The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 10s and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 are two strong contenders vying for your attention. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but which one truly comes out on top? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi Note 12 edges out the Realme 10s thanks to its exceptional battery life and slightly faster charging. While the Realme 10s boasts a more powerful chipset, the Redmi Note 12’s overall package, including its bright display and impressive endurance, makes it the better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 16 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 20 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.1 x 8.1 mm (6.47 x 2.96 x 0.32 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 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 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, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (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, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (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 | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | 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 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, 50% in 33 min | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | - | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | About 150 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) |
Realme 10s
- More powerful chipset (Dimensity 810)
- Faster charging (slightly)
- Sleek design
- Weaker battery life
- Display not as bright as Redmi Note 12
- Camera performance potentially less consistent
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Exceptional battery life
- Bright and vibrant display
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Fast charging (slightly)
- Chipset slightly less powerful
- Design might be less premium
- Camera performance potentially less consistent
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 takes the display crown with a measured peak brightness of 706 nits, offering better visibility in sunlight. While the Realme 10s has a decent display, the Redmi Note 12’s infinite contrast ratio (nominal) suggests deeper blacks and richer colors. Both likely feature AMOLED panels, but the Redmi Note 12’s brightness advantage is noticeable.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera comparisons require more in-depth testing. Generally, Xiaomi phones are known for their reliable image processing, while Realme often focuses on vibrant colors. Expect both to deliver decent results in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance might vary.
Performance
The Realme 10s holds a slight advantage in performance thanks to the Mediatek Dimensity 810 chipset. Its Cortex-A76 cores offer better single-core performance compared to the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1. However, in everyday use, the difference might not be drastically noticeable. The Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 is still capable for most tasks.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 12 absolutely dominates in the battery department. Its endurance rating of 101 hours is exceptional, and active use lasting 10 hours and 58 minutes is impressive. The Realme 10s, while offering 33W charging, doesn't match the Redmi Note 12's sheer battery capacity and efficiency.
Buying Guide
The Realme 10s is ideal for users prioritizing gaming and smoother performance for demanding apps. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is perfect for those who value long battery life, a vibrant display, and a reliable all-around experience, especially if you're a heavy user.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme 10s's Dimensity 810 chipset offers a slight edge for gaming, especially for more demanding titles. However, the Redmi Note 12 can still handle most games smoothly.
❓ How long will the Redmi Note 12's battery last?
The Redmi Note 12 boasts exceptional battery life, easily lasting a full day of heavy use and potentially extending to two days with moderate usage.
