Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi 12 and the Apple iPhone 14 Plus. We’ll break down the specs, understand their real-world implications, and figure out which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a head-to-head comparison table that aims to cut through the jargon and highlight what these specs mean for you:
| Feature | Xiaomi 12 | Apple iPhone 14 Plus | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Size | 152.7 × 69.9 × 8.2 mm | 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.8 mm | Xiaomi 12 is more compact; iPhone 14 Plus is larger and may feel less ergonomic |
| Weight | 179g | 203g | Xiaomi 12 is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus) , glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (unspecified), glass back, aluminum frame | Xiaomi has known better glass front protection. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.28" | 6.7" | iPhone 14 Plus offers a larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1284x2778 | iPhone 14 Plus is sharper, offering more detail. |
| Pixel Density | 419 PPI | 458 PPI | iPhone 14 Plus has a slightly sharper picture. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both are high-quality displays with vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | Xiaomi 12 offers smoother animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1200 nits | iPhone 14 Plus is slightly brighter, better for outdoor visibility |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | Both are powerful, but the iPhone's chipset has a slight performance edge. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,150,831 | 1,330,312 | iPhone 14 Plus has a 16% higher benchmark score. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Apple GPU (5-core) | Both handle demanding tasks, with slight edge in favor of Apple's GPU |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 50MP | 12MP | Xiaomi 12 captures more detail, however, this doesn't always equal better picture. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.88 | f/1.5 | iPhone 14 Plus has a slightly wider aperture, better for low light. |
| Main Camera Sensor | 1/1.56" (IMX766) | 1/1.66" (IMX703) | Xiaomi 12 has a larger sensor, capturing more light and detail. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 32MP | 12MP | Xiaomi 12 captures more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP (f/2.4) | 12MP (f/2.4, 1/2.55") | Very similar wide angle cameras |
| Macro Lens | 5MP | None | Xiaomi 12 offers a dedicated macro lens, capturing extremely close-up shots |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Xiaomi 12 offers higher resolution, though real world results depend on the user |
| DxOMark | 113 (Mobile) | 133 (Mobile), 144 (Selfie) | iPhone 14 Plus scored higher in DxOMark, indicating better overall image quality. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4325mAh | Both phones have comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 67W Fast Charging | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | Xiaomi 12 charges much faster with 67W. |
| Wireless Charging | 50W Fast Wireless + 10W Reverse | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | Xiaomi 12 offers faster wireless and reverse charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | iOS 16 | Different operating systems, each with its ecosystem and user interface. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display | WiFi 6 | Xiaomi 12 offers slightly more Wi-Fi features |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 (A2DP, LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC) | 5.3 (A2DP, LE, AAC) | iPhone 14 Plus has a newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), multi GNSS | GPS, multi GNSS | Xiaomi 12 offers potentially more accurate GPS. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | iPhone 14 Plus offers eSIM for more convenient carrier switching |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 128/256/512GB | iPhone 14 Plus offers a larger 512GB option. |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 6GB | Xiaomi 12 has more RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Apple has more spatial audio features. |
| Other | |||
| Security | Fingerprint sensor | Basic security features | Xiaomi 12 offers physical biometric security |
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Xiaomi 12 has known better screen protection |
| Sensors | Full Sensor Suite | Basic Sensor Suite | Xiaomi 12 has more sensor features |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi 12 Strengths:
- Compact and Lightweight Design: More comfortable for single-handed use.
- 120Hz AMOLED Display: Smoother animations and better user experience overall.
- Faster Charging: 67W wired charging is much faster than the iPhone 14 Plus
- Versatile Camera System: Offers more creative options with Macro lens and higher video resolutions.
- More RAM: 8 or 12 GB of RAM ensures smooth multitasking.
- More GPS options.
- More WiFi Options.
- Physical Biometric Security.
- Better screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus
Apple iPhone 14 Plus Strengths:
- Larger, Sharper Display: Great for media consumption and multitasking.
- Stronger Performance: Apple's A15 Bionic chip offers better benchmarks.
- Superior Camera Image Quality: Higher DxOMark scores indicate generally better image and video quality.
- eSIM Support: More flexibility for carrier options.
- Better Audio: Enhanced spatial audio features.
- Newer Bluetooth.
- Larger Storage Option: Up to 512GB for those who need it.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Xiaomi 12:
- Camera may not be as consistent as iPhone in diverse conditions
- Less refined software ecosystem compared to iOS.
- iPhone 14 Plus:
- Heavier, bulkier
- Slower refresh rate display.
- Slower charging speeds.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi 12 is Ideal For:
- Users who prefer a more compact phone that is easier to handle.
- Gamers and media enthusiasts who appreciate a smooth 120Hz display.
- Users who need fast charging and are often on the go.
- Photography enthusiasts who enjoy macro shots and higher video resolutions.
- Those who prefer Android and its customization options.
Apple iPhone 14 Plus is Ideal For:
- Users who want a large display for media consumption and productivity.
- Those seeking high-end performance and a reliable software ecosystem.
- Users who prioritize camera quality for everyday photos and videos.
- Users who prefer iOS and its ecosystem of apps and services.
- Those needing a lot of storage for media and files.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Do you prefer a large screen or a more compact design?
- If large, go with iPhone 14 Plus; if compact, Xiaomi 12.
- Do you prioritize performance and camera image quality, or fast charging and a smoother display?
- If performance and camera, choose iPhone 14 Plus; if fast charging, choose Xiaomi 12.
- Are you committed to Android or iOS ecosystem?
- If Android, go Xiaomi 12; if iOS, go iPhone 14 Plus.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
The On-the-Go Professional: If you need fast charging, a smooth display, and a capable camera for work and play, the Xiaomi 12 is an excellent choice.
The Mobile Photographer/Videographer: The iPhone 14 Plus edges out with its more consistently reliable image and video quality, even though the Xiaomi has higher resolutions on paper.
The Everyday User/Media Consumer: If you want a great all-around experience with a large screen, the iPhone 14 Plus is the right pick.
The User wanting the Best Possible Spec Sheet: If you want better charging speeds, better refresh rate, better sensor options and better RAM, go with the Xiaomi 12.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would personally pick the Xiaomi 12. Here's why:
As someone who values the fluidity of high refresh rate displays and hates waiting for my phone to charge, the 120Hz screen and 67W fast charging are just too good to ignore. While the iPhone 14 Plus excels in camera quality and raw power, the differences aren’t drastic enough for me to give up the superior charging speeds. Plus, as someone who tends to have a lot of applications running simultaneously, the extra RAM would come in handy. I also like to tweak the software experience which is something that is easier to do on Android, plus, I love the additional sensor options.
