The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Realme Q3s and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme Q3s takes the lead thanks to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 778G chipset, offering superior performance. While the Redmi Note 12S boasts a decent display and camera, the Q3s's processing power makes it the better choice for gamers and demanding users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 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 / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 19 | 2023, March 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 01 | Available. Released 2023, April 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.8 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 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 | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 144Hz, 600 nits | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits (HBM), 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide) | - |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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 | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 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 | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1), BDS (B1) |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 50% in 25 min | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora, Dark Blue | Onyx Black, Ice Blue, Pearl Green |
| Models | - | 2303CRA44A, 23030RAC7Y, 2303ERA42L |
| Price | About 200 EUR | € 122.47 / $ 149.99 / £ 229.89 |
Realme Q3s
- Superior Performance (Snapdragon 778G)
- Faster Charging (30W)
- Good Display Quality
- Sleek Design
- Smaller Battery Capacity
- Camera might not be as detailed as Redmi Note 12S in optimal conditions
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S
- Larger Battery Capacity
- High-Resolution 108MP Camera
- Competitive Price
- Reliable Brand
- Weaker Processor (Helio G96)
- Slower Charging
- Potential for Lag under Heavy Load
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.43-inch AMOLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate. The Redmi Note 12S has a slightly higher resolution (1080 x 2400) compared to the Q3s (1080 x 2400). Color accuracy and viewing angles are generally good on both, but the Q3s might offer slightly better brightness.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi Note 12S features a 108MP main camera, potentially offering more detailed photos in ideal lighting conditions. The Q3s has a 48MP main camera. Both phones have ultrawide and macro lenses. Image processing and color science differ, with the Redmi Note 12S potentially producing more saturated colors. Low-light performance is likely comparable.
Performance
This is where the Realme Q3s truly shines. The Snapdragon 778G is a powerhouse compared to the Helio G96. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother gaming, and better overall responsiveness on the Q3s. The Q3s handles demanding tasks with ease, while the Redmi Note 12S might show some lag under heavy load.
Battery Life
The Realme Q3s has a 4200mAh battery, while the Redmi Note 12S has a 5000mAh battery. However, the Q3s's 30W charging is faster than the Redmi Note 12S's 33W charging, and it can reach 50% in 25 minutes. Battery life will depend on usage, but the Redmi Note 12S's larger capacity *could* provide slightly longer overall usage.
Buying Guide
The Realme Q3s is ideal for users prioritizing performance, smooth multitasking, and gaming. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is a good fit for those seeking a reliable all-rounder with a focus on camera quality and a slightly more budget-friendly price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme Q3s is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 778G chipset.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 12S have a better camera?
The Redmi Note 12S has a higher resolution 108MP camera, which *could* capture more detail in ideal lighting. However, overall camera quality depends on image processing and low-light performance, which are comparable.
