which is the better premium mid-range smartphone?

The Xiaomi 14 Civi offers remarkable hardware specifications under the hood and has a starting price of Rs 42,999 in India. In this price range, it competes with the OnePlus 12R. 

With the 8GB RAM and 256GB storage of both devices retailing at Rs 42,999, both smartphones are worthy competitors. In this article, we will walk you through every aspect of the OnePlus 12R and the Xiaomi 14 Civi to help you decide which phone is a better pick. 

Xiaomi 14 Civi vs OnePlus 12R: Specs at a glance

Xiaomi 14 Civi vs OnePlus 12R: Price in India

Xiaomi 14 Civi vs OnePlus 12R: Design

The Xiaomi 14 Civi has a consistent design across all colour variants, each featuring unique materials. The Cruise Blue version has a dual-tone dark and light blue finish, the Shadow Black model has a matte black finish, and the Match Green variant features a dual-tone style with a marble-like finish and vegan leather. It also includes a triple camera setup with LEICA branding in a circular housing at the top-left corner of the back.

The OnePlus 12R has a premium design with curved glass on the front and back and a matte aluminium frame. The rear glass and camera module have a glossy finish with a matte accent that extends into the frame. It comes in two shades: Cool Blue and Iron Gray. A notable design change, compared to other OnePlus devices, is the relocation of the Alert Slider to the left side, making it more accessible with the power button and volume keys on the same side. Additionally, it features an IR sensor on the top for controlling various appliances.

Xiaomi 14 Civi vs OnePlus 12R: Display

While both phones offer high-quality displays, the OnePlus 12R stands out with its larger size, slightly higher resolution, and significantly higher peak brightness, making it better suited for use in bright outdoor environments. 

The Xiaomi 14 Civi, with its higher pixel density, has a marginal edge in sharpness. Regardless of whichever device you choose, you won’t face any issues viewing the screen under the harshest sunlight and won’t be disappointed by the display quality of either of the devices. 

Xiaomi 14 Civi vs OnePlus 12R: Performance

The Xiaomi 14 Civi, with its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, likely offers superior performance compared to the OnePlus 12R, on paper at least. It also provides more storage capacity if you have extensive data needs. However, the OnePlus 12R compensates with a higher maximum RAM capacity, making it suitable for multitasking. 

While we have yet to test the Xiaomi 14 Civi, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset-powered POCO F6 (review), which has the same SoC as the Xiaomi 14 Civi, secured more than 1,500,000 points on AnTuTu. On the other hand, the OnePlus 12R scored 1,473,559 points on AnTuTu.

Both phones are strong performers, but the choice may depend on whether you prioritise raw processing power and storage (Xiaomi 14 Civi) or more RAM (OnePlus 12R).

Xiaomi 14 Civi vs OnePlus 12R: Cameras

The Xiaomi 14 Civi has the numbers and offers a more versatile and higher resolution camera setup both on the front and back, especially with the inclusion of a telephoto lens and dual front cameras. The OnePlus 12R provides a decent setup but lacks the additional telephoto capability and dual front cameras.

During our time with the OnePlus 12R, we found that the device does a decent job in the camera department, but we weren’t too impressed by the quality. We’re yet to test the camera quality of the Xiaomi 14 Civi to wait until our detailed review of the device is out. 

Xiaomi 14 Civi vs OnePlus 12R: Battery and charging

The OnePlus 12R outperforms the Xiaomi 14 Civi in both battery capacity and charging speed. Its 5,500mAh battery is larger, offering extended usage time, and the 100W charging capability ensures quicker refuels. 

The Xiaomi 14 Civi, while equipped with a decent 4,700mAh battery and 67W fast charging, falls short in comparison. If you prioritise longer battery life and faster charging, you will find the OnePlus 12R a better option among the two.

Xiaomi 14 Civi vs OnePlus 12R: Software

The OnePlus 12R, with its OxygenOS 14, offers a cleaner and more streamlined user interface with fewer pre-installed apps and extensive customisation options, making it ideal for users who prefer a minimalistic and customisable experience. 

The Xiaomi 14 Civi, running HyperOS, also provides a decent software experience but includes more pre-installed apps, some of which cannot be removed, potentially leading to a more cluttered interface. 

Both devices offer similar software and security update commitments, ensuring ongoing support for their users.

Verdict

Both smartphones have an impressive arsenal at the helm. The choice between the two may come down to personal preferences and needs.

If you want a larger and higher-quality display, a bigger battery for more extended usage, more RAM for multitasking, and faster charging, the OnePlus 12R is the best option. However, if you want a more powerful SoC, a better front and rear camera configuration, and more storage, go for the Xiaomi 14 Civi.

Regardless of which device you choose, you are likely to be pleased with its performance.