The Samsung Galaxy M17 and Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$250 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through chipset selection and charging implementation. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and potentially better long-term software support, the Samsung Galaxy M17 edges out the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G. The Exynos 1330, built on a 5nm process, offers a slight performance advantage and potentially better thermal management, despite the Redmi 12 5G's more efficient 4nm Snapdragon.
| 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, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, October 10 | 2023, August 01 |
| Status | Available. Released Exp. release 2025, October 13 | Available. Released 2023, August 04 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass) |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.5 mm (6.47 x 3.07 x 0.30 in) | 168.6 x 76.3 x 8.2 mm (6.64 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.79 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 1100 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 550 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Exynos 1330 (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MP2 | Adreno 613 |
| OS | Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, HyperOS 2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF, OIS
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Unspecified |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 25W wired | 18W wired, PD |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Moonlight Silver, Sapphire Black | Jade Black, Pastel Blue, Moonstone Silver |
| Models | - | 23076RN4BI, 23076RN8DY, 2AFZZRN8DY |
| Price | About 120 EUR | € 104.09 / ₹ 15,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 0.88 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.98 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy M17
- Potentially better CPU performance due to higher clock speeds.
- 5nm process may offer better thermal management.
- Samsung's established software support and ecosystem.
- Slower charging speed (25W vs 18W with PD).
- Potentially lower power efficiency compared to the 4nm Snapdragon.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G
- More power-efficient 4nm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset.
- 18W charging with Power Delivery (PD) for wider charger compatibility.
- Potentially lower price point.
- Slightly lower CPU clock speeds.
- May experience more throttling under sustained load.
Display Comparison
Display specifications are not provided, but given the price bracket, both devices likely feature LCD panels with FHD+ resolution. The key differentiator will be peak brightness and color accuracy. Samsung typically excels in display calibration, potentially offering a more vibrant and accurate viewing experience. However, without specific data, it's difficult to definitively state which device has the superior display. PWM dimming rates would also be a crucial factor for users sensitive to flicker.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are absent, but it's reasonable to assume both phones feature multi-camera setups. The quality will hinge on the primary sensor's resolution and aperture. Larger sensors with wider apertures capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance. Image processing algorithms also play a significant role, and Samsung's typically leans towards more saturated colors, while Xiaomi often aims for a more natural look. The presence or absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the main sensor would be a critical differentiator, providing sharper images and smoother video recording.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy M17’s Exynos 1330 (5nm) and the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4nm) both utilize an octa-core configuration with 2x Cortex-A78 performance cores and 6x Cortex-A55 efficiency cores. While the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 benefits from a more efficient 4nm process, the Exynos 1330 has a slightly higher clock speed on its performance cores (2.4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). This suggests the Exynos 1330 may offer a marginal edge in CPU-bound tasks. The 5nm process of the Exynos 1330 could also translate to better thermal management under sustained load, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended gaming sessions. RAM speed (LPDDR4x vs LPDDR5) is unknown, but would further impact performance.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified, but the charging capabilities reveal a key difference. The Samsung Galaxy M17 supports 25W wired charging, while the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G offers 18W charging with Power Delivery (PD). PD support is a benefit for the Redmi 12 5G, allowing it to charge with a wider range of chargers and potentially offering more efficient charging. While 25W is faster, the Redmi 12 5G’s 4nm chipset may offset the charging speed difference with improved power efficiency, potentially resulting in comparable real-world battery life. A larger battery capacity on either device would, of course, be a significant advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M17 if you need a phone capable of handling moderately demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking without significant throttling, and if you value Samsung's established software ecosystem. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G if you prioritize power efficiency, faster charging with PD support, and a potentially lower price point, making it ideal for users who primarily use their phone for basic communication and light social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1330 in the Galaxy M17 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 1330 is a capable chip, its thermal performance will depend on the phone's cooling solution. The 5nm process should help mitigate heat, but sustained gaming will likely cause some throttling. The Redmi 12 5G's 4nm Snapdragon may exhibit less throttling, but the Exynos 1330's slightly higher clock speeds could provide a performance advantage before throttling kicks in.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Redmi 12 5G significantly slower than the 25W charging on the Galaxy M17 in real-world use?
The difference in charging speed may not be as dramatic as the wattage suggests. The Redmi 12 5G's Power Delivery (PD) support allows for more efficient charging, potentially closing the gap. Furthermore, the 4nm chipset's power efficiency could mean the battery depletes slower, reducing the need for frequent full charges.
❓ Will either phone struggle with demanding 5G applications like video streaming or cloud gaming?
Both phones should handle basic 5G applications like web browsing and social media without issue. However, demanding tasks like high-resolution video streaming or cloud gaming may push the chipsets to their limits. The Exynos 1330 in the Galaxy M17 likely has a slight edge in these scenarios due to its higher clock speeds, but thermal throttling could become a factor.
