1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | vivo iQOO 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.2 × 77.3 × 9.1 mm | 163.2 × 75.9 × 8.1 mm | iQOO 12 is slightly taller and thinner, Redmi Note 9T is a bit wider. Redmi Note 9T has slightly more overall volume, iQOO 12 should feel more sleek |
| Weight | 199g | 198.5g | Virtually identical weight - both feel similar in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.78" | iQOO 12 offers a slightly larger screen, providing a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1260x2800 | iQOO 12 has a significantly sharper display, text and images will appear much clearer. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 395 | 453 | iQOO 12 will have a noticeably crisper image, especially noticeable when reading small text. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | iQOO 12's AMOLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency when using dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | iQOO 12 provides much smoother scrolling and animations, making the UI and gaming feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 3000 nits | iQOO 12 will be much easier to see in bright sunlight, making outdoor usage significantly better. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | iQOO 12 has a much more powerful and efficient processor, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| Antutu Score | 343,150 | 2,020,000 | iQOO 12 offers dramatically superior performance, showcasing how much faster and smoother the phone will be. The iQOO 12 is significantly more future-proof. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 750 | iQOO 12's GPU provides superior graphics performance for gaming and graphically intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life under normal usage. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 120W fast charging | iQOO 12 charges much faster, getting you back to full power in minutes instead of hours. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | iQOO 12's main camera has a slightly higher resolution, potentially capturing more details. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.3" | iQOO 12's larger sensor captures more light, improving low-light performance and overall image quality. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.20 µm | iQOO 12's larger pixel size also improves low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 13MP | 16MP | iQOO 12's front camera has a slightly higher resolution, potentially capturing more details. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.25 | f/2.45 | Redmi Note 9T's wider aperture will let in slightly more light for better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 64MP | iQOO 12 offers a telephoto lens for optical zoom, enabling high quality zoomed-in photos. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 2MP | No | Redmi Note 9T has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, while iQOO 12 does not. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | No | Redmi Note 9T has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, while iQOO 12 does not. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | No | 50MP | iQOO 12 has an ultrawide lens that can also take macro photos. |
| Video Resolution | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | iQOO 12 can record higher resolution videos with EIS, which is beneficial for video content creation. |
| Video Stabilization | No | EIS | iQOO 12 has electronic image stabilization for smoother video recording. |
| Slow Motion | 120fps | 960fps | iQOO 12 captures higher quality slow-motion videos. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 | iQOO 12 offers a significantly newer OS, providing the latest features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 7 | iQOO 12 supports the latest Wi-Fi standard for faster speeds and better performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.4 | iQOO 12 has a newer Bluetooth version for faster and more efficient connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, Galileo, GLONASS | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), QZSS (L1 + L5) | iQOO 12 has more satellite options for improved accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB or 1024 GB | iQOO 12 has much more storage. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 12 GB or 16 GB | iQOO 12 has much more RAM, improving multitasking and overall performance |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both offer good sound, iQOO 12 has Dolby Atmos while Redmi Note 9T has Hi-Res Audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Redmi Note 9T has a more practical fingerprint sensor placement. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Redmi Note 9T has known protection, iQOO 12 protection is not known. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both phones include common sensors, Redmi Note 9T includes an ultrasonic proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T Advantages:
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More practical placement for many users than under-display.
- Dedicated Macro and Portrait (Depth) Lenses: Provides more camera flexibility in specific scenarios like close-up photography and portraits with background blur.
- Known Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers known screen protection, where the iQOO 12 is unknown.
- Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor: Potentially more accurate and reliable proximity detection.
- Includes charger in the box A 22.5W charger is included in the box
vivo iQOO 12 Advantages:
- Superior Display: Larger, higher resolution, AMOLED with higher refresh rate and brightness, offering much better viewing experience.
- Much Higher Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset offers significantly faster processing, smoother gaming, and better multitasking capabilities.
- Faster Charging: 120W charging greatly reduces downtime, significantly more convenient than the 18W of the Redmi Note 9T.
- Advanced Camera System: Higher resolution, larger sensor, a dedicated telephoto lens, and ultrawide lens with macro capabilities, along with superior video recording and image processing capabilities.
- Newer Software: Comes with a much newer Android version with a promise of future updates.
- Better Connectivity: Supports the latest WiFi standard and Bluetooth version.
- Significantly More Storage and RAM: Much larger storage and RAM capacity are useful for demanding users.
Trade-offs:
- iQOO 12 lacks dedicated Macro and Depth sensor: sacrifices these lenses for a better ultrawide.
- iQOO 12 has unknown screen protection: This might be a concern for some users.
- iQOO 12 lacks charger in the box
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who need a reliable phone for basic daily tasks, prefer a physical fingerprint reader, and appreciate specific camera lenses.
- Use Cases:
- Basic social media browsing.
- Casual photography and close-up shots.
- Everyday communication (calls, messaging).
- Users who prioritize a more affordable phone with a side fingerprint reader.
- Price-to-Value: A very budget-friendly option that does what it does well.
vivo iQOO 12:
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, and multimedia enthusiasts who demand high performance, excellent display quality, and advanced camera capabilities.
- Use Cases:
- Intense mobile gaming and graphic-heavy applications.
- High-quality video streaming and content consumption.
- Professional-grade photography and videography.
- Users who need a future-proof smartphone with the latest technologies.
- Price-to-Value: A high-end device with cutting-edge technologies and premium performance, justified by its performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a phone?
- Performance Needs: Do you need cutting-edge performance for gaming, heavy multitasking, or professional tasks?
- Camera Priorities: Do you prioritize specific camera features (like macro or depth) or overall image quality?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Limited Budget, Basic Needs: If your budget is limited, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T offers essential smartphone functions at a lower price point, but consider that the phone is significantly older.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Display Prioritized: If performance, display quality, and advanced camera features are important to you, the vivo iQOO 12 is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Use, Occasional Gaming: If you need a capable phone but don't require the absolute highest performance, the vivo iQOO 12 is still the better choice.
My Choice
I would choose the vivo iQOO 12.
While the Redmi Note 9T is a decent budget phone with a few nice features, the iQOO 12 offers a vastly superior experience across almost all metrics that matter most to me. As someone who values a responsive phone, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset with a large amount of RAM means it will remain fluid and handle heavy tasks with ease for years to come. The 144Hz AMOLED display is a massive improvement, making viewing content and interacting with the phone feel much smoother. The substantially improved camera system with telephoto and ultrawide capabilities and advanced features like 8k recording and better stabilization means it's much more versatile, capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos in a wider range of scenarios. Finally, the 120W fast charging is a game-changer in convenience. Though it's considerably more expensive, I feel the iQOO 12 provides a far better value considering how much it outperforms the Redmi Note 9T and should have great longevity.
