Okay, let's dive deep into a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi 12X and the Huawei nova Y70 Plus. Here's a breakdown that should illuminate the key differences and help you decide which one is right for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Xiaomi 12X | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 152.7 × 69.9 × 8.2 mm | 168.3 × 77.7 × 9 mm | The Xiaomi is noticeably more compact and pocketable. The Huawei is larger and may feel less convenient to handle. |
| Weight | 176g | 199g | The Xiaomi is lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. The Huawei is heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.28" | 6.75" | Huawei has a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. Xiaomi is easier to manage one-handed. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | The Xiaomi offers significantly sharper images and text, better for reading and detail. Huawei has lower resolution. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 419 | 260 | Xiaomi has sharper display. Text and images appear much more crisp. Huawei's may look grainy compared to the Xiaomi. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Xiaomi provides much better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. Huawei's display is less vibrant and bright. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | Xiaomi gives smoother scrolling and animations, much more fluid feel to the user interface. Huawei's will look choppier. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi provides superior outdoor visibility, especially in sunlight. Huawei's display is not great for outdoors. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 5G | Kirin 710A | Xiaomi has a high-end chip, offering fast performance for demanding tasks and gaming. Huawei's chip is much weaker. |
| AnTuTu Score | 815,210 | 103,500 | Xiaomi provides significantly better performance, faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. Huawei's is low-end. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G51 MP4 | Xiaomi is better for graphics-intensive applications and gaming. Huawei is much weaker at handling graphics. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.88 | 48MP, f/1.8 | Xiaomi's main sensor and pixel size tends to capture more detail and perform better in low-light. Huawei's is okay in daylight. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.45 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Xiaomi captures much more detailed selfies. Huawei's is just okay for basic selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Xiaomi provides much more detail and wider field of view. Huawei's is not great quality. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Xiaomi allows for close-up photography of small objects. Huawei doesn't offer this. |
| Portrait (Depth) Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Huawei provides a dedicated sensor for depth mapping and portrait mode. Xiaomi has none. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | 1080p@30fps | Xiaomi captures much higher resolution video for professional-grade content creation. Huawei's is only basic HD. |
| Stabilization | Yes | No | Xiaomi has video stabilization making video smooth. Huawei's will shake badly while moving. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 6000mAh | Huawei has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. Actual endurance depends on usage. |
| Charging | 67W Fast Charging | 22.5W Fast Charging | Xiaomi offers much faster charging speeds. Huawei's takes longer. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Not Specified | Xiaomi uses a modern OS. The Huawei OS version is missing. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | 802.11n | Xiaomi supports newer WiFi standards for faster wireless connections. Huawei supports only older standards. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.1 | Both provide modern standard. Xiaomi offers APT-X for higher quality wireless audio. |
| GPS | More Systems | Fewer Systems | Xiaomi has better location accuracy due to broader support for GPS systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both phones support two SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 64/128 GB | Xiaomi provides more internal storage. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 4 GB | Xiaomi has more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 Microphones | Basic Audio | Xiaomi has much higher quality and immersive audio quality with multiple microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Biometrics | Fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint sensor | Huawei has a more ergonomic design and faster. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Xiaomi screen has durable glass protection. Huawei's is not known. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | More Sensors (including Gyroscope) | Fewer Sensors | Xiaomi is equipped with a wider range of sensors, enabling better gaming experience. Huawei is more basic here. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi 12X
- Strengths: The Xiaomi 12X shines with its superior display (AMOLED, 120Hz, high resolution, and brightness), powerful performance (Snapdragon 870), and excellent camera capabilities (high-resolution sensors, 8K video). It offers a premium experience in a compact form factor.
- Competitive Advantages: The combination of the high-end display, processor, and camera makes it ideal for users who want a top-tier experience without paying top-tier prices. It also features a premium design with strong Gorilla Glass protection.
- Trade-offs: Its main trade-off is its battery capacity, which is smaller than the Huawei's, though it does charge much faster. It also has no expandable storage, so you are stuck with the version you purchase.
Huawei nova Y70 Plus
- Strengths: The Huawei nova Y70 Plus excels with its massive battery capacity, potentially providing much longer battery life. It also has a larger display for those who prioritize media consumption.
- Competitive Advantages: The large battery is a significant draw, especially for users who need all-day battery life without frequent charging. The large display can be good for some but is low-resolution.
- Trade-offs: Its major trade-offs are its weaker performance (Kirin 710A), lower-quality display (IPS LCD, low resolution, low refresh rate), and basic camera capabilities. It lacks the premium features and performance found in the Xiaomi.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi 12X
- Best Suited For: Tech enthusiasts, gamers, multimedia consumers, and those who value high-quality visuals, strong performance, and excellent photography.
- Use Cases: Perfect for gaming, watching high-resolution videos, capturing high-quality photos and videos, and intensive daily usage, such as app development or creative pursuits.
- Recommendation: If you want a premium experience and are willing to compromise slightly on battery life, the Xiaomi 12X is the better option for most users.
Huawei nova Y70 Plus
- Best Suited For: Users with modest performance requirements who prioritize battery life above all else. Good for users who mainly browse the internet and stream video for long periods.
- Use Cases: Ideal for basic daily use, prolonged media consumption, and users who need their phone to last through multiple days without recharging.
- Recommendation: If battery life is your number one concern, and you are on a strict budget or have very low processing demands, the Huawei nova Y70 Plus will do fine. It provides a large display which could be helpful for some users.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to ask yourself when deciding:
- What do I value most in a smartphone: Performance or Battery Life?
- If performance is more important, choose the Xiaomi 12X.
- If long battery life is your main concern, the Huawei nova Y70 Plus may be better.
- How much does Display Quality matter to me?
- If you value a high-quality, sharp, vibrant display, choose the Xiaomi 12X.
- If display quality is not a significant concern, the Huawei's larger but lower-resolution screen might suffice.
- What kind of photography do I prioritize?
- If you need high-quality, versatile photography and videography, the Xiaomi 12X will provide this.
- If you only need basic photography and video, the Huawei nova Y70 Plus will be adequate.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Gamer or Tech Enthusiast: The Xiaomi 12X is the clear choice, offering superior performance, display, and camera capabilities.
- For the Budget-Conscious User: The Huawei nova Y70 Plus is a decent option with a lower price and the massive battery is an advantage for less demanding users.
- For the Daily Driver who needs battery: If you are on a strict budget, need long battery and do not do any demanding tasks the Huawei will work.
- For the Everyday User who wants it all: The Xiaomi 12X is the better daily option as it balances both performance, battery, and other quality-of-life features.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose between the Xiaomi 12X and the Huawei nova Y70 Plus, I would unequivocally choose the Xiaomi 12X. Here's why:
As a tech journalist and smartphone analyst, I prioritize performance, display quality, and camera capabilities because these are the areas I use the most and critically evaluate. The Xiaomi 12X provides a significantly better display, top-tier performance, and much better camera quality. While the battery isn't as big as the Huawei's, the fast charging capabilities would quickly offset any limitations in battery. The much faster charging combined with the overall performance and premium feel, makes it the better and easier choice. I also dislike the large size and low resolution of the Huawei display and would not want to use it for very long. While I appreciate the battery capacity of the Huawei, it does come at the cost of basically everything else and is a major compromise. Ultimately, the Xiaomi 12X's premium build, cutting-edge tech, and overall polished experience make it the clear winner for me.
