Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison between the Xiaomi 12X and the OnePlus 10T. These two phones occupy a similar space in the market, but they have some key differences that will matter to different types of users. I'm going to put my tech journalist hat on, and break it down in a way that's clear and useful.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at how these two phones stack up, with a special focus on what each spec actually means for your day-to-day use:
| Feature | Xiaomi 12X | OnePlus 10T | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 152.7 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm, 176g | 163 x 75.4 x 8.8 mm, 204g | The Xiaomi 12X is significantly more compact and lighter, making it easier to handle and pocket. The 10T is larger and heavier. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both phones have standard builds with glass and metal materials. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.28" | 6.7" | The 10T offers a larger screen, which is better for media consumption and gaming. 12X more pocketable and easier to handle |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both offer sharp and detailed visuals, though the larger screen of the 10T may make text and images appear slightly less dense |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 419 | 394 | The 12X has slightly sharper text and images, although you'd need to be looking closely to notice. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both displays offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide a smooth scrolling and gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | The 12X wins here, offering brighter screen visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | The 10T has a significantly newer and more powerful chip, which results in faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better performance in demanding tasks like gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 815,210 | 1,165,433 | The 10T is clearly more powerful when put under load. This reflects in daily usage when handling multiple apps or heavy tasks like video editing. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 730 | The Adreno 730 in the 10T handles graphics more efficiently, providing better gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.88, Sony IMX766 | 50MP, f/1.8, Sony IMX766 | Both use the same main sensor, capturing detailed images. The 10T has a slightly wider aperture, which might improve low-light performance by a very small margin. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.45, OV32B | 16MP, f/2.46, S5K3P9 | The 12X has a higher resolution selfie camera for sharper photos and videos and slightly better light capture due to bigger sensor. |
| Wide Angle lens | 13MP, f/2.4, OV13B10 | 8MP, f/2.2, OV08D10 | The 12X captures more detailed wide-angle shots. The 10T has slightly better light capture, but a smaller sensor for less details. |
| Macro lens | 5MP, f/2.4, Samsung | 2MP, f/2.4, OV02B10 | The 12X produces more detailed macro shots |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps w/ EIS | Up to 4K@60fps w/ EIS | The 12X can record in higher resolution. Both have EIS for smoother, more stable video recording. |
| Features | 8K Video | Flicker sensor, Phase Detection AutoFocus (PDAF) | The 12X has the ability to shoot in 8K, but the 10T has some quality of life features |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 4800 mAh | The 10T has a slightly larger battery, but the performance of the chipset would mean battery life is very comparable. |
| Charging | 67W Fast Charging | 150W Fast Charging | The 10T charges much faster, reducing the time you have to be plugged in. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | The 10T runs on a newer version of Android, with a newer UI and updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 LE | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | 10T has a slightly newer version |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), QZSS (L1 + L5) | Xiaomi 12X supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy |
| Other | |||
| Storage Options | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both offer similar storage options, but neither offers expandable storage. |
| RAM Options | 8/12 GB | 8/12/16 GB | The 10T offers 16 GB for extreme multitasking. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, 2 microphones, Stereo Speakers | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi 12X offers higher quality audio features and better voice capture. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The 12X has superior screen protection, reducing the risk of scratches and cracks. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi 12X Strengths:
- Compact & Lightweight: Its smaller size makes it more comfortable for single-handed use and easier to carry.
- Excellent Display: Brighter screen with higher pixel density for better clarity, especially outdoors.
- Superior Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus for enhanced durability.
- Better Audio features: Higher quality audio features and better voice capture.
- Higher Resolution Front Camera More detailed selfies and better quality video calls.
- Higher Resolution Wide Angle Camera More detailed landscape shots.
- 8K Video: Useful for those wanting a higher quality recording experience.
OnePlus 10T Strengths:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip provides a massive performance boost, especially useful for gaming and heavy app usage.
- Faster Charging: The 150W charging is significantly faster, making it easier to top up the battery quickly.
- Larger Display: Better for media consumption and gaming due to its bigger screen.
- More RAM: The 16GB version allows for the heaviest multitasking.
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 12 out of the box.
- Newer Bluetooth Slightly improved connectivity.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi 12X: The older chipset is a significant drawback if you need top-tier performance. Less fast charging.
- OnePlus 10T: It's bulkier and less pocketable. The display is not as bright for outdoor usage. The audio quality and capture is not as good. Less detailed front and wide angle cameras
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi 12X:
- Ideal For: Users who value a comfortable, compact design and good screen. Those who appreciate enhanced audio features and capture, as well as those who want a higher resolution front facing camera and 8K video recording. Users who prioritize better screen protection.
- Use Cases: Everyday users who need a reliable phone for daily tasks, prefer smaller devices, and still appreciate a very good display experience for outdoor use. A good choice for people who want high quality audio recordings, as well as high quality selfies.
- Value: Offers a great balance of features and comfort for the price.
OnePlus 10T:
- Ideal For: Power users, gamers, and those who prioritize raw performance and fast charging.
- Use Cases: Mobile gamers who need smooth performance, users who multitask heavily, and people who want a device that charges in a flash. A good choice for those wanting the most amount of RAM.
- Value: A high-performance phone with a more modern software version and very fast charging.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you choose between the Xiaomi 12X and the OnePlus 10T:
- Do you prioritize a compact, easy-to-handle phone, or a larger screen for media and gaming?
- If compactness is key, the Xiaomi 12X is the better choice.
- If you prefer a larger display, the OnePlus 10T is the better option.
- How important is peak performance, multitasking and fast charging to you?
- If you need top-tier performance for heavy gaming or app usage and extremely fast charging, the OnePlus 10T is the clear winner.
- If your usage is more casual and general, the Xiaomi 12X is more than capable.
- How important are high quality audio features and captures as well as a good selfie experience and 8K Video?
- If you want the highest quality audio, voice capture, selfies and 8K video capabilities, Xiaomi 12X will be a better choice.
- If this is less important, the OnePlus 10T will still deliver a good audio capture experience.
Scenario Recommendations:
The Casual User: If you use your phone for everyday tasks, browsing, social media, and some media consumption, the Xiaomi 12X offers a great experience with better handling, screen clarity outdoors and is the easier to carry around with a better audio capture system.
The Power User/Gamer: If you’re into gaming, heavy multitasking, or need the fastest charging possible, the OnePlus 10T is the clear winner. The newer chip and 150W charging make a big difference.
The Audio enthusiast: If you need top quality audio features and captures as well as a high quality selfie and 8K video recording then the Xiaomi 12X is the better choice.
My Choice and Why:
If it were my money on the line, I'd pick the Xiaomi 12X for my personal use. As a tech journalist, I value a balance between usability, premium features, and the convenience of a pocketable phone. The 12X delivers a better outdoor screen, higher quality audio, a better selfie experience, and a smaller, lighter form factor that I find easier to manage. The slightly older chip is a tradeoff I'm happy to make to have such a great display, improved audio capabilities and a more compact design. While the OnePlus 10T is undoubtedly a powerful device, its bulk and size for day to day usage makes it less convenient, while also being worse in areas that I personally value more.
