Smartphone makers continue to enhance the optics of their devices, and camera capabilities have become a major battleground, especially in the mid-premium segment. After all, if you pay more than Rs 50,000 for a smartphone, you want the best camera. The recently launched Honor 200 Pro, which strongly focuses on portrait photography, is one new entrant.
But it’s not alone; Xiaomi’s 14 Civi also made waves in the Indian market with its impressive camera setup thanks to the Leica partnership. We’ve used both these devices and are ready to help you decide which one is the ideal camera phone for your needs. Let’s dive in.
Honor 200 Pro vs Xiaomi 14 Civi: Price in India
Model
Configuration
Price
Honor 200 Pro 5G
12GB+512GB
Rs 57,999
Xiaomi 14 Civi
8GB + 256GB
Rs 42,999
12GB + 512GB
Rs 47,999
As you can see, Xiaomi is your only option if you need an 8GB + 256GB variant. If one goes by pricing, the Honor 200 Pro commands a premium of over Rs 10,000 compared to Xiaomi, though you also get more storage and RAM, which is always a great feature.
Let’s start with the camera, given that it’s the USP for both phones. The Honor 200 Pro strongly emphasises portrait photography, and our testing has shown that it delivers exceptional results in this area, especially when capturing close-up shots.
Honor has partnered with Studio Harcourt, a Paris-based studio known for its iconic black-and-white celebrity portraits. Harcourt is known for its distinctive style, characterised by dramatic lighting, especially in black and white. Honor is integrating Harcourt’s portrait expertise into its AI Portrait Engine to achieve similar high-quality portraits on the phone.
Honor 200 Pro Portrait Mode Samples
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It would be fair to say that Honor has achieved remarkable results. Portrait mode shots on the Honor 200 Pro boast a professional studio-like quality. The edge detection—critical to creating that bokeh effect in portrait mode—is spot-on, as we saw in our testing. It consistently delivers clean subject separations across various lighting conditions.
Honor 200 Pro Camera Samples
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The Honor 200 Pro’s primary shooter is no slouch, either. It captures vibrant, detailed photos in daylight with impressive speed. We particularly liked the inclusion of three modes: Vibrant, Authentic, and Natural. The Authentic mode stands out with its higher contrast, subtle vignette, and warm colour tone and might appeal to many users who like such tones.
The selfie camera also performs well, capturing detailed images, balanced skin tones, and good dynamic range. Portrait mode works well here, too.
Xiaomi 14 Civi Camera Samples
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Moving on to the Xiaomi 14 Civi, its triple camera setup is versatile. Daylight photos are rich in detail with a balanced dynamic range. The images appear vivid and punchy when you set the Leica tuning to ‘Authentic’ mode. Leica’s Authentic mode is more vibrant and will again appeal to users who want to create a certain aesthetic with their photos. The Xiaomi 14 Civi also captures impressive photos in dark environments.
Xiaomi 14 Civi Portrait Camera Samples
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Xiaomi 14 Civi’s standard portrait mode offers 25mm and 50mm focal lengths. All of this does translate into actual performance. The portraits produced on this were top-quality, with edge detection being on point, regardless of the lighting. The phone’s master-lens system offers three modes for experimentation: ‘Documentary’, ‘Swirly Bokeh’, and ‘Soft Focus’. This does allow users to add a different twist to portrait shots.
Finally, the dual selfie camera is an interesting proposition, not a gimmick. This works well, as we saw in our testing. It effortlessly captures large groups with accurate skin tones and impressive detail. The front camera’s portrait mode also delivers excellent results.
Based on our testing, there’s no doubt that both phones deliver on the promise of an excellent camera with top-quality portraits.
Honor 200 Pro vs Xiaomi 14 Civi: Design
Specs
Honor 200 Pro
Xiaomi 14 Civi
Dimensions
75.2 x 163.3 x 8.2 mm
72.77 x 157.2 x 7.45 mm
Weight
199 g
179.3 g
Colours
Black, Silver, Green, Pink
Cruise Blue, Matcha Green, Shadow Black
The Honor 200 Pro is a head-turner with its bold, classy design. The distinctive pill-shaped camera module sets it apart, while the velvety matte finish adds a touch of luxury.
However, this smooth surface can be prone to slips, so a case might be necessary. It would be a shame to cover the unique colour options. The Ocean Cyan variant, in particular, boasts a captivating dual-tone wave pattern.
For those who prefer a more compact phone, the Xiaomi 14 Civi is a compelling choice. Its well-balanced weight distribution and slim profile make it remarkably comfortable to hold. The colour options are vibrant and appealing, with the Matcha Green offering a distinctive glass pattern for added personality. While the Shadow Black is classic and understated, it still stands out.
Ultimately, design is subjective. So, if you crave a phone that commands attention, the Honor 200 Pro is the way to go. However, if you prioritise a smaller, more ergonomic, and muted device, the Xiaomi 14 Civi is worth considering.
The Honor 20 Pro flaunts a curved 6.78-inch panel, and the Xiaomi 14 Civi features a 6.55-inch panel. Both support a 120Hz refresh rate for seamless scrolling and animations.
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Honor 200 Pro
Xiaomi 14 Civi
Both displays deliver vibrant colours and brightness, ensuring visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. They also support Widevine L1 certification, allowing high-quality streaming on platforms like Netflix. Thanks to their AMOLED nature, you’ll enjoy rich details and deep blacks, making movies like The Batman a visual treat.
While both offer excellent viewing experiences, the Honor 200 Pro’s display is particularly noteworthy for its immersive curved edges. The Xiaomi 14 Civi, on the other hand, excels in minimal bezels.
Honor 200 Pro vs Xiaomi 14 Civi: Performance and UI
The Honor 200 Pro and Xiaomi 14 Civi are powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, ensuring top-tier performance. Both devices easily handle daily tasks, multitasking, and even demanding apps. Xiaomi 14 Civi
However, there’s a big difference in the thermal management of both devices. While the Honor 200 Pro effectively dissipates heat during intensive gaming sessions, the Xiaomi 14 Civi tends to heat up more rapidly due to its compact design.
We also ran CPU throttling tests on both devices. As expected, the Xiaomi 14 Civi got toasty on the first attempt, managing 89 per cent of its maximum performance. The Honor 200 Pro performed slightly better, holding steady at 87 per cent of maximum performance.
Regarding gaming, the Honor 200 Pro can handle popular titles like BGMI at smooth and extreme+ settings, delivering a consistent 90fps experience. While the back panel gets warm during intense sessions, it manages heat dissipation well. Xiaomi 14 Civi
The Xiaomi 14 Civi maintains a consistent 90fps in BGMI under cooler conditions. However, managing heat remains a concern. We also ran benchmarking tests like AnTuTu and Geekbench on both devices and here’s how they performed:
Xiaomi 14 Civi
1,355,861
Honor 200 Pro
1,209,009
AnTuTu Overall benchmark score analysis
Xiaomi 14 Civi
1,903
Honor 200 Pro
1,403
Geekbench single-core benchmark score analysis
Xiaomi 14 Civi
4,816
Honor 200 Pro
4,499
Geekbench multi-core benchmark score analysis
Honor 200 Pro runs MagicOS with Android 14.
The Honor 200 Pro runs MagicOS on top of Android 14, offering a feature-rich and visually appealing interface. While the core experience is smooth and polished, Honor’s focus on Magic Portal is noteworthy. It allows users to drag and drop text or images between apps, streamlining tasks like sharing addresses or saving information.
The Xiaomi 14 Civi employs HyperOS over Android 14. It delivers smooth animations and customisable lock screens.
Apart from that, both phones come with pre-installed apps, which is disappointing given their premium positioning. Thankfully, these apps on the Honor 200 Pro don’t send spammy notifications, which you will have to deal with on the Xiaomi 14 Civi.
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Honor 200 Pro
Xiaomi 14 Civi
Regarding software support, Honor commits to two years of OS updates and three years of security patches. Xiaomi takes the lead here with three years of OS updates and four years of security patches.
Honor 200 Pro vs Xiaomi 14 Civi: Battery Life and Charging
The Honor 200 Pro is a sleek device with just 8.2mm of thickness. Despite that, it packs a 5200mAh battery, which will easily last a day with moderate to heavy usage and a bit more if you do not use it for Bluetooth accessories and calling.
It supports up to 100W fast charging, taking the phone from zero to full in 56 minutes. Here’s the kicker: you do not get a charger inside the box, so you must buy this separately. The phone also supports 66W wireless charging. But you must buy Honor’s SuperCharge Wireless to reach those speeds. Currently, HTech does not sell this particular wireless charger in India.
Given its compact form factor, the Xiaomi 14 Civi sports a smaller 4700mAh battery. Despite that, the phone lasts a day with moderate to heavy usage, as we saw in our testing. The charging department is handled by a 67W fast charger, which takes about 43 minutes to charge from dead to 100 percent. Unfortunately, the Xiaomi 14 Civi does not support wireless charging.
To quantify the battery life of both devices, we ran a PCMark battery test on both devices and here’s how they performed:
If you’re still unsure which phone is best for you, don’t worry. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:
Choose the Honor 200 Pro if you want a phone that stands out with its flashy design, excellent portrait camera capabilities, good performance, display, and battery life. More importantly, if budget is not an issue and you are willing to spend the extra.
Choose the Xiaomi 14 Civi if you want a compact phone with excellent camera capabilities and a good display without compromising battery life. Plus, you’ll save nearly Rs 10,000.
However, since the Honor 200 Pro is on the premium side, it competes with prominent flagships like the OnePlus 12, iQOO 12, and Motorola Edge 50 Ultra. On the other hand, the Xiaomi 14 Civi will face competition from last year’s Samsung flagship, the Galaxy S23. It’s also a compact device and still quite potent by 2024 standards.
