The sub-₹15,000 (approximately $180 USD) smartphone segment in India is fiercely competitive. Both the Samsung Galaxy M12 and Xiaomi Redmi 9 Power aim to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank. This comparison dissects their core components – from chipsets to charging – to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly more refined software experience, the Samsung Galaxy M12 emerges as the better choice. While the Redmi 9 Power boasts faster charging, the Exynos 850’s architecture provides a smoother overall experience, especially in multi-tasking scenarios.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, February 05 | 2020, December 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 18 | Available. Released 2020, December 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.9 x 9.7 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.38 in) | 162.3 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 221 g (7.80 oz) | 198 g (6.98 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, One UI 3.1 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 350 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 8 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Attractive Black, Elegant Blue, Trendy Emerald Green | Mighty Black, Fiery Red, Electric Green, Blazing Blue |
| Models | SM-M127F, SM-M127F/DS, SM-F127G, SM-F127G/DS, SM-M127G, SM-M127G/DS | M2010J19SI, M2010J19SL |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) | 0.87 W/kg (head) 0.86 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.54 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | - |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 6GB RAM | ₹ 13,999 | - |
Samsung Galaxy M12 (India)
- More efficient Exynos 850 chipset
- Potentially smoother multi-tasking
- Samsung’s One UI software experience
- Slower 15W charging
- No reverse charging
Xiaomi Redmi 9 Power
- Faster 18W charging with reverse charging
- Snapdragon 662 offers decent single-core performance
- MIUI offers extensive customization options
- Less efficient Snapdragon 662 chipset
- Potential for more thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common trait in this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood: the Galaxy M12’s Exynos 850 likely drives a 60Hz panel, while the Redmi 9 Power’s Snapdragon 662 could potentially support a slightly higher refresh rate, though this isn’t confirmed in the provided data. The absence of high peak brightness specifications suggests both displays will struggle in direct sunlight. Bezels are expected to be similar, typical of budget devices.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is difficult to assess without detailed sensor information. Both phones likely feature a primary camera alongside multiple auxiliary lenses (often 2MP macro/depth sensors). The Redmi 9 Power’s camera system is likely tuned for vibrant, saturated images, a common Xiaomi trait. Samsung typically aims for more natural color reproduction. The absence of OIS on either device suggests low-light performance will be limited. The usefulness of the 2MP macro cameras on both devices is questionable, offering limited detail and resolution.
Performance
The chipset battle is central here. The Samsung Galaxy M12’s Exynos 850, built on an 8nm process, offers a more modern architecture than the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Power’s Snapdragon 662 (11nm). While both are octa-core CPUs with similar clock speeds (2.0 GHz), the Exynos 850 benefits from a more efficient manufacturing process, potentially leading to better thermal management and sustained performance. The Snapdragon 662’s Kryo 260 Gold cores offer a slight edge in single-core performance, but the Exynos 850’s overall architecture is better suited for multi-tasking. The 6GB of RAM in the M12 variant is standard, and should provide adequate performance for most users.
Battery Life
The Redmi 9 Power’s 18W wired charging is a clear advantage over the Galaxy M12’s 15W charging. This translates to significantly faster top-up times. The Redmi 9 Power also includes 2.5W reverse wired charging, a niche feature allowing it to charge other devices, albeit slowly. While battery capacity isn’t specified, both phones likely house batteries in the 5000-6000 mAh range, providing all-day battery life for moderate users. The Snapdragon 662’s 11nm process may consume slightly more power than the Exynos 850’s 8nm process, potentially offsetting some of the charging advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M12 (India) if you need a phone for consistent daily use, moderate gaming, and appreciate Samsung’s One UI software. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Power if you prioritize fast charging and frequently find yourself needing to top up your battery quickly, and are comfortable with Xiaomi’s MIUI.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Galaxy M12 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850’s 8nm process is designed for efficiency, minimizing heat generation. While it won’t match flagship-level performance, it should handle moderate gaming sessions without significant throttling. However, extended, graphically intensive games may still lead to some performance reduction.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro cameras on both the Galaxy M12 and Redmi 9 Power are largely marketing features. Their low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. They are best avoided in favor of the main camera.
❓ Can the Redmi 9 Power fully charge another phone using its reverse wired charging feature?
The Redmi 9 Power’s 2.5W reverse wired charging is extremely slow. It’s primarily intended for emergency top-ups of accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches, not for fully charging another smartphone.
❓ Which phone is better for running multiple apps simultaneously without lag?
The Samsung Galaxy M12, with its Exynos 850 chipset and potentially more optimized software, is better suited for multi-tasking. The Exynos 850’s architecture handles concurrent tasks more efficiently than the Snapdragon 662.
