Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A12 vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 164.2 × 76.1 × 8.1 mm | Similar sizes; Note 11 Pro 5G is slightly thinner. |
| Weight | 205g | 202g | Both phones are virtually identical weight, the difference will not be noticeable in daily use. |
| Build | Unspecified | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (screen) | Note 11 Pro 5G screen is more scratch and shatter resistant, increasing longevity. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.67" | Note 11 Pro 5G has a slightly larger display, offering a bit more screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Note 11 Pro 5G has significantly sharper images & text, better for reading & media. |
| PPI | 270 | 395 | Note 11 Pro 5G delivers crisper visuals, reduces pixelation, superior viewing experience. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Note 11 Pro 5G has deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors. Improved outdoor visibility and power efficiency with dark themes |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Note 11 Pro 5G has smoother scrolling & animations, feels more fluid and responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | Note 11 Pro 5G offers better visibility under direct sunlight or bright environment. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) | Note 11 Pro 5G is significantly faster and more power-efficient, handles demanding tasks better. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 405,259 | Note 11 Pro 5G provides a vastly smoother experience, better for gaming & multitasking. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 619 | Note 11 Pro 5G has a more powerful GPU for better graphics performance and smoother gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0 | 108MP, f/1.9 | Note 11 Pro 5G captures more detailed images, performs slightly better in low-light conditions due to a wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.4 | Note 11 Pro 5G captures more detailed selfies, while the A12 has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light results. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | A12 has a dedicated zoom lens |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Note 11 Pro 5G has slightly higher resolution on ultra-wide photos. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | A12 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode |
| Macro Lens | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4 | Note 11 Pro 5G has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photos |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both phones record Full HD videos, Note 11 Pro 5G captures slow-motion. |
| DXOMark Mobile | 90 | 78 | Samsung A12 scored higher on DXOMark Mobile, which includes all photo and video scores. |
| DXOMark Photo | 0 | 81 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G photo performance is rated much higher. |
| DXOMark Video | 0 | 85 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G video performance is rated much higher. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, digital zoom, etc. | Triple camera, OIS, Manual Mode, etc. | Note 11 Pro 5G offers more manual control & OIS, A12 has more additional lenses |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have similar battery life, roughly lasting a full day with typical usage. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Note 11 Pro 5G charges much faster. A full charge in roughly 45 minutes vs a couple of hours with the A12. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10, upgradeable to 12 | Android 11 | Note 11 Pro 5G has a slightly newer operating system |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Note 11 Pro 5G supports faster Wi-Fi speeds on supported networks and WiFi Display. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Note 11 Pro 5G has a more efficient version of Bluetooth with additional audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Note 11 Pro 5G offers improved GPS accuracy using more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both support dual SIM functionality, useful for travel and separating work and personal lines. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128GB | Unspecified | A12 has various storage options while no information is available for Note 11 Pro 5G. |
| RAM | 3/4/6GB | Unspecified | A12 has various RAM options while no information is available for Note 11 Pro 5G. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage options, limiting storage capacity. |
| Audio | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Xiaomi provides enhanced spatial audio, quality audio playback, better audio separation and immersion, improved voice capture |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones have a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for quick and secure access. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Note 11 Pro 5G has a more comprehensive sensor suite, beneficial for some advanced features and games. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Telephoto Lens: Offers a dedicated zoom lens, which can be useful for capturing images from a distance, even if at a lower resolution (2MP).
- Portrait Lens: Dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode
- DXOMark Mobile Score: Higher score in the mobile category that includes all photo and video scores.
- Storage Options: Offers different internal storage options.
- RAM Options: Offers different RAM options.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Larger, higher resolution, higher pixel density, AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate. Provides a significantly better visual experience.
- Much Better Performance: Significantly faster processor and GPU, leading to smoother multitasking, gaming, and overall responsiveness.
- Faster Charging: 67W fast charging drastically reduces charging times.
- Better Main Camera: Higher resolution sensor with better low-light capabilities.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution sensor.
- Better Ultra-Wide Camera: Higher resolution sensor.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for taking close-up pictures
- Enhanced Audio: Enhanced spatial audio, better audio separation and immersion, and improved voice capture.
- Latest Connectivity: Newer Bluetooth and Wi-Fi standards for improved speeds.
- Better Video Recording: Offers Slow-Motion capabilities.
- Better Photo and Video Performance: The Xiaomi performs significantly better in both photo and video categories.
- Screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides a superior screen protection.
- Additional Sensors: Includes Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity sensor
- Additional Camera Features: Includes digital image stabilization, ultra stable video, manual focus, RAW, and night mode
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung A12 sacrifices performance and display quality for a lower price and an additional telephoto lens.
- The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G has no specific telephoto lens but provides a superior overall experience in many areas.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize basic smartphone functionality and a decent all-around camera without needing high-end performance, and would benefit from an additional telephoto lens.
- Use Cases: Casual browsing, social media, basic photography, calling, and messaging.
- Price-to-Value: Good entry-level option, offers good value for a budget-conscious user.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G:
- Ideal User: Users seeking a mid-range phone with a high-quality display, fast performance, a good camera and long battery life.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, media consumption (videos, movies), photography, and general productivity.
- Price-to-Value: Offers excellent value for its performance, and will be a more future-proof device.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a new phone?
- Primary Use Case: What will you primarily use the phone for? (e.g., social media, gaming, photography)
- Priorities: What features are most important to you? (e.g., display quality, performance, battery, camera)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Use: If you're on a tight budget and need a phone for basic tasks, the Samsung A12 is a reasonable option, as long as you do not expect high performance or high quality display.
Scenario 2: Performance & Display Matter: If you value a smooth experience, sharp display, and fast charging the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G is the better choice, offering a vastly better user experience.
Scenario 3: Gaming and Media: For gaming and media consumption, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G's display and performance advantages make it a clear winner.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G. While the Samsung Galaxy A12 might be a more budget-friendly option, the significant improvements in display quality, performance, charging speed, and camera capabilities of the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G make it a much better long-term investment. The 120Hz AMOLED display, faster processor, and 67W fast charging offer a vastly superior user experience in day-to-day use. Also, the considerably better photo and video performance, will make the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G a much better option for content creators and photography enthusiasts. While the A12 offers a telephoto lens, the overall performance and quality of the camera system on the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G is more compelling. For me, these advantages greatly outweigh the slightly higher cost of the Xiaomi, offering a more modern and capable smartphone.
