Alright, let's dive deep into the Xiaomi 12 and Huawei Pura 70 Ultra. I've got my engineering hat on, and we're going to cut through the marketing hype to see what these phones really offer.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table breaking down the key specs, along with what they actually mean for you:
| Feature | Xiaomi 12 | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| DESIGN | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-12-31 | 2024-04-29 | The Pura 70 Ultra is a much newer device, benefitting from more recent tech advancements. |
| Size | 152.7 × 69.9 × 8.2 mm | 162.6 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | The Xiaomi 12 is significantly more compact, making it more pocketable and easier to handle with one hand. |
| Weight | 179g | 226g | The Xiaomi 12 is much lighter, which makes a big difference during extended use. The Pura 70 Ultra has a noticeable heft. |
| DISPLAY | |||
| Size | 6.28" | 6.8" | The Pura 70 Ultra offers a more immersive visual experience, great for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1260x2844 | The Pura 70 Ultra provides sharper visuals, which is particularly noticeable when viewing text and high-resolution images. |
| Pixel Density | 419 PPI | 460 PPI | The Pura 70 Ultra's higher pixel density results in finer details and crisper visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent contrast and vibrant colors, though OLED may have some subtle improvements in color accuracy on the Huawei. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both devices, making the UI feel fluid and responsive. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2500 nits | The Pura 70 Ultra's screen is significantly brighter, providing much better visibility in bright sunlight. |
| PERFORMANCE | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) | Kirin 9010 (7nm) | The Xiaomi 12's chip, despite being older, has a higher benchmark score. The Huawei's chip is a bit more power efficient, though. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,150,831 | 869,707 | The Xiaomi 12 demonstrates a performance edge in benchmarks, translating to faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Maleoon 910 | While benchmarks suggest better performance with the Adreno 730, the difference might not be significant in daily usage. |
| CAMERA | |||
| Standard Lens | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56", IMX766 | 50MP, f/1.6, 1", IMX989 | The Pura 70 Ultra has a wider aperture and a much larger sensor, resulting in superior low-light performance and better image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, 1/3.14" Samsung JD1 | 13MP, f/2.4, Omnivision | The Xiaomi 12 has higher resolution, but this doesn't always mean better quality. The Pura 70 Ultra has a wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 50MP, f/2.1, Omnivision | The Pura 70 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens, enabling optical zoom and improved portrait photography. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.4 | 40MP, f/2.2, 1/1.7" OV40A | The Pura 70 Ultra's wide-angle lens has significantly higher resolution and a slightly wider aperture. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | The Xiaomi 12 includes a macro lens for close-up shots, which is missing in the Pura 70 Ultra. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K | The Xiaomi 12 supports 8K recording, but both are good for most needs. |
| DXOMark Score | 113 (Mobile) | 163 (Mobile) | The Pura 70 Ultra has a much higher overall camera score, indicating superior photo and video quality. |
| BATTERY LIFE | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5200mAh | The Pura 70 Ultra's larger battery should deliver longer battery life, ideal for heavy users. |
| Charging | 67W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | The Pura 70 Ultra charges faster, minimizing downtime and maximizing convenience. |
| Wireless Charging | 50W | 80W | The Pura 70 Ultra offers faster wireless charging, further adding to its convenience. |
| Reverse Charging | 10W | 20W | The Pura 70 Ultra can wirelessly charge other devices at a higher wattage than the Xiaomi 12, making it better for sharing power with friends. |
| SOFTWARE | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Unknown | The Xiaomi 12 uses Android 12. The OS on the Huawei is not specified, which may be a concern for some users due to potential limitations with Google services. |
| STORAGE | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 512GB or 1024GB | The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra has significantly more storage options, which is great for users with large media libraries and for those who frequently shoot 4K or 8K videos. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 16GB | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra has more ram for better performance during multitasking and intensive operations. |
| OTHER | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both support the latest WiFi standards, ensuring good performance on modern networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.2 | Both offer the latest Bluetooth standards, supporting high-quality audio. |
| GPS | L1+L5, etc. | L1+L5, etc. | Both provide good accuracy for location services, but with slightly different satellite support. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo, 2 mics | Dolby Atmos, Stereo | The Xiaomi 12 offers additional features like Hi-Res Audio, which is great for audiophiles. |
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | The Xiaomi 12 has a known, high-quality glass for screen protection, while the Pura 70 Ultra's screen protection isn't specified. |
| Sensors | Ultrasonic, etc. | Proximity, etc. | The Xiaomi 12 includes an ultrasonic sensor which is ideal for gaming and other advanced use cases. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi 12:
- Strengths: Compact design, lightweight build, faster processor, great video recording capabilities, solid all-around phone with a focus on speed and multimedia.
- Competitive Advantages: The Xiaomi 12 really excels at offering raw performance for a lower price point with a proven and well known chip.
- Trade-offs: Smaller screen, older design, lower camera score, inferior battery life when compared to the Pura 70 Ultra.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra:
- Strengths: Superior camera performance with a large sensor, excellent low-light photography, brighter display, longer battery life, faster charging, more premium design.
- Competitive Advantages: The Pura 70 Ultra’s camera is genuinely impressive; it’s a serious tool for photography enthusiasts. The combination of a large battery and fast charging ensures day-long usability.
- Trade-offs: Heavier and larger, less performance-driven than the Xiaomi 12, potentially limited OS support if you're reliant on Google services, higher price point.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi 12 is best for:
- Performance-focused users: Those who prioritize speed, app loading times, and smooth gaming.
- Users looking for portability: Those who prefer a compact and lightweight phone for easy one-handed use.
- Video enthusiasts: Users that prefer to have the option to record 8k footage.
- Budget-conscious buyers: Those who want a good all-around experience without paying a premium price.
- Users looking for a reliable Android experience
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is best for:
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who demand the best camera quality, especially in low light, with optical zoom capabilities.
- Power users: Those who require long battery life and fast charging for all-day use.
- Multimedia consumers: Those who want a larger, brighter, and sharper display for immersive viewing.
- Users who value premium design and build quality: Those who want a device that feels luxurious and durable.
- Users who do not require Google services
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What is your primary use case?
- Is it gaming and performance (Xiaomi 12), or photography and multimedia (Pura 70 Ultra)?
- How important is portability and ergonomics to you?
- Do you prefer a compact and lightweight phone (Xiaomi 12) or a larger, more premium device (Pura 70 Ultra)?
- What’s your budget, and what are you willing to trade-off?
- Are you willing to pay more for a superior camera and premium features (Pura 70 Ultra), or would you rather save money while still getting good performance (Xiaomi 12)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Creative Photographer: If capturing stunning photos and videos is paramount, especially in challenging lighting, the Pura 70 Ultra is the clear choice.
- The Mobile Gamer: The Xiaomi 12 is the superior choice due to its processor advantage and gaming-centric features such as the Ultrasonic sensor.
- The On-the-Go Professional: For users needing long battery life, quick charging, and a reliable display for work, the Pura 70 Ultra is ideal.
- The Budget-Conscious User: The Xiaomi 12 delivers a good balance of performance and features at a lower price point, making it a more accessible choice.
Personal Choice:
If I were choosing between these two, I would choose the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra.
While the Xiaomi 12 is a capable device with a stronger focus on performance, the Pura 70 Ultra's camera system is simply in a different league, and that is a top priority for me. Furthermore, the larger, brighter display, longer battery life, and premium build quality enhance the overall user experience, even if it means sacrificing some of the pure processing power. As a tech journalist who often takes photos and videos, the Pura 70 Ultra fits my needs best. I appreciate the engineering advancements in the camera, and although the OS situation is a little unclear, I believe the benefits of the camera and display outweigh the potential limitations for me personally.
Ultimately, the "best" phone depends on your specific needs and priorities. The Xiaomi 12 is the better choice for those seeking power on a budget, and the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is geared towards those who want a top-of-the-line camera and other premium features.
