Okay, let's dive deep into a detailed comparison between the Xiaomi 12X and the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra. I'll break down the specs, highlight key differences, and provide actionable insights to help you decide which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed table comparing the technical specifications of both devices, focusing on real-world implications:
| Feature | Xiaomi 12X | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 152.7 × 69.9 × 8.2 mm, 176g | 162.6 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm, 226g | The Xiaomi 12X is more compact and significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use. The Pura 70 Ultra is larger and heavier, feeling more substantial. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.28" | 6.8" | The Pura 70 Ultra offers a larger display, which is great for media consumption and multitasking. The Xiaomi 12X is more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1260x2844 | The Pura 70 Ultra's higher resolution results in sharper, more detailed images and text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 419 | 460 | The Pura 70 Ultra has a slightly crisper display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both provide excellent colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. The differences are minimal. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer fluid scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2500 nits | The Pura 70 Ultra is much brighter and more readable in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 (7nm) | Kirin 9010 (7nm) | While both are 7nm chips, they perform differently. The Kirin 9010 shows a marginal advantage on benchmarks. |
| Antutu Score | 815,210 | 869,707 | The Pura 70 Ultra has a slight edge in performance, especially when running intensive apps and games, and general smoothness. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Maleoon 910 | Each GPU offers solid graphics performance, but they are architecturally different and will likely perform in their own ways for different apps and games |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56", IMX766, 1.0µm | 50MP, f/1.6, 1", IMX989, 1.6µm | The Pura 70 Ultra has a physically larger sensor, a wider aperture, and larger pixels, which result in superior low-light performance and higher dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/3", OV32B, 0.7µm | 13MP, f/2.4, Omnivision | The Xiaomi 12X has a higher megapixel count for selfies, but the Pura 70 Ultra may perform slightly better due to aperture and general processing. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 50MP, f/2.1, Omnivision | The Pura 70 Ultra provides optical zoom capabilities and more options in photography. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.06", OV13B10, 1.12µm | 40MP, f/2.2, 1/1.7", OV40A, 1.00µm | The Pura 70 Ultra has much more detail in wide shots and better light-gathering in those shots due to aperture and larger sensor, and will give higher dynamic range. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, Samsung | None | The Xiaomi 12X has a dedicated macro camera, allowing for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | 4K | The Xiaomi 12X offers higher video resolution. |
| DxoMark Mobile | N/A | 163 (Overall) | The Pura 70 Ultra has a very high DXoMark score, indicating its prowess in photography (although this test has its limits) |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5200mAh | The Pura 70 Ultra has a larger battery, which will provide longer battery life. |
| Charging | 67W fast charging | 100W fast charging, 80W wireless | The Pura 70 Ultra charges much faster, both wired and wirelessly. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, wireless charging, non-removable | The Pura 70 Ultra offers much more flexibility in terms of charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Different operating systems mean the user experience and app compatibility may vary. The Huawei runs its own OS, based on Android, but without Google services. | |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both phones support the latest WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, LE, APT-x | 5.2 | The Pura 70 Ultra has a slightly newer Bluetooth version, both support most high-fidelity codecs. The Xiaomi includes LE and APT-x support, which is a good addition. |
| GPS | Several systems | Several systems, Galileo | Both offer accurate positioning, with the Pura 70 Ultra supporting Galileo satellites. |
| Storage & Memory | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 512 GB / 1 TB | The Pura 70 Ultra offers significantly more storage space. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 16 GB | The Pura 70 Ultra offers significantly more RAM, which is better for demanding apps, multitasking, and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | The Xiaomi 12X offers superior audio fidelity, better spatial audio and clearer voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both have basic fingerprint sensors for convenient security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | The Xiaomi 12X has better known screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric, Motion, Proximity | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, Gravity, Hall, RGB | Both phones have a suite of sensors for different use cases, but the Pura 70 Ultra includes additional sensors. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi 12X Strengths:
- Compact Design: The Xiaomi 12X is noticeably smaller and lighter, which is excellent for one-handed use and portability.
- Strong Audio: Features like Hi-Res Audio and dual microphones make it a solid option for users who care about audio fidelity.
- 8K Video Recording: Allows for high-resolution video content creation.
- Known Screen Protection: The Gorilla Glass Victus is a known entity and a good standard for screen protection.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra Strengths:
- Superior Camera: The Pura 70 Ultra’s larger sensor, wider aperture, and telephoto lens lead to significantly better low-light performance, optical zoom capabilities, and overall image quality.
- Larger, Brighter Display: The 6.8" screen with 2500 nits of brightness offers an immersive viewing experience, especially in bright sunlight.
- Better Battery & Charging: The larger battery and faster charging (both wired and wireless) allow for extended use and quick top-ups.
- More Storage & RAM: With up to 1TB of storage and 16GB of RAM, this phone handles heavy multitasking and storage needs much more effectively.
- Marginal Performance: With slightly higher benchmark scores, and general smoothness, it beats the 12X.
- Comprehensive Sensor Suite: This gives the phone potential for more advanced features and gaming experiences.
- High DXoMark: This is a very high score for a camera, which means the camera is very capable.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Size & Weight: The Pura 70 Ultra is much larger and heavier, which might be a downside for users who prefer a compact phone.
- Software: The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra runs its own OS, based on Android, without Google services which is a big turnoff for many users.
- Audio: The Huawei lacks Hi-Res audio and dual microphones which make the Xiaomi better in this area.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi 12X is Best For:
- Users Who Prefer Compact Phones: Its smaller size makes it ideal for those who value portability and ease of handling.
- Audio Enthusiasts: Hi-Res Audio support and dual microphones offer a superior audio experience.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: It is likely more affordable than the Pura 70 Ultra.
- Video Content Creators: The ability to shoot in 8K is a draw.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is Best For:
- Photography Lovers: Its advanced camera system excels in various conditions, making it a great choice for those who love taking photos and have an interest in photography.
- Heavy Users: With a large battery, fast charging, and ample storage, this phone is ideal for users who rely on their devices heavily.
- Multimedia Consumers: The large, bright display is perfect for watching videos and playing games.
- Users with Multitasking Needs: 16GB of RAM makes this device excel at heavy multitasking and demanding games.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How important is camera performance to you? If photography is a top priority, the Pura 70 Ultra is the clear winner. If you're just an average user, then the Xiaomi 12X may suit you just fine.
- Do you prioritize portability and ease of use over screen size and advanced features? If so, the Xiaomi 12X is much easier to handle.
- Are you okay with not having Google services? If yes, then you should be fine with the Huawei, otherwise you should choose the Xiaomi.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User: If you mostly browse the web, use social media, and take occasional photos, the Xiaomi 12X is a good all-around device with a more portable design.
- Scenario 2: Photography Buff: If you’re serious about mobile photography and need the best image quality, the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is the superior choice.
- Scenario 3: Power User: If you are a heavy user who needs a big, bright screen, more battery life, and more processing power, the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is the better option.
Final Thoughts and Personal Choice
If I were to choose, I'd lean towards the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra. The camera is a game-changer, and for a tech enthusiast like me, the improved performance, battery, display, and feature set are hard to ignore. While the size and weight are a trade-off, the advancements in mobile photography and computing are more important to me. The Xiaomi 12X is a very solid phone, but the Pura 70 Ultra pushes the envelope in a few important areas, making it much more interesting.
