1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S and Realme 12x, highlighting practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Realme 12x | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 165.6 × 76.1 × 7.9 mm | Realme 12x is slightly taller and wider, may feel less comfortable for single-handed use; Redmi Note 10S is slightly thicker. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 190g | Redmi Note 10S is slightly lighter; noticeable during extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Realme 12x | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.43" | 6.67" | Realme 12x has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1604 | Redmi Note 10S offers significantly sharper images and text clarity. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 409 | 264 | Redmi Note 10S has a much crisper and detailed display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Redmi Note 10S offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better viewing angles; better for dark mode usage. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Realme 12x provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Redmi Note 10S offers much better outdoor visibility in sunlight. Realme 12x brightness information missing, but it is implied to be less based on the comparision result |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Realme 12x | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm) | Realme 12x uses a newer and more efficient chip; better performance and battery efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 442,599 | Realme 12x has a slightly higher score indicating slightly better overall performance, particularly in gaming and intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Redmi Note 10S's GPU is theoretically more powerful, but the overall impact on performance is slightly lower than the Realme 12x's in real-world usage based on the AnTuTu score. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Realme 12x | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Redmi Note 10S captures more detailed photos with higher resolution, especially in good lighting. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.45 | 8MP, f/2.1 | Redmi Note 10S offers higher resolution selfies while Realme 12x has wider aperture for better low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | Not Available | Redmi Note 10S provides more versatility with wide-angle shots. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both provide similar depth sensing for portrait photos |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | Redmi Note 10S allows for close-up photography. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Redmi Note 10S has better video recording capabilities, especially for quality. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Realme 12x | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life, generally lasting a full day with moderate use. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 15W fast charging | Redmi Note 10S charges significantly faster. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | None | Redmi Note 10S can charge other devices wirelessly. |
Other | Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Realme 12x | Practical Impact | |---|---|---|---| | OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 | Realme 12x offers a more recent OS and should receive better software support. | | Storage | 64GB or 128GB | 256GB or 512GB | Realme 12x offers much more internal storage for apps, photos and videos. | | RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 12GB | Realme 12x has considerably more RAM for multitasking and gaming. | | Expandable Storage | No | No | Both don't allow for expandable storage. | | WiFi | Wi-Fi MiMO | No Wi-Fi MiMO | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has additional features | | Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Realme 12x has a newer version | | Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has an upper hand with screen protection |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED screen with higher resolution and brightness offers better viewing experience, especially in bright sunlight.
- Better Camera System: The Redmi Note 10S has more versatile camera setup with higher resolution main and selfie cameras, an ultrawide lens, and 4K video recording.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging is almost twice as fast as the Realme 12x's 15W charging.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices, a convenient feature not present in the Realme 12x.
Realme 12x Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate makes animations and scrolling feel much more fluid.
- Better Performance: The newer chipset and higher AnTuTu score provide a slightly better performance, particularly for gaming.
- More Storage and RAM: Comes with considerably more internal storage and RAM for apps and multitasking.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 14, offering better software features, potential future software support, and security.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Redmi Note 10S sacrifices performance and storage for a superior display and camera system.
- Realme 12x compromises on display resolution, brightness, camera capabilities, and charging speed for a smoother experience and more storage/RAM.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Ideal Users:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize camera quality and features.
- Media Consumers: Individuals who enjoy watching videos and browsing with a high quality display.
- Outdoor Users: Those needing a screen that is easily visible in sunlight.
- Users who value reverse charging: People who occasionally need to charge other devices on the go.
Realme 12x Ideal Users:
- Gamers: Users who benefit from a higher refresh rate display and better performance.
- Heavy Multitaskers: Individuals who use multiple apps simultaneously and benefit from 12 GB of RAM.
- Users Requiring More Storage: People who need ample storage for files, media, and apps.
- Users who value software support: People who prioritize getting the latest Android updates.
Use Cases:
- Redmi Note 10S: Excellent for capturing high-quality photos and videos, watching movies in vibrant colors, and quickly charging the phone.
- Realme 12x: Great for playing graphically intensive games, switching between many applications, and storing large media libraries.
Price-to-Value: The value is highly subjective to the user. The price point will influence greatly which phone will provide the better value. It depends if you value camera quality and display quality, or raw performance and storage.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help buyers decide:
What is your primary use for the phone (camera, gaming, media, productivity)?
- If camera and display quality are top priorities, the Redmi Note 10S is a better choice.
- If gaming, multitasking and storage are more important, the Realme 12x is preferred.
How much do you value smooth visuals vs. display clarity and brightness?
- If a 120Hz refresh rate is crucial, the Realme 12x is a better choice.
- If higher resolution, brightness and colour accuracy are necessary, the Redmi Note 10S is the better pick.
Do you need more internal storage or a more feature-rich camera system?
- If storage is a concern and you tend to use many apps and store large media libraries, the Realme 12x is better.
- If a more versatile and higher-resolution camera setup is needed, the Redmi Note 10S is the better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Travel Photography & Outdoor Use: The Redmi Note 10S is recommended for its better camera system and superior outdoor visibility.
Scenario 2: Mobile Gaming & Heavy App Use: The Realme 12x is more suitable due to its smoother refresh rate, stronger performance, and greater RAM.
Scenario 3: Everyday Media Consumption & General Use: If you value display clarity and brightness more than a smooth refresh rate and gaming performance, the Redmi Note 10S should be preferred, or vice versa if the smoothness is preferred.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would lean towards the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S. While the Realme 12x has compelling advantages like the 120Hz display, newer chipset, and significantly more storage, the areas where the Redmi Note 10S excels are more important for my personal usage. I value a high-quality display with vibrant colors and great outdoor visibility, and I prefer a more capable camera system for photography. The faster charging is also a significant bonus for me. While I acknowledge that the Realme 12x is the newer phone with a more modern chipset, the advantages of the Redmi Note 10S in display and camera quality outweigh these for my use cases. I also value the reverse charging feature which the Realme 12x doesn't provide. It's also worth noting that I don't do much mobile gaming, so the advantages of the Realme 12x are not as significant for me.
