The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and two contenders vying for your attention are the Realme 10 Pro+ and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but which one truly reigns supreme? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme 10 Pro+ takes the lead with its significantly faster Dimensity 1080 chipset, 67W fast charging, and likely superior camera capabilities. However, the Redmi Note 12S offers excellent value and a reliable experience for users prioritizing affordability and a familiar MIUI interface.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, November 17 | 2023, March 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, November 24 | Available. Released 2023, April 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 73.9 x 7.8 mm or 8 mm | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.30 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 173 g / 175 g (6.10 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, HDR10+, 120Hz, 800 nits | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits (HBM), 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6877V Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 | Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide) | - |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | - | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1), BDS (B1) |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 67W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 17 min (advertised) | 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Matter Black, Nebula Blue, Hyperspace | Onyx Black, Ice Blue, Pearl Green |
| Models | RMX3687, RMX3686 | 2303CRA44A, 23030RAC7Y, 2303ERA42L |
| Price | $ 269.00 / ₹ 22,999 | € 122.47 / $ 149.99 / £ 229.89 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 149h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-25.4 LUFS (Very good)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 522376 (v9)
GeekBench: 2371 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Realme 10 Pro+
- Faster Processor (Dimensity 1080)
- 67W Fast Charging
- Likely Superior Camera
- Potentially Higher Refresh Rate Display
- Premium Build Quality (often)
- Potentially Higher Price
- Realme UI can be polarizing
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S
- Excellent Value for Money
- Reliable MIUI Software
- Good Battery Life
- Clean and Simple Design
- Widely Available
- Slower Processor (Helio G96)
- 33W Charging is Slower
- Camera Not as Impressive
- 60Hz Display
Display Comparison
The Realme 10 Pro+ likely boasts a smoother display experience thanks to a potentially higher refresh rate (often 120Hz) compared to the Redmi Note 12S (typically 60Hz). Both phones feature AMOLED displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks, but the Realme's panel may offer better brightness and color accuracy. The 'Infinite' contrast ratio mentioned for the Realme is a marketing term, but AMOLED inherently provides excellent contrast.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer capable cameras, the Realme 10 Pro+ is expected to deliver superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The Realme often features a higher resolution main sensor and potentially better image processing algorithms. The Redmi Note 12S's camera is still good for everyday photography, but it won't match the Realme's capabilities.
Performance
Here's where the Realme 10 Pro+ truly shines. The Dimensity 1080 chipset is a significant upgrade over the Helio G96 in the Redmi Note 12S. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Realme. The Cortex-A78 cores in the Dimensity 1080 provide a substantial performance boost.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 12S has a slightly smaller battery capacity (typically around 5000mAh) but the Realme 10 Pro+’s endurance rating of 149h suggests excellent optimization. However, the Realme’s 67W fast charging is a game-changer, allowing for significantly quicker top-ups compared to the Redmi Note 12S's 33W charging. Expect a full charge in under 40 minutes on the Realme.
Buying Guide
The Realme 10 Pro+ is ideal for users who prioritize performance, fast charging, and a more premium camera experience. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is a great choice for budget-conscious buyers who want a dependable phone with a clean design and a long-standing software ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme 10 Pro+ worth the extra money?
If performance and fast charging are priorities, then yes. The Realme 10 Pro+ offers a noticeable upgrade in these areas. However, if you're on a tight budget, the Redmi Note 12S provides excellent value.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Xiaomi's MIUI is generally known for its extensive features and long-term software support. Realme's UI has improved, but Xiaomi still holds an edge in this regard.
