The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 9 Pro 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 comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme 9 Pro boasts superior battery life and a brighter display, while the Redmi Note 12 offers faster charging and a slightly more modern chipset. Ultimately, the Realme 9 Pro provides better overall value for those prioritizing longevity, while the Redmi Note 12 is a solid choice for those needing quicker top-ups.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 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 - International | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International | 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 |
| | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 16 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February 23 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 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 | 195 g (6.88 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 (~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 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | - |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | 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 | 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 |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Aurora Green, Sunrise Blue | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | RMX3471, RMX3472 | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | € 248.86 | € 151.99 / $ 219.99 / ₹ 11,999 |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.71 W/kg (body) | 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 134h
|
Endurance rating 101h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1601:1 |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-25.3 LUFS (Very good)
|
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 401894 (v9)
GeekBench: 2020 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 360745 (v9)
GeekBench: 1998 (v5.1), 2017 (v6) |
Realme 9 Pro
- Exceptional battery life
- Bright and vibrant display
- Reliable performance
- Good value for money
- Older chipset compared to Redmi Note 12
- Charging speed not as fast as Redmi Note 12
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Faster charging speeds
- Newer Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset
- Sleek design
- Competitive camera
- Shorter battery life than Realme 9 Pro
- Contrast ratio claim is questionable
- Performance gains over Realme 9 Pro are minimal
Display Comparison
The Realme 9 Pro takes the lead in display brightness, measuring 567 nits compared to the Redmi Note 12's 706 nits. While the Redmi Note 12's contrast ratio is listed as 'infinite' (likely a marketing term), the Realme 9 Pro's measured 1601:1 is still impressive. Both offer vibrant colors and good viewing angles, but the Realme 9 Pro's higher peak brightness makes it more usable outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed camera comparisons require more in-depth testing. Based on general reviews, the Realme 9 Pro often receives praise for its main sensor and image processing, delivering detailed and vibrant photos. The Redmi Note 12's camera is also competitive, offering good image quality in various lighting conditions. Video recording capabilities are comparable.
Performance
The Redmi Note 12 features the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, a newer chipset than the Realme 9 Pro's Snapdragon 695 5G. While both are capable of handling everyday tasks, the Redmi Note 12's newer architecture should offer slightly better efficiency and potentially smoother performance in demanding apps. However, real-world differences are likely to be minimal for most users.
Battery Life
The Realme 9 Pro shines in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 134 hours, significantly higher than the Redmi Note 12's 101 hours. This translates to noticeably longer usage times on a single charge. While the Redmi Note 12 offers faster 33W charging (reaching 50% in 22 minutes), the Realme 9 Pro's superior battery capacity provides a significant advantage for users who prioritize longevity.
Buying Guide
The Realme 9 Pro is ideal for users who prioritize long battery life, a vibrant display, and a reliable all-around experience. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is a better fit for those who value faster charging speeds, a slightly newer processor, and a more streamlined user interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better performance?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 has a slightly newer chipset (Snapdragon 4 Gen 1), but the real-world performance difference is likely minimal for most users. Both handle everyday tasks well.
❓ Is the 'infinite' contrast ratio on the Redmi Note 12 accurate?
No, 'infinite' contrast ratio is a marketing term. It doesn't represent a measurable value and is likely an exaggeration.
