The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and two contenders vying for your attention are the Realme 9i 5G and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12. 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 Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 edges out the Realme 9i 5G thanks to its superior battery life, faster charging, and brighter display. While the Realme offers a decent chipset, the Redmi's overall package provides a more polished and user-friendly experience, especially for those prioritizing longevity and quick 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, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 7, 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 / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, August 18 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August 24 | 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 | 187 g (6.60 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda Glass | 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, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide) | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Unspecified MP, 46mm (telephoto)
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 | 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 |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, 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 | 18W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Soulful Blue, Rocking Black, Gold | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | RMX3612 | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | About 180 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 9i 5G
- 5G Connectivity
- Decent Performance (Dimensity 810)
- Sleek Design (generally)
- Competitive Price
- Slower Charging (18W)
- Likely Shorter Battery Life
- Display Brightness Unknown (likely lower)
- Camera Performance Unknown
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Exceptional Battery Life
- Fast Charging (33W)
- Bright and Vibrant Display
- Good Value for Money
- Optimized Software
- Slightly Less Powerful Chipset (Snapdragon 4 Gen 1)
- Design may be less exciting to some
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 boasts a significantly brighter display at 706 nits compared to the Realme 9i 5G (specs unavailable, assumed to be around 400-500 nits). The Redmi's 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests excellent image quality. While the Realme's display is adequate, the Redmi offers a noticeably better viewing experience, especially outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specs are missing. Based on general Redmi Note series performance, the Redmi Note 12 likely offers better image processing and potentially more versatile camera features. The Realme 9i 5G's camera is expected to be adequate but not exceptional.
Performance
The Realme 9i 5G's Dimensity 810 chipset is a capable performer, offering good everyday performance and decent gaming capabilities. The Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 is slightly less powerful on paper, but optimized software can compensate. Real-world performance is likely to be similar for most tasks, but the Realme might have a slight edge in demanding games.
Battery Life
This is where the Redmi Note 12 truly shines. With an endurance rating of 101 hours and active use lasting 10 hours 58 minutes, it offers exceptional battery life. The Realme 9i 5G's battery life is likely to be shorter, and its 18W charging is considerably slower than the Redmi's 33W charging (50% in 22 minutes).
Buying Guide
The Realme 9i 5G is a good choice for users who prioritize 5G connectivity and a slightly more powerful chipset for gaming, but are less concerned about battery life and charging speed. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is ideal for users who value long battery life, fast charging, a vibrant display, and a generally smoother user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme 9i 5G's Dimensity 810 chipset might offer a slight edge in demanding games, but both phones are primarily suited for casual gaming.
❓ How long does the Redmi Note 12 take to charge?
The Redmi Note 12 can reach 50% charge in just 22 minutes with its 33W fast charging.
