The Realme X9 and Xiaomi 12 Lite both target the competitive mid-range smartphone market, offering a blend of style and performance. However, they approach this goal with slightly different philosophies. The Xiaomi 12 Lite prioritizes a sleek design and strong battery endurance, while the Realme X9 focuses on rapid charging capabilities. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a brighter display, the Xiaomi 12 Lite is the stronger choice. Its 100-hour endurance rating and 824 nits peak brightness provide a more reliable experience. However, the Realme X9’s 65W charging offers a significant convenience factor for those who frequently need a quick power boost.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2022, July 09 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2022, July 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | - | 159.3 x 73.7 x 7.3 mm (6.27 x 2.90 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 173 g (6.10 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 (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~88.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, HDR10 | AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 950 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, AF |
| Triple | 64 MP, (wide), PDAF
13 MP, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | Unspecified | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, AF |
| Video | - | 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Unspecified | No |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Unspecified | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 65W wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 50% in 13 min |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black; other colors | Black, Lite Green, Lite Pink |
| Models | - | 2203129G |
| Price | - | € 119.80 / $ 269.00 / £ 121.15 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 0.73 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.60 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 100h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.2 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 528905 (v9)
GeekBench: 2943 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 29fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme X9
- Faster charging speed (65W)
- Potentially more affordable (depending on market)
- Compact form factor (assumed based on brand history)
- Missing display brightness data suggests a potentially inferior viewing experience
- Unknown battery capacity raises concerns about endurance
Xiaomi 12 Lite
- Excellent battery life (100h endurance)
- Bright display (824 nits)
- Supports PD3.0 and QC4 charging standards
- May be slightly more expensive
- Design may be less striking than some competitors
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi 12 Lite boasts a notably brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 824 nits. This translates to superior visibility under direct sunlight, a crucial advantage for outdoor users. While the Realme X9’s display specifications are not provided, the Xiaomi’s brightness level suggests a clear advantage in this area. Both devices feature an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, typical for AMOLED panels, promising deep blacks and vibrant colors. The absence of refresh rate data for the Realme X9 makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Xiaomi 12 Lite’s display is demonstrably brighter.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information for either phone, a definitive camera comparison is impossible. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is unlikely to significantly impact image quality, serving primarily as a novelty feature. Image processing styles will likely differ, with Xiaomi often favoring more saturated colors and Realme leaning towards a more natural look. The absence of detailed specs makes it difficult to determine a clear winner.
Performance
Both the Realme X9 and Xiaomi 12 Lite are powered by the Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) chipset. This SoC features an octa-core CPU configuration: 1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78, 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78, and 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55. This means performance will be very similar in day-to-day tasks and most games. The 6nm process node offers a good balance of power efficiency and performance. The lack of RAM specifications for the Realme X9 prevents a complete comparison, but assuming similar RAM configurations, the performance difference will be negligible. Thermal management will likely be comparable, given the identical chipset.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi 12 Lite claims an impressive 100-hour endurance rating, indicating excellent battery life. While the Realme X9’s battery capacity is unknown, its 65W wired charging is a key differentiator. The Xiaomi 12 Lite counters with 67W wired charging, supporting PD3.0 and QC4, and claiming a 50% charge in just 13 minutes. This suggests a very competitive charging speed. The Xiaomi’s endurance rating implies a larger battery capacity, potentially offsetting the slightly slower charging speed compared to the Realme X9’s 65W capability. The Xiaomi 12 Lite’s charging also supports more charging standards.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme X9 if you need the fastest possible charging speeds and frequently find yourself needing to top up your battery throughout the day. It’s ideal for users who prioritize convenience over absolute battery longevity. Buy the Xiaomi 12 Lite if you prefer a phone that can comfortably last a full day on a single charge, coupled with a brighter, more visible display in outdoor conditions. This phone is best for users who value endurance and screen visibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 778G in either phone struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 778G is a capable chipset, but Genshin Impact will likely require medium or low graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience on both the Realme X9 and Xiaomi 12 Lite. Expect frame rate dips during intense combat scenarios. Thermal throttling may also become a factor during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the 67W charging on the Xiaomi 12 Lite compatible with all USB-C chargers?
While the Xiaomi 12 Lite supports USB Power Delivery (PD3.0) and Quick Charge 4 (QC4), to achieve the full 67W charging speed, you'll need a charger that specifically supports these protocols. Using a standard USB-C charger will still charge the phone, but at a significantly slower rate.
❓ How does the design of the Xiaomi 12 Lite compare to the Realme X9 in terms of ergonomics and build quality?
The Xiaomi 12 Lite is known for its lightweight and slim profile, making it comfortable to hold and use one-handed. The Realme X9’s design is less documented, but Realme typically focuses on vibrant color options and a more youthful aesthetic. Build quality is likely comparable, with both using plastic frames and glass backs.
