Ulefone Note 18 Pro vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G: A Deep Dive into Battery and Performance

The Ulefone Note 18 Pro and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G represent compelling options in the crowded mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they diverge significantly in their core philosophies: Ulefone champions exceptional battery endurance, while Xiaomi prioritizes a more efficient chipset and significantly faster charging speeds. This comparison will dissect these differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-day (and potentially multi-day) battery life, the Ulefone Note 18 Pro is the clear winner. However, if rapid charging and a slightly more refined chipset experience are paramount, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G offers a compelling alternative.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Note 18 Pro Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2024, November2023, March 03
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, NovemberAvailable. Released 2023, April 11
Body
Dimensions168.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm (6.65 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)164.2 x 76.1 x 8.1 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight211.6 g (7.48 oz)201.8 g (7.13 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass, Mohs level 4-
Resolution720 x 1640 pixels (~264 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzAMOLED, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, 700 nits (HBM), 1100 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G91 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM7150 Snapdragon 732G (8 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 618
OSAndroid 14Android 11, MIUI 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
Dual64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.73", 0.64µm, PDAF 50 MP, f/2.2, 117˚, (ultrawide), 1/2.8"-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, 120˚, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radio, RDS, recordingUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired67W wired
TypeLi-Po 5450 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsLustrous Black, Moonlit White, Titanium GrayStar Blue, Graphite Gray, Polar White, Ice blue
Models-‎2209116AG, 2209116AG
Price-About 150 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery52:36h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass B-
Free fallClass C (103 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

Ulefone Note 18 Pro

  • Exceptional battery life (52:36h endurance)
  • Potentially larger battery capacity
  • 1000 charge cycles suggest long-term battery health

  • Slower 18W charging
  • Less efficient chipset (Mediatek Helio G91)

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G

  • Faster and more efficient chipset (Snapdragon 732G)
  • Ultra-fast 67W charging
  • Superior image processing capabilities

  • Shorter battery life compared to Ulefone
  • Potentially less long-term battery health (due to faster charging)

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a flagship-level display, but details are lacking to make a direct comparison. However, the focus here is on internal components. We can assume both utilize IPS LCD panels given the price bracket. The absence of high refresh rate or LTPO technology suggests neither is geared towards demanding visual experiences.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset difference hints at superior image signal processing (ISP) capabilities within the Snapdragon 732G. Qualcomm’s ISPs are generally known for their robust noise reduction and dynamic range optimization. The Ulefone’s Helio G91, while capable, likely won’t match this level of refinement. The absence of information regarding sensor size and OIS makes it impossible to definitively declare a winner, but the Xiaomi has a processing advantage.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G, fabricated on an 8nm process, offers a clear architectural advantage over the Ulefone Note 18 Pro’s Mediatek Helio G91 (12nm). The 8nm process inherently leads to better power efficiency and thermal management, meaning the Snapdragon 732G is likely to sustain peak performance for longer periods without throttling. While both CPUs feature a similar core configuration (2x high-performance & 6x efficiency cores), the Snapdragon’s Kryo 470 Gold cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, have a slight edge over the Helio G91’s Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking on the Xiaomi.

Battery Life

The Ulefone Note 18 Pro’s standout feature is its impressive 52:36h endurance rating. This suggests a significantly larger battery capacity than the Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G, although the exact mAh isn’t specified. However, this longevity comes at the cost of charging speed. The Ulefone is limited to 18W wired charging, meaning a full charge will take considerably longer than the Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G’s blazing-fast 67W charging. The Xiaomi can likely achieve a 0-100% charge in under 45 minutes, while the Ulefone will likely take well over two hours. This is a crucial trade-off: extended runtime versus rapid replenishment.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Note 18 Pro if you need a phone that can reliably last through heavy usage, travel frequently without easy access to power outlets, or simply dislike the anxiety of constantly monitoring battery percentages. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G if you prefer the convenience of incredibly fast charging, value a more power-efficient processor for sustained performance, and are willing to trade some battery longevity for those benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio G91 in the Ulefone Note 18 Pro struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
The Helio G91 is a capable chipset, but it's not designed for high-end gaming. While you can likely play PUBG at medium settings, expect some frame drops and potential thermal throttling during extended sessions. Genshin Impact may require significantly lower settings to maintain playable frame rates. The Snapdragon 732G in the Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G will offer a smoother gaming experience overall.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G compared to the 18W charging on the Ulefone Note 18 Pro in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G can likely charge from 0-100% in around 40-45 minutes, while the Ulefone Note 18 Pro will likely take over 2 hours. This means you can quickly top up the Redmi during a short break, whereas the Ulefone requires overnight charging to fully replenish.
❓ Does the Ulefone Note 18 Pro's battery health degrade quickly with the 18W charging, or do the 1000 charge cycles mitigate this?
The advertised 1000 charge cycles suggest Ulefone has implemented battery management features to minimize degradation. While all batteries degrade over time, the 1000 cycle claim indicates the Ulefone Note 18 Pro is designed for long-term battery health, even with regular charging.