Realme Q5 Pro vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S: A Detailed Showdown

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the Realme Q5 Pro and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which device reigns supreme.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Realme Q5 Pro is the clear winner thanks to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset, offering vastly superior performance. While the Redmi Note 12S offers a more budget-friendly price and decent features, it can't compete with the Q5 Pro's processing power. It's a performance-focused choice.

PHONES
Phone Names	Realme Q5 Pro	Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S

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, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
5G bands	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA	-
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	CDMA2000 1x	-

Launch
Announced	2022, April 20	2023, March 06
Status	Available. Released 2022, April 28	Available. Released 2023, April 26

Body
Dimensions	162.9 x 75.8 x 8.7 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.34 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	194.5 g (6.88 oz)	176 g (6.21 oz)

Display
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size	6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)	6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)	AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits (HBM), 1000 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)	Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)	Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)
GPU	Adreno 650	Mali-G57 MC2
OS	Android 12, Realme UI 3.0	Android 13, MIUI 14

Memory
Card slot	No	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM	64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
	UFS 3.1	-

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm	-
Triple	64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 16mm, 119˚ (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	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	HDR, panorama	-
Single	16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm	16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)
Video	1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	Yes
35mm jack	No	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 (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC	GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1), BDS (B1)
Radio	No	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	80W wired	33W wired
Type	5000 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, White, Yellow	Onyx Black, Ice Blue, Pearl Green
Models	RMX3372	2303CRA44A, 23030RAC7Y, 2303ERA42L
Price	About 330 EUR	€ 122.47 / $ 149.99 / £ 229.89

Realme Q5 Pro

Significantly faster performance (Snapdragon 870)
80W fast charging
Larger display (likely)
Premium feel

Potentially higher price
Camera specs less readily available
May lack some of the Redmi's software features

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S

More affordable
108MP main camera (potentially)
Reliable brand
Good for everyday use

Slower performance (Helio G96)
33W charging (slower)
Less premium build quality

Display Comparison

Both phones feature AMOLED displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Redmi Note 12S typically has a 6.43-inch display, while the Q5 Pro has a 6.67-inch display. The Q5 Pro's larger size might be preferable for media consumption, but the Note 12S's slightly smaller size could be more comfortable for one-handed use. Refresh rates are likely to be 120Hz on both.

Camera Comparison

The Redmi Note 12S often features a 108MP main camera, potentially offering more detailed photos in good lighting conditions. The Realme Q5 Pro likely has a capable camera setup, but the specifications are less readily available. Image processing and software optimization will play a crucial role in the final image quality.

Performance

This is where the Realme Q5 Pro truly shines. The Snapdragon 870 is a flagship-level chipset, providing significantly faster processing speeds and smoother multitasking compared to the Helio G96 in the Redmi Note 12S. Expect noticeable differences in gaming performance and app loading times.

Battery Life

The Realme Q5 Pro boasts 80W wired charging, allowing for incredibly fast charging times. The Redmi Note 12S offers 33W charging, which is still respectable but slower. Both phones likely have battery capacities around 5000mAh, suggesting similar battery life under moderate usage.

Buying Guide

The Realme Q5 Pro is ideal for gamers, power users, and anyone who prioritizes speed and responsiveness. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is a great option for budget-conscious users who need a reliable phone for everyday tasks and casual photography.