The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme Narzo 50 Pro and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S are two strong contenders vying for your attention. 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 Realme Narzo 50 Pro takes the lead thanks to its significantly more powerful Dimensity 920 chipset, offering noticeably better performance. While the Redmi Note 12S boasts a good camera and display, the Narzo 50 Pro's speed and faster charging make it the more appealing 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 18 | 2023, March 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 26 | Available. Released 2023, April 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.30 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 181 g (6.38 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 90Hz | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits (HBM), 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 | Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED 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) | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 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), GALILEO (E1), BDS (B1) |
| Radio | Unspecified | Stereo FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Hyper Blue, Hyper Black | Onyx Black, Ice Blue, Pearl Green |
| Models | RMX3395, RMX3396 | 2303CRA44A, 23030RAC7Y, 2303ERA42L |
| Price | About 270 EUR | € 122.47 / $ 149.99 / £ 229.89 |
Realme Narzo 50 Pro
- Superior Performance (Dimensity 920)
- Faster Charging (33W)
- Good Display (90Hz AMOLED)
- Stylish Design
- Camera slightly less versatile than Redmi Note 12S
- 90Hz refresh rate not as high as some competitors
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S
- Versatile Camera System (often 108MP main sensor)
- Vibrant AMOLED Display (120Hz)
- Good Value for Money
- Sleek Design
- Weaker Performance (Helio G96)
- Slower Charging
- Can struggle with demanding games
Display Comparison
Both phones feature AMOLED displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Redmi Note 12S typically has a slightly higher refresh rate (120Hz vs 90Hz on the Narzo 50 Pro), resulting in smoother scrolling and animations. However, the difference is often subtle and may not be noticeable to all users. Both offer good viewing angles and brightness.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi Note 12S generally has a more versatile camera system, often including a higher resolution main sensor (typically 108MP vs 64MP on the Narzo 50 Pro) and potentially more specialized lenses like a macro lens. While the Narzo 50 Pro's camera is capable, the Redmi Note 12S often produces more detailed photos, especially in well-lit conditions. Low-light performance is comparable.
Performance
This is where the Narzo 50 Pro shines. The Dimensity 920 chipset is considerably more powerful than the Helio G96 in the Redmi Note 12S. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and significantly better gaming performance on the Narzo 50 Pro. The Narzo 50 Pro handles demanding games with ease, while the Redmi Note 12S may struggle with higher settings.
Battery Life
Both phones offer decent battery life, typically lasting a full day with moderate usage. The Narzo 50 Pro's 33W fast charging provides a noticeable advantage, allowing it to charge to 50% in just 31 minutes, significantly faster than the Redmi Note 12S's 33W charging.
Buying Guide
The Realme Narzo 50 Pro is ideal for users prioritizing performance, gaming, and fast charging. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is a good fit for those who value a vibrant display, a versatile camera system, and a slightly more budget-friendly price point, especially if performance isn't their top concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme Narzo 50 Pro is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Dimensity 920 chipset.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 12S have a better camera?
Generally, yes. The Redmi Note 12S often features a higher resolution main sensor and a more versatile camera system, though image processing can vary.
❓ Which phone has faster charging?
The Realme Narzo 50 Pro charges faster, reaching 50% in 31 minutes compared to the Redmi Note 12S.
❓ Are both phones 5G capable?
Yes, both the Realme Narzo 50 Pro and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S support 5G connectivity.
