The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Tecno Camon 20 Pro and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S are two strong contenders vying for your attention. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but which one truly comes out on top? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Tecno Camon 20 Pro edges out the Redmi Note 12S thanks to its more powerful chipset and potentially better camera capabilities. However, the Redmi Note 12S might offer a slightly better display and potentially more refined MIUI software experience. It's a close call, depending on your priorities.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 09 | 2023, March 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May 09 | Available. Released 2023, April 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.4 x 76.7 x 7.8 mm (6.43 x 3.02 x 0.31 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits (HBM), 1000 nits (peak) |
| | Always-on display | - |
| 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 Helio G99 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13, HIOS 13 | Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Ring-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/1.7", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lenses | 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 | Dual-LED flash | - |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 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 |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1), BDS (B1) |
| Radio | FM radio | Stereo FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Predawn Black, Serenity Blue | Onyx Black, Ice Blue, Pearl Green |
| Models | CK7n | 2303CRA44A, 23030RAC7Y, 2303ERA42L |
| Price | - | € 122.47 / $ 149.99 / £ 229.89 |
Tecno Camon 20 Pro
- More powerful chipset (Helio G99)
- Potentially better camera performance
- Sleek design
- Good value for money
- Tecno's software can be a bit cluttered
- Brand recognition not as strong as Xiaomi
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S
- Reliable brand reputation
- Potentially better display calibration
- Clean and polished MIUI software
- Good all-around performance
- Less powerful chipset (Helio G96)
- Camera may not be as impressive as the Camon 20 Pro
- 12nm process is less efficient
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The Redmi Note 12S might have slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to Xiaomi's display tuning, but the difference is likely minimal. Both offer excellent viewing experiences.
Camera Comparison
The Camon 20 Pro is expected to have a more advanced camera system, potentially including a higher resolution main sensor and improved image processing algorithms. While the Redmi Note 12S boasts a capable 108MP main camera, the Camon 20 Pro's overall camera performance, especially in low light, is likely to be superior. Both offer decent selfie cameras.
Performance
The Tecno Camon 20 Pro's Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Redmi Note 12S's Helio G96 (12nm). The G99's more efficient manufacturing process and slightly higher clock speeds translate to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance. Expect the Camon 20 Pro to handle demanding games with ease.
Battery Life
Both phones feature a 5000mAh battery and 33W wired charging. Battery life should be comparable, offering a full day of moderate usage. Charging times are also expected to be similar, around 75-85 minutes for a full charge.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Camon 20 Pro is ideal for users prioritizing performance and camera quality, especially those who enjoy mobile gaming. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is a great choice for users who value a well-rounded experience with a reliable brand and a potentially more polished software interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Tecno Camon 20 Pro is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful Helio G99 chipset.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 12S have a better camera?
While the Redmi Note 12S has a 108MP camera, the Tecno Camon 20 Pro is expected to offer better overall camera performance, especially in low light.
❓ Which phone has a better software experience?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S benefits from Xiaomi's MIUI, which is generally considered to be more polished and feature-rich than Tecno's HiOS.
❓ Are the charging speeds the same?
Yes, both phones support 33W wired charging, resulting in similar charging times.
