The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 12x and Xiaomi Poco X6 Neo are two contenders vying for dominance. Both devices leverage Mediatek's Dimensity series, but subtle differences in chipset and charging capabilities create distinct user experiences. This comparison dissects these nuances to determine which phone offers the best value for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco X6 Neo emerges as the stronger choice. Its 33W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the Realme 12x’s 15W, and the slightly higher clocked CPU provides a marginal, but noticeable, performance boost in demanding tasks. While the Realme 12x is still a capable device, the Poco X6 Neo’s faster charging is a key advantage.
| 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, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, March 21 | 2024, March 13 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, April 07 | Available. Released 2024, March 13 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.6 x 76.1 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) | 161.1 x 75 x 7.7 mm (6.34 x 2.95 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1604 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~264 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.2 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 500 (typ), 625 nits (HBM) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 6080 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 | Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes, 360˚ | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Feather Green, Glowing Black | Astral Black, Horizon Blue, Martian Orange |
| Models | RMX3997 | MZB0GGWIN, 2312FRAFDI |
| Price | € 132.92 / £ 129.00 | ₹ 18,990 |
| SAR | - | 0.85 W/kg (head) 0.71 W/kg (body) |
Realme 12x
- Potentially cleaner software experience (Realme UI is generally less cluttered than MIUI)
- Slightly lower price point (potentially)
- Efficient processor for everyday tasks
- Significantly slower 15W charging
- Slightly less powerful CPU compared to the Poco X6 Neo
- May lack some of the software features found on the Poco X6 Neo
Xiaomi Poco X6 Neo
- Faster 33W wired charging
- Slightly higher CPU clock speed for improved performance
- Potentially more vibrant display colors
- MIUI software can be more resource-intensive and include bloatware
- May be slightly more expensive than the Realme 12x
- Potentially more aggressive thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
Both the Realme 12x and Poco X6 Neo are expected to feature 6.67-inch 120Hz displays, typical for this price bracket. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness and color accuracy are currently unavailable. Given Xiaomi’s history with vibrant displays, the Poco X6 Neo may offer slightly more saturated colors, while Realme often aims for more natural color reproduction. The absence of LTPO technology on either device means refresh rate switching won’t be as power-efficient as on flagship models.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera sensor information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely employ a primary camera in the 50MP range. The Poco X6 Neo’s image processing algorithms, historically, tend towards more vibrant and contrast-rich photos, appealing to social media users. Realme often prioritizes more natural-looking images. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Realme 12x utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm), while the Poco X6 Neo features the Dimensity 6080 (6nm). While both are 6nm chips, the Poco X6 Neo’s CPU boasts a slightly higher clock speed – 2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 cores versus 2.2 GHz on the Realme 12x. This translates to a small performance advantage in CPU-bound tasks. Both share the same Cortex-A55 efficiency cores clocked at 2.0 GHz. The impact of RAM speed (likely LPDDR4X on both) will be minimal. Thermal management will be crucial; the slightly more powerful Poco X6 Neo may require more aggressive throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
The battery capacity is assumed to be similar (around 5000mAh) on both devices, typical for this segment. However, the charging speed is a significant differentiator. The Poco X6 Neo’s 33W wired charging will drastically reduce charging times compared to the Realme 12x’s 15W. Expect the Poco X6 Neo to reach 100% charge in approximately 60-75 minutes, while the Realme 12x will likely take over 2 hours. This difference is crucial for users who prioritize minimizing downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 12x if you prioritize a clean software experience and are willing to sacrifice charging speed. It’s a solid option for users who primarily browse, use social media, and make occasional calls. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X6 Neo if you’re a mobile gamer or frequently use power-intensive apps, as the faster charging and slightly more powerful CPU will provide a smoother and more convenient experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco X6 Neo’s Dimensity 6080 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
The Dimensity 6080 is capable of running Genshin Impact, but you’ll likely need to compromise on graphics settings. Expect playable frame rates at medium settings, potentially with some occasional frame drops during intense combat. The Poco X6 Neo’s thermal management will be a key factor in maintaining consistent performance.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Poco X6 Neo compared to the 15W charging on the Realme 12x in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Poco X6 Neo can gain a significant charge percentage in a short amount of time – roughly 50% in 30 minutes. The Realme 12x will take considerably longer, potentially over an hour to reach the same charge level. This makes the Poco X6 Neo much more convenient for users who need a quick top-up.
❓ Does the Realme 12x offer any software features that the Poco X6 Neo lacks?
Realme UI is known for its relatively clean interface and focus on customization. While MIUI on the Poco X6 Neo offers a wider range of features, some users may find it bloated. Realme UI also tends to receive faster software updates, though this can vary.
❓ Is the difference in CPU clock speed between the two phones noticeable in everyday tasks?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, the difference is minimal. However, when multitasking or running demanding applications, the Poco X6 Neo’s slightly faster CPU will provide a smoother and more responsive experience.
