vivo V21 5G vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date May 6, 2021 January 11, 2023
Release Year 2021 2023

Physical

Volume 86.15 cm³ 101.13 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.66 "/g 3.55 "/g
Weight 176 g 188 g
Height 159.7 mm 165.9 mm
Width 73.9 mm 76.2 mm
Thickness 7.3 mm 8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Arctic White
  • Dusk Blue
  • Sunset Dazzle
  • Frosted Green
  • Matte Black
  • Mystique Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.44 " 6.67 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 84.8 % 85 %
Pixel Density 409 PPI 395 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness 500 nits N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A 1200 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 96.45 mAh/in² 112.39 mAh/in²
Battery Density 46.43 mAh/cm³ 49.44 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Mali-G57 MC3 Adreno 619

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 12
Maximum OS Version

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

Featurevivo V21 5GXiaomi Redmi Note 12Practical Impact
Dimensions159.7 × 73.9 × 7.3 mm165.9 × 76.2 × 8 mmRedmi Note 12 is larger, potentially less comfortable for single-handed use. V21 5G is slimmer and may feel more premium.
Weight176g188gV21 5G is lighter, which may be noticeable during extended use or if portability is a concern.
BuildUnknown Screen ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Xiaomi has better screen protection

Display

Featurevivo V21 5GXiaomi Redmi Note 12Practical Impact
Size6.44"6.67"Redmi Note 12 offers a slightly more immersive experience for media consumption, gaming.
Resolution1080x24001080x2400Both have the same level of sharpness.
Pixel Density409 PPI395 PPIBoth are sharp, with the V21 having slightly more detail. Difference is negligible.
TechnologyAMOLEDAMOLEDBoth offer vibrant colors and deep blacks.
Refresh Rate90Hz120HzRedmi Note 12 will have smoother scrolling and animations, which is useful for fast paced games and for browsing.
Brightness0 nits1200 nitsRedmi Note 12 has far better outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight.

Performance

Featurevivo V21 5GXiaomi Redmi Note 12Practical Impact
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm)Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm)Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) is slightly more efficient and powerful, handling tasks more efficiently.
AnTuTu Score343,150460,800Redmi Note 12 is noticeably faster for everyday tasks, gaming and multitasking.
GPUMali-G57 MC3Adreno 619Adreno 619 offers better graphical performance, which may lead to smoother gameplay experience on the Redmi Note 12.

Camera

Featurevivo V21 5GXiaomi Redmi Note 12Practical Impact
Rear Camera64MP f/1.7948MP f/1.8V21 5G has higher resolution, potentially more detail, and a wider aperture for better low-light performance, but the sensor size is not specified.
Front Camera44MP f/2.013MP f/2.45V21 5G has significantly higher resolution for selfies and a wider aperture, offering better low-light selfies.
Wide Angle Lens8MP f/2.28MP f/2.2Comparable wide-angle performance
Macro Lens2MP f/2.42MP f/2.4Comparable macro performance.
Video4K@30fps with OIS, 1080p@60fps with OIS1080p@30fpsV21 5G offers significantly better video resolution with OIS, making it better for video recording.
Video StabilizationOISDigital Image StabilizationV21 5G offers better video stability with OIS
DxOMark ScoreNot TestedMobile: 69 (Photo: 74, Video: 49)Redmi Note 12 has an overall average camera performance according to DxOMark; V21 5G has no score.
Camera Features4K Video, OIS, Front FlashContinuous autofocus, Manual focus, RAW, Night ModeV21 5G offers better video quality and front flash; Redmi Note 12 gives more control in photo capture.

Battery

Featurevivo V21 5GXiaomi Redmi Note 12Practical Impact
Capacity4000mAh5000mAhRedmi Note 12 is expected to last significantly longer.
Charging33W Fast Charging33W Fast ChargingBoth charge quickly, though the Redmi Note 12 charges a larger capacity with the same power which will result in a longer charge time.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Advantages of vivo V21 5G

  • Superior Front Camera: 44MP with f/2.0 aperture offers high-resolution, great low-light selfies.
  • Better Video Recording: Supports 4K video with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), and 1080p@60fps with OIS.
  • Lighter & Slimmer: More comfortable and potentially more premium feel.
  • Wider Aperture on Main Camera: f/1.79 aperture offers improved light gathering in low light conditions.
  • GPS Support: GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo

Advantages of Xiaomi Redmi Note 12

  • Larger Battery: 5000mAh provides significantly longer battery life.
  • Brighter Display: 1200 nits for much better visibility in bright sunlight.
  • Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate for a more fluid user experience.
  • Better Performance: Faster processor and GPU results in a smoother user experience.
  • More advanced Camera features: Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, RAW, Night Mode
  • GPS Support: A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1)

Trade-offs

  • V21 5G: Sacrifices battery life and display brightness for better selfie camera, video recording capabilities, and design.
  • Redmi Note 12: Sacrifices front camera quality and video features for better battery life, display and performance.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal User for vivo V21 5G

  • Selfie Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize front camera quality for photos and videos.
  • Video Creators: Users who frequently record videos and require 4K and OIS capabilities.
  • Users Who Value a Slim Design: Those who prefer a lighter, more elegant-looking phone.

  • Use Cases:

    • High-quality video blogging, video calls, social media posting.
    • Taking high-resolution selfies in various lighting conditions.

Ideal User for Xiaomi Redmi Note 12

  • Power Users: Users who demand long battery life and a smooth user experience.
  • Outdoor Users: Those who need a bright display for easy viewing in sunlight.
  • Mobile Gamers: Benefit from higher refresh rate display and better processing power.
  • Casual Photographers: Users who need a versatile camera but don't prioritize selfie/video quality.

  • Use Cases:

    • All-day usage without worrying about battery life.
    • Outdoor activities where a bright screen is essential.
    • Gaming and running intensive applications smoothly.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions to Ask Before Buying:

  1. How important is front camera quality and video recording to you? (If very important, the V21 5G excels)
  2. How important is battery life, a smooth display and performance? (If very important, the Redmi Note 12 excels)
  3. Do you frequently use your phone outdoors in bright sunlight? (Redmi Note 12 is significantly better due to higher brightness)

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • For social media influencers or vloggers: The vivo V21 5G is better due to its better selfie camera and 4K recording with OIS.
  • For outdoor adventurers: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is better because of its brighter display and larger battery capacity.
  • For mobile gamers: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is better because of its 120Hz refresh rate, better performance, and larger battery.
  • For casual users: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is generally more well-rounded with its better battery life and performance.

What I Would Choose

If I were to choose, I would opt for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12. While the vivo V21 5G has a superior front camera and video recording capabilities, the practical advantages of the Redmi Note 12 are more broadly applicable. The significantly better battery life, brighter display, smoother refresh rate, and superior performance are compelling for everyday use. I value the improved outdoor visibility and the peace of mind knowing the phone will comfortably last through a day of heavy use. Additionally, while the V21 5G has a great selfie camera, the overall camera experience on the Redmi Note 12 is acceptable. For my personal use, the Redmi Note 12 hits a better balance of features and performance.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.