Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi 9T vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi 9T | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm, 198g | 163 x 76 x 8 mm, 187g | The Note 12 Pro is slightly slimmer and lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and pocketability. The 9T has a larger overall volume. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.67" | The Note 12 Pro offers a slightly larger screen, enhancing the viewing experience for media and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both are virtually identical in sharpness, providing crisp text and images. |
| PPI | 395 | 395 | Same pixel density means both offer similar visual clarity. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | AMOLED on Note 12 Pro provides superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, making it more enjoyable for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz on Note 12 Pro results in smoother scrolling and animations, offering a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 900 nits | The Note 12 Pro's significantly higher brightness makes it much easier to see outdoors in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) | The Note 12 Pro's newer chipset provides significantly better performance for gaming, multitasking, and app loading. |
| AnTuTu Score | 174,500 | 573,200 | The Note 12 Pro has more than three times the benchmark score, indicating a substantial performance difference. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G68 MC4 | The Note 12 Pro's GPU will handle more graphically intensive tasks and games better than the Redmi 9T. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5000mAh | The Redmi 9T's larger battery may offer longer battery life, although real-world usage depends on many factors. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | The Note 12 Pro charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | The Note 12 Pro has a larger sensor and slightly larger pixels, potentially resulting in superior low-light performance and image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | 16MP, Pixel size unknown | The Note 12 Pro has a higher-resolution selfie camera. Exact pixel size data is missing for the Note 12 Pro, limiting direct comparison. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", 1.12µm | 8MP, f/1.9, Pixel size unknown | The Note 12 Pro has a slightly wider aperture for its wide-angle lens which may result in slightly brighter wide-angle shots. Pixel size data is missing for Note 12 Pro limiting direct comparison. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP | Not Present | The Redmi 9T has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, Pixel size unknown | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | Both have similar macro capabilities, but the Note 12 Pro has slightly larger pixels on the sensor. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps | The Note 12 Pro offers significantly better video recording capabilities with 4K resolution and higher frame rates, including better slow-motion. |
| Stabilization | No digital stabilization | Yes digital stabilization and OIS | The Note 12 Pro has superior video stabilization via both Digital and Optical methods |
| DXOMark | Not Tested | Mobile: 102 (Photo: 108, Video: 98) | The Note 12 Pro's camera performance is rated via DXOMark with a score of 102 indicating superior photo/video capabilities |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12 | The Note 12 Pro has a newer version of Android, potentially with more features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | The Note 12 Pro supports faster WiFi 6 with improved speeds, lower latency and better handling of crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | The Note 12 Pro has a newer version of Bluetooth which supports higher quality audio codecs such as LDAC, SBC, and AAC. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The Note 12 Pro supports more satellite systems offering potentially better location accuracy, and also supports GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), and QZSS (L1+L5). |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | The Note 12 Pro offers more storage options, essential for users with large media libraries. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 6GB/8GB/12GB | The Note 12 Pro offers more RAM options, allowing for smoother multitasking and better performance with demanding applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both phones have stereo speakers; The Redmi 9T has Hi-Res Audio while the Note 12 Pro has Dolby Atmos, offering a different audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer convenient and reliable fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The Note 12 Pro uses more durable screen protection, offering better resistance to scratches and cracks. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic Proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The Note 12 Pro has a Gyroscope for enhanced gaming and motion-based apps, and a standard proximity sensor. The Redmi 9T features an Ultrasonic Proximity virtual sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi 9T Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery may offer longer battery life for users who need maximum endurance.
- Reverse Charging: Allows the phone to be used as a power bank, useful for charging other devices.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers superior audio for audiophiles
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate, higher brightness, and better contrast provides a vastly superior viewing experience.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Mediatek Dimensity 1080 chip offers a substantial performance boost for all tasks, particularly gaming and multitasking.
- Faster Charging: 67W charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Better Camera: Larger sensor, better low-light performance, and 4K video recording, OIS and EIS for smoother videos, and a higher resolution selfie camera.
- Newer Software: Android 12 provides access to the latest features and security updates.
- More storage and ram options: Users have more options to choose from for both ram and internal storage capacity.
- Superior Audio: Dolby Atmos offers an enhanced audio experience.
- Superior Build Quality: Gorilla Glass 5 provides more robust screen protection.
- Modern connectivity: WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 offer superior wireless connectivity.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Redmi 9T sacrifices performance and display quality for a potentially larger battery and reverse charging.
- The Note 12 Pro lacks the dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode found in the Redmi 9T.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi 9T:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and basic smartphone functionality over high performance or superior display quality.
- Use Cases:
- Long trips where access to charging is limited.
- Users who primarily use their phone for calls, messages, browsing, and occasional social media.
- Users who need a secondary phone with battery to act as a power bank.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro:
- Ideal User: Users who want a balance between performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and modern features, and are willing to trade battery capacity for those improvements.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and media consumption.
- Photography and videography enthusiasts.
- Users who want a smoother and more responsive user experience.
- Users who require a smartphone with a bright display, such as for outside use.
- Users who require fast charging capabilities
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is my budget? The Redmi 9T is usually the more budget-friendly option, while the Note 12 Pro is a premium option, so that is a key factor to consider
- What do I prioritize: battery or performance/display? The Redmi 9T might be better for battery-focused users, while the Note 12 Pro is for performance and display-oriented users.
- How important are camera and video quality? The Note 12 Pro is the clear winner in this category.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic Use, Tight Budget: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi 9T for essential smartphone tasks and maximum battery at the lowest cost.
- Scenario 2: Multimedia and Gaming: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro for its superior display, performance, and camera capabilities.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Photography/Videography: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro for its advanced camera features and 4k video recording.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro. While the Redmi 9T offers a larger battery and reverse charging, the Note 12 Pro provides a significantly superior user experience in almost every other aspect. The superior display with 120Hz AMOLED, faster performance, better camera with OIS, and quicker charging are well worth the trade-off in battery capacity for my needs. The modern features of Bluetooth 5.2 and WiFi 6 also make it more future-proof. For my usage which involves a lot of gaming and social media usage, the Note 12 Pro is the much better option.
