The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 9 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall value to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme 9 edges out the Redmi Note 12 thanks to its significantly longer battery life and slightly brighter display. While the Redmi Note 12 boasts faster charging, the Realme 9's endurance and screen brightness provide a more consistently enjoyable user experience for most.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 07 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 12 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 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 | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | 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 (dedicated 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 |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, dual pixel PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (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/2.5, 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 | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 50% in 31 min, 100% in 75 min | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Meteor Black, Sunburst Gold, Stargaze White | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | RMX3521 | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | About 660 EUR | € 151.99 / $ 219.99 / ₹ 11,999 |
| SAR | 1.16 W/kg (head) 0.59 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 156h
|
Endurance rating 101h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-30.4 LUFS (Below average)
|
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 290097 (v9)
GeekBench: 1601 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7.3fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 360745 (v9)
GeekBench: 1998 (v5.1), 2017 (v6) |
Realme 9
- Exceptional battery life (156h endurance)
- Brighter display (647 nits)
- Efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Good value for money
- Slightly slower charging than Redmi Note 12
- Camera performance can be inconsistent in low light
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Faster charging (22 min to 50%)
- Modern Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset
- Vibrant color reproduction in photos
- Sleek design
- Shorter battery life (101h endurance)
- Slightly dimmer display (706 nits)
- Performance can be limited with demanding tasks
Display Comparison
Both phones feature vibrant displays, but the Realme 9 takes a slight lead with a measured peak brightness of 647 nits compared to the Redmi Note 12's 706 nits. While the Redmi Note 12 has a higher peak brightness, the difference is likely minimal in real-world usage. Both have excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal). The Realme 9's display is generally well-regarded for its color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is subjective and depends on individual preferences. Both phones offer versatile camera setups, but detailed camera comparisons require more extensive testing. The Realme 9 is known for its detailed photos in good lighting, while the Redmi Note 12's camera often produces more vibrant colors. Both offer decent video recording capabilities.
Performance
The Realme 9 utilizes a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680, a 6nm chip known for its efficiency. The Redmi Note 12 features a Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, also built on a 6nm process. While the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 is a newer architecture, the Snapdragon 680 generally offers slightly better overall performance in everyday tasks and light gaming. Both phones are suitable for casual use but may struggle with demanding games at high settings.
Battery Life
This is where the Realme 9 truly shines. Its endurance rating of 156 hours significantly surpasses the Redmi Note 12's 101 hours. This translates to significantly longer battery life for the Realme 9, potentially lasting multiple days on a single charge with moderate usage. The Redmi Note 12 does offer faster charging (22 minutes to 50% vs 31 minutes for the Realme 9), but the Realme 9's superior battery life is a major advantage.
Buying Guide
The Realme 9 is ideal for users prioritizing battery life and a brighter display for outdoor visibility. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is a good choice for those who value faster charging speeds and a slightly more modern chipset, even if it means sacrificing some battery endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Realme 9 has significantly better battery life with an endurance rating of 156 hours compared to the Redmi Note 12's 101 hours.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 12 charge faster?
Yes, the Redmi Note 12 charges faster, reaching 50% in 22 minutes, while the Realme 9 takes 31 minutes.
