The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor X8 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 are two strong contenders vying for your attention. Both offer compelling features at accessible prices, but which one truly delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 edges out the Honor X8 thanks to its faster charging, brighter display, and slightly more powerful chipset. While the Honor X8 offers a sleek design, the Redmi Note 12 provides a more well-rounded package for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 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 |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 11 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 24 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 163.4 x 74.7 x 7.5 mm (6.43 x 2.94 x 0.30 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 | 177 g (6.24 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~89.1% 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 | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5 | - |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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 | 16 MP, f/2.5 | 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, 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 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium Silver, Midnight Black, Ocean Blue | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | TFY-LX1, TFY-LX2, TFY-LX3 | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | About 150 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 X8
- Sleek design
- Large display
- Decent camera
- Slower charging
- Less powerful chipset
- Lower display brightness
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Faster charging (33W)
- Brighter display
- Better performance
- Excellent battery life
- Design may be less premium
- Chipset not top-tier
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 boasts a significantly brighter display (706 nits vs. Honor X8's likely lower brightness, estimated around 400-450 nits based on similar models) and an impressive contrast ratio (Infinite). This translates to better outdoor visibility and more vibrant colors. While the Honor X8 has a large display, the Redmi Note 12's superior panel quality gives it the edge.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer capable camera systems, but detailed camera comparisons require more in-depth testing. However, the Redmi Note 12's likely inclusion of features like optical image stabilization (OIS) could provide better low-light performance and more stable videos. The Honor X8's camera is expected to be decent, but likely lacks advanced features.
Performance
The Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, while not a flagship chip, generally outperforms the Honor X8's Snapdragon 680 in everyday tasks and light gaming. The Cortex-A78 cores in the Redmi Note 12 offer better performance for demanding applications. The Honor X8's 6nm process is efficient, but the Redmi Note 12's architecture provides a noticeable speed boost.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 12 shines in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 101 hours. Active use is also excellent at 10:58h. The Honor X8's battery life is respectable, but falls short of the Redmi Note 12's longevity. The Redmi Note 12's 33W charging also significantly reduces charging times compared to the Honor X8's 22.5W.
Buying Guide
The Honor X8 is a good choice for users prioritizing aesthetics and a large display for media consumption. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is ideal for those seeking better performance, faster charging, and a brighter screen for outdoor visibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 generally offers better gaming performance due to its more powerful Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset.
❓ Is the Honor X8's design better than the Redmi Note 12?
The Honor X8 often features a more premium and stylish design, while the Redmi Note 12 prioritizes functionality and value.