The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 9i 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 make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 edges out the Realme 9i thanks to its superior battery life, brighter display, and faster charging (to 50%). While the Realme 9i boasts a slightly more powerful CPU, the Redmi Note 12’s overall package provides a more polished and long-lasting user experience.
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 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 |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 10 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 10 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Dragontrail Pro), plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.7 x 8.4 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 | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Dragontrail Pro Glass | 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 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | 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 11, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4 | 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 - Vietnam
UFS 2.1 - India | 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), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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 | Panorama | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 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, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | 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 | 33W wired, 100% in 70 min | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | RMX3491 | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | € 149.90 / $ 209.00 / £ 140.09 | € 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
- Slightly more powerful CPU
- Good value for money
- Decent design
- Slower charging
- Less bright display
- Battery life could be better
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Excellent battery life
- Brighter display
- Faster charging (to 50%)
- Good overall value
- Slightly less powerful CPU
- Design may be less appealing to some
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 takes the display crown with a measured peak brightness of 706 nits, significantly brighter than the Realme 9i. While both offer decent color reproduction, the Redmi Note 12's higher brightness makes it more usable outdoors. The 'infinite' contrast ratio mentioned for the Redmi Note 12 is a nominal value and doesn't provide concrete data, but suggests good contrast.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is subjective and requires more detailed testing. Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific sensor details and image processing algorithms are needed for a definitive comparison. We'll assume similar quality for now, pending further review data.
Performance
The Realme 9i's Snapdragon 680 chipset and Kryo 265 Gold cores offer a slight edge in raw CPU performance compared to the Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1. However, in real-world usage, the difference is likely to be minimal for most users. Both phones handle everyday tasks smoothly.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 12 shines in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 101 hours and an active use score of 10:58 hours. This significantly surpasses the Realme 9i. The Redmi Note 12 also charges faster to 50% (22 minutes vs. 70 minutes for the Realme 9i).
Buying Guide
The Realme 9i is a good choice for users prioritizing raw processing power for gaming or demanding apps. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is ideal for those who value long battery life, a vibrant display for media consumption, and quick charging capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme 9i has a slightly more powerful CPU, which *could* translate to marginally better gaming performance, but the difference is likely minimal. Both phones are suitable for casual gaming.
❓ How long does each phone take to fully charge?
Both phones support 33W wired charging, but the Redmi Note 12 charges to 50% significantly faster (22 minutes) than the Realme 9i (70 minutes).
