Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T vs. Realme 12 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.2 × 77.3 × 9.1 mm | 161.5 × 74 × 8.8 mm | Realme 12 Pro is slightly slimmer and narrower, potentially more comfortable for one-handed use. Xiaomi Note 9T is slightly bulkier. |
| Weight | 199g | 190g | Realme 12 Pro is lighter, which is beneficial for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.7" | Realme 12 Pro offers a slightly larger viewing area for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2412 | Both offer similar sharpness, with minimal difference. |
| PPI | 395 | 394 | Visually identical sharpness, no practical difference. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Realme 12 Pro's AMOLED provides deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency, particularly with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Realme 12 Pro offers significantly smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits (Not Specified) | 950 nits | Realme 12 Pro is drastically brighter, making it much more usable outdoors in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Realme 12 Pro's newer chipset is more powerful, efficient, and better for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 574,000 | Realme 12 Pro is significantly faster in benchmark tests, translating to better real-world performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 710 | Realme 12 Pro's GPU offers superior graphics performance, better for gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Realme 12 Pro has slightly higher resolution; Xiaomi Note 9T has a slightly wider aperture which can be slightly better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.25 | 16MP, f/2.4 | Realme 12 Pro has higher resolution for selfies. Xiaomi Note 9T's selfie camera has slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 32MP, f/2.0 | Realme 12 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities, which the Xiaomi Note 9T lacks. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | No | Xiaomi Note 9T has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode; Realme 12 Pro does portrait photography via other sensors and software processing |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | No | Xiaomi Note 9T has a dedicated macro lens, enabling detailed close-up shots; Realme 12 Pro uses its wide angle lens for macro. |
| Wide Angle Lens | No | 8MP, f/2.2 | Realme 12 Pro offers a wide angle camera, allowing for wider perspective shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps, No Stabilization | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Realme 12 Pro offers electronic image stabilization (EIS) for smoother videos, while Xiaomi Note 9T does not have stabilization. |
| Features | No OIS, No PDAF, Manual Focus | Optical Zoom, OIS, PDAF | Realme 12 Pro offers optical zoom, OIS for sharper images and videos, and PDAF for faster focusing, lacking on the Redmi Note 9T |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacities, suggesting comparable battery life, though the efficiency of the chipsets can impact battery life. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Realme 12 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime significantly. |
| Charger | 22.5W charger in box | Not specified | Xiaomi Note 9T includes a 22.5W charger in the box. The Realme 12 Pro likely includes a charger in the box, but this was not specified in the dataset. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 | Realme 12 Pro offers a much newer version of Android which will likely provide more features and security updates. |
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (WiFi 6) | Realme 12 Pro has Wi-Fi 6 for faster speeds and better performance on modern routers. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Realme 12 Pro uses a newer Bluetooth version, which may be slightly more power-efficient and have better range. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, Galileo, GLONASS (L1) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Realme 12 Pro supports more satellite systems, likely improving location accuracy. |
| Storage & Audio | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | Realme 12 Pro offers significantly more storage, which is crucial for storing more media and apps. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB | Realme 12 Pro has much more RAM, improving multitasking capabilities and responsiveness. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio | Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Realme 12 Pro offers Dolby Atmos for enhanced audio, with noise cancellation microphones for clearer calls. |
| Security & Build Quality | |||
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T has side mounted fingerprint sensor which might be better than the basic sensor of Realme 12 Pro |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T has Gorilla Glass 5, which provides better protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Xiaomi Note 9T has Compass and Ultrasonic proximity sensor, while Realme 12 Pro has proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T Advantages:
- Slightly wider main camera aperture: Potentially better low-light performance in the main camera.
- Dedicated Depth and Macro lens: Offers a dedicated sensor for portrait and macro images, even though resolution is low.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Side mounted fingerprint sensor might be faster and more convenient than the basic fingerprint sensor of the Realme 12 Pro.
- Included charger in the box: Ships with a 22.5W charger, eliminating the need for a separate purchase.
- Corning Gorilla Glass 5: Has Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for better screen protection against scratches and drops.
- Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor: Provides reliable proximity detection.
Realme 12 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly more powerful chipset: The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 offers much better performance in benchmarks and daily usage.
- Superior Display: AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate provides a more vibrant and fluid visual experience.
- Higher Brightness: Significantly better outdoor visibility with 950 nits of brightness,
- Much Faster Charging: 67W charging greatly reduces charging time compared to 18W.
- Optical Zoom: Offers a telephoto lens with optical zoom capabilities, a feature the Xiaomi lacks.
- More RAM and Storage: Comes with more RAM (up to 12GB) and storage (up to 512GB).
- Better Audio: Supports Dolby Atmos, noise cancellation microphones, and has better audio quality.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Supports newer Bluetooth and Wi-Fi standards for faster and more reliable connections.
- More Satellite Systems: Supports additional satellite systems for better GPS accuracy.
- Main camera with OIS and PDAF: Offers optical image stabilization (OIS) and Phase Detection Autofocus for sharper pictures and faster focusing.
- EIS on video: Has electronic image stabilization (EIS) for video recording.
- Newer Android version: Ships with Android 14, providing access to more features and likely better security updates.
Trade-offs:
- The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T includes a charger in the box and has better screen protection but suffers from much slower performance, lower-quality display, slower charging and lacks an optical zoom lens.
- The Realme 12 Pro offers vastly superior performance, a much better display, faster charging, and optical zoom, but it lacks a dedicated macro lens, might not have as fast fingerprint reader, and its screen protection is not specified.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T:
- Budget-conscious users: Those who prioritize affordability above all else.
- Basic smartphone users: Those who primarily use their phones for calls, texts, and light browsing.
- Users who need good screen protection: Users who are prone to dropping their phones and need a screen that is more durable.
Use Cases for Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T:
- Basic social media browsing and messaging
- Casual video streaming
- Light web browsing
- Simple gaming
- Users who prefer a side mounted fingerprint sensor
Ideal User for Realme 12 Pro:
- Power users: Those who need fast performance for multitasking and gaming.
- Media enthusiasts: Those who prioritize a high-quality display for watching videos and playing games.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who want better camera capabilities including zoom
- Users who need fast charging: Those who want their phone charged as quickly as possible.
Use Cases for Realme 12 Pro:
- Playing graphically intensive games
- Watching high-resolution videos and movies
- Taking high-quality photos and videos, including zoom shots.
- Heavy multitasking and productivity work
- Outdoor use in bright sunlight
- Users who prefer faster refresh rates
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T: Offers good value for basic users.
- Realme 12 Pro: Justifies its price with superior performance, display, and camera system, though might be more expensive.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance? If you need a phone for demanding tasks or gaming, the Realme 12 Pro is significantly better.
- How much do you value display quality? If vibrant colors, smooth animations, and good outdoor visibility are important, the Realme 12 Pro's AMOLED display is much better.
- How important is camera quality and zoom? If you need optical zoom and better all round camera experience, the Realme 12 Pro is better, but if you want a basic camera, the Redmi Note 9T will be adequate.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious & Basic User: If your budget is very tight and you only need a phone for basic tasks, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T is an acceptable option despite its limitations.
- Scenario 2: Performance & Media Enthusiast: If you value performance and a high-quality viewing experience, the Realme 12 Pro is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Photography on a Budget: If you want a camera with optical zoom, the Realme 12 Pro is the better choice. However, if you need a basic camera with a dedicated macro and depth lens, the Redmi Note 9T is acceptable.
What I would choose and why!
Based on the comparison, I would choose the Realme 12 Pro. Here's why:
- Performance is a Priority: I value responsiveness and the ability to handle demanding apps and games. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Realme 12 Pro provides a significant performance boost over the Dimensity 800U in the Xiaomi.
- Superior Display: The AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate of the Realme 12 Pro offers a vastly better viewing experience, which is important for me as I consume a lot of multimedia content and the 950 nits brightness is essential for outdoor use.
- Fast Charging is Essential: The 67W fast charging on the Realme 12 Pro is a significant advantage, as I prefer not waiting too long for my phone to charge.
- Camera Versatility: The telephoto lens with optical zoom on the Realme 12 Pro is a must have, as it allows me more flexibility when taking photos.
- Future Proofing: The Realme 12 Pro has newer standards such as Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, and comes with a newer Android OS, ensuring better performance and compatibility in the future.
While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T has a wider main camera aperture, includes a charger in the box and has better screen protection, these advantages do not offset the significant gains in performance, display quality, charging speed, and camera versatility offered by the Realme 12 Pro. I also prefer the more modern design of the Realme 12 Pro. The Realme 12 Pro provides a far superior overall experience. Therefore, for my needs, the Realme 12 Pro is the better choice.
