Huawei nova 12i vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G: A Detailed Comparison

The Huawei nova 12i and Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G represent compelling options in the competitive mid-range 4G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a balanced experience, they diverge in their core approaches to processing power and charging speed, making the choice less straightforward than it appears. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing fast charging and a brighter display, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G emerges as the stronger contender. Its 67W charging significantly outperforms the nova 12i’s 40W, and the 1047 nit peak brightness provides a superior viewing experience, despite the Snapdragon 680 offering a slightly more efficient architecture.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 12i Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2024, March 192024, January 15
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, April 16Available. Released 2024, January 15
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.94 x 0.33 in)161.1 x 75 x 8 mm (6.34 x 2.95 x 0.31 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)188 g (6.63 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)Mediatek Helio G99 Ultra
GPUAdreno 610Mali-G57 MC2
OSEMUI 14, no Google Play ServicesAndroid 13, up to 3 major Android upgrades, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-200 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.4", 1.0µm 2 MP (macro)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with dual speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
Battery
Charging40W wired, 3-62% in 30 min67W wired, 50% in 16 min, 100% in 46 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGreen, Black, WhiteMidnight Black, Lavender Purple, Forest Green
ModelsCTR-AL20, CTR-L8123117RA68G, 2312FPCA6G
PriceAbout 110 EUR€ 92.00 / $ 269.99 / £ 299.99
SAR-1.09 W/kg (head)     1.09 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.99 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)

Huawei nova 12i

  • Potentially better power efficiency due to 6nm Snapdragon 680.
  • Proven Qualcomm chipset with established software support.
  • Sleek design (assumed based on Huawei's design language).

  • Slower 40W charging compared to the Redmi.
  • Likely less bright display impacting outdoor visibility.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G

  • Significantly faster 67W charging.
  • Brighter 1047 nit display for excellent outdoor visibility.
  • Longer active use battery life (11:36h).

  • Helio G99 Ultra may not be as power efficient as the Snapdragon 680.
  • Mediatek chipsets sometimes face software optimization challenges.

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1047 nits. This is a substantial advantage over what we’d expect from the nova 12i, making it far more usable outdoors under direct sunlight. While the nova 12i’s panel specifics are unknown, the Redmi’s brightness level suggests a superior viewing experience. The Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G’s brightness also implies a more powerful backlight, potentially impacting battery consumption, but the overall active use score of 11:36h suggests efficient power management.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera analysis is limited by the provided data. However, the Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G’s camera system is likely to be more versatile, given the current market trends for this price point. While both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, the Redmi’s focus on 'Photo/Video' suggests a more robust feature set and potentially larger sensor sizes. The absence of sensor size information for either device makes a definitive comparison impossible, but the Redmi’s marketing emphasizes camera capabilities, hinting at a stronger offering.

Performance

The Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G utilizes the Mediatek Helio G99 Ultra, featuring a dual-core configuration with 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The nova 12i, on the other hand, is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G, employing an octa-core setup with 4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. While the Snapdragon 680’s 6nm process node offers better theoretical power efficiency, the Helio G99 Ultra’s Cortex-A76 cores provide a performance edge in CPU-intensive tasks. The real-world impact will likely be noticeable in app loading times and multitasking, favoring the Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G.

Battery Life

The Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G shines in the battery and charging department. Its active use score of 11:36h demonstrates excellent real-world endurance. Crucially, the 67W wired charging capability is a game-changer, achieving 50% charge in just 16 minutes and a full charge in 46 minutes. The Huawei nova 12i’s 40W charging, while respectable, pales in comparison, taking approximately 30 minutes to reach 62%. This difference in charging speed significantly impacts user convenience, making the Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G the clear winner for those who value quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei nova 12i if you prioritize a proven, if slightly older, chipset architecture known for efficiency and are less concerned with blazing-fast charging. It’s a solid choice for everyday tasks and moderate usage. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G if you value a brighter, more vibrant display, significantly faster charging speeds, and a longer active use battery life, even if it means sacrificing some theoretical chipset efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Helio G99 Ultra in the Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G struggle with sustained gaming performance?
While the Helio G99 Ultra is a capable chipset, it's not a dedicated gaming processor. Expect playable performance in most popular titles at medium settings, but prolonged gaming sessions may lead to some thermal throttling. The Snapdragon 680 in the nova 12i might offer slightly more consistent performance over extended periods due to its more efficient architecture, but the Redmi’s GPU is generally more powerful.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging speed between 40W and 67W in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G’s 67W charging can add a significant amount of battery life in just a few minutes – enough for several hours of use. The nova 12i’s 40W charging is slower, requiring considerably more time to reach a full charge, making it less convenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
❓ Is the camera on the Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G likely to have image stabilization (OIS)?
While not explicitly stated in the provided data, Redmi often includes Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) in their 'Pro' models to improve photo and video quality, especially in low-light conditions. It's highly probable the Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G features OIS, giving it an advantage over the nova 12i if the latter lacks this feature.