Tecno Camon 17 Pro vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S: A Detailed Showdown

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Tecno Camon 17 Pro and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Redmi Note 12S edges out the Camon 17 Pro thanks to its likely improved camera system and potentially more modern software experience. While the Camon 17 Pro boasts impressive battery endurance, the Note 12S offers a more well-rounded package for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Tecno Camon 17 Pro Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2021, May 082023, March 06
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 03Available. Released 2023, April 26
Body
Dimensions168.9 x 77 x 9 mm (6.65 x 3.03 x 0.35 in)159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.30 x 2.91 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight201 g (7.09 oz)176 g (6.21 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM)AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits (HBM), 1000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G76 MC4Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 11, HIOS 7.6Android 13, MIUI 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesQuad-LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (monochrome) Auxiliary lens-
Single48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm-
Triple-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)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash-
Single48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPSGPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1), BDS (B1)
RadioFM radio, recordingStereo FM radio, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging25W / 33W wired33W wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsCalifornia Silver, Malibu BlueOnyx Black, Ice Blue, Pearl Green
ModelsCG8, CG8h2303CRA44A, 23030RAC7Y, 2303ERA42L
PriceAbout 280 EUR€ 122.47 / $ 149.99 / £ 229.89
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 140h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 781:1 (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -24.4 LUFS (Very good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 309107 (v8) GeekBench: 1668 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Tecno Camon 17 Pro

  • Exceptional battery life (140h endurance)
  • Vibrant display with high contrast
  • Potentially good value for money

  • Camera details are unclear
  • Software experience may be less polished
  • Chipset is slightly older

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S

  • Likely improved camera system
  • Potentially smoother software experience
  • Fast charging (33W)
  • Modern design

  • Battery life may be slightly shorter than Camon 17 Pro
  • Performance is comparable to Camon 17 Pro

Display Comparison

The Tecno Camon 17 Pro boasts a high contrast ratio of 781:1 and a measured brightness of 538 nits, suggesting a vibrant and easily viewable display. The Redmi Note 12S likely features an AMOLED display (common for the series), offering deeper blacks and potentially better color accuracy, though specific specs are needed for confirmation. Brightness is expected to be competitive.

Camera Comparison

The Camon 17 Pro is marketed as a camera-focused device, but specific sensor details are missing. The Redmi Note 12S is expected to have a higher resolution main sensor and potentially improved image processing, leading to better overall photo quality, especially in low light. Video capabilities are likely comparable.

Performance

Both phones utilize a Mediatek Helio G95 (Camon 17 Pro) and Helio G96 (Redmi Note 12S) chipset with the same CPU configuration. While the G96 generally offers a slight edge in GPU performance, real-world differences will likely be minimal for everyday tasks. Software optimization will play a crucial role in the overall user experience.

Battery Life

The Tecno Camon 17 Pro shines with an impressive endurance rating of 140 hours, indicating exceptional battery life. The Redmi Note 12S, while offering 33W fast charging, likely has a slightly smaller battery capacity, but should still provide a full day of use.

Buying Guide

The Tecno Camon 17 Pro is ideal for users prioritizing exceptional battery life and a vibrant display. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is a better choice for those seeking a more versatile camera system, a potentially smoother user experience, and a more modern design.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Tecno Camon 17 Pro has a significantly higher endurance rating (140h), suggesting superior battery life.
❓ Is the Redmi Note 12S worth the extra money?
It depends on your priorities. If camera quality and a smoother software experience are important, the Redmi Note 12S is likely worth the investment.