Alright, let's dive deep into the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 and Realme 12+, two mid-range contenders that are vying for your attention. As always, we’ll be looking past the spec sheets and focusing on how these numbers translate into your real-world usage. Let's get started!
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed breakdown of the key specifications, presented in a way that highlights their practical implications:
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 | Realme 12+ | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.9 × 76.2 × 8 mm | 163 × 75.5 × 7.9 mm | Slightly larger, taller build vs. a slightly smaller and thinner one. |
| Weight | 188g | 190g | Virtually identical; both feel light in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.67" | Identical immersive screen size, great for media and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Sharp and clear visuals on both phones. |
| PPI | 395 | 395 | Excellent pixel density, leading to crisp images and text. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Rich colors, deep blacks, excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 2000 nits | Realme 12+ shines outdoors with far better visibility under sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) | Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | Realme 12+ offers superior performance; smoother operation for most use cases. |
| AnTuTu Score | 460,800 | 601,000 | Real-world difference is noticeable, with Realme 12+ feeling significantly snappier. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Gaming performance and graphics rendering are superior on Realme 12+. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | All-day battery life under typical use. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 67W fast charging | Realme 12+ charges much faster, saving you time. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor | 50MP f/1.88, 1/2" sensor | Realme 12+ captures more detail, better low-light performance with a larger sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP f/2.45 | 16MP f/2.45 | Realme 12+ offers slightly better selfies with higher resolution. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP f/2.2, 1/4" sensor | 8MP f/2.2 | Comparable wide-angle shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Similar macro photography performance. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps (EIS), 1080p@60fps (EIS) | Realme 12+ records significantly higher quality video (4k) with better stabilization. |
| Stabilization | No | Yes | Better video stability on Realme 12+ due to EIS. |
| DXOMark | Mobile: 69 Photo: 74 Video: 49 | Not tested | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 has been tested, showing reasonable scores. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 14 | Realme 12+ comes with a newer OS with updated features. |
| Max Version | Not specified | 16 | Realme 12+ has more software updates guaranteed. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Faster, more efficient connections with Wi-Fi 6 (Realme 12+). |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 LE | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | Improved connectivity and power efficiency on Realme 12+. |
| GPS | More systems | Basic system | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 offers better GPS accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 128/256/512 GB | More storage options on Realme 12+, catering to heavy users. |
| RAM | 4/6/8GB | 8/12GB | Significantly better multi-tasking and app performance on Realme 12+. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | No storage expansion on both models. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Better audio experience in Realme 12+ |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both have a fingerprint sensor but implementation type is not specified for the Realme 12+. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 has a slightly superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Proximity | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 has slightly better sensors for enhanced features and user experiences. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12:
- Strengths: Reliable performance for everyday tasks, decent camera setup, good display, and superior GPS accuracy. It also has a known brand of screen protection.
- Competitive Advantages: Offers good value for the price, with a known screen protection, better GPS accuracy and an Ultrasonic proximity sensor which provides better performance.
- Trade-offs: Weaker chipset, slower charging, basic video quality, and less feature rich audio when compared to Realme 12+.
Realme 12+:
- Strengths: Significantly better performance with a more powerful chipset, much faster charging, superior camera with 4K video recording, brighter display, modern OS, more RAM and storage options, better connectivity, more feature rich audio.
- Competitive Advantages: A clear all-rounder advantage. It is faster, brighter, and has a higher quality video.
- Trade-offs: No expandable storage, and is heavier than some other phones on the market.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12:
- Best for: Users who need a reliable phone for basic tasks and casual users.
- Use Cases: Everyday communication, browsing, basic social media, and media consumption at home.
- Price-to-Value: Good value for the budget-conscious user who is not too demanding of power or performance.
Realme 12+:
- Best for: Performance-conscious users who want a smooth and responsive experience. Also better for users who need the highest video recording quality possible.
- Use Cases: Heavy multi-tasking, gaming, mobile photography, videography, content creation and heavy social media usage.
- Price-to-Value: Offers excellent value for money given its features and performance.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help you decide, ask yourself these questions:
- How important is performance? If you're a gamer or heavy multitasker, the Realme 12+ is the clear winner.
- How important is video recording? If you need 4K video, the Realme 12+ is the clear winner with EIS.
- How important is quick charging? The Realme 12+ charges much faster, saving you significant time.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget User: If budget is your primary concern and you only need basic phone functions, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is a solid choice.
- Performance User: If you need smooth performance, faster app loading, and better gaming, the Realme 12+ is the phone you should get.
- Media Enthusiast: If you love watching videos or creating content, the brighter display, better audio, higher-quality video recording of the Realme 12+ will be the best fit.
What I Would Choose and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would go with the Realme 12+. The sheer performance boost offered by the Dimensity 7050 chipset and 12GB of RAM, combined with the much faster 67W charging, brighter display, vastly superior video capabilities, better audio experience, and newer OS, make it the more compelling option for a tech enthusiast like myself. While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is a decent option in its own right, it simply doesn't match the overall performance, feature set, and future-proofing of the Realme 12+. It’s clear that the Realme 12+ is the better choice for anyone who values performance, media quality, and a premium user experience.
