Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S vs. Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 168.6 × 76.3 × 8.2 mm | Redmi 12 5G is larger and might be less comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 199g | Redmi Note 10S is lighter, easier to handle for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.79" | Redmi 12 5G offers a more immersive viewing experience, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2460 | Both displays are sharp, negligible difference. |
| PPI | 409 | 396 | Both have similar pixel density and appear equally sharp to the eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Redmi Note 10S offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors than Redmi 12 5G. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Redmi 12 5G offers smoother scrolling and animations than Redmi Note 10S. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Redmi Note 10S provides significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 in Redmi 12 5G is more power-efficient and scores slightly higher in benchmarks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 456,552 | Redmi 12 5G provides marginally better overall performance than Redmi Note 10S. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 613 | Both phones can handle typical smartphone tasks smoothly, minor differences for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Redmi Note 10S offers higher resolution main camera for more detailed photos. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.45 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Redmi Note 10S produces significantly sharper selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | None | Redmi Note 10S offers a wider field of view for landscape and group shots. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both offer similar quality depth effects. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Redmi Note 10S offers macro photography capability for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | 1080p@30fps | Redmi Note 10S records higher quality videos. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | Redmi 12 5G has better video stabilization than Redmi Note 10S. |
| DxOMark | N/A | Main:63, Photo:57, Video:76 | Redmi 12 5G has better video score than its photo score and has been evaluated by DxOMark. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Quadruple camera, Night Mode | Dual Camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Panorama | Redmi Note 10S captures higher quality videos, while Redmi 12 5G offers enhanced focus and stabilization for photos. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have same battery capacity for similar battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Redmi Note 10S charges much faster than Redmi 12 5G. |
| Reverse Charging | Yes | No | Redmi Note 10S can charge other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 (upgradable to 14) | Redmi 12 5G ships with a newer OS and is likely to receive more updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | Both have very similar WiFi support, except Redmi Note 10S supports WiFi MiMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 | Similar Bluetooth performance and features |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | Redmi Note 10S supports Galileo for more accurate positioning. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM, Dual Standby | Dual Nano SIM, Dual Standby | Both offer similar dual SIM capability |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Redmi 12 5G offers higher storage capacity options than Redmi Note 10S. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 4 GB or 6 GB or 8 GB | Similar RAM options for comparable performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic | Redmi Note 10S delivers superior audio experience with stereo speakers and Hi-Res Audio. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both offer similar security features. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Both phones use similar screen protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Redmi Note 10S offers more comprehensive sensor suite. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED display offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and better contrast.
- Higher Brightness: Significantly better visibility in outdoor, bright sunlight conditions.
- Better Cameras: Higher resolution main and front cameras, plus wide-angle and macro lenses.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging significantly reduces charging times, and reverse charging.
- Better Audio: Hi-Res Audio and stereo speakers provide a superior audio experience.
- Better Sensors: More comprehensive sensor suite suitable for advanced features and gaming.
- More Satellites for GPS: Galileo support for more accurate positioning.
Practical Implications:
- The AMOLED display of the Redmi Note 10S is better for media consumption, especially in dark environments.
- The higher brightness of the Redmi Note 10S enhances outdoor visibility, making it more usable in sunny conditions.
- The camera system is more versatile with its wide-angle and macro lens.
- Faster charging can be a huge time saver for users on the go.
- Enhanced audio experience with Hi-Res Audio is great for audiophiles.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G Advantages:
- Newer Chipset: The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm) is more power efficient and offers better performance.
- Larger Display: 6.79" screen provides a more immersive experience for videos, games, and reading.
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate provides smoother animations and scrolling.
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 13, which will get more updates.
- Video Stabilization: The phone has better video stabilization.
- Larger Storage Options: Up to 256 GB storage capacity.
- Better video DxOMark score: The phone has better video performance.
Practical Implications:
- The Snapdragon chipset is more future-proof and offers better overall performance and battery efficiency.
- The larger display is great for media consumption and for people who prefer larger screens.
- The 90Hz refresh rate makes everyday use smoother and more responsive.
- Having the latest version of android and being able to update to next version provides more functionalities and security.
- Having better video stabilization is great for video recording.
Trade-offs:
- The Redmi Note 10S sacrifices some performance and a bit of screen smoothness for a superior display, camera system, and faster charging.
- The Redmi 12 5G sacrifices display quality, charging speed and some camera features for a newer chipset and a larger, smoother display.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Ideal User:
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: People who consume a lot of video content, watch movies, and play games will benefit from the superior AMOLED display and stereo speakers.
- Photography Lovers: Users who value camera quality, want detailed photos, and use various lenses (wide-angle, macro) will prefer the Redmi Note 10S.
- Users with Outdoor Lifestyles: Those who often use their phones in bright sunlight will appreciate the higher brightness display.
- Users who value fast charging: Users who want to charge their phone faster.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos with great detail and dynamic range.
- Taking detailed photos and videos in various conditions.
- Playing graphics-intensive games with smooth performance.
- Quickly topping up the battery between work and activities.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G Ideal User:
- Everyday Users: People who prioritize a smooth, fast user experience for everyday tasks, media consumption, browsing, and social media.
- Gamers: Players who appreciate higher refresh rates for smoother gaming experience.
- Users Who Prefer Larger Screens: Those who enjoy a large display for media consumption and ease of use.
- Users seeking future-proof technology: Users who want the latest OS and chipset.
- Users who value video recording with stability: Users who want a video camera with good stabilization features.
Use Cases:
- Smoothly browsing through social media feeds and web pages.
- Playing casual and moderate games with smoother animations.
- Enjoying movies and videos on a larger screen.
- Using the phone for daily tasks with a longer-lasting battery.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Display Priority: Do you prioritize a vibrant, high-contrast AMOLED display (Redmi Note 10S) or a larger, smoother 90Hz display (Redmi 12 5G)?
- Camera Needs: Do you need a versatile camera system with multiple lenses (Redmi Note 10S) or is a standard camera with stabilization sufficient (Redmi 12 5G)?
- Performance & Battery: Do you prioritize faster charging speed (Redmi Note 10S) or a newer, more efficient chipset with a larger battery (Redmi 12 5G)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Media Consumption & Photography: If you primarily use your phone for watching videos, playing games, and taking photos, the Redmi Note 10S is a better choice due to its superior AMOLED display, camera system, and faster charging.
- Scenario 2: Everyday Use & Gaming: If you prioritize a smooth, responsive experience for daily tasks, browsing, social media, and casual gaming, the Redmi 12 5G is more suitable with its larger, smoother display and efficient chipset.
- Scenario 3: Outdoor Use & Long Battery Life: If you often use your phone outdoors and in bright sunlight, and you don't mind the display quality, the Redmi 12 5G is preferable.
- Scenario 4: Video Recording: If you prioritize a better video recording performance, the Redmi 12 5G is the preferred choice.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S. While the Redmi 12 5G offers a newer chipset and a larger, smoother display, the superior AMOLED screen of the Note 10S is a major advantage for me as I value the vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, which makes a big difference for media consumption, particularly when watching movies or playing games. Additionally, I appreciate the versatility of the Note 10S's camera system, with its wide-angle and macro lenses. Also, the much faster charging of the Redmi Note 10S, is a feature I would highly value. The small performance boost of the Redmi 12 5G is not a trade-off for the superior screen of the Note 10S for me.
