Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 76.5 × 8.1 mm | 162.9 × 76 × 8.9 mm | Note 10 Pro is slightly taller but thinner; 12 Pro+ is thicker, may feel more substantial. |
| Weight | 193g | 208.4g | Note 10 Pro is lighter, better for extended use and portability; 12 Pro+ is heavier, may feel more premium. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.67" | Identical screen size. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer same clarity; sharp images & videos. |
| PPI | 395 | 395 | Identical pixel density, both provide crisp visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; negligible real-world difference. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling, and fluid gaming. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 900 nits | Note 10 Pro is significantly brighter, better visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) | 12 Pro+ has a more powerful and energy-efficient chip; faster app loading & smoother performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 397,200 | 573,100 | 12 Pro+ offers noticeably better overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Different GPU architectures, 12 Pro+ offers better gaming performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5020mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life expectancy for typical use. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 120W fast charging | 12 Pro+ charges significantly faster, drastically reducing charging times. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52" | 200MP, f/1.65, 1/1.4" | 12 Pro+ captures more detail, better low-light performance due to larger sensor/wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13" | 16MP, f/2.45 | Similar performance for selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | Similar wide-angle photos. |
| Portrait(Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | N/A | Note 10 Pro has a dedicated depth sensor, may offer slightly better portrait effect. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | Note 10 Pro has a higher resolution macro camera. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, No Stabil | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps, Yes Stabil | 12 Pro+ offers better video recording with 120 fps, and stabilization, suitable for action shots and vlogging |
| DXOMark | N/A | 113 Mobile (117 Photo, 117 Video) | 12 Pro+'s camera performance is tested and objectively better than Note 10 Pro. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple Camera, Digital Stabiliz. | Triple Camera, OIS, Ultra Stable Video | 12 Pro+ offers superior video with OIS and Ultra Stable Video for smoother and shake-free videos |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Android 12, upgradable to 14 | 12 Pro+ has a newer base OS and will receive longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | 12 Pro+ offers faster Wi-Fi speeds and better performance on crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | 12 Pro+ has a newer Bluetooth version and supports higher quality codecs like LDAC. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, L1, B1 | 12 Pro+ has more accurate GPS, faster location acquisition. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both offer 256GB at max capacity. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | 12 Pro+ offers more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | No storage expansion on either phone. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | Identical high-quality audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both provide basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Identical screen protection, similar scratch resistance. |
| Sensors | Ultrasonic Virtual Proximity | Proximity | Note 10 Pro features Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor, while 12 Pro+ uses a typical proximity sensor, both function similarly for detecting proximity. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Advantages:
- Brighter Display: The 1200 nits brightness is a significant advantage for outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight.
- Lighter: The 15.4g lighter weight makes it more comfortable for extended use.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Offers a dedicated depth sensor for more accurate portrait effects
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Charging: 120W charging drastically reduces charging times.
- Superior Performance: The Dimensity 1080 chipset offers a large performance boost, especially in gaming.
- Improved Camera: 200MP camera with a larger sensor and wider aperture delivers better photo and video quality.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): OIS provides much smoother video recording and improved low-light photo capture.
- Newer Software: Android 12 base with upgrade to 14 offers more features and longer support.
- Faster Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 offer faster wireless connections and higher quality audio codecs.
- More Accurate GPS: Supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
- More RAM: 12GB RAM version offers smoother multitasking.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Redmi Note 10 Pro, while having a brighter display and depth sensor, is significantly less powerful and has a lower camera quality compared to the Note 12 Pro+.
- The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is heavier and thicker, sacrificing some comfort and portability for a more robust set of features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize a brighter display, lighter phone, and are okay with good but not top-tier performance.
- Use Cases: Casual users, social media browsing, general multimedia consumption, and those who prioritize readability outdoors.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+:
- Ideal User: Performance-oriented users, mobile gamers, photography/videography enthusiasts, and those who want the latest features and tech.
- Use Cases: Demanding mobile games, high-quality video recording, social media content creation, and those who need fast charging and smoother performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
How important is display brightness for outdoor use? If you frequently use your phone in bright sunlight, the Redmi Note 10 Pro's brighter display is a key advantage.
Do you prioritize performance and gaming or camera quality? The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ provides a significant performance increase and a higher quality camera that will drastically improve the user experience.
How much is fast charging important to you? The Redmi Note 12 Pro+'s 120W fast charging is a game-changer if you need a full charge quickly.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User on a Budget: If you're a light user on a tight budget, the Redmi Note 10 Pro is a solid choice, offering a decent display, a better display brightness, and a lighter body.
- Scenario 2: Power User/Gamer: If you need top-tier performance, camera capabilities, and fast charging, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: The Redmi Note 12 Pro+'s improved main camera, OIS, and video capabilities are much better than the Redmi Note 10 Pro, making it much better suited for mobile photography.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing, I would pick the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+. While I appreciate the brighter display of the Note 10 Pro, the performance boost, significantly faster charging, better camera with OIS, more accurate GPS, and newer software of the Note 12 Pro+ are far more valuable to me. As someone who uses their phone for a variety of tasks and likes to take photos and videos, the improvements in those areas, along with faster charging, make the 12 Pro+ the better option. The added weight is a worthwhile tradeoff for the overall improvements in tech and experience. While the Note 10 Pro is a capable device, the Note 12 Pro+ is more future-proof and caters better to my needs.
