Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison between the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 and the Honor 90. I'll break down the specs, highlight the key differences, and give you my take on which phone might be better suited for whom.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm | 161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm | Honor 90 is more compact and slightly thinner, making it a bit more pocketable and comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 188g | 183g | The Honor 90 is negligibly lighter, which might make a slight difference in extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Virtually the same size; differences would be minimal. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1200 x 2664 | Honor 90 has a significantly sharper display with more detail, which will enhance text and image clarity. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 395 | 435 | Honor 90's higher pixel density results in sharper visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both phones offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, typical of AMOLED displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1600 nits | Honor 90 is significantly brighter and better for outdoor visibility under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Honor 90 has a more powerful and efficient processor, which will result in faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| Antutu Score | 460,800 | 701,227 | Honor 90 has significantly higher performance, which translates to snappier overall experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 644 | The Honor 90's GPU is more capable, resulting in better graphics for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP (f/1.8, 1/2.76") | 200MP (f/1.9, 1/1.4") | Honor 90 has a much higher resolution sensor, capturing more detail and offering better low-light performance due to a larger sensor size, though the aperture is only slightly smaller. |
| Front Camera | 13MP (f/2.45) | 50MP (f/2.4) | Honor 90 takes higher resolution and better quality selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP (f/2.2) | 12MP (f/2.2) | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for landscape shots while Honor 90 has a Wide Angle + Macro camera |
| Portrait | None | 2MP (f/2.4) | Honor 90 has an additional Portrait mode (depth) camera |
| Macro | 2MP (f/2.4) | None | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 has a dedicated Macro lens, which is not included in the Honor 90. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | Honor 90 supports 4K video, providing much better video quality. |
| Slow Motion | 120 fps | 960 fps | Honor 90 captures far more detail in slow-motion videos. |
| DxOMark | 69 (Mobile), 74(Photo), 49(Video) | 122 (Mobile), 128(Photo), 126(Video) | Honor 90 has significantly superior camera performance in all aspects. |
| Additional Features | Ultra stable video, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Panorama | 4K Video, Front Flash | Both have features that suit particular scenarios. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery endurance, but software and chip differences may impact real-world performance. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Honor 90 charges much faster, saving time. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 | Android 13 | Honor 90 comes with a newer version of Android out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wifi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Honor 90 uses newer and faster WiFi standard resulting in better network performance. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Honor 90 has the latest Bluetooth standard. |
| GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | Honor 90 has higher storage options, beneficial for users who store lots of media. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB | Honor 90 has more RAM for smoother multitasking and better performance with resource-intensive applications. |
| Expandable Storage | None | None | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic Audio Features | Noise cancellation microphone | Honor 90 has a noise cancellation microphone offering better call clarity. |
| Security | |||
| Biometric Sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 has side-mounted fingerprint sensor which can be easily reachable. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 uses superior screen protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensor Suite | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, RGB | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 features a broader set of sensors for advanced functionality such as gaming. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Strengths:
- Solid Display: While not as sharp as the Honor 90, the AMOLED display still provides good contrast and vibrant colors.
- Familiar Design: Retains a classic smartphone design with side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
- Comprehensive Sensors: Good for gaming.
- Affordable: Usually priced lower, making it accessible for budget-conscious users.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Weaknesses:
- Underwhelming Performance: The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 is noticeably slower compared to the Honor 90's processor.
- Basic Camera System: While functional, it doesn't match the detail and versatility offered by the Honor 90.
- Older OS: Comes with Android 12.
- No expandable storage
- No 4K Video: Limited video capabilities, shooting only up to 1080p
Honor 90 Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 is significantly faster for a smoother overall experience, from basic app usage to gaming.
- Excellent Display: Higher resolution and brightness make it more enjoyable to use, especially outdoors.
- Top-Tier Camera: The 200MP main camera offers excellent image quality, and 4K recording is a significant advantage.
- Faster Charging: 66W charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Newer Software: Comes with Android 13 out of the box.
- Better Connectivity: WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 provide faster network connection.
Honor 90 Weaknesses:
- More Expensive: Higher price point can be a deterrent for budget-focused users.
- No expandable storage
- Missing some sensors: Missing Gyroscope and Ultrasonic proximity sensor.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is best suited for:
- Budget-conscious users: Who need a reliable smartphone for basic tasks and consumption of media.
- Casual gamers: Those who do not need the latest and greatest specs for a decent mobile gaming experience.
- Users who do not need advanced camera features: It can still capture good quality photos for basic use.
Honor 90 is ideal for:
- Power users: Who need the best possible performance for demanding tasks like gaming, editing, and multitasking.
- Photography enthusiasts: Who want a high-quality camera system with excellent detail and 4K video capabilities.
- Users who prioritize display quality: The sharper, brighter screen will appeal to those who spend a lot of time consuming content.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
How important is performance to you? If you need a snappy phone for gaming, heavy multitasking, and want everything to run smoothly, the Honor 90 is a better choice with its more powerful processor and better GPU. If you're okay with some lag while multitasking and are not a heavy gamer, then Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 should be fine.
What do you need from your camera system? If you need high-resolution photos, great low-light performance, and 4K video recording, the Honor 90 is superior. If you only need a functional camera for everyday snapshots, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 will get the job done.
What is your budget? The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is typically more affordable than the Honor 90. If the price is a significant factor, then the Note 12 will make more sense, but if you are willing to pay a premium for performance, display, and camera capabilities then the Honor 90 is the best option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: A student needs a reliable smartphone for note-taking, browsing, and occasional social media with a limited budget. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is the best option.
- Scenario 2: A content creator needs a phone with a great camera for capturing videos and photos. The Honor 90 with its 200MP camera and 4K video capabilities is the best choice.
- Scenario 3: A gamer needs a phone for performance-heavy gaming with a smooth display and good performance. The Honor 90 provides a smoother gaming experience with its powerful processor and better GPU.
- Scenario 4: A regular user needs a good enough smartphone to browse the web, check emails, and watch videos with a good battery life. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is a great phone for such users at an affordable price range.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would go with the Honor 90.
Here's why:
- The Performance Leap: The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 is a much more capable chip than the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, and that impacts everything from the smoothness of daily use to how well games perform. I value responsiveness and speed in my devices, and the Honor 90 is going to deliver a much snappier experience.
- The Superior Camera: As a photographer, the 200MP main sensor and the 4K video recording in the Honor 90 are too enticing to pass up. The photos will have much more detail and the low-light performance will be significantly better.
- The Display Quality: The higher resolution and 1600 nits of brightness on the Honor 90 make a noticeable difference in visual clarity and outdoor readability. For someone like me, who spends a lot of time looking at the screen for content consumption, this is a valuable benefit.
- Future Proofing: The newer processor, operating system, WiFi standard, and Bluetooth version on the Honor 90 would make it more future-proof for me.
While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is a capable phone for basic use, the Honor 90 is clearly the better option for anyone who wants more power, better photography and overall a much more satisfying experience. The Honor 90 represents a much better value for its premium offering.
