HTC U23 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power

The HTC U23 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The U23 aims for a balanced experience with a newer Snapdragon chipset, while the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ aggressively targets charging speed and camera capabilities. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device delivers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is the stronger choice. Its significantly faster 120W charging, coupled with a respectable Dimensity 1080 chipset and advertised 88-hour endurance, outweighs the U23’s slightly more efficient Snapdragon 7 Gen 1. However, the U23’s more compact form factor may appeal to those prioritizing pocketability.

PHONES
Phone Names HTC U23 Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 411, 3, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International, China
5G bands1, 3, 7, 20, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE-A (CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2023, July 172022, October 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, July 26Available. Released 2022, November 01
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back
Dimensions166.6 x 77.1 x 8.9 mm (6.56 x 3.04 x 0.35 in)162.9 x 76 x 8.9 mm (6.41 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight202 g (7.13 oz)208.4 g (7.34 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 120HzOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7450-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm)Mediatek MT6877V Dimensity 1080 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 644Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 13Android 12, MIUI 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Quad64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Auxiliary lens-
Triple-200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4", 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYes-
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired 15W wireless 5W reverse wireless Reverse wired120W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 19 min (advertised)
TypeLi-Ion 4600 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsAqua Blue, Roland VioletArctic White, Iceberg Blue, Obsidian Black, Trend edition
Models-22101316UCP, 22101316UG
Price-$ 348.00 / £ 439.00 / € 399.00 / ₹ 29,949
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 88h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.7 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 498710 (v9) GeekBench: 2208 (v5.1), 2372 (v6) GFXBench: 22fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

HTC U23

  • More power-efficient Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset
  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging support
  • Potentially more compact form factor

  • Significantly slower 30W wired charging
  • Missing display specifications
  • Limited camera information

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+

  • Ultra-fast 120W wired charging (19 minutes to 100%)
  • Long battery life (88h endurance rating)
  • Potentially vibrant AMOLED display

  • Less efficient 6nm Dimensity 1080 chipset
  • No wireless charging support
  • Camera specs lack detail

Display Comparison

The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ boasts an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting a vibrant AMOLED panel, though specific peak brightness figures are absent. The U23’s display specs are not provided, making a direct comparison difficult. However, given its market positioning, it likely utilizes an AMOLED panel as well. The absence of LTPO technology in either device suggests neither offers adaptive refresh rate capabilities for optimal power efficiency. Bezels are likely comparable, typical of this price segment. Color accuracy will depend on software calibration, a factor not detailed in the provided data.

Camera Comparison

The Redmi Note 12 Pro+’s camera system is highlighted by its advertised capabilities, though specific sensor details beyond 'Photo / Video' are missing. The U23’s camera specs are also absent. Without sensor size, aperture, and OIS information, a detailed comparison is impossible. However, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+'s marketing often emphasizes high megapixel counts, potentially indicating a focus on detail capture. Image processing styles will likely differ, with Xiaomi often favoring vibrant, saturated colors, while HTC traditionally aims for more natural tones. The absence of information on both devices makes it difficult to assess low-light performance or video quality.

Performance

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 1080, fabricated on a 6nm process. Its CPU configuration, with 2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, prioritizes peak performance. The HTC U23, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm), employs a different core arrangement: 1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A710, 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710, and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510. The 4nm process of the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 should offer superior thermal efficiency, potentially leading to less throttling during sustained workloads. While the Dimensity 1080’s A78 cores have a higher clock speed, the Snapdragon’s core count and process node suggest a more balanced performance profile. RAM specifications are not provided, but both are likely to utilize LPDDR5X for fast memory access.

Battery Life

The Redmi Note 12 Pro+’s standout feature is its 120W wired charging, advertised to reach 100% in just 19 minutes. This is a significant advantage over the HTC U23’s 30W wired charging. The U23 does offer 15W wireless and 5W reverse wireless charging, features absent on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+. The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ boasts an endurance rating of 88 hours, suggesting a large battery capacity. While the U23’s battery capacity is unknown, the slower charging speed implies a smaller battery or less aggressive charging algorithms. The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is clearly the winner for users prioritizing rapid replenishment.

Buying Guide

Buy the HTC U23 if you prioritize a more compact and potentially cooler-running device, and wireless charging is a must-have. You'll appreciate the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1's efficiency for everyday tasks. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ if you demand the fastest possible charging speeds, a long-lasting battery, and aren't concerned about a slightly larger footprint. It's the better option for power users and those who frequently find themselves needing a quick top-up.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 1080 in the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 1080 is a capable chipset, its 6nm process isn't as thermally efficient as the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1's 4nm process. Expect some heat buildup during extended gaming, but the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ likely incorporates thermal management solutions to mitigate throttling. Performance will likely remain consistent for moderate gaming sessions.
❓ Is the 120W charging on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ safe for long-term battery health?
Xiaomi employs various safety mechanisms to protect the battery during ultra-fast charging. While concerns about long-term degradation exist with any fast charging technology, Xiaomi's implementation includes optimized charging curves and temperature control to minimize potential damage. The phone will likely slow down charging speeds as the battery nears full capacity.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 in the HTC U23 perform in graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 is capable of running Genshin Impact, but you'll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The 4nm process helps with thermal management, but sustained performance may still be limited compared to higher-end chipsets. Expect playable frame rates at medium settings.
❓ Does the HTC U23 support 5G connectivity?
While not explicitly stated in the provided data, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 inherently supports 5G connectivity. Therefore, it is highly probable that the HTC U23 supports 5G networks, though specific band compatibility will vary by region.