The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 9 5G and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but cater to slightly different needs. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi Note 12 4G edges out the Realme 9 5G thanks to its faster charging, potentially better display contrast, and impressive battery life. However, the Realme 9 5G's 5G connectivity and slightly more powerful chipset make it a solid choice for those prioritizing future-proofing and a bit more performance.
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 12 | 2023, March 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 09 | Available. Released 2023, March 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 165.7 x 76 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 183.5 g (6.49 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, 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 | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 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 |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Meteor Black, Stargaze White | Onyx Gray, Mint Green, Ice Blue |
| Models | RMX3474 | 23021RAAEG, 23021RAA2Y, 23027RAD4I, 23028RA60L |
| Price | About 190 EUR | £ 189.99 / € 107.98 / ₹ 9,998 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 0.89 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.90 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 117h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.9 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 319219 (v9)
GeekBench: 1797 (v5.1), 1341 (v6)
GFXBench: 7.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme 9 5G
- 5G Connectivity
- Slightly more powerful chipset
- Good overall performance
- Modern design
- Slower charging (18W)
- Battery life not as exceptional as Redmi Note 12 4G
- Display brightness specs not readily available
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G
- Exceptional battery life (117h endurance rating)
- Faster charging (33W)
- Potentially better display contrast
- Good value for money
- No 5G connectivity
- Slightly less powerful chipset
- Older chipset architecture
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 4G boasts a measured peak brightness of 744 nits, offering excellent visibility in sunlight. While the Realme 9 5G's display is good, it lacks specific brightness figures. The Redmi Note 12 4G's 'infinite' contrast ratio suggests deeper blacks and a more vibrant picture, though this is a nominal value. Both likely use similar LCD panels, but the Redmi Note 12 4G has a slight edge in brightness and potentially contrast.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is subjective and depends on individual preferences. Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed comparisons require more in-depth testing. The Redmi Note 12 4G likely offers good image quality in well-lit conditions, while the Realme 9 5G might have slightly better low-light performance due to its chipset. Video recording capabilities are likely comparable.
Performance
The Realme 9 5G's Snapdragon 695 5G chipset offers a slight performance advantage over the Redmi Note 12 4G's Snapdragon 685. The 695 is built on a 6nm process, which can contribute to slightly better efficiency. While both are capable of handling everyday tasks, the Realme 9 5G might offer a smoother experience in more demanding apps and games. The CPU architecture also differs, with the Redmi Note 12 4G utilizing Cortex-A73 cores which are generally more powerful than the Kryo 660 cores in the Realme.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 12 4G shines in this category with an impressive endurance rating of 117 hours. This suggests exceptional battery life. The Realme 9 5G's battery life is likely good, but not as exceptional as the Redmi Note 12 4G. Furthermore, the Redmi Note 12 4G's 33W charging is faster than the Realme 9 5G's 18W charging.
Buying Guide
The Realme 9 5G is ideal for users who want 5G connectivity and a slightly more powerful processor for smoother multitasking and gaming. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G is a great pick for those prioritizing long battery life, fast charging, and a potentially better display experience, especially if 5G isn't a necessity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme 9 5G likely offers a slightly better gaming experience due to its more powerful chipset, but both phones are primarily suited for casual gaming.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 12 4G support 5G?
No, the Redmi Note 12 4G is a 4G-only device. The Realme 9 5G supports 5G connectivity.
