Honor 80 vs Xiaomi 12S Ultra: A Detailed Comparison of Two Snapdragon Flagships
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 provides significantly more processing power, translating to smoother multitasking and superior gaming performance. While the Honor 80 offers respectable efficiency, the 12S Ultra’s faster charging and comparable battery endurance make it the better overall package.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Honor 80 | Xiaomi 12S Ultra |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, November 23 | 2022, July 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 02 | Available. Released 2022, July 09 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), eco leather back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 161.1 x 73.9 x 7.7 mm (6.34 x 2.91 x 0.30 in) | 163.2 x 75 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 2.95 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 180 g (6.35 oz) | 225 g (7.94 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels (~444 ppi density) | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~522 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.9 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.73 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1000 nits (peak) | LTPO2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.7 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 12, MagicOS 7 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica lenses, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.4, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 0.7µm |
| Triple | 160 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.56", 0.75µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), AF 2 MP (macro) | 50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/4.1, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 128˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF TOF 3D, (depth) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@3840fps, gyro-EIS, Dolby Vision HDR 10-bit rec. (4K, 1080p) |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.4, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 0.7µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| - | 24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman Kardon | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual proximity sensing | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 3-50% in 15 min 5W reverse wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 41 min 50W wireless, 100% in 52 min 10W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4800 mAh | Li-Po 4860 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Green, Blue, Pink | Black, Dark Green |
| Models | ANN-AN00 | 2203121C |
| Price | About 370 EUR | $ 288.00 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 93h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -25.6 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 1039412 (v9) GeekBench: 4300 (v5.1) GFXBench: 51fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor 80
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Efficient Snapdragon 782G chipset for everyday tasks
- Sleek and modern design (based on brand aesthetic)
- Significantly less powerful than the Xiaomi 12S Ultra
- Limited camera specifications available
- Slower charging speeds compared to the 12S Ultra
Xiaomi 12S Ultra
- Powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor
- Faster wired and wireless charging
- Likely superior camera system with advanced image processing
- May be more expensive than the Honor 80
- Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 can generate more heat under sustained load
- Older chipset generation
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi 12S Ultra boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1065 nits, which will provide superior visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Honor 80 (brightness data unavailable). While both likely utilize OLED panels for vibrant colors, the 12S Ultra’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio suggests a more refined panel with deeper blacks. The Honor 80’s display specifications are less detailed, making a direct comparison of color accuracy and refresh rate difficult, but it’s likely targeting a more mainstream experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are marketed with a strong emphasis on photography and video capabilities. However, detailed camera specifications for the Honor 80 are limited. The Xiaomi 12S Ultra’s camera system is likely to be more advanced, benefiting from the processing power of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and potentially larger sensor sizes. The 12S Ultra’s image processing algorithms are known for their natural color reproduction and excellent dynamic range. Without specific details on the Honor 80’s sensor and lens configuration, it’s difficult to assess its capabilities beyond marketing claims.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi 12S Ultra’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) is a significant step up from the Honor 80’s Snapdragon 782G (6nm). The 8+ Gen 1 features a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.19 GHz, alongside Cortex-A710 performance cores, offering substantially higher CPU and GPU performance. The 782G, while capable, relies on older Cortex-A78 cores. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Xiaomi. The 4nm process of the 8+ Gen 1 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 93 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite differing battery capacities (Honor 80 capacity unavailable). However, the charging speeds differ. The Xiaomi 12S Ultra offers 67W wired charging (100% in 41 minutes), 50W wireless charging (100% in 52 minutes), and 10W reverse wireless charging. The Honor 80 provides 66W wired charging (3-50% in 15 minutes) and 5W reverse wired charging. The 12S Ultra’s faster wired and wireless charging options provide greater convenience, while the reverse wireless charging is more powerful.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 80 if you prioritize a sleek design, efficient power consumption for everyday tasks, and a more affordable price point. It’s ideal for users who primarily browse, use social media, and occasionally game. Buy the Xiaomi 12S Ultra if you demand top-tier performance for demanding applications, mobile gaming, and professional-grade photography. It’s the choice for power users who need a phone that can handle anything they throw at it.