Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi 12X and the Motorola Edge 50 Pro. It's always exciting to see how these contenders stack up, especially when they're targeting similar user bases.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed table to break down the key specs, focusing on what they mean for you in the real world:
| Feature | Xiaomi 12X | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 152.7 × 69.9 × 8.2 mm | 161.2 × 72.4 × 8.2 mm | Edge 50 Pro is noticeably taller and wider, potentially less comfortable for smaller hands. Both have same thickness. |
| Weight | 176g | 186g | Xiaomi 12X is slightly lighter, noticeable for extended holding. |
| Build Quality | Gorilla Glass Victus (screen) | Gorilla Glass Victus (screen) | Both offer excellent scratch resistance for screen. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.28" | 6.7" | Edge 50 Pro offers a more immersive viewing experience due to a larger screen. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1220x2712 | Edge 50 Pro has a crisper, more detailed display with higher pixel density. |
| PPI | 419 | 446 | Edge 50 Pro has slightly sharper visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both deliver vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Edge 50 Pro provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2000 nits | Edge 50 Pro is significantly better for outdoor use in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Edge 50 Pro's newer chip results in better power efficiency and improved performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 815,210 | 866,863 | Edge 50 Pro has marginally higher benchmark scores, suggesting slightly better overall performance |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 720 | Edge 50 Pro has a more powerful GPU for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP f/1.88, 1/1.56" sensor, 1.00 µm pixels | 50MP f/1.4, 2.00 µm pixels | Edge 50 Pro has a wider aperture and larger pixel size resulting in better low light performance |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.45, 1/3" sensor, 0.70 µm pixels | 50MP f/1.9, 0.64 µm pixels | Edge 50 Pro has higher resolution and wider aperture, potentially better selfies |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP f/2.0, 1.00 µm pixels | Edge 50 Pro offers dedicated zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP f/2.4, 1/3.06" sensor, 1.12 µm pixels | 13MP f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixels | Edge 50 Pro has slightly wider aperture, better low light. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP f/2.4 | None | Xiaomi 12X has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, EIS | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS, HDR | Xiaomi 12X supports higher resolution recording, Edge 50 Pro offers HDR. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Both have similar battery size, expected to have similar battery life. |
| Charging | 67W Fast Charging | 125W Fast Charging, 50W Wireless, 10W Reverse | Edge 50 Pro charges significantly faster and offers wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | Edge 50 Pro has newer OS with more features and longer update support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7, 6E | Motorola Edge 50 Pro has better connectivity |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 LE | Bluetooth 5.4 LE | Motorola Edge 50 Pro has more modern connectivity |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | Xiaomi 12X has more satellites support |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Motorola Edge 50 Pro has eSIM |
| Storage | | | | | Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB or 1024 GB | Edge 50 Pro offers much more storage options. | | RAM | 8 GB or 12 GB | 12 GB or 16 GB | Edge 50 Pro has more RAM for better multitasking. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi 12X Strengths:
- Compact Design: The Xiaomi 12X is more pocket-friendly and easier to handle, especially for those with smaller hands.
- 8K Video Recording: It offers higher resolution video capture, useful for specific content creation.
- Slightly better GPS coverage: Has broader support for satellite systems
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Strengths:
- Superior Display: Larger, higher resolution screen with a faster refresh rate and much higher brightness
- Better Performance: The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 offers a significant improvement in power efficiency and performance.
- Faster Charging: 125W charging and wireless charging are significant advantages.
- Improved Camera System: Includes a telephoto lens, larger pixels on primary sensor, higher resolution front camera.
- Latest Software: Runs on Android 14 with a future update to Android 17.
- More Connectivity Support for Wi-Fi 7, 6E, and Bluetooth 5.4.
- More Storage: Significantly more internal storage options.
- eSIM: Offers the added convenience of an eSIM.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi 12X: Lacks the latest software, telephoto camera, wireless charging and the performance is noticeably lower.
- Motorola Edge 50 Pro: Larger size may not suit everyone; lacks a dedicated macro lens.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi 12X:
- Ideal for: Users who prefer a compact phone with good performance for everyday tasks, good photo and video quality, and a preference for 8K video recording.
- Use Cases: Casual users, those who value pocketability, media consumption, casual gaming, and social media sharing.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro:
- Ideal for: Users who prioritize top-tier performance, camera versatility, fast charging, and the latest software, large bright screen and more storage.
- Use Cases: Power users, photographers, gamers, those who want a fast and future-proof phone with advanced connectivity.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- Do you need a compact and easy-to-handle phone, or are you okay with a larger device for a better viewing experience? If compact is paramount, the Xiaomi 12X is better. If you prefer immersion and enhanced visual experience, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is the way to go.
- Is top-end performance and the latest features a must-have, or is good performance enough? For top-tier performance and cutting edge technology, the Edge 50 Pro is better suited. The 12X offers good performance but cannot compare.
- How important is camera versatility and battery charging speed? If zoom capabilities and wireless charging are essential, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro excels. However, if you need to record high-resolution 8K video or close-up macro shots, the Xiaomi 12X is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Casual User: You mostly browse the web, check social media, and occasionally snap pictures. The Xiaomi 12X will serve you well due to its compact design and good enough performance.
- The Power User: You demand the best possible performance, the fastest charging, a large screen and a lot of storage. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is the superior choice.
- The Mobile Photographer: You want a versatile camera system for various shooting scenarios. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro offers superior camera performance overall and the inclusion of a telephoto lens.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two devices, I'd go with the Motorola Edge 50 Pro. While the compact form factor of the Xiaomi 12X is appealing, the Edge 50 Pro simply offers too many compelling advantages that align with my needs as a tech enthusiast and journalist.
Here's why:
- Future-Proofed Performance: The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 and ample RAM make it more responsive, faster and better performing for longer.
- Superior Display: As someone who consumes a lot of content and edits photos on my phone, the larger, brighter, and crisper screen is a huge advantage.
- Camera Versatility: The inclusion of a telephoto lens and larger pixel size is significant for a more flexible photography experience.
- Fast Charging: The 125W charging is a game-changer, as my devices are frequently in use.
- Latest Technology: WI-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 and Android 14 are all features that make the phone more future-proof.
- Storage Options: I prefer having more storage space, and the 1TB option is very important for me.
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is clearly the better choice, the extra features really improve the user experience.
