The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Tecno Spark 10 Pro and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will delve into every aspect, from display quality to battery life, to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 edges out the Tecno Spark 10 Pro thanks to its faster Snapdragon chipset, brighter display, and quicker charging. While the Tecno boasts impressive battery endurance, the Redmi Note 12's overall performance and features make it the slightly better choice for most 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, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 06 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 22 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back | - |
| Dimensions | 168.4 x 76.2 x 8.4 mm (6.63 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 208 g (7.34 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.3 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 13, HIOS 12.6 | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP, (depth) | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
other unspecified cameras | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0" |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Black, Pearl White | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | KI7 | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | £ 245.74 | € 151.99 / $ 219.99 / ₹ 11,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 131h
|
Endurance rating 101h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1991:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-29.2 LUFS (Average)
|
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 249938 (v9)
GeekBench: 1358 (v5.1), 1376 (v6)
GFXBench: 8.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 360745 (v9)
GeekBench: 1998 (v5.1), 2017 (v6) |
Tecno Spark 10 Pro
- Exceptional battery life (131h endurance)
- High contrast ratio display
- Competitive price
- Slower chipset performance
- Lower peak brightness
- Slower charging speed
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Faster Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset
- Brighter display (706 nits)
- Faster charging (33W)
- Modern design
- Slightly shorter battery life than Tecno
- Nominal contrast ratio is less specific
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 takes the display crown with a measured peak brightness of 706 nits, significantly higher than the Spark 10 Pro's 521 nits. While the Spark 10 Pro boasts a high nominal contrast ratio of 1991:1, the Redmi Note 12 claims an 'infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting excellent black levels. Both offer vibrant colors, but the Redmi Note 12's brightness provides better visibility in sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is subjective and requires more detailed testing. Both phones feature Photo/Video capabilities, but specific sensor details and image processing algorithms are needed for a definitive comparison. Generally, Xiaomi phones offer well-balanced camera performance, while Tecno often focuses on vibrant colors. Expect both to deliver decent results in good lighting conditions.
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset (6nm) offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Tecno Spark 10 Pro's Helio G88 (12nm). The Cortex-A78 cores in the Snapdragon provide a smoother experience for demanding tasks and gaming. While both have octa-core CPUs, the Redmi Note 12's architecture is more efficient and modern.
Battery Life
The Tecno Spark 10 Pro shines in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 131 hours. However, the Redmi Note 12 still provides a respectable 101 hours. The Redmi Note 12 also offers significantly faster charging at 33W, reaching 50% in just 22 minutes, compared to the Spark 10 Pro's 18W charging.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Spark 10 Pro is ideal for users prioritizing maximum battery life and a high contrast ratio display on a tight budget. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is a better fit for those who value performance, a brighter screen, faster charging, and a more modern chipset.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 12 support 5G?
Yes, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 supports 5G connectivity.
❓ What is the storage capacity of each phone?
Storage options vary by region, but both phones typically offer configurations ranging from 64GB to 256GB, often with expandable storage via microSD card.