1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the two phones based on the provided specifications, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 168.8 × 76.4 × 8.8 mm | The Redmi 12C is slightly larger and thicker, making it feel bulkier in hand and pocket. The Mi 11 Pro is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 208g | 192g | The Redmi 12C is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. The Mi 11 Pro's heavier weight may be noticeable during prolonged holding. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.71" | Negligible difference. Both phones offer a large screen experience, but the Mi 11 Pro has a slightly larger display. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 720x1650 | The Mi 11 Pro's much higher resolution results in significantly sharper text and images, providing a more detailed visual experience. The Redmi 12C's display is noticeably less sharp. |
| Pixel Density | 515 PPI | 268 PPI | The Mi 11 Pro offers a significantly sharper display, which means images and text appear clearer and less pixelated compared to the Redmi 12C. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The Mi 11 Pro's AMOLED display has richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast than the Redmi 12C's IPS LCD, resulting in a superior viewing experience, especially for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | The Mi 11 Pro's 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations look much smoother than the Redmi 12C's 60Hz display, providing a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 0 nits | The Mi 11 Pro's display is much brighter, making it easily viewable under direct sunlight. The Redmi 12C's display may be difficult to see in bright outdoor conditions. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Helio G85 (12 nm) | The Mi 11 Pro's chipset is substantially more powerful, providing much faster performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications. The Redmi 12C's chipset is significantly weaker. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 225,154 | The Mi 11 Pro scores significantly higher, indicating much faster performance, smoother multitasking and superior gaming capabilities. The Redmi 12C is significantly slower. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G52 MC2 | The Mi 11 Pro's GPU provides a much better gaming experience with more fluid graphics and higher frame rates. The Redmi 12C will struggle with graphically intensive games. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have a similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. |
| Charging | 67W fast charging | 10W fast charging | The Mi 11 Pro charges much faster, reducing charging time significantly. The Redmi 12C's slow charging may be frustrating for users who need quick power-ups. |
| Battery Features | Reverse charging, 67W wireless charging, 10W reverse-wireless charging | Non-removable | The Mi 11 Pro offers more advanced battery features like wireless and reverse charging, providing added convenience. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12", 1.40 µm pixels | 50MP, f/1.8, pixel size not specified | The Mi 11 Pro's larger sensor and larger pixels potentially allow for better low-light performance and overall image quality. Redmi 12C has a wider aperture potentially for better low-light, however missing pixel size |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4", 0.80 µm pixels | 5MP, pixel size not specified | The Mi 11 Pro's much higher resolution front camera will produce sharper and more detailed selfies compared to the Redmi 12C. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", 1.12 µm pixels | Not available | The Mi 11 Pro offers more versatile photography with its wide-angle lens. The Redmi 12C lacks a wide-angle perspective. |
| Macro Lens | Not available | 2MP, f/2.4, pixel size not specified | Redmi 12C offers a macro lens, while Mi 11 Pro does not, for capturing extreme close-up shots. |
| Telephoto + Macro Lens | 8MP, 1/4.4", 1.00 µm pixels | Not available | Mi 11 Pro allows for telephoto and macro zoom, while Redmi 12C lacks this functionality. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps w/ HDR, EIS | 1080p@30fps | The Mi 11 Pro offers much higher video resolution and more video stabilization options, making it a better choice for videography. |
| DxOMark Score | Main: 124, Photo: 118, Video: 132 | Main: 45, Photo: 50, Video: 43 | Mi 11 Pro has a much better camera based on DxOMark scores, specially for video. |
| Camera Features | 4K/8K video, OIS, Optical Zoom, RAW, More | Digital zoom, Dual Camera, Exposure compensation, fewer | Mi 11 Pro offers more advanced camera features and options than the Redmi 12C, like OIS and RAW support |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, AMOLED technology, 120Hz refresh rate, and much higher brightness results in a much better visual experience.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers dramatically faster performance for all tasks including gaming and multitasking.
- Faster Charging: 67W fast charging and wireless charging capabilities lead to shorter charging times and greater convenience.
- Advanced Camera System: Superior image quality from main, selfie, wide-angle and telephoto lenses, 8k video, OIS and significantly higher DxOMark score.
- Premium Build: Gorilla Glass Victus offers superior screen protection.
- Better Audio Quality: Hi-Res audio and Stereo Speakers for better immersive experience.
Xiaomi Redmi 12C Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable to hold for extended periods due to its lighter weight.
- More Recent Release Date: It's a newer phone by about 8 months.
- Macro Lens: Offers a dedicated macro lens for extreme close-up shots.
- Potentially Cheaper: Likely to be more affordable than the Mi 11 Pro.
Trade-offs:
- The Mi 11 Pro sacrifices a lighter weight and a macro lens for its more powerful features.
- The Redmi 12C's main trade-off is significantly lower performance and a lower quality display.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Ideal Users:
- Power users who demand high performance for gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Photography enthusiasts who want high quality cameras with a versatile lens system.
- Users who prioritize high quality display with vibrant colors and smooth motion.
- Those who need quick charging and are interested in wireless charging.
- Use Cases:
- Playing demanding mobile games at high frame rates.
- Capturing high-resolution photos and videos with versatile lenses.
- Watching movies and streaming content with superior visual fidelity.
- Using productivity apps and multitasking without any performance lag.
Xiaomi Redmi 12C:
- Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious buyers who need a basic smartphone for everyday tasks.
- Users who prefer a lighter phone for comfortable handling.
- Users who don't require high performance and mostly use the phone for social media, browsing and calls.
- Users who may take a few macro shots for social media.
- Use Cases:
- Basic web browsing and social media.
- Casual gaming that does not demand heavy graphics.
- Making phone calls and texting.
- Taking the occasional macro shot.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Mi 11 Pro is likely to be significantly more expensive than the Redmi 12C.
- How important is performance for you? If you play games or run demanding apps, the Mi 11 Pro is the clear choice.
- How important is display quality? The Mi 11 Pro's display is far superior for media consumption.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget-Conscious): If your budget is the primary concern and you only need a basic smartphone, the Redmi 12C is a reasonable choice due to its lower price. However, the user will have to accept the significant performance and display trade-offs.
- Scenario 2 (Performance Focused): If you want the best performance and are a heavy user, the Mi 11 Pro is worth the investment, as it provides significantly faster performance, a superior display, and a more advanced camera system.
- Scenario 3 (Multimedia Lover): If you watch a lot of videos or photos on your phone, the Mi 11 Pro is a much better choice due to its superior display and audio capabilities.
- Scenario 4 (Casual User): If you primarily use your phone for social media and basic tasks, you can consider the Redmi 12C, especially if a lightweight device is important for you, but it will still lag in performance and display quality.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro.
Here's why:
- Performance is my top priority: As a power user who often multitasks and plays games, the Mi 11 Pro's significantly faster Snapdragon 888 chipset is essential for a smooth and responsive user experience.
- Display quality is crucial: I highly value a vibrant and sharp display for media consumption, and the Mi 11 Pro's AMOLED screen with its high resolution, brightness, and 120Hz refresh rate offers a much more enjoyable viewing experience.
- Camera versatility and quality: While I appreciate a macro lens, the overall camera capabilities of the Mi 11 Pro, including its superior main camera sensor, wide-angle, telephoto lenses, and advanced features like OIS and 8K video recording, are more appealing for my photography needs.
- Future-proofing: The Mi 11 Pro's higher performance and advanced features make it a more future-proof choice, ensuring that it will remain relevant and capable for a longer period of time. The superior screen protection adds to the long term reliability.
- Value: Despite the higher cost, the Mi 11 Pro offers a better price to performance and quality ratio for my specific needs.
While the Redmi 12C is more affordable and lighter, the compromises in display quality, performance, and camera capabilities are too significant for my preferences.
