The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Oppo A96 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at accessible prices, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will delve into every aspect, from display quality to battery life, to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 edges out the Oppo A96 thanks to its superior battery life and slightly faster charging. While the Oppo A96 boasts a more powerful chipset, the Redmi Note 12's overall package, especially its endurance, makes it the better value for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | IP5X (dust), IPX4 (water) resistance | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 16 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 16 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD, 50% in 26 min
Reverse wired | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Black, Sunset Blue | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | CPH2333 | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | About 560 EUR | € 151.99 / $ 219.99 / ₹ 11,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 101h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 360745 (v9)
GeekBench: 1998 (v5.1), 2017 (v6) |
Oppo A96
- More powerful chipset (Snapdragon 680)
- Reverse wired charging
- Sleek design
- Shorter battery life
- Less bright display
- Potentially less impressive camera
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Exceptional battery life (101h endurance)
- Brighter display (706 nits)
- Faster charging (22 min to 50%)
- Less powerful chipset (Snapdragon 4 Gen 1)
- Nominal contrast ratio claim
- Design may be less premium
Display Comparison
Both phones feature vibrant displays, but the Redmi Note 12 takes the lead with a measured peak brightness of 706 nits, offering better visibility in direct sunlight. The Redmi Note 12's 'infinite' contrast ratio (though nominal) suggests deep blacks and excellent image quality. The Oppo A96's display is still good, but not quite as impressive.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is subjective and depends on individual preferences. Both phones offer capable camera systems for their price range. The Redmi Note 12 likely has a slight edge in video recording due to potentially better image stabilization. Detailed camera comparisons would require extensive testing, but both are expected to deliver decent results in good lighting conditions.
Performance
The Oppo A96's Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset generally offers slightly better performance than the Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1. This translates to smoother multitasking and potentially better gaming performance, although both are still firmly in the mid-range category. Real-world usage will likely feel similar for most tasks.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 12 shines in the battery department. Its endurance rating of 101 hours is significantly higher than what's typically expected. The Oppo A96's battery life is respectable, but not as exceptional. The Redmi Note 12 also charges slightly faster (22 minutes for 50% vs 26 minutes).
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Oppo A96? Users prioritizing raw processing power for gaming or demanding apps might lean towards the A96. Who should buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12? Those seeking exceptional battery life, a bright display, and a reliable all-around experience will find the Redmi Note 12 more appealing.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Oppo A96's Snapdragon 680 chipset generally offers slightly better gaming performance, but both phones are best suited for casual gaming rather than demanding titles.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 12 support 5G?
No, neither the Oppo A96 nor the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 support 5G connectivity. They are both 4G devices.
