The Lenovo K12 Pro and Xiaomi Redmi 9T represent compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone space. Both devices leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662, but diverge in areas like charging speed, display characteristics, and pricing. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone offers the most value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Lenovo K12 Pro emerges as the slightly better choice. Its 20W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the Redmi 9T’s 18W, and while both share the same chipset, the faster charging and potentially optimized software give it a slight edge in daily usability.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, December 09. Released 2020, December 12 | 2021, January 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, January 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 172.1 x 76.8 x 9.7 mm (6.78 x 3.02 x 0.38 in) | 162.3 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 221 g (7.80 oz) | 198 g (6.98 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 - 64GB
UFS 2.2 - 128GB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 1.0µm | 8 MP, f/2.1, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired
2.5W reverse wired | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Electric Violet, Metallic Sage | Carbon Gray, Twilight Blue, Sunrise Orange, Ocean Green |
| Models | XT2091-8, XT2091-7 | J19S, M2010J19SG, M2010J19SY |
| Price | About 130 EUR | € 87.56 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.81 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 6GB RAM | - | Rp 2,272,000 |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | - | $ 168.78 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 150h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1594:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.6 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 177917 (v8)
GeekBench: 1400 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.8fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Lenovo K12 Pro
- Faster 20W charging for quicker top-ups
- Potentially optimized software experience
- Competitive pricing within the budget segment
- Detailed display specifications are unavailable
- Camera details are limited, making quality assessment difficult
Xiaomi Redmi 9T
- Strong 150-hour endurance rating
- Available in multiple storage/RAM configurations
- Very competitive price point
- Slower 18W charging
- Lower peak brightness (437 nits) may struggle outdoors
Display Comparison
Both the Lenovo K12 Pro and Xiaomi Redmi 9T feature displays with a 1594:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Redmi 9T’s measured peak brightness of 437 nits is a key differentiator. While adequate for indoor use, this brightness level may struggle in direct sunlight. The K12 Pro’s display specifications are not provided, but a comparable brightness level is expected. Neither device is expected to offer high refresh rates or advanced panel technologies like LTPO, keeping costs down.
Camera Comparison
Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing features. This suggests a focus on basic photography functionality. The Redmi 9T is available with 64GB/4GB RAM and 128GB/6GB RAM configurations, implying a potential for larger photo/video storage. Without further information, it’s difficult to assess camera quality beyond expectations for the price point. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the Redmi 9T is likely a marketing feature with limited real-world utility.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver cores. This means performance will be largely identical for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. The absence of information regarding RAM type (LPDDR4x vs LPDDR5) or storage speed (UFS 2.1 vs UFS 2.2) suggests both devices likely utilize more affordable components, potentially leading to slightly slower app loading times compared to higher-end devices. Thermal management will likely be similar, with the Snapdragon 662 being a relatively efficient chip.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Redmi 9T boasts an endurance rating of 150 hours, indicating solid battery life. However, this rating is dependent on usage patterns. Both devices offer 2.5W reverse wired charging, a useful feature for topping up accessories. The Lenovo K12 Pro’s 20W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Redmi 9T’s 18W, translating to faster 0-100% charge times. While the Redmi 9T’s endurance rating is good, the K12 Pro’s faster charging mitigates potential battery anxiety for power users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo K12 Pro if you prioritize faster charging and potentially longer software support. Its 20W charging is a tangible benefit for users who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9T if you are looking for the absolute lowest price point and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. The Redmi 9T’s competitive pricing makes it ideal for first-time smartphone buyers or those on a very tight budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 662 sufficient for playing demanding games like PUBG Mobile on the Redmi 9T or K12 Pro?
The Snapdragon 662 can handle PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to play at medium graphics settings and potentially lower the frame rate to maintain a smooth experience. Expect some frame drops during intense firefights. Neither phone is designed for high-end gaming.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Lenovo K12 Pro with the 20W charger?
While a precise time isn't available, the 20W charging on the K12 Pro should take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%, depending on usage during charging. This is significantly faster than the Redmi 9T's 18W charging.
❓ Does the Redmi 9T's 64GB storage option provide enough space for apps, photos, and videos?
64GB can fill up quickly, especially with modern app sizes and high-resolution photos/videos. If you plan to store a lot of media or download many apps, the 128GB option is highly recommended. Consider using a microSD card for expandable storage if you choose the 64GB model.
