Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi 12X and the Honor 90. These two phones, while both aiming for the premium mid-range market, have some interesting differences under the hood. Let's break it down to see which one might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Xiaomi 12X | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-12-31 | 2023-06-07 | Honor 90 is a significantly newer device. |
| Dimensions | 152.7 × 69.9 × 8.2 mm | 161.9 × 74.1 × 7.8 mm | Honor 90 is taller and wider, but thinner. The 12X is more compact but slightly thicker. |
| Weight | 176g | 183g | Xiaomi 12X is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for long use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.28" | 6.7" | Honor 90 offers a larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1200x2664 | Honor 90 has a sharper display, which translates to more detail. |
| PPI | 419 | 435 | Both are fairly similar, providing a crisp viewing experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Identical technology, delivering vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both phones. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1600 nits | Honor 90 is significantly brighter, ensuring better visibility in sunny conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition (4 nm) | Xiaomi 12X has a technically older but more powerful chipset, providing overall better performance and gaming. The Honor 90 is more energy efficient, however. |
| AnTuTu Score | 815,210 | 701,227 | Xiaomi 12X benchmarks higher, indicating superior processing power. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 644 | Xiaomi 12X's GPU is more potent for demanding graphics tasks. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Honor 90’s larger battery provides potentially longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 67W Fast Charging (Li-Polymer) | 66W Fast Charging (Li-Ion) | Xiaomi 12X is marginally faster, but the difference is likely to be minimal. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP (f/1.88, 1/1.56", 1.0µm, Sony IMX766) | 200MP (f/1.9, 1/1.4", 0.56µm, Samsung ISOCELL HP3) | Honor 90 has higher resolution with a bigger sensor for potentially more detail but at a cost of pixel size. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP (f/2.45, 1/3", 0.7µm, OV32B) | 50MP (f/2.4) | Honor 90 features a higher resolution selfie camera. |
| Wide Angle | 13MP (f/2.4, 1/3.06", 1.12µm, OV13B10) | Not Included | Xiaomi 12X includes a dedicated wide-angle lens, adding versatility. |
| Portrait Mode | Not Included | 2MP (f/2.4) | Honor 90 includes a portrait mode depth sensor, improving bokeh in portrait photos. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP (f/2.4) | Not Included | Xiaomi 12X features a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not Included | 12MP (f/2.2) | Honor 90 includes a 12MP wide + macro lens, offering an alternative approach. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps with EIS | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Xiaomi 12X records in 8k providing higher quality recording capabilities. |
| DxOMark | Not Tested | Mobile: 122 (Photo 128, Video 126) | Honor 90 has been tested by DxOMark, providing a benchmark score, the Xiaomi is still not tested. |
| Features | OIS, 8K, Ultra-Stable Video | PDAF, Front Flash | Xiaomi 12X offers Optical Image Stabilization, which is more effective than Digital image stabilization. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | Honor 90 comes with a newer Android version out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both devices support Wi-Fi 6 and similar standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Honor 90 has a slightly newer version for more stable connections. |
| GPS | More Satellites | Galileo included | Xiaomi 12X has slightly more robust satellite support for accurate location. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual nano sims. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 256GB or 512GB | Honor 90 offers larger storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 8GB, 12GB or 16GB | Honor 90 has more RAM for heavy multitasking and demanding games. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Noise Cancellation Microphone | Xiaomi 12X offers better sound for both playback and recording. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both phones have a standard fingerprint scanner. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Not Specified | Xiaomi 12X uses more robust screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor | Accelerometer, Compass, RGB Sensor, Proximity | Xiaomi 12X has a more comprehensive sensor suite. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi 12X Strengths:
- More Powerful Performance: The Snapdragon 870 offers better processing power compared to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, which is beneficial for heavy users and gamers.
- Better Video Recording: Offers up to 8K video recording with EIS, potentially beneficial for videographers, paired with OIS for stable video.
- Enhanced Audio Experience: Stereo Speakers, Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio create a more immersive audio experience.
- More Robust Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus is more resistant to scratches and cracks.
- Wider range of Camera Options: Dedicated Wide angle and Macro lenses.
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Including gyroscope and ultrasonic proximity sensor.
Honor 90 Strengths:
- Larger, Brighter Display: A larger screen with higher resolution and dramatically higher brightness makes it better for media consumption and outdoor use.
- Longer Battery Life: The larger battery is expected to provide better battery endurance.
- Higher-Resolution Main Camera: The 200MP main camera captures more detailed images in good lighting conditions.
- Newer Operating System: Comes with Android 13 out of the box.
- Larger RAM Capacity: Offering a 16 GB model for more demanding users.
- Larger Storage Options: Up to 512GB storage for users with large media libraries.
- Additional Camera Features: Phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and a Front Flash.
Trade-Offs:
- The Xiaomi 12X sacrifices battery life and screen size for performance and camera features.
- The Honor 90 prioritizes display and battery life over raw processing power and audio capabilities.
- The Xiaomi 12X has a slightly older Android version (11).
- The Honor 90 does not have a dedicated Macro lens.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi 12X is best suited for:
- Gamers and Power Users: The stronger processor and GPU make it a great choice for mobile gamers and heavy app users.
- Video Content Creators: The 8K video recording with EIS and better image stabilization is great for mobile videographers.
- Audio Enthusiasts: With its enhanced audio capabilities, the Xiaomi 12X is perfect for those who prioritize audio quality.
- Users Who Prefer a Compact Design: The smaller form factor might be more comfortable for users with smaller hands.
Honor 90 is best suited for:
- Multimedia Consumers: The larger, brighter display is ideal for watching videos, browsing the web, and enjoying other media.
- Users Who Need Long Battery Life: The larger battery ensures the phone can last a full day with heavy usage.
- Social Media Enthusiasts: The higher resolution selfie camera is great for taking self portraits and video calls.
- Users Who Prefer a Modern Software Experience: Ships with the latest Android version.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help users decide:
Do you prioritize raw performance and advanced camera features? If yes, the Xiaomi 12X is the better pick. It shines in gaming and video recording, plus it offers a premium audio experience.
Do you value a larger, brighter display and longer battery life above all else? If yes, the Honor 90 is the better option. It excels in media consumption and general use.
Are you looking for the latest software experience and a large storage capacity? If yes, the Honor 90 has the advantage. It comes with Android 13 and provides up to 512GB of storage.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
For the hardcore gamer: The Xiaomi 12X offers superior processing power and a robust graphics system.
For the daily commuter: The Honor 90’s long battery life and excellent display make it ideal for media consumption on the go.
For the mobile photographer: The Honor 90 is a great contender, but the Xiaomi 12X offers great versatile options.
For the everyday user: Both are excellent options, but the Xiaomi 12X has the more premium audio experience, and the Honor 90 offers a more immersive display and long battery life.
My Choice
If I were making the choice, I would lean towards the Xiaomi 12X. While the Honor 90 has a brighter screen and larger battery, the more robust performance of the Snapdragon 870 and the more comprehensive sensor suite is more important to me. The versatility and video capabilities of the 12X, coupled with its Hi-Res audio, just makes it a better fit for the type of applications I use the most. The better screen protection is also a plus!
