The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Tecno Pova 4 Pro and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but which one truly comes out on top? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Tecno Pova 4 Pro edges out the Redmi Note 12S thanks to its significantly faster chipset and quicker 45W charging. While the Redmi Note 12S boasts a potentially better camera and more refined software, the Pova 4 Pro's raw performance makes it the more appealing choice for gamers and power users.
| 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 | 2022, October 10 | 2023, March 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 10 | Available. Released 2023, April 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 77 x 9.2 mm (6.49 x 3.03 x 0.36 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 2460 pixels (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.66 inches, 105.3 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz | 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 Helio G99 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, HIOS | Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP, (depth) | - |
| Features | Dual LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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) |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Fluorite Blue | Onyx Black, Ice Blue, Pearl Green |
| Models | LG8n | 2303CRA44A, 23030RAC7Y, 2303ERA42L |
| Price | - | € 122.47 / $ 149.99 / £ 229.89 |
Tecno Pova 4 Pro
- Faster Processor (Helio G99)
- 45W Fast Charging
- Larger Battery Capacity
- Good Gaming Performance
- 120Hz AMOLED Display
- Camera may not be as refined as Redmi Note 12S
- Tecno's software can be a bit cluttered
- Design might be less premium
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S
- Potentially better camera quality
- More polished MIUI software
- Slightly more premium design
- Good value for money
- 120Hz AMOLED Display
- Slower Processor (Helio G96)
- 33W Charging is slower
- Smaller Battery Capacity
- Performance lags behind Pova 4 Pro
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 due to Xiaomi's display calibration, but the difference is minimal. Brightness levels are comparable.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi Note 12S is likely to have a slight edge in camera performance. While the Pova 4 Pro has a 50MP main sensor, the Redmi Note 12S often features a more sophisticated image processing pipeline and potentially better low-light capabilities. Both offer decent image quality for the price, but the Redmi Note 12S's software optimizations are generally superior.
Performance
This is where the Tecno Pova 4 Pro shines. Its Mediatek Helio G99 chipset (6nm) is considerably more powerful than the Redmi Note 12S's Helio G96 (12nm). Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Pova 4 Pro. The G99's efficiency also contributes to better thermal management.
Battery Life
The Tecno Pova 4 Pro typically features a larger battery capacity (around 6000mAh) compared to the Redmi Note 12S (around 5000mAh). Coupled with the faster 45W charging, the Pova 4 Pro offers longer battery life and quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Pova 4 Pro is ideal for gamers, social media enthusiasts, and anyone prioritizing performance and fast charging. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is a better fit for users who value camera quality, a polished user experience, and a slightly more premium design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Tecno Pova 4 Pro is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Helio G99 chipset.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 12S have better software?
Yes, the Redmi Note 12S typically runs Xiaomi's MIUI, which is generally considered to be more polished and feature-rich than Tecno's HiOS.
❓ Which phone charges faster?
The Tecno Pova 4 Pro charges faster with its 45W wired charging compared to the Redmi Note 12S's 33W charging.
❓ Are the displays similar?
Yes, both phones feature 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering a similar viewing experience.
