1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 76.5 × 8.1 mm | 161.5 × 74 × 8.8 mm | Redmi Note 10 Pro is slightly taller and wider, Realme 12 Pro is slightly thicker. |
| Weight | 193g | 190g | Negligible difference in hand feel. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Virtually identical screen sizes. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Visually indistinguishable sharpness. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 394 PPI | Identical display clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both provide vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both phones. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 950 nits | Redmi Note 10 Pro is more visible in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G (8nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm) | Realme 12 Pro offers faster performance and better power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 397,200 | 574,000 | Realme 12 Pro performs noticeably faster in everyday tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 710 | Realme 12 Pro has a more powerful GPU for graphically demanding tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens Resolution | 108MP | 50MP | Redmi Note 10 Pro captures more detail in good lighting; Realme 12 Pro has a wider aperture and may perform better in low light. |
| Standard Lens Aperture | f/1.9 | f/1.8 | Realme 12 Pro's wider aperture allows more light, better low-light performance. |
| Standard Lens Sensor Size | 1/1.52" | 1/2" | Redmi Note 10 Pro has a larger sensor; Generally captures more light and detail. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 16MP | Both phones have similar front-facing camera quality. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.4 | Realme 12 Pro has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP | Realme 12 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities; Significant advantage for zoomed photos. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP | None | Redmi Note 10 Pro offers a dedicated wide angle lens. |
| Portrait (Depth) Lens | 2MP | None | Redmi Note 10 Pro has a depth sensor for better portrait photos. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP | None | Redmi Note 10 Pro has a dedicated macro camera for close up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 8MP | Realme 12 Pro offers an ultrawide camera with macro capabilities. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Both capture high-resolution videos. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes (EIS) | Realme 12 Pro videos are more stable, especially when moving. |
| Slow-motion Video | Yes, 960 fps | Yes, 240 fps | Redmi Note 10 Pro offers higher slow motion frame rate. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Digital stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Triple camera, Optical zoom, Digital stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Redmi Note 10 Pro has more camera features, while Realme 12 Pro has OIS and a telephoto lens. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5020mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Realme 12 Pro charges significantly faster. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 | Realme 12 Pro is running on a newer OS version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Up to Wi-Fi ac | Up to Wi-Fi 6 | Realme 12 Pro has faster Wi-Fi, better for streaming and gaming. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Realme 12 Pro offers slightly improved Bluetooth performance. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Realme 12 Pro has more GPS options for better accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both support Dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128/256GB | 256/512GB | Realme 12 Pro offers more storage options. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 8/12GB | Realme 12 Pro offers more RAM for better performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Realme 12 Pro has additional noise cancellation mic and improved audio recording. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi's fingerprint sensor offers a smoother user experience. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Redmi Note 10 Pro offers known screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro additionally features: Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual; Realme 12 Pro additionally features: Proximity; Comprehensive sensor suite suitable for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Advantages:
- Brighter Display: 1200 nits brightness provides better outdoor visibility.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 108MP sensor captures more detail in good lighting conditions.
- Dedicated Wide-Angle & Macro Cameras: Offers more versatility in shooting perspectives and close-ups.
- More Advanced Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Offers a smoother unlocking experience
- Known Screen Protection: Offers peace of mind with its durability.
Practical Implications: Ideal for users who prioritize outdoor visibility, fine detail in photos, and varied camera perspectives with the dedicated ultra-wide and macro lenses.
Realme 12 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Chipset: Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 offers better performance and power efficiency.
- Faster Charging: 67W fast charging means less time plugged in and more time using the phone.
- Telephoto Lens with Optical Zoom: Enables clear zoomed photos without digital artifacts.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with Android 14 out of the box.
- Improved Audio: Offers better spatial audio, higher quality audio playback, clearer calls, better audio separation and immersion, improved voice capture.
- More RAM: Offers 12GB Ram for better multitasking capabilities.
- More Storage: Offers 512GB of storage compared to 256GB.
- More Satellite Systems for GPS: Offers more accurate location tracking.
Practical Implications: Better for users who prioritize overall performance, fast charging, and telephoto zoom capabilities. Ideal for gaming, content creation, or users who need quick power-ups.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Redmi Note 10 Pro: Loses out on performance, telephoto zoom, fast charging and up-to-date software.
- Realme 12 Pro: Doesn't have a dedicated ultra-wide lens and has a slightly less bright screen; lacks a known screen protection like Gorilla Glass.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Photographers: Users who value high-resolution main camera and versatile lens options for creative photography on a budget.
- Outdoor Users: Individuals who need a bright display for easy viewing in sunlight.
- Users Who Value Fingerprint Security: Users who value easy and seamless biometric unlocking
Use Cases:
- Capturing detailed outdoor landscapes and close-up shots with a variety of dedicated lenses.
- Everyday social media use where high resolution is more useful than telephoto zoom.
- Users who value a lower price point without needing the latest high-end performance.
Realme 12 Pro Ideal User:
- Mobile Gamers & Performance Users: Those who need smooth, lag-free experience for gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Travelers & Photographers Users who need fast charging for on-the-go use and who often zoom in on subjects.
- Users Who Value Longevity: Users who desire to use the device for years to come.
- Users who value audio and sound: Users who listen to audio and engage in audio conversations often
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games smoothly and efficiently.
- Capturing crisp zoomed-in photos, like tourist landmarks or wildlife.
- Quickly recharging their phone during short breaks on the go.
- Engaging in long audio conversations with noise cancelling capabilities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What do you value more: brighter screen and versatile lens setup or faster performance and telephoto zoom? - This addresses the core camera and performance trade-offs.
- Do you prioritize fast charging, or are you okay with slower speeds? - This is crucial for users always on the go.
- Is a newer version of Android more important than a slightly better outdoor screen brightness? - This focuses on software and display trade-offs.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious Photography Enthusiast: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro for its higher resolution main camera, dedicated wide angle & macro cameras, and the more advanced fingerprint sensor while being on a budget.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer or Performance User: Choose the Realme 12 Pro for its better performing chipset, more RAM, telephoto lens, faster charging, better audio quality, and more up to date software.
- Scenario 3: Traveler Who Needs Long-Lasting Battery and Photos: Choose the Realme 12 Pro for its faster charging, telephoto lens and more efficient chipset.
- Scenario 4: User Who Values Outdoor Visibility: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro for its brighter display.
What I Would Choose and Why
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would personally pick the Realme 12 Pro. Here's why:
- Performance is Key: As someone who uses my phone for a variety of tasks, including occasional gaming and heavy multitasking, the newer Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset offers a noticeable advantage in speed and efficiency. The faster AnTuTu score is indicative of a smoother overall experience, which is more valuable to me in daily use.
- Faster Charging is a Convenience: Having 67W fast charging is a game-changer. I value the time I get back from charging my phone, and the ability to top up quickly is a feature I would prefer.
- Telephoto Lens is a Practical Tool: The addition of a telephoto lens opens up more creative opportunities in photography. While the Redmi Note 10 Pro's 108MP main sensor seems impressive on paper, the optical zoom provided by the telephoto lens is more practically useful for my photography needs.
- Up-to-Date Software: Getting Android 14 out of the box ensures that I am using the newest and most up-to-date features and security measures. This factor contributes significantly to the overall long term value of the phone.
- Improved Audio: The inclusion of noise cancellation microphone, and the improved audio playback and capture capabilities make it a compelling option for users who value high quality sound.
- More RAM & Storage: The addition of 12GB RAM and 512GB of storage gives me ample space to run multiple apps and store all of my content, and ensure the longevity of the phone.
While I appreciate the Redmi Note 10 Pro's brighter display, dedicated wide-angle, and macro lenses, the overall performance, charging speed, and the presence of a telephoto lens on the Realme 12 Pro outweigh the former phone's strengths for my particular needs. The Realme 12 Pro is the clear winner for me based on my priority for performance, charging speed, and photography capabilities with a telephoto lens, as well as its other advantages such as updated software, storage, and audio.
