Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ vs. Honor X40: Which Mid-Range Phone Reigns Supreme?

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor X40 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ represent compelling options for users seeking a balance of features and affordability. While both devices operate within a similar price bracket, they diverge significantly in their core components, particularly in chipset and charging technology. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing speed and convenience, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 1080 chipset delivers noticeably better performance than the Snapdragon 695 in the Honor X40, and the groundbreaking 120W charging dramatically reduces downtime. However, the Honor X40 remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget or with less demanding usage patterns.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor X40 Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 3, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International, China
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE-A (CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2022, September 152022, October 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, September 15Available. Released 2022, November 01
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back
Dimensions161.6 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.31 in)162.9 x 76 x 8.9 mm (6.41 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight172 g (6.07 oz)208.4 g (7.34 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Mediatek MT6877V Dimensity 1080 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 12, Magic UI 6.1Android 12, MIUI 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro)-
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)-
Triple-200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4", 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNo-
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYesYes
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Battery
Charging40W wired120W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 19 min (advertised)
TypeLi-Po 5100 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, Green, SilverArctic White, Iceberg Blue, Obsidian Black, Trend edition
ModelsRMO-AN0022101316UCP, 22101316UG
PriceAbout 210 EUR$ 348.00 / £ 439.00 / € 399.00 / ₹ 29,949
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 88h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.7 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 498710 (v9) GeekBench: 2208 (v5.1), 2372 (v6) GFXBench: 22fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Honor X40

  • More affordable price point
  • Decent 5G connectivity
  • Potentially longer battery life (depending on capacity)

  • Slower Snapdragon 695 processor
  • Significantly slower 40W charging
  • Limited camera information

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+

  • Faster Dimensity 1080 processor
  • Ultra-fast 120W charging with PD3.0
  • Likely superior display quality (AMOLED)

  • Potentially higher price
  • May require more frequent charging (depending on usage)
  • Camera details are limited

Display Comparison

The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ boasts an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting a strong AMOLED panel, though specific brightness figures are absent. The Honor X40’s display specifications are not provided, leaving its panel type and brightness unknown. Without concrete data, it’s difficult to assess color accuracy or viewing angles, but the Redmi Note 12 Pro+'s likely AMOLED panel offers superior contrast and potentially better color reproduction. The lack of LTPO technology on either device suggests standard refresh rate management, impacting battery efficiency during dynamic content.

Camera Comparison

The Redmi Note 12 Pro+’s camera system is highlighted by its potential for high-resolution photography, though specific sensor details beyond 'Photo / Video' are missing. The Honor X40’s camera specifications are also absent. Without knowing sensor sizes, apertures, or the presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), a direct comparison is challenging. However, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+'s brand positioning suggests a greater emphasis on camera capabilities, potentially offering more advanced features and image processing algorithms. The absence of information on the Honor X40’s camera makes it difficult to assess its image quality or low-light performance.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6nm), featuring a more powerful CPU configuration with 2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the Honor X40’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) which has 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver cores. The Cortex-A78 cores in the Dimensity 1080 offer a significant architectural advantage, translating to faster application loading and smoother multitasking. While both are 6nm chips, the Dimensity 1080’s superior core design and clock speeds will result in a more responsive user experience, particularly in demanding applications and games. The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is likely to handle graphically intensive games at higher settings with fewer frame drops.

Battery Life

The Redmi Note 12 Pro+’s 120W wired charging is a game-changer, advertised to reach 100% in just 19 minutes. This is a massive advantage over the Honor X40’s 40W wired charging. While the Honor X40’s battery capacity is not specified, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+’s endurance rating of 88 hours suggests a substantial battery size. The faster charging speed of the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage in battery capacity, allowing users to quickly replenish their power and minimize downtime. The inclusion of PD3.0 further enhances charging compatibility and efficiency.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor X40 if you need a reliable daily driver with decent battery life and 5G connectivity, and prioritize value over raw performance. It's ideal for users who primarily browse, use social media, and make occasional calls. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience for gaming and multitasking, and absolutely value the convenience of incredibly fast charging. This phone is geared towards power users and those who frequently find themselves needing to top up their battery quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Dimensity 1080 in the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ prone to overheating during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 1080 is a capable processor, sustained high loads can generate heat. However, Xiaomi typically implements thermal management solutions, such as vapor chamber cooling, to mitigate throttling. Real-world performance will depend on the specific implementation and ambient temperature, but it's generally well-managed for its class.
❓ How does the 120W charging of the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ affect long-term battery health?
Ultra-fast charging can potentially accelerate battery degradation over time. However, Xiaomi employs charging algorithms and battery protection features to minimize this effect. The phone dynamically adjusts charging speed as the battery fills, reducing stress on the cells. While some degradation is inevitable with any rechargeable battery, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+'s charging system is designed to prolong battery lifespan.
❓ Does the Honor X40 support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
The Snapdragon 695 5G chipset supports carrier aggregation, but the specific bands and configurations supported by the Honor X40 will vary depending on the region and carrier. Check with your local carrier to confirm compatibility and supported 5G bands.
❓ What type of display technology does the Honor X40 use, and what is its refresh rate?
Unfortunately, the display technology (LCD or AMOLED) and refresh rate of the Honor X40 are not publicly available. This lack of information makes it difficult to assess its visual quality compared to the Redmi Note 12 Pro+.