1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature Category | Feature | Oppo A54 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Launch Date | 2021-04-14 | 2022-11-01 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is significantly newer, likely having newer features and better software support. |
| Dimensions | 162.9 × 74.7 × 8.4 mm | 162.9 × 76 × 8.9 mm | The Redmi is slightly wider and thicker, potentially feeling less comfortable for one-handed use. Both have similar height. | |
| Weight | 190g | 208.4g | The Oppo A54 5G is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. | |
| Display | Size | 6.5" | 6.67" | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ provides a slightly larger screen, enhancing media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both phones have the same Full HD+ resolution, resulting in similar image clarity. | |
| PPI | 405 | 395 | Both phones have similar sharpness. The difference is negligible in real use. | |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | OLED offers significantly better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. Better viewing experience, especially in media consumption. | |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has a smoother scrolling and gaming experience due to its higher refresh rate. | |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 900 nits | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is much brighter, providing significantly better visibility under direct sunlight. The Oppo's 0 nit brightness is likely a data error. | |
| Performance | Chipset | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) | The Dimensity 1080 is a newer, more powerful chip, leading to better app performance and faster multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 216,504 | 573,100 | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ provides significantly higher performance, handling demanding apps and games more smoothly. | |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 MC4 | The Mali-G68 MC4 in the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ provides better graphics performance, improving the gaming experience. | |
| Battery | Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 120W Fast Charging | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ charges much faster, reducing charging time significantly. | |
| Camera | Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2" | 200MP, f/1.65, 1/1.4" | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has a much higher resolution sensor which allows for more detail and better low-light performance due to larger sensor size. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.0, 1/3.13" | 16MP, f/2.45 | Oppo A54 5G has a slightly wider aperture (f/2 vs f/2.45), allowing more light for potentially better low-light selfies. | |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | Both phones have comparable wide-angle cameras. Xiaomi has a slightly larger sensor. | |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | Both phones have comparable macro lens. | |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | The Oppo A54 5G has an additional black & white sensor for potentially enhancing monochrome shots. | |
| Video | 1080p@30fps with EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ provides higher quality video capture up to 4K and offers more frame rate options. | |
| DxOMark | N/A | Mobile: 113, Photo: 117, Video: 117 | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has a proven camera system with a respectable DxOMark score, while the Oppo A54 5G lacks a DxOMark score for comparison. | |
| Features | Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Laser AF, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Contrast detection autofocus (CDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has optical image stabilization for sharper images and smoother video, while the Oppo has a laser focus and a dedicated black and white sensor. | |
| Software | OS | Android 11 | Android 12, upgradeable to 14 | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ ships with a more recent Android version and is upgradeable to Android 14, providing access to the latest features. |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ supports a faster Wi-Fi standard, allowing for better network performance. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.2 | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has a newer Bluetooth version for more reliable connections and enhanced features. | |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1) | Both phones have comparable GPS capabilities. | |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones support Dual SIM functionality. | |
| Storage | Internal | 64 GB, 128 GB, or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Both phones offer similar storage options, but the Oppo A54 5G offers a lower 64GB option. |
| RAM | 4 GB or 8 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ provides more RAM, better enabling multitasking and demanding apps. | |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. | |
| Audio | Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ provides significantly better audio quality with stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, and Hi-Res Audio support. |
| Security | Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both have a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both have the same basic sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Oppo A54 5G Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: At 190g, it's more comfortable for extended use, compared to the heavier Redmi Note 12 Pro+.
- Additional Camera Lens: Features a dedicated Black and White lens, offering additional shooting options not present on the Xiaomi.
- Wider Aperture Selfie Camera: Features a wider aperture, allowing more light for potentially better low-light selfies.
- Slightly more affordable: Generally, older models are cheaper.
Practical Implications: The Oppo A54 5G is better suited for those who value comfort and lightweight design, with some extra camera features, and are on a budget.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Advantages:
- Superior Display: OLED technology, 120Hz refresh rate, and significantly higher brightness offer a much better visual experience, especially outdoors.
- Much Higher Performance: A significantly higher benchmark score from a newer chipset results in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Faster Charging: The 120W fast charging dramatically reduces charging times, a significant convenience.
- Significantly Better Main Camera: A 200MP main camera with a larger sensor offers far more detailed photos, better low-light performance.
- 4K Video Recording & OIS: Enables higher quality video, and optical image stabilization makes video more smooth.
- Stereo Speakers: Provides better sound quality with stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, and Hi-Res Audio support.
- Newer Software Android 12 and upgradeable to Android 14
Practical Implications: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is better suited for users who prioritize performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and fast charging.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is heavier and slightly bulkier, which may be a trade-off for its larger screen and better features.
- The Oppo A54 5G lacks the premium display, high performance, fast charging, and high-end camera features of the Redmi Note 12 Pro+.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Oppo A54 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who need a basic 5G phone for everyday tasks.
- Users who prefer a lighter, more comfortable device.
- Individuals who primarily use their phone for calls, social media, and light browsing.
- Users who enjoy experimenting with monochrome photography.
Use Cases:
- Casual web browsing and social media usage.
- Basic photography and videography.
- Everyday communication tasks (calls, texts, emails).
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a high-quality display for media consumption and gaming.
- Individuals who need a phone with excellent performance for heavy multitasking and gaming.
- Users who value fast charging and a capable camera for high-quality photos and videos.
- Tech enthusiasts who appreciate the latest features, newer software and better audio quality.
Use Cases:
- Gaming and high-performance mobile tasks.
- High-quality photo and video recording.
- Watching movies and videos.
- Frequent travel and use in bright sunlight conditions.
Price-to-Value: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ generally offers a better price-to-value ratio if you value display, performance, and camera quality. The Oppo A54 5G may be more suitable for those on a very strict budget, even if its display, performance, and camera are not the best.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is my budget? The Oppo A54 5G is likely to be cheaper.
- What are my primary use cases? (e.g., gaming, photography, media consumption).
- How much do I value display quality, performance, and battery charging speed?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget User: If your budget is extremely limited and you just need a basic 5G smartphone for everyday tasks, and don't value a good camera, then the Oppo A54 5G could be sufficient.
- Casual User with Budget: If you are a casual user who still want a good display, performance, and camera, you should choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+, it offers significant improvements over Oppo A54 5G for a small increase in price.
- Performance User: If you are a gamer or a heavy user needing a top performer, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is the clear winner with its significantly better chipset, GPU, RAM and fast charging, offering the best overall performance.
- Photography User: If you prioritize camera quality for photography and videography, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is the superior option due to its main camera sensor, 4K video recording, and OIS.
- Media Consumer: If you watch a lot of videos and movies, and you want a great visual and audio experience, the OLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, and stereo speakers of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ make it the better choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+.
Here's why:
- Superior Display Experience: The OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and much higher brightness is a significant upgrade for daily use, especially for media consumption and outdoor visibility. The vibrant colors and smooth scrolling make a noticeable difference in user experience.
- Performance Boost: The Mediatek Dimensity 1080 chipset offers much better performance than the Snapdragon 480. I value smooth multitasking and responsive app loading, and the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is far more capable in this regard.
- Camera Capabilities: As someone who takes pictures and videos, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+'s 200MP main camera with a larger sensor and 4K video recording capability provides better quality images and videos, which are important to me.
- Fast Charging Convenience: The 120W fast charging is a huge benefit, significantly reducing the time I spend plugged into the wall. This is especially important for my fast-paced lifestyle.
- Better Overall Package: The combination of display, performance, camera, charging, and audio enhancements makes the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ a more compelling and future-proof device. The newer software and features also make it more appealing.
While the Oppo A54 5G has its merits, particularly its lightweight design and low price, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ provides a much more premium experience that aligns with my needs and preferences. The advantages in display, performance, camera, and charging outweigh the drawbacks in my usage scenario. The price difference is a worthy trade off for the upgrades offered.
