The TCL Stylus and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S are both compelling budget-friendly Android phones, offering a lot of features for the price. But which one comes out on top? This comprehensive comparison will delve into their specs, performance, cameras, and battery life to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S edges out the TCL Stylus thanks to its faster charging, slightly better performance, and potentially improved camera capabilities. However, the TCL Stylus's integrated stylus offers unique functionality for note-taking and creative tasks, making it a strong contender for specific 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 | 2, 4, 5, 12, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 25, 41, 66, 77 SA/NSA/Sub6 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 02 | 2023, March 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 02 | Available. Released 2023, April 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 169.6 x 76.5 x 9 mm (6.68 x 3.01 x 0.35 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 |
| Weight | 213 g (7.51 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| | Stylus | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | NEG | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.81 inches, 110.1 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits (HBM), 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, TCL UI 4.0 | Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
5 MP, 115˚ (ultrawide)
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 | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1), BDS (B1) |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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, 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, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lunar Black | Onyx Black, Ice Blue, Pearl Green |
| Models | T779W | 2303CRA44A, 23030RAC7Y, 2303ERA42L |
| Price | About 240 EUR | € 122.47 / $ 149.99 / £ 229.89 |
| SAR | 1.25 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) | - |
TCL Stylus
- Integrated stylus for note-taking and drawing
- Potentially good battery life due to efficient chipset
- Generally affordable
- Slower charging speed
- Potentially less powerful performance
- Camera may be less versatile
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S
- Faster charging (33W)
- Potentially better performance
- Likely more versatile camera system
- Higher refresh rate display (potentially)
- No stylus support
- Chipset on an older process
- May have MIUI bloatware
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.6-inch display, likely with a resolution around 1080 x 2400 pixels. The Redmi Note 12S may offer a slightly higher refresh rate (90Hz vs potentially 60Hz on the Stylus), resulting in smoother scrolling and animations. Color accuracy and brightness will need to be assessed in a full review, but both are expected to be adequate for the price point.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi Note 12S is expected to have a more versatile camera system, potentially including a higher resolution main sensor (likely 108MP) and additional lenses for ultrawide and macro photography. The TCL Stylus's camera is likely adequate but may lack the same level of detail and features. Low-light performance is also likely to be better on the Redmi Note 12S.
Performance
The Redmi Note 12S's Helio G96 chipset, while on a slightly older 12nm process, generally outperforms the Dimensity 700 in real-world usage. The Dimensity 700's 7nm process is more efficient, but the G96's CPU and GPU configuration often provides a snappier experience. Gaming performance will also likely favor the Redmi Note 12S.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 5000mAh. However, the Redmi Note 12S's 33W fast charging significantly outperforms the TCL Stylus's 18W charging, allowing for much quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The TCL Stylus is ideal for students, note-takers, and anyone who values stylus input for productivity or creativity. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is a better choice for users prioritizing faster charging, smoother performance for everyday tasks, and a potentially more versatile camera system.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the TCL Stylus stylus work with other devices?
No, the TCL Stylus's stylus is specifically designed for and compatible with the TCL Stylus phone.
❓ What software do both phones run?
The TCL Stylus likely runs a customized version of Android, while the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S runs Xiaomi's MIUI skin on top of Android. MIUI is known for its features but can also include bloatware.
