Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Xiaomi 12X and the Honor 200. As always, we'll go beyond the spec sheet and talk about what these numbers actually mean for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Xiaomi 12X | Honor 200 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 152.7 × 69.9 × 8.2 mm, 176g | 161.5 × 74.6 × 7.7 mm, 187g | Xiaomi 12X is more compact and lighter, better for one-handed use. Honor 200 is larger but thinner, slightly more pocket-friendly despite being heavier. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus (screen), Unknown Back | Unknown (screen), Unknown Back | Xiaomi 12X's screen is more scratch resistant. We're missing information on the materials used for Honor 200's build. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.28" | 6.7" | Honor 200 offers a more immersive viewing experience, better for media consumption and gaming. Xiaomi 12X is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1200x2664 | Honor 200's higher resolution will result in sharper images and text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 419 | 436 | Similar pixel density; both are very sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast ratios. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both are buttery smooth for scrolling, gaming and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 4000 nits | Honor 200 is significantly brighter, ensuring better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 (7nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4nm) | Snapdragon 870 is a previous flagship, and is still very capable for gaming, while the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 is more energy efficient and slightly more performant in this instance according to benchmarks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 815,210 | 865,000 | Honor 200 has a slight edge in benchmark performance, but real-world differences will be minimal for most users, although the Honor 200 should be slightly faster. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 720 | Adreno 720 in Honor 200 is newer; you'll see better graphical performance and better gaming capabilities on the Honor 200. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.56", Sony IMX906 | Xiaomi 12X has a slightly wider aperture, might perform slightly better in low-light but both should provide excellent pictures. Honor 200 has a newer sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/3" | 50MP, f/2.1 | Honor 200 takes higher resolution selfies with a wider aperture that should result in better performance, particularly in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 50MP, f/2.4 | Honor 200 offers optical zoom capabilities, enabling higher quality zoom shots. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.4 | 12MP, f/2.2 | Xiaomi 12X has higher resolution, Honor 200 wider aperture, should be very similar performance. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP | None | Xiaomi 12X includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps with EIS | Up to 4K@30fps with OIS, EIS | Xiaomi 12X has higher video resolution capabilities; Honor 200 has better stabilization. |
| DXOMark Score | Not Tested | 130 (Mobile), 133 (Photo), 121 (Video) | Honor 200 provides benchmarked scores, indicating very good image and video quality. We lack information for Xiaomi 12X. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5200mAh | Honor 200 has a larger battery and should offer longer battery life. |
| Charging | 67W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | Honor 200 charges faster, allowing for quick top-ups. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Honor 200 can charge other devices, handy in a pinch. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | Honor 200 runs a much newer version of Android. This likely brings better performance and more security, features, etc. |
| Storage | |||
| Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 256GB or 512GB | Honor 200 offers more storage options, better for media hoarders. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 8GB or 12GB or 16GB | Honor 200 has a higher RAM option which will assist with better multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Wi-Fi 6 | Xiaomi 12X has MIMO support for faster connections in Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | Honor 200 offers a newer version with improved efficiency and connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, NavIC | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Both offer accurate navigation, but Xiaomi 12X has a slight advantage in more systems (NavIC), but Honor 200 has Galileo for European locations. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM, eSIM | Honor 200 offers eSIM for digital carrier switching; Both allow the simultaneous use of two SIMs. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi 12X has a slight advantage in audio output with Hi-Res support. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer a convenient and secure method for unlocking your phone. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | Xiaomi 12X has a Compass sensor, while Honor 200 features Gravity sensor, all suitable for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Insights
- Xiaomi 12X:
- Strengths: More compact design, excellent screen scratch resistance, 8K video recording, and Hi-Res audio support.
- Competitive Advantages: It boasts a slightly wider aperture main camera, which might provide a slight edge in low-light conditions (based on the hardware, though the Honor 200 has a newer sensor) and includes a macro lens which is absent on the Honor 200.
- Trade-offs: It uses an older version of Android, has a smaller battery, and does not have a telephoto lens, has a lower peak brightness in comparison to the Honor 200 and is overall less performant.
- Honor 200:
- Strengths: Larger and brighter display, newer operating system, telephoto camera, higher resolution selfie camera, newer generation processor, larger battery, faster charging, and better benchmark performance.
- Competitive Advantages: The inclusion of a telephoto camera and eSIM support, along with a significantly brighter screen makes it better for outdoor use. The newer OS is likely to be more efficient and provide more features.
- Trade-offs: The main camera sensor, while newer, has a slightly narrower aperture compared to the Xiaomi 12X, lacking a macro sensor. It's also larger and heavier.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Xiaomi 12X:
- Best Suited For: Users who prioritize a compact design, enjoy high-quality audio and video recording (8K), and want the flexibility of having a macro lens.
- Use Cases: Content creation, on-the-go video recording, music lovers seeking hi-res audio quality, and users who prefer smaller phones.
- Honor 200:
- Best Suited For: Users who value a bigger and brighter screen, prefer faster charging, want better performance and more modern software, and need excellent zoom capabilities with a telephoto lens.
- Use Cases: Media consumption, gaming, photography enthusiasts who take a lot of zoomed shots, and users who value long battery life.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you choose:
- Do you value a compact and easy to hold phone, or do you need the large screen? If you prioritize a compact form factor, the Xiaomi 12X is the clear winner, but for media consumption and gaming, Honor 200 is better.
- What's more important: Video recording or zoom photography? The Xiaomi 12X offers 8K video, but the Honor 200 comes with a telephoto lens, which provides better optical zoom capabilities.
- Do you want a newer, more powerful processor and the latest version of Android? The Honor 200 offers a newer chipset and much more recent software.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The "On-the-Go Creator": Choose the Xiaomi 12X if you want 8K video recording, hi-res audio, and a compact form factor, and if the slightly older software and lower benchmark scores are not a concern.
- The "Media Enthusiast": Choose the Honor 200 if you value the big and bright display, long battery life, better camera performance and newer OS features, and if you're okay with a larger phone.
- The "Photography Buff": Choose the Honor 200 for its telephoto camera and better image quality.
- The "Power User": Choose the Honor 200 for its newer processor, better performance, and more RAM.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally choose the Honor 200. The combination of the significantly brighter screen (critical for outdoor use), the newer processor, the improved camera system (particularly the inclusion of the telephoto lens for versatile photography), the larger battery, and the latest version of Android pushes it ahead for my needs. While the Xiaomi 12X’s compact size and 8k video recording is appealing, the Honor 200’s improvements in key areas like display and software, as well as better all round camera versatility are the more attractive features to me. The better battery life is also a huge selling point. It offers a more well-rounded experience that suits my usage style.
