The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Ulefone Note 13P and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12. Both promise a lot, but which one delivers the best overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 emerges as the clear winner. Its superior chipset, faster charging, brighter display, and impressive battery life outweigh the Ulefone Note 13P's more affordable price. If performance and features are your priority, the Redmi Note 12 is the better choice.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28 | 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 | 2021, November 24 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 24 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 75.7 x 9.9 mm (6.39 x 2.98 x 0.39 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 | 198.5 g (7.02 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 20 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.78, 1.0µm, AF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.09, 1.0µm | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.09, 1.0µm | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | 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 | 10W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5180 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Black, Mystery Blue | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | - | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | About 130 EUR | € 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 101h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 360745 (v9)
GeekBench: 1998 (v5.1), 2017 (v6) |
Ulefone Note 13P
- More affordable
- Decent battery life (though not exceptional)
- Standard Android experience
- Weaker chipset
- Slow charging
- Dimmer display
- Lower camera quality
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Faster performance
- Brighter and better display
- Significantly faster charging
- Longer battery life
- Better camera
- Slightly more expensive
- Potential for Xiaomi bloatware (depending on region)
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 boasts a significantly brighter display (706 nits vs. likely around 400-450 nits for the Ulefone), offering better visibility outdoors. The 'Infinite' contrast ratio suggests excellent blacks and vibrant colors on the Redmi. While both likely use IPS LCD panels, the Redmi's display is noticeably superior.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Redmi Note 12 likely has a more sophisticated camera system with better image processing. Expect improved dynamic range, detail, and low-light performance from the Redmi. Specific megapixel counts are needed for a more precise comparison, but the chipset advantage favors the Redmi.
Performance
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 in the Redmi Note 12 is a substantial upgrade over the Helio G35 in the Ulefone. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Redmi. The 6nm process also contributes to better power efficiency.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 12 shines here. Its endurance rating of 101h is exceptional, and the 33W charging is a game-changer compared to the Ulefone's 10W. The Redmi will last significantly longer on a single charge and recharge much faster.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Ulefone Note 13P? Users on a very tight budget who prioritize affordability above all else. Who should buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12? Anyone seeking a well-rounded budget phone with a good display, decent camera, and long battery life, and who appreciates faster charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Ulefone Note 13P good for gaming?
The Ulefone Note 13P can handle basic games, but don't expect high frame rates or smooth performance in demanding titles. The Redmi Note 12 is a much better choice for gaming.
❓ How long does the Redmi Note 12 take to charge?
The Redmi Note 12 charges from 0% to 50% in approximately 22 minutes with its 33W fast charging.
