1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G, focusing on practical implications:
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.2 × 77.3 × 9.1 mm | 164.2 × 76.1 × 8.1 mm | Note 12 Pro 4G is taller and thinner, the Note 9T is wider, both have similar overall volume and are unlikely to feel drastically different in the hand. |
| Weight | 199g | 201.8g | Almost identical weight, both phones will feel comparable in terms of heft. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.67" | Note 12 Pro 4G offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both provide a sharp viewing experience with similar pixel density. |
| PPI | 395 | 395 | Identical sharpness, no visible difference in pixel density. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Note 12 Pro 4G's AMOLED offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, particularly noticeable when viewing dark content or in low light. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Note 12 Pro 4G offers smoother scrolling and animations, making the phone feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits (spec is missing) | 1200 nits | Note 12 Pro 4G has significantly higher brightness, which improves outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) | Note 12 Pro 4G has slightly better performance and efficiency based on benchmarks (16% higher). |
| Antutu Score | 343,150 | 397,200 | Note 12 Pro 4G is expected to perform slightly better in gaming and other demanding applications. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 618 | Different GPUs, indicating potentially different performance characteristics, but the Note 12 Pro 4G's Adreno 618 is generally better for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5020mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, expecting similar day-to-day battery life. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 67W fast charging | Note 12 Pro 4G charges much faster, minimizing downtime when needing to recharge. |
| Features | 22.5W charger inbox | Reverse charging | Note 9T includes charger in box, Note 12 Pro 4G can be used to charge other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52" sensor | Note 12 Pro 4G captures more detailed images due to its higher resolution and larger sensor, while 9T performs slightly better in low light thanks to wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.25, 1/3.1" sensor | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13" sensor | Note 12 Pro 4G has slightly higher resolution and less wide aperture than Note 9T; overall similar selfie camera quality. |
| Wide Angle | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor | Note 12 Pro 4G offers the flexibility of a wide-angle lens for capturing more in a single shot. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor | Both offer similar depth-sensing capabilities for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor | Note 12 Pro 4G offers more detailed close-up shots with a higher resolution macro lens. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps, Slow-mo 120fps | Up to 4K@30fps, Slow-mo 960fps | Both capture 4K video, Note 12 Pro 4G has higher slow-motion capabilities, capturing details missed by 9T. |
| Features | Triple camera, Manual focus | Quadruple camera, Continuous autofocus, RAW, Night Mode | Note 12 Pro 4G offers more versatile features and options, including better night mode and RAW format, for those who want maximum control over their shots. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 | Note 12 Pro 4G has a more recent version of Android out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Both phones support similar Wi-Fi standards and features. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 (LDAC, AAC) | 5.1 (EDR, HID) | Both have similar bluetooth, with some different codecs supported. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, Galileo, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Note 12 Pro 4G supports a wider range of satellite systems, potentially offering better GPS accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both phones support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128GB | 128/256GB | Note 12 Pro 4G offers more storage options, which is useful if you plan to download a lot of apps, pictures, videos or music. |
| RAM | 4GB | 6/8GB | Note 12 Pro 4G has more RAM, meaning it will likely run more apps smoothly and be less prone to slowdowns. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for external storage expansion, so selecting the higher storage variant is important. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Both have excellent audio features and will deliver comparable audio quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side fingerprint sensor | Side fingerprint sensor | Both offer fast fingerprint unlocking via a side-mounted sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Both devices provide similar screen protection. |
| Sensors | Comprehensive sensor suite | Comprehensive sensor suite | Both phones have comprehensive sensors, good for any kind of use. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T Advantages:
- Slightly wider aperture in the main camera: Might perform better in low light conditions, capturing more light.
- Comes with charger in the box: Saves money and time for the user.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G Advantages:
- Superior AMOLED Display: Offers significantly better contrast, color vibrancy, and deeper blacks, resulting in a more enjoyable visual experience.
- 120Hz Refresh Rate: Provides smoother scrolling and animations, leading to a more responsive feel.
- Higher Brightness: Significantly better visibility in bright outdoor environments, making the screen much easier to read in sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 67W fast charging drastically reduces charging times compared to the 18W on the Note 9T.
- Better Performance: Offers slightly better performance in benchmarks, translating to a snappier experience in everyday use and gaming.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: Captures more detailed images, especially beneficial for photography enthusiasts.
- Additional camera lens: Wide angle lens provides more flexibility.
- More RAM & Storage: More RAM allows for better multitasking and the larger internal storage capacity is beneficial for storing more apps, photos, and media.
- More Recent Android OS: More up-to-date software with newer features and security patches.
Trade-offs:
- The Note 12 Pro 4G is slightly larger and heavier than the Note 9T.
- The Note 9T has a wider main camera aperture for potentially better low light photos, but the Note 12 Pro 4G has a larger sensor which often makes it better.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize a reliable device with good battery life.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday social media use, web browsing, and light gaming.
- Users who value a more compact phone.
- Users who prefer a more affordable device.
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G:
- Ideal User: Users who want a better display, camera, faster performance, and charging speeds.
- Use Cases:
- Frequent media consumption (videos, streaming, gaming).
- Photography and content creation.
- Users who want a premium visual and user experience.
- Users who want a future-proof phone.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality? If having vibrant colors, deep blacks and high brightness is a priority, the Note 12 Pro 4G is the better choice.
- How much do you value fast charging and a smooth experience? The Note 12 Pro 4G’s 67W charging and 120Hz refresh rate provide substantial improvements.
- What is your budget? If cost is the most important factor the Note 9T would be a good choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy media consumption & gaming: Choose the Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G for its superior AMOLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, and slightly better performance.
- Scenario 2: Photography: Choose the Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G for its higher resolution main camera, wide angle lens and advanced features like night mode, and RAW.
- Scenario 3: Budget-conscious users needing basic functionality: The Redmi Note 9T offers a very good experience at a lower price.
What would I choose and why?
I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G. While the Redmi Note 9T is a decent budget phone, the Note 12 Pro 4G offers a superior experience in several key areas that are important to me, such as the vastly improved AMOLED display (better for watching videos, social media and general usage), faster charging, and better camera system (better image quality, higher resolution). While the Note 9T offers a slightly wider aperture, the other advantages of the Note 12 Pro 4G are more appealing overall. Additionally, the slightly better processor and higher RAM, as well as being a newer device, mean it is a little more future-proof and will likely receive more software updates and have better performance over the life of the device. I am also happy to forgo a charger in the box, as I have many chargers already, and will use a higher wattage charger to take advantage of the 67W fast charging.
