Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 and the ZTE Blade A75 4G. It's always fun to see how these two devices stack up, especially when considering the real-world implications for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of their key specs, highlighting how they impact daily use:
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 | ZTE Blade A75 4G | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.9 × 76.2 × 8 mm | 164.1 × 75.8 × 8.6 mm | The Redmi Note 12 is slightly taller, while the Blade A75 4G is a bit thicker. Both are quite similar and will handle roughly the same in the hand. |
| Weight | 188g | 189g | Both are virtually the same, won't feel drastically different in hand or pocket. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.6" | Very similar screen sizes, barely noticeable difference in daily use. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 720 x 1612 | Redmi Note 12 has a significantly sharper display; text and images will be clearer and less pixelated on the Redmi. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 395 | 267 | Again, the Redmi Note 12 offers noticeably crisper visuals; a great benefit for reading, viewing media, and overall clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Redmi Note 12 will have deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency for dark themes; better viewing experience especially in dark environments. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Redmi Note 12 provides slightly smoother animations and scrolling, contributing to a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | Redmi Note 12 will be vastly superior in bright outdoor sunlight making it easier to view the screen on bright days |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 in the Redmi Note 12 offers significantly faster performance for apps, multitasking and gaming; will feel smoother overall. |
| AnTuTu Score | 460,800 | 240,000 | Redmi Note 12 provides much better performance for all tasks, resulting in snappier overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G57 MP1 | The Redmi Note 12's GPU is better suited for more intensive graphics, especially useful for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both should offer similar battery life based on capacity alone, but the more power-efficient chipset of the Redmi Note 12 may lead to longer battery endurance. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 22.5W Fast Charging | Redmi Note 12 will charge faster, getting you back up and running quicker. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP (f/1.8) | 50MP (f/1.8) | The Blade has a higher megapixel count (by a tiny amount) but the real-world photo quality depends on a lot more than just MP counts, this may result in similar image quality |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP (f/2.45) | 8MP | Redmi Note 12 has a higher resolution for selfies, resulting in slightly higher detail. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP (f/2.2) | Not Available | Redmi Note 12 offers a wider field of view for group shots or landscapes. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | Not Available | Redmi Note 12 lets you capture close-up shots of small objects. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps, Slow-mo:120fps | 1080p@30fps, Slow-mo:30fps | Both are similar for social media video sharing but the Redmi Note 12 offers the opportunity for higher-quality slow-motion video capture. |
| DxoMark Score | Overall: 69, Photo: 74, Video: 49 | Not Available | Redmi Note 12's camera performance is relatively better overall. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13 | ZTE Blade A75 4G comes with a newer version of Android with better UI features, security improvements, and privacy enhancements. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac, Dual-band, MiMO | 802.11ac, Dual-band | Both support fast WiFi, but the Redmi Note 12 supports WiFi MiMO for potentially better signal stability and speed in some environments. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 with LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.0 | Redmi Note 12 has a more recent version and supports LDAC, SBC, and AAC codecs for higher-quality Bluetooth audio. |
| GPS | L1+L5, GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Redmi Note 12 offers more precise location tracking with dual-frequency GPS; better accuracy in dense urban environments. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both offer same internal storage, enough for photos, videos, and apps for most users. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 4/8 GB | Both provide sufficient RAM for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, but the 256 GB option should be enough for most users. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic | DTS/ DTS X | ZTE provides slightly better audio enhancements for music and videos with DTS and DTS-X compatibility. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both have fast and convenient fingerprint scanners. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | The Redmi Note 12 provides better protection from scratches, increasing the phone's overall durability. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity Virtual | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | The Redmi Note 12 offers more sensors for additional capabilities such as compass navigation and precise proximity detection. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12: Strengths
- Superior Display: AMOLED, high resolution, 120Hz refresh, and high brightness make it a clear winner for media consumption and general use.
- Stronger Performance: The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset provides much better overall performance for all tasks including gaming.
- More Versatile Camera: The Redmi's triple camera setup with wide-angle and macro lenses offers more flexibility.
ZTE Blade A75 4G: Strengths
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 13 out of the box, potentially providing a better UI experience and newer features.
- Enhanced Audio: The DTS/DTS-X enhances the sound experience for videos and music.
- Solid Battery Life: Matching the Redmi in capacity.
- Cheaper price: Likely to be priced much lower making it a very attractive budget device.
Trade-Offs and Limitations:
- The Redmi Note 12 lacks expandable storage which will be a deal-breaker for some users.
- ZTE Blade A75 4G's performance is much lower, with an IPS LCD display.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 12:
- Ideal For: Users who value display quality, smooth performance, and a more versatile camera system. Great for media consumption, gaming, and those who want a fluid daily experience.
- Use Cases: Watching videos, playing games, capturing photos/videos, heavy app usage, outdoor use in bright conditions.
- ZTE Blade A75 4G:
- Ideal For: Users who prioritize battery life, affordability, and a simple user experience. Good for those who don’t need high-end performance.
- Use Cases: Daily communication, web browsing, social media, listening to music and watching videos, basic photo capture.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are some questions to guide your decision:
- How important is display quality to you? If you want a vibrant, sharp, and bright screen, the Redmi Note 12 is the obvious choice.
- What kind of performance do you need? If you plan on gaming or running resource-intensive apps, the Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon processor is significantly better.
- How important is price to you? If you're on a tight budget, the Blade A75 4G is going to be much more affordable with slight trade-offs in performance and display.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If you're primarily after a basic smartphone for everyday tasks like calling, messaging, and occasional browsing, the ZTE Blade A75 4G makes sense for its affordability and the Android 13 operating system.
- Media Enthusiast: For those who frequently watch videos or play games, the Redmi Note 12 will provide a much better experience thanks to its superior display and much more powerful chipset.
- Photo Lover: If you often capture photos and videos, the Redmi Note 12's more versatile camera setup (especially its wide-angle lens) and slightly better imaging will make a noticeable difference.
- Tech Enthusiast: If you're someone who appreciates having the best in class performance the Redmi Note 12 is the clear winner, providing significantly more power in all aspects of the phone.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I would absolutely go with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12. While the ZTE Blade A75 4G has its merits, the Redmi Note 12 offers a superior display with AMOLED, a 120hz refresh rate, better overall performance thanks to the Snapdragon chipset, and more features and sensors like a wide-angle camera. The higher pixel density and maximum brightness also makes it the clear choice for me. The only downside is no expandable storage but 256 GB of internal storage should be enough for me. While it might come with a higher price tag, the overall experience and daily usage would be significantly better for the added features that you get. For the type of daily usage I would put a phone through the extra performance and superior screen would be well worth the added expense.
