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 Pro+. Both promise a lot, but which one truly delivers?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is the clear winner. Its significantly faster processor, stunning 120W charging, superior camera, and impressive battery life outweigh the Ulefone Note 13P's affordability. If performance and features are priorities, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is the better choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International, China |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE-A (CA), 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 24 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 24 | Available. Released 2022, November 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back |
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 75.7 x 9.9 mm (6.39 x 2.98 x 0.39 in) | 162.9 x 76 x 8.9 mm (6.41 x 2.99 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 198.5 g (7.02 oz) | 208.4 g (7.34 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| 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 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6877V Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB 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 | - | 200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.09, 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | No |
| 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 120W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 19 min (advertised) |
| Type | Li-Po 5180 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Black, Mystery Blue | Arctic White, Iceberg Blue, Obsidian Black, Trend edition |
| Models | - | 22101316UCP, 22101316UG |
| Price | About 130 EUR | $ 348.00 / £ 439.00 / € 399.00 / ₹ 29,949 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 88h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.7 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 498710 (v9)
GeekBench: 2208 (v5.1), 2372 (v6)
GFXBench: 22fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Ulefone Note 13P
- Affordable
- Large Display
- Decent Battery Life (for its class)
- Slow Processor
- Slow Charging
- Basic Camera
- Outdated Chipset
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+
- Fast Processor
- Blazing-Fast Charging
- Excellent Camera
- High-Quality Display
- Good Battery Optimization
- More Expensive
- Potential for MIUI bloatware
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ boasts a superior display. While the Note 13P likely has a decent LCD, the Redmi's AMOLED panel (assumed) offers vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast. The Redmi's higher refresh rate (likely 120Hz) also contributes to a smoother user experience. The 'Infinite' contrast ratio is a marketing term, but indicates a high-quality display.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is expected to have a much better camera system. While the Note 13P likely has a basic setup, the Redmi's higher resolution sensor (likely 108MP or higher) and image processing capabilities should result in sharper, more detailed photos with better low-light performance. Video recording capabilities will also be superior on the Redmi.
Performance
The Dimensity 1080 in the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is a substantial upgrade over the Helio G35 in the Ulefone. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Redmi. The Redmi's CPU architecture is also more modern and efficient.
Battery Life
While both phones likely have similar battery capacities (around 5000mAh), the Redmi Note 12 Pro+'s 120W charging is a game-changer. It can charge from 0% to 100% in under 20 minutes, a massive advantage over the Note 13P's slow 10W charging. The Redmi's endurance rating of 88h also suggests excellent battery optimization.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Ulefone Note 13P? Users on a very tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and a large screen. Who should buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+? Anyone seeking a feature-rich phone with excellent performance, fast charging, and a great camera, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Ulefone Note 13P good for gaming?
The Ulefone Note 13P's Helio G35 chipset is adequate for basic games, but don't expect smooth performance in demanding titles. The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is significantly better suited for gaming.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the Redmi Note 12 Pro+?
With its 120W charging, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ can fully charge in approximately 19 minutes (advertised).
