1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 76.4 × 9.3 mm | 159.9 × 73.9 × 8.1 mm | Mi 10T Pro is larger and thicker, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use. Note 12S is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 218g | 176g | Redmi Note 12S is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and easier to carry. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Mi 10T Pro offers better scratch and drop resistance for the screen. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.43" | Mi 10T Pro provides a slightly larger viewing area, potentially better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Redmi Note 12S offers deeper blacks, higher contrast, and potentially better power efficiency, especially with dark mode. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both phones have identical resolution |
| PPI | 395 | 409 | Both phones have very similar pixel density |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 90Hz | Mi 10T Pro offers smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experiences. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | Redmi Note 12S has significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Mediatek Helio G96 (12 nm) | Mi 10T Pro offers significantly faster processing speeds, better for demanding apps, multitasking, and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 750,829 | 412,400 | Mi 10T Pro provides a much smoother and more responsive experience overall. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mi 10T Pro delivers superior graphics performance, crucial for gaming and graphically intensive applications. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB | Both phones are good for multitasking and gaming |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.69, 1/1.33" sensor | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.52" sensor | Mi 10T Pro has a larger sensor and wider aperture, allowing for better low-light performance and shallower depth of field. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4" sensor | 16MP, f/2.4 | Mi 10T Pro captures more detailed selfies, especially in low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.06" sensor | 8MP, f/2.2 | Mi 10T Pro captures wider scenes with more detail. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor | 2MP, f/2.4 | Mi 10T Pro captures more detailed macro shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Mi 10T Pro can record much higher resolution videos, suitable for professional or high-quality content creation. |
| Stabilization | EIS | Digital image stabilization | Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G offers more reliable stabilization, especially at higher resolutions. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should offer similar battery life under typical usage. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Both phones charge at the same speed. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Redmi Note 12S can be used as a power bank to charge other devices. |
Other
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 10 (upgradable to 11) | Android 13 | Redmi Note 12S has a newer Android version, offering the latest features, security updates, and potentially better performance optimizations. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | Mi 10T Pro supports faster and more efficient Wi-Fi connectivity when used with a Wi-Fi 6 router. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Redmi Note 12S has a slightly newer Bluetooth version, potentially offering improved connectivity and efficiency. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: Snapdragon 865 offers vastly superior CPU and GPU performance compared to the Helio G96.
- Implication: Smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming experience.
- Superior Camera System: Larger sensor, wider aperture, and higher resolution lenses result in better image quality, especially in low light, and higher resolution video recording.
- Implication: Better photos and videos in various conditions.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: 144Hz provides a smoother visual experience compared to 90Hz.
- Implication: Noticeably smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming.
- Better Wi-Fi Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 support enables faster and more reliable wireless connections with compatible routers.
- Implication: Faster download/upload speeds and better network performance.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 vs Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact Design: Easier to handle and carry.
- Implication: More comfortable for one-handed use and pocketable.
- AMOLED Display: Offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and potentially better battery efficiency.
- Implication: More vibrant and immersive viewing experience.
- Newer Operating System: Comes with Android 13 out of the box.
- Implication: Access to the latest features, security updates, and potential performance improvements.
- Reverse Charging: Can be used to charge other devices.
- Implication: Added convenience for charging accessories on the go.
- Brighter Display: 1000 nits of brightness will provide better visibility in direct sunlight.
Trade-offs:
- The Mi 10T Pro is larger and heavier, which may be a disadvantage for some users.
- The Redmi Note 12S sacrifices performance for a more compact design and newer features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G Ideal User:
- Gamers: Demanding games run smoother due to the powerful Snapdragon 865 and 144Hz display.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Better camera system for higher-quality photos and videos.
- Power Users: Need a phone that can handle heavy multitasking and demanding applications.
Specific Use Cases for Mi 10T Pro:
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games (e.g., Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile) at high settings.
- Recording high-resolution videos (up to 8K) for professional or personal use.
- Using multiple apps simultaneously without performance slowdown.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Ideal User:
- Everyday Users: Prioritize a lightweight and compact phone with a good display.
- Casual Photographers: Take occasional photos and videos in good lighting conditions.
- Budget-Conscious Consumers: Seek a balance of features and affordability.
Specific Use Cases for Redmi Note 12S:
- Browsing social media, watching videos, and sending emails.
- Taking photos and videos of everyday moments.
- Using the phone as a portable charger for accessories.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance for gaming and demanding apps?
- Do I prioritize a compact and lightweight design or a larger display and superior camera?
- Is having the latest Android version crucial for me?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming & Performance are top priority: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G for its significantly better performance.
- Scenario 2: Compact Design & Good Display are most important: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S for its lighter design and AMOLED display.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Performance & Features at a Reasonable Price: Consider the current prices of both phones and weigh the importance of each advantage accordingly. If the Mi 10T Pro 5G isn't much more expensive, its performance advantages might outweigh the Redmi Note 12S's newer OS and AMOLED display.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G.
Here's why:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 865 is a significantly more powerful chip. While the Redmi Note 12S is adequate for basic tasks, the Mi 10T Pro 5G will handle demanding apps and games much better and for longer before feeling slow.
- Camera: The camera system on the Mi 10T Pro 5G is superior. I value the better low-light performance, higher resolution video, and overall image quality.
- Display (with a caveat): While the AMOLED display on the Redmi Note 12S is nice, the 144Hz refresh rate on the Mi 10T Pro 5G is a major plus for me. The smoothness is very noticeable in everyday use. The lack of brightness information on the Mi 10T Pro 5G is concerning, but assuming it's reasonably bright, I'd still prefer the higher refresh rate.
- Price (assumed): Given the age of the Mi 10T Pro 5G, I would assume it can be found for a similar or lower price than the Redmi Note 12S. If the price difference is significant, the value proposition of the Mi 10T Pro 5G becomes even stronger.
While the newer Android version and lighter weight of the Redmi Note 12S are appealing, the performance and camera advantages of the Mi 10T Pro 5G outweigh those benefits for my personal use case.
