Honor Magic4 vs Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity): Which Flagship Reigns Supreme?

The Honor Magic4 and Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity) represent compelling options in the flagship Android space, particularly as prices have adjusted since their initial release. Both aim to deliver a premium experience, but they diverge in their core philosophies: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Honor versus MediaTek’s Dimensity 9000+ in the Xiaomi. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity) offers a more consistently powerful experience. The Dimensity 9000+’s superior thermal management and slightly higher CPU clock speeds translate to better sustained performance, especially in demanding tasks. While the Honor Magic4 is no slouch, the Xiaomi’s charging and overall efficiency give it a slight edge.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor Magic4 Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2022, February 282022, July 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, March 30Available. Released 2022, July 13
Body
Dimensions163.6 x 74.5 x 8.8 mm (6.44 x 2.93 x 0.35 in)163.6 x 74.6 x 8.2 mm (6.44 x 2.94 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)201 g (7.09 oz)
 IP54, dust and water resistant-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1224 x 2664 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~431 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~521 ppi density)
Size6.81 inches, 113.5 cm2 (~93.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.73 inches, 109.4 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (peak)LTPO2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.20 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 9000+ (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Mali-G710 MC10
OSAndroid 12, Magic UI 6Android 12, MIUI 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF 50 MP, f/2.2, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.5" 8 MP, f/3.4, (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 15mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm 5 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto macro), AF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10-bit video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit audio stereo recording24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman Kardon
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired 5W reverse wired67W wired, PD3.0, QC4
TypeLi-Po 4800 mAhLi-Po 5160 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Cyan, GoldGray, Blue
ModelsLGE-AN002207122MC
PriceAbout 900 EURAbout 570 EUR

Honor Magic4

  • Potentially more natural color science (Honor's typical approach)
  • 5W reverse wireless charging for accessories
  • Strong brand recognition in certain markets

  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 prone to thermal throttling
  • Slightly slower CPU clock speed compared to Dimensity 9000+
  • Less versatile charging standard support

Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity)

  • Dimensity 9000+ offers superior thermal management
  • Faster CPU clock speed for improved performance
  • 67W charging with PD3.0 and QC4 for wider compatibility

  • Xiaomi's image processing can be overly aggressive
  • May prioritize vibrant colors over accuracy
  • Software experience can be divisive

Display Comparison

Both devices utilize 4nm chipsets, but display details are missing. Assuming both feature high-refresh-rate OLED panels (typical for this class), the key differentiator will be peak brightness and color calibration. Xiaomi historically leans towards vibrant, saturated colors, while Honor often aims for more natural accuracy. The absence of LTPO information means we can't assess variable refresh rate efficiency, a crucial factor for battery life. Bezels are likely comparable, given both are flagship devices.

Camera Comparison

Camera specifications are absent, but we can infer based on brand tendencies. Xiaomi typically focuses on high megapixel counts and computational photography, while Honor often emphasizes color science and natural image processing. The Dimensity 9000+’s image signal processor (ISP) is highly capable, potentially offering faster image processing and better low-light performance. Without sensor size or aperture data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Xiaomi’s ISP and processing capabilities likely give it an edge. We can assume both will have capable main sensors and ultrawide lenses, but details are needed for a true comparison.

Performance

The Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity) boasts the Mediatek Dimensity 9000+ with a Cortex-X2 core clocked at 3.20 GHz, exceeding the Honor Magic4’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1’s 3.00 GHz. While both utilize the same Cortex-A710 and A510 configurations, the higher clock speeds on the Dimensity chip provide a tangible performance advantage. More importantly, the Dimensity 9000+ is known for its superior thermal efficiency compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, mitigating throttling during prolonged gaming or video editing. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is powerful, but its tendency to run hot can limit sustained performance. Both devices use LPDDR5 RAM, but the Xiaomi's chipset is the clear winner.

Battery Life

Battery capacities are unknown, but the charging speeds are a key differentiator. The Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity) supports 67W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC4, offering broader compatibility and potentially faster charging times than the Honor Magic4’s 66W wired charging. While the difference is marginal, the added support for PD3.0 and QC4 provides greater flexibility. The 5W reverse wired charging on the Honor Magic4 is a niche feature, useful for topping up accessories but unlikely to be a primary consideration for most users.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor Magic4 if you prioritize a brand with a strong history in Europe and a generally balanced feature set. It’s a solid all-rounder. Buy the Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity) if you demand maximum performance for gaming or intensive applications, and value faster charging speeds and potentially better long-term thermal stability. It’s the choice for power users.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Honor Magic4 suffer from significant overheating during extended gaming sessions?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is known to generate considerable heat under sustained load. While Honor likely implemented cooling solutions, the Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity) with its Dimensity 9000+ generally exhibits better thermal management, leading to less throttling and more consistent performance during long gaming sessions.
❓ How does the charging speed difference (66W vs 67W) translate to real-world charging times?
The difference of 1W is minimal. However, the Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity)'s support for PD3.0 and QC4 allows it to leverage a wider range of chargers for optimal charging speeds. Both phones should fully charge in around 30-40 minutes, but the Xiaomi offers more flexibility.
❓ Which phone is better suited for demanding tasks like video editing or running multiple apps simultaneously?
The Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity) is better suited for these tasks. The Dimensity 9000+'s superior thermal performance ensures sustained high performance, preventing throttling that could hinder video editing or multitasking. The higher CPU clock speed also contributes to faster processing times.