The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme Narzo 50 Pro and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ represent compelling options. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they take distinctly different approaches – the Narzo 50 Pro prioritizing a balanced feature set, and the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ heavily emphasizing charging speed and potentially camera capabilities. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing rapid charging and potentially better camera performance, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is the clear winner. Its 120W charging significantly reduces downtime, and the endurance rating suggests solid battery life despite the faster drain. However, the Narzo 50 Pro remains a strong contender for those seeking a more balanced package at a potentially lower price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International, China |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE-A (CA), 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 18 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 26 | Available. Released 2022, November 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back |
| Dimensions | 160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) | 162.9 x 76 x 8.9 mm (6.41 x 2.99 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 181 g (6.38 oz) | 208.4 g (7.34 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| 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 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 90Hz | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6877V Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB 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) | 200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 50% in 31 min | 120W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 19 min (advertised) |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Hyper Blue, Hyper Black | Arctic White, Iceberg Blue, Obsidian Black, Trend edition |
| Models | RMX3395, RMX3396 | 22101316UCP, 22101316UG |
| Price | About 270 EUR | $ 348.00 / £ 439.00 / € 399.00 / ₹ 29,949 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 88h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.7 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 498710 (v9)
GeekBench: 2208 (v5.1), 2372 (v6)
GFXBench: 22fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme Narzo 50 Pro
- Potentially more affordable price point.
- Capable Dimensity 920 processor for everyday use.
- Balanced feature set.
- Significantly slower charging speed (33W).
- Limited camera information available.
- Display specifications are unknown.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+
- Ultra-fast 120W charging.
- Excellent 88-hour endurance rating.
- Potentially superior camera system.
- May be more expensive than the Narzo 50 Pro.
- Dimensity 1080 may run hotter under sustained load.
- Display details are lacking.
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ boasts an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, a marketing term indicating a high-quality panel, but lacks specific details like peak brightness or panel type (OLED/LCD). The Narzo 50 Pro’s display specifications are absent, making a direct comparison difficult. However, given the price bracket, both likely utilize AMOLED panels. The absence of refresh rate information for either device is a notable omission; a higher refresh rate (90Hz or 120Hz) would significantly improve the user experience, particularly for scrolling and gaming. Without further data, it's difficult to assess which display offers superior color accuracy or viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 Pro+’s camera system is a key differentiator, though specific sensor details are missing beyond the mention of 'Photo / Video' capabilities. The absence of megapixel counts or aperture information hinders a detailed analysis. The Narzo 50 Pro’s camera specs are similarly vague. Without knowing sensor sizes, OIS presence, or image processing algorithms, it’s impossible to definitively declare a winner. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses in this segment suggests both phones likely include one, but these are generally of limited practical use. A larger main sensor, coupled with optical image stabilization, would be a significant advantage for low-light photography.
Performance
Both phones utilize Mediatek Dimensity chipsets fabricated on a 6nm process, suggesting comparable efficiency. However, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ features the Dimensity 1080, with a slightly higher clocked CPU (2.6 GHz vs 2.5 GHz on the Narzo 50 Pro’s Dimensity 920). This marginal clock speed increase, coupled with potential architectural refinements in the 1080, should translate to a small performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks. Both share the same Cortex-A78 and A55 core configuration, meaning multi-tasking and app launch speeds will be similar. The absence of RAM specifications prevents a full assessment, but LPDDR5X RAM would be a significant benefit for either device, improving overall responsiveness. Thermal management is also unknown, but the slightly more powerful Dimensity 1080 in the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ may require more robust cooling.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 12 Pro+’s 120W charging is its standout feature, promising a full charge in just 19 minutes (advertised). This is a game-changer for users who frequently find themselves with low battery. The Narzo 50 Pro’s 33W charging, while respectable, pales in comparison, taking approximately 31 minutes to reach 50%. The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ also boasts an endurance rating of 88 hours, suggesting efficient power management despite the faster charging. Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but the faster charging of the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ effectively mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Narzo 50 Pro if you need a solid all-rounder with a capable processor for everyday tasks and moderate gaming, and aren't overly concerned with the absolute fastest charging speeds. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ if you prioritize minimizing charging time, potentially benefit from a more advanced camera system, and value the convenience of a phone that can go from 0 to 100% in under 20 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dimensity 1080 in the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ exhibit thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 1080 is a capable chipset, its slightly higher clock speed compared to the Narzo 50 Pro’s Dimensity 920 could lead to increased heat generation under sustained load. Without independent thermal testing, it’s difficult to say definitively if throttling will occur, but users engaging in prolonged gaming should be aware of this possibility. The Redmi Note 12 Pro+'s cooling system will be a critical factor.
❓ Is the 120W charging of the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ safe for long-term battery health?
Xiaomi incorporates several safety mechanisms into its 120W charging system to mitigate potential risks to battery health. These include optimized charging algorithms and temperature control. While extremely fast charging *can* theoretically accelerate battery degradation over several years, the convenience and reduced downtime offered by 120W charging are significant benefits for many users. The phone's charging IC will manage the power delivery to prevent overcharging and overheating.
❓ How does the camera performance of the Narzo 50 Pro compare to other phones in its price range?
Without detailed camera specifications, it's challenging to provide a precise comparison. However, given the Narzo 50 Pro's positioning, it likely offers a competent camera experience for casual photography. Expect good results in well-lit conditions, but performance may suffer in low-light scenarios. The inclusion of features like night mode and HDR will help improve image quality.
