The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme Narzo 50 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, helping you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 edges out the Realme Narzo 50 thanks to its superior battery life, brighter display, and more efficient chipset. While the Narzo 50 offers decent performance, the Redmi Note 12 provides a more well-rounded and polished experience for the price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 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 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 24 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 03 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.97 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 | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | 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 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | 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 2.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, (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@30/120fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, (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 | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Speed Blue, Speed Black | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | RMX3286 | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | About 610 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
- Decent gaming performance
- 33W fast charging
- Competitive price
- Less efficient chipset
- Likely shorter battery life
- Potentially less vibrant display
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Excellent battery life
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- More efficient chipset
- Faster charging (50% in 22 min)
- Camera performance needs further testing
- Design may be less distinctive
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 boasts a significantly brighter display at 706 nits compared to the Narzo 50's likely lower brightness (typical of its class). The 'Infinite' contrast ratio mentioned suggests excellent blacks and vibrant colors on the Redmi Note 12. While the Narzo 50's display is adequate, the Redmi Note 12 offers a noticeably better viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specs are missing. However, Xiaomi generally has a reputation for better camera processing in this price range. We'd expect the Redmi Note 12 to deliver slightly better image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Further testing would be needed for a definitive verdict.
Performance
The Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6nm) chipset is more efficient and generally faster than the Narzo 50's Helio G96 (12nm). The Cortex-A78 cores in the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 provide a performance boost over the Narzo 50's Cortex-A76 cores. Expect smoother multitasking and app loading on the Redmi Note 12.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 12 shines in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 101 hours and an active use score of 10:58 hours. This is a significant advantage over the Narzo 50, which likely offers shorter battery life. The Redmi Note 12's 33W charging also reaches 50% in just 22 minutes, a faster charging speed.
Buying Guide
The Realme Narzo 50 is a good choice for users prioritizing gaming on a tight budget and who don't mind slightly less impressive battery life. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is ideal for those seeking long-lasting battery, a vibrant display for media consumption, and a generally smoother user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme Narzo 50 offers decent gaming performance, but the Redmi Note 12's more efficient chipset might handle demanding games slightly better and with less heat.
❓ How does the battery life compare?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 has significantly better battery life, offering up to 101 hours of endurance and lasting over 10 hours of active use.
