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 taller, narrower and thinner making it a bit more pocketable, while the Note 9T is wider and thicker. |
| Weight | 199g | 196g | Both are similarly weighted, difference is negligible. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.7" | Realme 12 Pro+ offers a marginally larger screen, which is better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2412 | Both have similar resolutions; slight difference is hardly noticeable. |
| PPI | 395 | 394 | Very similar pixel density. Both offer sharp images. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Realme 12 Pro+ provides superior blacks, contrast, and potentially better power efficiency with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Realme 12 Pro+ offers significantly smoother animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is the same for both which is unknown and not ideal |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | Realme 12 Pro+’s newer 4nm chip is more power-efficient and powerful. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 603,400 | Realme 12 Pro+ has significantly better performance, suitable for gaming and demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 710 | Realme 12 Pro+ has a better GPU for graphical performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | Realme 12 Pro+ has a slightly higher resolution main camera. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.56" | Realme 12 Pro+'s larger sensor typically gathers more light, resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.00 µm | Larger pixel size on the Realme 12 Pro+ for better light capture in low-light scenarios. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 13MP | 32MP | Realme 12 Pro+ has a significantly higher resolution selfie camera, resulting in more detailed images. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.1" | 1/2.74" | Realme 12 Pro+’s larger sensor leads to better quality selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 64MP | Realme 12 Pro+ has dedicated telephoto camera for optical zoom, absent in Note 9T. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP | No | Redmi Note 9T has a dedicated depth sensor, though its impact may be minimal in real-world use. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | No | Redmi Note 9T has a dedicated macro lens, but the quality is typically not very good. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | No | 8MP | Realme 12 Pro+ has a dedicated ultrawide/macro camera. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Both have similar resolution video capabilities; Realme 12 Pro+ has EIS for better stabilization. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes, EIS | Realme 12 Pro+ has Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) for smoother video recording. |
| Slow Motion | 120 fps | 240 fps | Realme 12 Pro+ supports higher frame rates for better slow-motion. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW | Realme 12 Pro+ has more advanced features like optical zoom and OIS, which give a better camera experience. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacity. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Realme 12 Pro+ charges significantly faster. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 | Realme 12 Pro+ ships with a much newer version of Android. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) | Realme 12 Pro+ supports Wi-Fi 6 for faster speeds, lower latency and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Realme 12 Pro+ has a newer Bluetooth version with more codecs available. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, Galileo, GLONASS (L1) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Realme 12 Pro+ supports more satellite systems for more reliable location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB or 128GB | 128 GB or 256 GB or 512 GB | Realme 12 Pro+ has more storage options with up to 512GB. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8GB or 12GB | Realme 12 Pro+ has more RAM options which allows for better multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Realme 12 Pro+ offers better audio quality, enhanced spatial audio, and better mic quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Redmi Note 9T has a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | Both have the same basic sensors, with minor variations. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T Advantages:
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Offers a more convenient and ergonomically pleasing unlocking method compared to the standard sensor of the Realme.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Sensor: Offers the ability to take macro and depth shots (although these are often of limited usefulness)
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers superior protection compared to the unknown screen protection on the Realme.
Realme 12 Pro+ Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate offers significantly better viewing experience with vibrant colors, better contrast, smoother animations and more efficient for dark themes.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chip and much higher AnTuTu score result in smoother performance, better gaming, and overall faster experience.
- Better Camera System: Larger main camera sensor, higher resolution selfie camera, the inclusion of a telephoto lens and OIS, lead to a much more versatile and better camera experience.
- Faster Charging: 67W fast charging dramatically reduces charging times and faster charging speeds.
- More Modern Software: Ships with Android 14 compared to Android 10, offering updated features and better security.
- Superior Audio Experience: Supports Dolby Atmos, a noise cancellation microphone and two microphones for clearer calls, enhanced spatial audio and better sound quality.
- Better Connectivity: Newer WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 offer faster speeds, lower latency and more codec support.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers more storage capacity with options of 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB and more RAM options with 8GB or 12GB.
- Better Location Tracking: Supports more satellite systems for better location tracking.
Trade-offs:
- The Redmi Note 9T's side-mounted fingerprint sensor may be preferable for some, but the Realme 12 Pro+ offers more in every other area.
- Redmi Note 9T does have macro and depth sensors but their quality and usefulness are questionable.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Someone who prioritizes affordability above all else and may be using the device for basic functions.
- Users Who Prefer Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Users who specifically prefer a side-mounted fingerprint scanner.
- Users Who want a bit more screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 may be preferred for users that are accident prone.
Use Cases for Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T:
- Basic daily tasks like browsing, calling, texting, and social media.
- Users that don't care about gaming, photography, or video editing.
Realme 12 Pro+ Ideal User:
- Users Seeking Better Performance: People who require a smooth, responsive phone for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who want a versatile camera system with telephoto zoom and better low-light capabilities.
- Media Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos and need a vibrant display with smooth animations and high contrast.
- Power Users: Those who want faster charging and a more modern experience.
Use Cases for Realme 12 Pro+:
- Demanding mobile gaming with high frame rates.
- High quality photography and videography.
- Watching videos and movies on a vibrant display.
- Users that care about faster charging and a better overall daily experience.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Realme 12 Pro+ is likely more expensive but offers a significantly better experience in nearly every way. The Redmi Note 9T is a basic phone, while the Realme 12 Pro+ is a significantly higher-end device. The value provided by the Realme 12 Pro+ is significantly better.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is performance and gaming to you? If you’re a heavy gamer or need a powerful phone, the Realme 12 Pro+ is the obvious choice.
- How much do you value display quality? If you prioritize vibrant colors, deep blacks, and a smooth viewing experience, the Realme 12 Pro+'s AMOLED panel is significantly better.
- How important is camera versatility and quality? If you need a versatile camera with features like telephoto zoom, OIS, and better low-light performance, the Realme 12 Pro+ is much better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget User): If your budget is extremely limited and you only need the phone for basic functions, the Redmi Note 9T might be adequate.
- Scenario 2 (Performance and Media User): If you want smooth performance, excellent display quality, and better audio, the Realme 12 Pro+ is the way to go.
- Scenario 3 (Photography Enthusiast): If you value a good camera with versatile options and great low light performance, the Realme 12 Pro+ will be a better choice.
My Choice
I would choose the Realme 12 Pro+. Here's why:
While the Redmi Note 9T has a few minor benefits such as a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, the Realme 12 Pro+ offers a vastly superior experience in almost every aspect that matters to me. The AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate is a significant upgrade, and I prioritize smooth performance and the superior camera system. The faster charging is also a major plus, as is the better audio experience. For my needs, the Realme 12 Pro+’s overall experience is worth the extra cost making it a no-brainer. The Redmi Note 9T is a budget phone and the Realme 12 Pro+ is a higher-end device and it shows.
