Alright, let's break down the Xiaomi 12 Pro and ZTE nubia Z50S Pro. This is a showdown between a slightly older flagship that still packs a punch and a newer contender boasting some impressive upgrades. Buckle up, tech enthusiasts, we're diving deep!
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these two phones stack up, with a focus on what these specifications mean for you:
| Feature | Xiaomi 12 Pro | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.6 × 74.6 × 8.2 mm | 163.9 × 76.3 × 8.3 mm | Similar size, but the nubia is slightly wider and thicker which will be noticeable in hand. |
| Weight | 204g | 228g | Xiaomi is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.73" | 6.8" | Near identical display sizes; the difference is negligible. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1260x2800 | Xiaomi's higher resolution will look significantly sharper, particularly when reading small text or viewing detailed images. |
| PPI | 521 | 452 | Xiaomi offers noticeably sharper images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant and contrasty displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both will provide a smooth experience in everyday use and while gaming. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1500 nits | Identical high brightness making both phones easily visible in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 | The nubia boasts a much faster and more efficient chipset which will lead to higher frame rates and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,177,498 | 1,579,720 | The nubia is significantly faster, resulting in snappier app loading and smoother overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 740 | The nubia has a more powerful GPU that is better for gaming and graphic-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 5100mAh | The nubia is likely to offer longer battery life. |
| Charging | 120W wired, 50W wireless | 80W wired | Xiaomi can charge significantly faster when wired, but the nubia has a larger battery. |
| Battery Features | Reverse wired/wireless charging, single-cell safe fast charging tech | None | Xiaomi offers more flexibility in power management with wireless charging and reverse charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.28" IMX707 | 54MP, f/1.6, 1/1.49" IMX800 | The nubia has a wider aperture for better low-light performance but the Xiaomi has a larger sensor which lets in more light. |
| Telephoto+Portrait Camera | None | 8MP, f/2.4 Hynix HI-847 | The nubia has a dedicated telephoto lens, while Xiaomi lacks this feature. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, 1/3.14" Samsung JD1 | 16MP, f/2.5, 1/3.06" OV16A10 | Xiaomi offers higher resolution for better detail, the Nubia has a larger pixel size for better low light. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" S5KJN1 | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.88" OV50D40 | The Nubia has a slightly wider aperture while the Xiaomi has a slightly larger sensor. |
| Portrait Camera | 50MP f/1.9, 1/2.76" S5KJN1 | None | Xiaomi has a dedicated Portrait Camera, while the Nubia lacks this feature |
| Video | 8K@24fps, up to 1920fps slow-mo | 8K@30fps, up to 480fps slow-mo | Both offer high-quality video, but Xiaomi has faster slow motion but at a lower resolution. |
| DXOMark | 129 Overall (136 Photo, 125 Video) | Not Tested | Xiaomi camera performance is quite high according to dxomark tests, but the nubia has not been tested. |
| Camera Features | Digital/Optical Zoom, OIS/EIS, 8k video, advanced focus and shooting features | Digital/Optical Zoom, OIS/EIS, 8k video, advanced focus and shooting features, Gimbal, Flicker Sensor | The nubia has more additional features for video recording like gimbal and flicker sensor. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13 | The nubia has a newer version of Android. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | The nubia offers faster, more stable Wi-Fi connectivity, with access to the 6GHz band. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 | The nubia supports a newer version of bluetooth with more efficient connections. |
| GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | The nubia offers more precise location tracking with additional support for Galileo. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/1024GB | The nubia offers more storage capacity. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 12GB/16GB | The nubia has more RAM for better multi-tasking and performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither support microSD expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | DTS/DTS X | The Xiaomi has enhanced spatial audio and higher quality audio playback, while the Nubia provides DTS audio. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Both feature a standard fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Xiaomi has a better screen protection rating. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Proximity, Light Sensor | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | The Xiaomi has extra environmental sensors compared to the nubia. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi 12 Pro Strengths:
- Sharper Display: The higher resolution and pixel density make the screen noticeably clearer, especially for text and detailed images.
- Faster Charging: The 120W wired charging is a significant advantage for those needing a quick power boost.
- Versatile Charging: Offering both wireless and reverse charging provides flexibility.
- Proven Camera: The phone has already been tested by dxomark, and it scores very well in the photo and video category.
- Extra Environmental Sensors: The extra sensors are good for gaming and advance features.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The newer Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 chipset offers a substantial performance boost in benchmarks, gaming, and everyday tasks.
- Longer Battery Life: The larger battery capacity will likely offer longer usage between charges.
- Better Connectivity: The Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 standards provide faster and more reliable connections.
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: It offers a dedicated telephoto camera for better zoom photos.
- Higher RAM Capacity: The 16GB ram is helpful for heavy multitasking and gaming.
- Higher Storage Capacity: Comes with 1TB storage option.
- Advanced video recording features: The inclusion of Gimbal and flicker sensor are great additions for videographers.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Xiaomi 12 Pro: Slightly older chipset and camera, heavier design and it has a lower battery capacity compared to the nubia.
- ZTE nubia Z50S Pro: Lower screen resolution and PPI, slower wired charging, and lack of reverse wireless charging, and unknown screen protection.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Xiaomi 12 Pro: Best for users who want a sharper display, value quick charging and those who do not want a massive phone, it’s good for general use and photography. If you need a phone that provides a great photo and video experience and that can charge quickly, this is the best choice.
- ZTE nubia Z50S Pro: The preferred phone for gamers, heavy multitaskers, and those seeking maximum performance and battery life. If you want the latest performance, best connectivity and you prioritize battery life and having extra storage, this is the phone you should go for.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- Do you prioritize display sharpness or raw power?
- If display clarity is crucial, and you take a lot of high-resolution pictures, go for the Xiaomi 12 Pro.
- If you crave maximum performance, long battery life and want to play the latest games smoothly, choose the nubia Z50S Pro.
- Is fast charging more important than battery capacity?
- If you often need to quickly top up your phone, the Xiaomi’s 120W charging is the better choice.
- If you need the maximum hours between charges, the Nubia’s larger battery will make a difference.
- Do you need extra features in your camera like a telephoto lens?
- If you want the extra telephoto lens choose the Nubia.
- If you prefer a portrait camera and high quality images, choose the Xiaomi.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Casual User: The Xiaomi 12 Pro may be better due to its sharper display and wireless charging capabilities.
- Mobile Gamer: The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is the clear choice for its superior performance, longer battery life, and advanced connectivity.
- Content Creator: If your focus is on photography and video the Xiaomi provides a well tested, high quality camera, but if you are more of a videographer the Nubia may be better with extra video features.
- Power User: The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro, with its top-tier performance and more storage, would provide more versatility.
Which would I choose?
For me, I'd choose the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro. Here's why: While the Xiaomi has a sharper display, the performance gap is too significant to ignore. As someone who does some gaming, photo and video editing on my phone, the extra power, larger battery, and faster connectivity of the nubia would make a noticeable difference in my daily use. Additionally, as a frequent traveler, the larger storage and telephoto camera are invaluable. While the Xiaomi excels in display sharpness and charging, the nubia offers a more well-rounded package for my needs. The extra features on the camera of the nubia are also quite useful.
