The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor X7 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at an affordable price, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will delve into every aspect, from display quality to battery life, to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 edges out the Honor X7 thanks to its faster charging, brighter display, and slightly more powerful chipset. While the Honor X7 offers a large display, the Redmi Note 12 provides a more well-rounded experience for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 30 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 14 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 167.6 x 77.2 x 8.6 mm (6.60 x 3.04 x 0.34 in) | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 4.2 | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ocean Blue, Titanium Silver | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | CMA-LX2, CMA-LX1, CMA-LX3 | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | About 90 EUR | € 151.99 / $ 219.99 / ₹ 11,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 101h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 360745 (v9)
GeekBench: 1998 (v5.1), 2017 (v6) |
Honor X7
- Large Display
- Affordable Price
- Decent Performance for Basic Tasks
- Slower Charging
- Less Bright Display
- Older Chipset
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Faster Charging (33W)
- Brighter Display
- More Powerful Chipset
- Excellent Battery Life
- Smaller Display than Honor X7
- Design may not appeal to everyone
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 boasts a significantly brighter display (706 nits) compared to the Honor X7, offering better visibility in sunlight. While both have respectable resolutions, the Redmi Note 12's infinite contrast ratio suggests deeper blacks and richer colors. The Honor X7's larger screen size might appeal to some, but the Redmi Note 12's overall display quality is superior.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed camera comparisons require more in-depth testing. However, based on general expectations, the Redmi Note 12 is likely to offer slightly better image processing and low-light performance due to its more modern chipset. Both offer Photo/Video capabilities.
Performance
The Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset, while not a flagship, generally outperforms the Honor X7's Snapdragon 680 in everyday tasks and light gaming. The Redmi Note 12's Cortex-A78 cores provide a boost in performance compared to the Kryo 265 cores in the Honor X7. Both phones are suitable for basic usage, but the Redmi Note 12 offers a smoother experience.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 12 shines in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 101 hours and active use score of 10:58h. The Honor X7's battery life is respectable, but falls short of the Redmi Note 12's longevity. The Redmi Note 12's 33W charging is also significantly faster than the Honor X7's 22.5W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Honor X7 is a good choice for users prioritizing a large display for media consumption and gaming on a tight budget. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is ideal for those seeking a balance of performance, battery life, and fast charging, making it a more versatile option for everyday use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 generally offers better gaming performance due to its more modern and slightly more powerful Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset.
❓ Is the Honor X7's large display worth sacrificing other features?
If you prioritize a large display for media consumption and gaming above all else, the Honor X7 could be a good choice. However, consider the trade-offs in charging speed and display brightness.
