1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.3 × 77.3 × 9.6 mm | 163 × 76 × 8 mm | Redmi Note 12 Pro is slimmer, narrower, and has a slightly smaller overall volume making it more comfortable to hold and pocket. |
| Weight | 198g | 187g | Redmi Note 12 Pro is slightly lighter, which is more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.67" | Redmi Note 12 Pro offers a slightly larger viewing area for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both have similar resolutions, meaning sharpness will be comparable. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 395 PPI | Both have identical pixel density, leading to similar sharpness. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Redmi Note 12 Pro has superior display technology, resulting in deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors, and improved power efficiency with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Redmi Note 12 Pro provides significantly smoother animations and scrolling, making the user experience feel more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 900 nits | Redmi Note 12 Pro is much brighter and more visible in direct sunlight, which is crucial for outdoor usability. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) | Redmi Note 12 Pro has a much more powerful and efficient chipset, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 185,028 | 573,200 | Redmi Note 12 Pro is significantly faster, offering a superior experience in everyday usage and for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Redmi Note 12 Pro’s GPU provides much better graphics performance for gaming and GPU intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | Redmi Note 12 Pro captures slightly more detailed photos with higher resolution. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.88 | Poco M3 has a slightly wider aperture but this difference is very marginal. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.56" | Redmi Note 12 Pro has a significantly larger sensor, capturing more light and resulting in better low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Main Camera Sensor Model | Samsung S5KGM1 | Sony IMX766 | Redmi Note 12 Pro uses a superior sensor which results in better image quality. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.00 µm | Redmi Note 12 Pro has larger pixel size, leading to better light gathering and improved low light photography. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 16MP | Redmi Note 12 Pro has higher resolution, resulting in more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP | Redmi Note 12 Pro allows for wide-angle shots which the Poco M3 does not support. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP | Redmi Note 12 Pro allows for close-up macro photography which the Poco M3 does not support. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps | Redmi Note 12 Pro can record in significantly higher quality and offers more framerate options. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | Redmi Note 12 Pro will have more stable video recording. |
| DXOMark Score | N/A | 102 (Mobile) | Redmi Note 12 Pro has a better overall camera score compared to the unrated Poco M3. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5000mAh | Poco M3 has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life, but actual results vary based on usage. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Redmi Note 12 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Features | Reverse Charging, 22.5W charger in box | None | Poco M3 can be used as a power bank. Includes a faster charger than its own maximum charging capability. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12 | Redmi Note 12 Pro has a newer OS with improved features and security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6) | Redmi Note 12 Pro has faster WiFi speeds and lower latency, if your router supports WiFi 6. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Redmi Note 12 Pro offers more power efficient and reliable Bluetooth, additionally supports LDAC, SBC, AAC codecs for better audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, NavIC System | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), QZSS (L1 + L5) | Redmi Note 12 Pro has better support for satellite positioning, leading to improved location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB or 128GB | 128GB or 256GB | Redmi Note 12 Pro offers more storage, which is beneficial for users with many apps, photos and videos. |
| RAM | 4GB or 6GB | 6GB or 8GB or 12GB | Redmi Note 12 Pro has significantly more RAM, which greatly enhances multitasking and general responsiveness. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device supports microSD cards, limiting users to the built-in storage capacity. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both phones have good audio quality. Redmi Note 12 Pro delivers surround-sound like experience through Dolby Atmos, while Poco M3 offers Hi-Res audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both offer similar biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Redmi Note 12 Pro offers better screen scratch resistance and protection from drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Redmi Note 12 Pro has a gyroscope, enabling more advanced gaming and AR experiences. Poco M3 has ultrasonic virtual proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate and much higher brightness provides a vastly better visual experience, especially outdoors.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Dimensity 1080 chipset and higher RAM offers a much smoother and more responsive user experience, better gaming performance and future-proof.
- Advanced Camera System: The larger main sensor, higher-resolution selfie camera, and the inclusion of wide-angle and macro lenses, along with 4K video, greatly enhance photography and videography capabilities.
- Faster Charging: 67W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Newer Software: Android 12 provides access to the latest features and security updates.
- Improved Connectivity: Supports newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards for better performance and reliability.
- Overall: Redmi Note 12 Pro is simply the better phone for most use-cases and users.
Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery could potentially offer longer battery life.
- Reverse Charging: The ability to charge other devices can be convenient in a pinch.
- Slightly wider Aperture Main Camera: Wider aperture can result in better low light photography, however, the sensor size is smaller, and overall image quality will be lower compared to the Redmi Note 12 Pro.
- Cost: Older model with lower specs is likely cheaper in the market.
Trade-offs:
- Poco M3 sacrifices performance, display quality, and camera capabilities for a larger battery and lower cost (if price is a factor in your market).
- Redmi Note 12 Pro offers a superior overall experience at the cost of slightly smaller battery capacity, however, it has faster charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro Ideal Users:
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who enjoy watching videos, playing games, and browsing social media will appreciate the high-quality AMOLED display and smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
- Photography/Videography Enthusiasts: Those who value camera quality will benefit from the versatile camera system, which supports 4K video and various lens options.
- Performance-Oriented Users: Users who demand fast performance for multitasking, gaming, and app usage will appreciate the powerful processor and ample RAM.
- Users Wanting a Modern Experience: Those who want the latest connectivity standards, software, and fast charging will prefer the Redmi Note 12 Pro.
Xiaomi Poco M3 Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who need a basic smartphone with a long battery life for everyday tasks and do not mind using older tech.
- Users with Long Battery Life as Top Priority: If battery life is the single most important factor and you don't mind the slower speeds and other drawbacks, this phone might be good.
- Minimalist users: People who need just the basics of a smartphone (calls, messaging, basic browsing).
Use Cases:
- Redmi Note 12 Pro: Mobile gaming, high-quality video streaming, content creation, professional photography, or any demanding tasks.
- Poco M3: Basic browsing, social media, messaging, calls, media consumption with no demanding use cases.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? Are you looking for the most cost-effective option, or are you willing to invest more for better performance and features?
- How important is display quality? Do you value vibrant colors, high brightness, and smooth refresh rates?
- How important is performance and speed? Do you need to do resource intensive tasks on your phone such as gaming?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you value performance, a great display, and a great camera, and are willing to spend more, the Redmi Note 12 Pro is the clear choice. It offers a much more advanced overall experience.
- If you are extremely budget-conscious and need a basic phone with longer battery life and do not care about the drawbacks, then the Poco M3 might be acceptable, but you will be missing out on many features that are standard in a modern smartphone.
What I Would Choose and Why
I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro. While the Poco M3 offers a larger battery and potentially longer battery life and the ability to reverse charge other devices, the Redmi Note 12 Pro provides a significantly superior experience in almost every other aspect. The AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate is a game-changer for media consumption and everyday use. The vastly superior performance ensures smoother multitasking, app loading, and gaming. The advanced camera system makes a big difference in image quality and video capabilities. Furthermore, the faster charging, newer software and faster wireless technologies makes the phone a more modern device.
While the Poco M3 has its merits, the compromises in display, performance, and camera are too significant. The Redmi Note 12 Pro offers a much more well-rounded and future-proof package. For the better overall experience, the price difference is worth it in my opinion.
