vivo iQOO Z6 Lite vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 12: The Ultimate Budget Showdown

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO Z6 Lite and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at an affordable price, but which one reigns supreme? This detailed comparison will help you decide which phone best suits your needs.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 edges out the iQOO Z6 Lite thanks to its significantly faster charging, brighter display, and generally better overall software experience. While both share the same chipset, the Redmi Note 12's refinements make it the more well-rounded choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	vivo iQOO Z6 Lite	Xiaomi Redmi Note 12

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	1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41	1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41
5G bands	77, 78 SA/NSA	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G

Launch
Announced	2022, September 14	2022, October 27
Status	Available. Released 2022, September 14	Available. Released 2023, January 11

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back	-
Dimensions	164 x 75.8 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.98 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	194 g (6.84 oz)	188 g (6.63 oz)
	-	IP53, dust and splash resistant

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size	6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio)	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 120Hz	AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm)	Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm)
GPU	Adreno 619	Adreno 619
OS	Android 12, Funtouch 12	Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India)

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM	128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
	-	UFS 2.2

Main Camera
Dual	50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro)	-
Features	Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama	Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)	-
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
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)	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	5.1, A2DP, LE	5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared port	-	Yes
NFC	No	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS	GPS, GLONASS
Radio	FM radio	Unspecified
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	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	Mystic Night, Stellar Green	Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue
Models	I2208	22111317I, 22111317G
Price	About 180 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)

vivo iQOO Z6 Lite

Clean Android experience
Compact design (likely)
Decent performance for the price

Slower charging
Lower display brightness (assumed)
Less refined software

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12

Faster 33W charging
Brighter display
Polished MIUI software
Excellent battery life

MIUI can be feature-heavy (preference-based)
Design may be less distinctive

Display Comparison

The Redmi Note 12 boasts a significantly brighter display at 706 nits compared to the iQOO Z6 Lite (brightness data unavailable, assumed lower). The Redmi Note 12's 'infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests deeper blacks and better image quality. While both likely use similar LCD panels, the Redmi Note 12 has a clear advantage in visual clarity and outdoor usability.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is likely comparable given the shared chipset. Both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specs (resolution, aperture) are missing. Expect decent image quality in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light. The Redmi Note 12's software processing might offer slightly better results.

Performance

Both phones share the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset and CPU configuration. Expect similar performance in everyday tasks and light gaming. However, software optimization can play a crucial role, and Xiaomi's MIUI often provides a smoother experience than vivo's Funtouch OS, potentially giving the Redmi Note 12 a slight edge.

Battery Life

The Redmi Note 12 shines in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 101 hours and active use score of 10:58 hours. The iQOO Z6 Lite's battery capacity is likely similar (around 5000mAh), but its battery optimization might not be as efficient. The Redmi Note 12 also offers significantly faster 33W charging compared to the iQOO Z6 Lite's 18W.

Buying Guide

The vivo iQOO Z6 Lite is a good option for users prioritizing a clean Android experience and a slightly more compact design. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is ideal for those who value faster charging, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and a slightly more polished software experience.