Alright, let's dive deep into the Xiaomi 12X and the Huawei nova 12i, two contenders with very different approaches to the smartphone arena. As a tech journalist with a penchant for understanding how devices actually feel in daily life, I'll steer clear of pure spec-sheet battles and focus on the real-world implications of these differences.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Xiaomi 12X | Huawei nova 12i | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 152.7 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm | The 12X is noticeably smaller, making it more pocketable and easier to handle. The 12i is larger, which may be preferable for media consumption but less ergonomic. |
| Weight | 176g | 199g | The 12X is significantly lighter, which translates to less hand fatigue during extended use. The nova 12i's additional weight might feel bulkier. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus front | Unknown | The 12X is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, which is more resistant to scratches and breakage than the nova 12i's unknown screen protection. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.28" | 6.7" | The 12i offers a larger screen, better for watching videos and gaming. The 12X is more compact, making it better suited to one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2388 | Both offer a sharp picture, though the 12X has a slightly higher pixel density (PPI). In daily use, you might not notice a huge difference. |
| Display Tech | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The 12X's AMOLED screen delivers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast. The nova 12i's LCD is still good, but it doesn’t reach the same visual depths. AMOLED displays tend to be more efficient when displaying black or darker images. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The 12X offers smoother scrolling and animations thanks to a higher refresh rate. The 12i's 90Hz refresh rate is still decent, but less fluid. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | The 12X is dramatically brighter, making it much easier to view in direct sunlight. The 12i's display brightness information is unfortunately missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 | Snapdragon 680 | The 12X boasts a significantly more powerful chipset, offering smoother performance in demanding tasks such as gaming and video editing. The 12i is geared more toward basic tasks and everyday use. |
| AnTuTu Score | 815,210 | 289,000 | The 12X demonstrates vastly superior performance, which translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and overall responsiveness. The 12i is less capable for demanding use cases. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 610 | The 12X’s more powerful GPU allows for smoother, higher frame rates in gaming and better performance in graphically intensive applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP (Sony IMX766) | 108MP (Samsung HM6) | While the 12i has a higher resolution, the 12X uses a larger sensor with bigger pixels. This can result in better low-light performance and more dynamic range. The 12x also features a wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP | 8MP | The 12X offers a much higher resolution for selfies, allowing for finer detail and better print quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP | None | The 12X allows for more creative photography with its wide-angle lens, which lets you capture more in a single shot. |
| Portrait Lens | None | 2MP | The 12i has a dedicated portrait depth lens, which is used to capture depth information, which helps when applying bokeh to portrait shots. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP | None | The 12X has a dedicated macro lens, which is useful for close-up photography. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K | Up to 1080p | The 12X allows for recording 8k video with stabilization, which is great for content creators who need professional grade footage. The 12i's recording is only up to 1080p with no stabilization. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | The 12i has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. The difference isn't huge. |
| Charging | 67W | 40W | The 12X charges significantly faster, getting you back up and running quicker. While the 12i's charging is still fast, it is considerably slower than the 12X's. |
| Other | |||
| Operating System | Android 11 | Unknown | The 12X comes with Android 11, while the 12i's OS is unknown. This can matter a lot for the software experience. |
| Wi-Fi Standard | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | The 12X's Wi-Fi 6 support offers faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | The 12X has the newer Bluetooth version and also features APT-x codec. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 8GB | The 12X has a higher RAM option, which is great for heavy multitasking and gaming. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo | Basic audio | The 12X offers higher quality audio and better audio capabilities, which is great for those who consume media. |
| Security | Basic fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | The 12i features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which is more ergonomic than basic fingerprint sensors. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi 12X:
- Strengths: Superior display (AMOLED, 120Hz, high brightness), significantly more powerful processor (Snapdragon 870), superior camera for low-light and dynamic range, faster charging, better connectivity, high quality audio with stereo speakers, and better build quality with Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection.
- Competitive Advantages: The 12X is the powerhouse here. It’s designed for users who value performance, visual quality, and photography.
- Trade-offs: Slightly smaller battery, no dedicated portrait lens, less RAM on the base model, and not the newest model
Huawei nova 12i:
- Strengths: Larger screen, slightly larger battery, dedicated portrait depth lens, newer model.
- Competitive Advantages: The 12i is targeting users who want a larger screen and a long lasting phone on a budget.
- Trade-offs: Significantly lower performance, inferior display quality, significantly lower quality camera, slower charging, basic audio and unknown software support.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi 12X: Ideal for users who:
- Prioritize performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Value high-quality display and immersive media consumption.
- Want a versatile camera system that excels in various conditions.
- Prefer a more compact form factor.
- Want good quality audio with stereo speakers
- Require a fast charging speed.
Huawei nova 12i: Well-suited for users who:
- Want a budget friendly large screen phone for casual media consumption.
- Value a large battery and good battery life.
- Need a basic phone for everyday tasks.
- Prefer a modern design language and fingerprint sensor placement.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you choose:
- What's your main use case? If it's gaming, photography, and demanding apps, go with the Xiaomi 12X. For basic tasks and media, the nova 12i might suffice.
- How important is display quality? If you want vibrant colors and deep blacks, the 12X's AMOLED display is far superior.
- How much performance do you need? If you are a power user or a gamer, the 12X will deliver significantly better performance. The nova 12i will feel much slower in comparison.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Gamer: The Xiaomi 12X is the clear winner, offering superior performance and display.
- The Photographer: The Xiaomi 12X provides a more versatile camera setup and better low-light capabilities.
- The Media Enthusiast: The Xiaomi 12X offers higher quality visual experience and high fidelity audio.
- The Budget-Conscious User: If performance and display quality is not your priority, the Huawei nova 12i can be a consideration for basic everyday use.
- The Casual User: The Xiaomi 12X has many features that will enhance the experience of even casual users, offering a better overall user experience.
Final Thoughts and what I would choose and why?
For me, the choice is clear: I'd pick the Xiaomi 12X. I value the combination of top-tier performance, a stunning AMOLED display, a versatile camera, and the overall user experience that it offers. The faster charging is a huge plus, and the build quality with Gorilla Glass Victus ensures that it can handle daily use without worry. While the Huawei nova 12i might appeal to some with its larger screen and lower price point, its performance limitations and inferior display hold it back from being a compelling alternative to the 12X. The Xiaomi 12X, despite being an older model, continues to shine and delivers a lot of value for what it offers. I can definitely see myself using it daily for work, play and everything in between.
