Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi 12X and the Motorola ThinkPhone. I’m going to break down these two contenders like we're geeking out over coffee, making sure to translate all that tech jargon into real-world scenarios.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a look at the core specifications, highlighting what they actually mean for you, the user:
| Feature | Xiaomi 12X | Motorola ThinkPhone | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-12-31 | 2023-01-29 | The ThinkPhone is a newer device by roughly a year, potentially offering more modern features and updates. |
| Dimensions | 152.7 × 69.9 × 8.2 mm, 176g | 158.8 × 74.4 × 8.3 mm, 188.5g | The Xiaomi 12X is more compact and lighter, making it easier to handle one-handed. The ThinkPhone is larger, which might appeal to users who prefer bigger screens. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus Screen | Gorilla Glass Victus Screen | Both have good screen protection, but the rest of the build is unspecified. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.28" | 6.6" | ThinkPhone offers a more immersive viewing experience due to the larger screen, which may appeal to users who consume a lot of content. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both phones are equally sharp for everyday tasks, videos and gaming. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 419 | 399 | Xiaomi 12X offers slightly more detail sharpness, but it will not make a huge difference to the naked eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both use high-quality OLED-based displays, ensuring vibrant colors and deep blacks. The difference is minimal. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | The ThinkPhone offers a smoother scrolling and gaming experience with the higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1200 nits | The ThinkPhone has better outdoor visibility in bright daylight with higher peak brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | The ThinkPhone offers significantly more processing power, leading to smoother performance, faster app loading, and superior gaming experiences. |
| AnTuTu Score | 815,210 | 1,232,700 | The ThinkPhone's higher AnTuTu score reflects its stronger performance, better for heavy apps and multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 730 | The ThinkPhone provides a superior gaming experience and better graphics rendering capabilities. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 5000 mAh | The ThinkPhone is likely to offer longer battery life, a benefit for users who spend extended periods away from a charger. |
| Charging | 67W | 68W | Both phones offer incredibly fast charging speeds, but this negligible difference will make no real impact. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, 15W wireless charging | The ThinkPhone's wireless charging adds extra convenience, allowing for wireless power-ups. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera (MP) | 50MP Sony IMX766 (f/1.88) | 50MP Omnivision OV50A (f/1.8) | Both phones offer high-resolution main cameras, but ThinkPhone has a slightly larger sensor and wider aperture, potentially offering better low-light performance, but with a different sensor type. |
| Selfie Camera (MP) | 32MP Omnivision OV32B (f/2.45) | 32MP (f/2.45) | Both offer comparable selfie camera resolution, but the ThinkPhone sensor is unknown. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP (f/2.4) | No Dedicated Wide Angle Lens | Xiaomi 12X has dedicated wide angle lens; ThinkPhone uses it's wide angle and macro lens for wide-angle photos. |
| Portrait Mode | None | 2MP (f/2.4) | ThinkPhone offers dedicated portrait mode for depth of field (bokeh) effects, while Xiaomi 12X does not. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP (f/2.4) | None | Xiaomi has a dedicated macro camera for ultra close shots, while ThinkPhone integrates it with wide lens. |
| Wide + Macro Lens | None | 13MP (f/2.4) | ThinkPhone has a wide + macro lens, whilst Xiaomi lacks this feature. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps with EIS | Up to 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS | Both phones are capable of high-resolution video recording, but ThinkPhone also adds HDR recording. |
| Camera Features | Ultra-stable video, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Night Mode | Optical Zoom, PDAF | Xiaomi 12X has great video features and night mode, whilst ThinkPhone has optical zoom and faster autofocus. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | The ThinkPhone runs a more recent version of Android, meaning more security patches, the latest features and the current OS experience. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Both have the most current wireless connectivity, the same experience. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | The ThinkPhone has a newer version for slightly improved efficiency. |
| 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, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Xiaomi has a much more extensive satellite support; whilst, ThinkPhone supports Galileo. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256 GB | Both offer ample storage for most users, but the ThinkPhone comes only with 256GB. |
| RAM | 8 GB or 12 GB | 8 GB | Xiaomi 12X has up to 12GB RAM, making it better for intensive multitasking and gaming if you choose that version. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, meaning you need to choose a device with enough storage to suit your needs. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Xiaomi offers higher-quality audio through its Hi-Res audio support, better audio separation and voice capture, but both have stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both have basic fingerprint readers for security. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | Xiaomi 12X features more sensors, including a compass, potentially useful for location-based apps, whilst Motorola has basic proximity sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi 12X:
- Strengths: More compact, lighter, slightly better pixel density and audio quality, and offers a wider choice of RAM and storage options (8/12GB and 128/256GB). It also has a compass sensor and a dedicated macro lens.
- Competitive Advantages: The slightly sharper display (higher PPI), the dedicated wide-angle lens and the macro lens which the ThinkPhone lacks.
- Trade-offs/Limitations: Older chipset and therefore slightly slower performance. It also has an older operating system and lacks wireless charging.
Motorola ThinkPhone:
- Strengths: Significantly more powerful processor (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1), larger and brighter display with smoother refresh rate, larger battery capacity with wireless charging, newer OS, and support for HDR video recording.
- Competitive Advantages: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset puts it in a different performance league and offers features such as HDR video recording. The lack of a wide lens is not a huge issue, as the combined wide and macro lens is capable of taking similar shots.
- Trade-offs/Limitations: Larger and heavier, lacking a dedicated macro camera, and lacking a compass sensor.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi 12X
- Best suited for: Users who prioritize a compact and lightweight device, appreciate better audio capabilities, those with a tighter budget, and require multiple storage options.
- Use cases: Casual users, those who enjoy multimedia consumption, appreciate good camera specs, and need a reliable daily driver that doesn’t break the bank. Good for those who take detailed macro shots regularly.
Motorola ThinkPhone
- Best suited for: Power users who demand top-tier performance, frequent multi-taskers, gamers, content creators, and those who value battery life and wireless charging. Also well-suited for users who need the latest Android OS version.
- Use cases: Professional users, heavy gamers, content creators who need the best video quality, and those who travel frequently and require extended battery life. Best for users that regularly take photos that require HDR and wide shots that aren't ultra close up.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to ask yourself before deciding:
- Performance vs. Size? If raw power and a larger display are paramount, the ThinkPhone wins. If you prefer a more compact phone that is easier to handle, the 12X is the better pick.
- Budget-Conscious vs. Feature-Rich? If you're on a tighter budget and want an affordable daily driver, the 12X might be the better option. If you are prepared to spend more for a better overall user experience, the ThinkPhone offers more.
- Multimedia vs. Versatility? If you prioritize audio quality and dedicated lens options, the 12X is better. If you value battery, processing power and HDR video recording, the ThinkPhone is the better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
Scenario 1: The Casual User: You want a reliable phone for daily use, social media, and occasional photos. The Xiaomi 12X is a great fit due to its compact design and good all-around performance.
Scenario 2: The Mobile Gamer: You need a phone that can handle demanding games and multi-tasking. The Motorola ThinkPhone is the way to go because of its powerful processor, higher refresh rate display, and larger battery.
Scenario 3: The Content Creator: You need a phone with excellent camera capabilities and long battery life for recording and editing videos on the go. The Motorola ThinkPhone is your best bet with its HDR video recording, larger display, and good battery life.
Which one would I choose?
If I had to choose, I'd lean towards the Motorola ThinkPhone. As a tech journalist and analyst, I tend to gravitate towards the device that pushes the boundaries of performance and offers more modern features. While I do appreciate a compact design, the ThinkPhone's significantly faster processor, newer operating system, wireless charging, larger display with a higher refresh rate, and significantly larger battery make it more compelling. The ThinkPhone is the superior choice, but the price might be an important factor for some.
