the better choice for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing.
- Battery: The larger battery capacity and bypass charging are useful features for longer lasting battery and gaming sessions.
- Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 7, which means future-proofed connectivity for users who need the best possible Wi-Fi performance. The newer Bluetooth also means a better audio experience.
- Camera: The telephoto lens provides better versatility in capturing photos from a distance, and the larger sensors in selfie and wide lenses can mean better pictures in low-light environments.
- Software: The newer version of Android will mean users have the latest features, and potentially better performance.
- Trade-offs & Limitations:
- Xiaomi 12 Pro: The older chipset and lower benchmark scores mean performance may not be as future-proofed as the Xperia. The camera system is quite complex and potentially can be improved with a few more updates to the phone.
- Sony Xperia 1 VI: The screen is not as sharp as the Xiaomi. The slower charging times may be inconvenient for some, the lack of published display brightness makes it difficult to know how well it works in direct sunlight.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Xiaomi 12 Pro:
- Ideal for: Users who prioritize a high-quality display and super-fast charging, those who consume media, or content creators who need a versatile camera system.
- Use Cases: Watching high-resolution videos, quick battery top-ups during the day, taking photos and videos for social media.
- Price-to-Value: The older model may come with a more attractive price point making it a good option if there is a tight budget.
- Sony Xperia 1 VI:
- Ideal for: Power users who need the best performance, avid gamers, or users who prioritize camera versatility and the latest connectivity standards.
- Use Cases: Playing graphics-intensive games, professional photography, shooting high-quality video footage.
- Price-to-Value: Expect a higher price tag due to its premium features.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to guide your choice:
What is your primary use case?
- If it's media consumption and quick battery top-ups, the Xiaomi 12 Pro may be the better fit due to its display and fast charging.
- If it's intensive tasks, gaming, and future-proofed connectivity, the Sony Xperia 1 VI is likely to be more suitable.
How important is camera versatility to you?
- If you require a telephoto lens, the Sony Xperia 1 VI is the clear choice.
- If you’re more focused on high-resolution selfies and wide-angle shots, the Xiaomi 12 Pro has a strong offering, but you could also use the depth sensor for portrait shots.
What is your budget?
- The Xiaomi 12 Pro, as an older model, will likely be more affordable.
- The Sony Xperia 1 VI, being a newer, premium model, will likely come at a higher price point.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Content Creator: If you're a content creator who regularly records videos, the Xiaomi 12 Pro is a good all round option. If you're doing lots of travel photography and also want good video quality, the Sony Xperia 1 VI would be a better option.
- The Gamer: The Sony Xperia 1 VI provides a much better experience for gaming, given its latest hardware components.
- The Daily User: For everyday use, the Xiaomi 12 Pro is the more practical option with better battery charging and display brightness.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I'd personally lean towards the Sony Xperia 1 VI. Here's why:
- Future-Proofing: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4 make the Xperia more future-proof. I tend to hold onto my phones for several years, and this would be beneficial.
- Performance: As a tech journalist, I often run several apps and multitask, so the extra performance of the Xperia would make my life easier.
- Camera Versatility: I value the flexibility of having a telephoto lens for different shooting conditions.
- Software: As a tinkerer and software enthusiast, I like to use the latest version of Android.
While the Xiaomi 12 Pro is an excellent phone in its own right, the Sony Xperia 1 VI's emphasis on future-proofing, camera versatility, and cutting-edge performance would be the more appropriate fit for my particular use case and preferences. The charging speeds of the Xiaomi are really tempting, but the other aspects of the Sony make it a more powerful option.
