Alright, let's dive deep into this comparison of the Xiaomi 12 and the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro. These are both high-performance smartphones, but they cater to slightly different needs and preferences. As always, we’ll get past the marketing fluff and focus on what really matters for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at the key specs and how they translate to your day-to-day use:
| Feature | Xiaomi 12 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Size | 152.7 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm | 163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm | Xiaomi 12 is more compact and easier to handle; Nubia Z50S Pro is larger, better for media consumption but less pocketable. |
| Weight | 179g | 228g | Xiaomi 12 is much lighter, better for extended use; Nubia Z50S Pro feels more substantial, but heavier for carrying around. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.28" | 6.8" | Nubia Z50S Pro offers a larger screen for immersive media, gaming; Xiaomi 12 is better for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1260 x 2800 | Nubia Z50S Pro delivers sharper visuals; Xiaomi 12 still looks good, but the difference is noticeable. |
| PPI | 419 | 452 | Nubia Z50S Pro’s higher pixel density results in slightly crisper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant, high-contrast displays with deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1500 nits | Nubia Z50S Pro is significantly better in bright sunlight due to higher peak brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 | Nubia Z50S Pro has the newer, more powerful chip, resulting in faster app loading and smoother performance, also more efficient |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,150,831 | 1,579,720 | Nubia Z50S Pro is much faster in benchmarks, indicating a more noticeable performance boost in day-to-day use. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 740 | Nubia Z50S Pro has a more powerful GPU, better for gaming and graphically demanding tasks. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5100mAh | Nubia Z50S Pro will likely last longer between charges. |
| Charging | 67W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | Nubia Z50S Pro charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless Charging | No Wireless Charging | Xiaomi 12 supports convenient wireless charging; Nubia focuses on wired fast charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56" | 54MP, f/1.6, 1/1.49" | Nubia Z50S Pro has a larger sensor and wider aperture, potentially better in low light. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | None | 8MP, f/2.4 | Nubia Z50S Pro has an extra telephoto lens for zooming and portrait shots, absent in the Xiaomi 12. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, 1/3.14" | 16MP, f/2.5, 1/3.06" | Xiaomi 12 has a higher resolution selfie camera; Nubia Z50S Pro has a larger sensor for better low light. |
| Wide Angle | 13MP, f/2.4 | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.88" | Nubia Z50S Pro has a much higher resolution and wider aperture for better wide-angle photos. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | Xiaomi 12 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots; Nubia does not. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, EIS, HDR | 8K@30fps, EIS | Both offer high-resolution video with stabilization; Nubia has a slight edge in frame rate but both are very capable. |
| Additional Camera Features | No DXOMark Score, OIS, basic set | Yes DXOMark Score, OIS, Gimbal | Nubia has a slight edge in stabilisation, more camera features |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13 | Nubia Z50S Pro ships with a newer Android version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | Nubia Z50S Pro supports the latest Wi-Fi standard with potentially faster speeds and better efficiency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Nubia Z50S Pro has slightly newer Bluetooth for enhanced performance. |
| GPS | More Satellite Systems | More Satellite Systems | Nubia supports Galileo for better location accuracy |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both devices offer dual sim for flexibility of networks |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256 GB/1024GB | Nubia Z50S Pro offers significantly more storage capacity at the top end. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 12/16 GB | Nubia Z50S Pro offers more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, 2 Mics | DTS/DTS X | Xiaomi 12 has higher audio quality features for better immersion and sound recording; Nubia has its own high quality audio |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones have basic fingerprint sensor for biometrics |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Xiaomi 12 uses a superior screen protection; Nubia unknown |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi 12 Strengths:
- Compact Design: Much lighter and easier to handle with one hand.
- Wireless Charging: Offers more versatility with wireless charging capabilities.
- Excellent Audio: Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio provide a premium audio experience.
- Reputable Brand: Xiaomi has a strong brand reputation for quality and reliability.
- Solid Camera Performance: Despite not having all the features, it produces very good image quality.
- Great Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus gives premium peace of mind.
ZTE Nubia Z50S Pro Strengths:
- Superior Performance: Newer chipset means a significant boost in power and efficiency.
- Larger, Brighter Display: Better for media consumption, gaming, and use in bright sunlight.
- Better Camera System: More flexibility with telephoto and high-resolution wide-angle lens.
- Longer Battery Life: Larger battery and faster charging mean less downtime.
- More Storage: Options up to 1TB for storing massive amounts of data and media.
- Latest Connectivity: Supports WiFi 7 for the newest connectivity standards.
- More RAM Options: 16 GB of RAM enables smoother multitasking.
Significant Trade-Offs:
- Xiaomi 12: Sacrifices some performance and battery life for a compact form factor and wireless charging.
- Nubia Z50S Pro: Is bulkier and lacks wireless charging, which can be a dealbreaker for some.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi 12 is Ideal For:
- Users who value compactness: Those who want a high-end phone that fits comfortably in their pocket.
- Multimedia enthusiasts: Excellent audio, a good screen and wireless charging to make the best of it.
- Users already invested in the Xiaomi Ecosystem: Those who want an integration with their other Xiaomi products.
- Users who need a reliable all-rounder: A solid phone that will handle most tasks really well.
ZTE Nubia Z50S Pro is Ideal For:
- Power users and Gamers: Those who need top-tier performance and a large, immersive display.
- Photography Enthusiasts: The flexible, feature-rich camera system and impressive computational photography provides great creative potential.
- Users who need long battery life: Those who need to go all day without a charge.
- Users who value new technologies: Those who want a phone that provides the newest connectivity standards and tech features.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Three Questions to Ask Yourself:
- What is your top priority: Pocketability or Performance? If you value a compact design, go with Xiaomi 12. For performance, choose the Nubia Z50S Pro.
- Do you need the extra camera flexibility, or prefer wireless charging? The Nubia has a more advanced camera system with multiple lenses but lacks wireless charging. The Xiaomi is less flexible with its cameras, but has great OIS, wireless charging and very good photo quality.
- How important is storage and battery life? Nubia offers significantly more internal storage and a larger battery; Xiaomi focuses on convenience.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The On-the-Go Professional: Choose the Xiaomi 12 for its compact size, wireless charging and great connectivity.
- Scenario 2: The Mobile Gamer: The Nubia Z50S Pro is the clear winner for its performance, larger screen, and better battery life.
- Scenario 3: The Casual User: The Xiaomi 12 is a very capable all-rounder with a great user experience.
- Scenario 4: The Photography Lover: The Nubia Z50S Pro edges out with its more versatile camera system.
Final Choice
If I were choosing, I’d lean towards the ZTE Nubia Z50S Pro. While I appreciate the compact design and wireless charging of the Xiaomi 12, the performance gains, better camera system, the extra storage, and the superior display of the Nubia make it the more compelling option for me. As an avid user who values power, photography and long battery life, the Nubia simply fits my needs better. The lack of wireless charging is a slight drawback, but I think the gains in overall performance outweigh this, and make this an amazing value proposition for the price point.
