The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme Narzo 50 Pro 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 will break down every aspect to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi Note 12 edges out the Narzo 50 Pro thanks to its exceptional battery life and brighter display. While the Narzo 50 Pro boasts a slightly more powerful chipset, the Redmi Note 12’s overall package, especially its endurance, makes it the better choice for most users.
| 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, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 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, May 18 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 26 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| 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 | 181 g (6.38 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 | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | 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/2.4, 26mm (wide) | - |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, 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 | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (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, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | 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 | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Hyper Blue, Hyper Black | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | RMX3395, RMX3396 | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | About 270 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 Narzo 50 Pro
- Slightly more powerful chipset
- Faster charging (claimed)
- Stylish design
- Less impressive battery life
- Lower display brightness
- Camera performance potentially behind Redmi Note 12
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Exceptional battery life
- Brighter display
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Faster 50% charge time
- Slightly less powerful chipset
- Design may be less striking to some
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 takes the display crown with a measured peak brightness of 706 nits, offering better visibility in sunlight. While the Narzo 50 Pro's display is decent, it lacks the same level of brightness. The Redmi Note 12's 'infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests excellent blacks and vibrant colors, further enhancing the viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer capable camera systems, but detailed camera comparisons require more in-depth testing. Generally, Xiaomi phones are known for their image processing, potentially giving the Redmi Note 12 an edge in producing pleasing photos. The Narzo 50 Pro's camera is expected to be competent, but may not match the Redmi Note 12's overall image quality.
Performance
The Realme Narzo 50 Pro holds a slight advantage in performance thanks to its Mediatek Dimensity 920 chipset. This chip generally offers better raw processing power compared to the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 in the Redmi Note 12, potentially leading to smoother gameplay and faster app loading times. However, real-world differences may be minimal for everyday tasks.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 12 absolutely dominates in the battery department. Its endurance rating of 101 hours is exceptional, providing significantly longer usage time than the Narzo 50 Pro. Active use scores of 10:58h further solidify its battery prowess. The Narzo 50 Pro's 33W charging is fast, but the Redmi Note 12 charges to 50% in a quicker 22 minutes.
Buying Guide
The Realme Narzo 50 Pro is ideal for users prioritizing gaming performance and a smoother experience with demanding apps. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is perfect for those who value long battery life, a vibrant display for media consumption, and a reliable all-around experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme Narzo 50 Pro's Dimensity 920 chipset offers a slight edge for demanding games, but the Redmi Note 12 is still capable of handling most titles.
❓ How does the camera quality compare?
While both have capable cameras, the Redmi Note 12 is expected to produce slightly better image quality due to Xiaomi's image processing expertise.
