Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming, especially with so many options in the budget-friendly range. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the vivo V23e 5G and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The vivo V23e 5G offers 5G connectivity and a slightly faster chipset, making it a better choice for those prioritizing speed and future-proofing. However, the Redmi Note 12 4G boasts exceptional battery life and a potentially brighter display, appealing to users who value longevity and media consumption.
| 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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 23 | 2023, March 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December 01 | Available. Released 2023, March 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 74.3 x 7.4 mm (6.33 x 2.93 x 0.29 in) | 165.7 x 76 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 183.5 g (6.49 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 12 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0" |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C, 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired, 69% in 30 min | 33W wired |
| Type | 4050 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sunshine Coast (Sunshine Gold), Moonlight Shadow (Midnight Blue) | Onyx Gray, Mint Green, Ice Blue |
| Models | V2126 | 23021RAAEG, 23021RAA2Y, 23027RAD4I, 23028RA60L |
| Price | About 350 EUR | £ 189.99 / € 107.98 / ₹ 9,998 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 0.89 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.90 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 117h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.9 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 319219 (v9)
GeekBench: 1797 (v5.1), 1341 (v6)
GFXBench: 7.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo V23e 5G
- 5G Connectivity
- Faster Chipset (Dimensity 810)
- Potentially Better Camera
- Modern Design
- Battery Life Not as Good as Redmi Note 12
- Display Specs Less Detailed
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G
- Exceptional Battery Life (117h Endurance)
- Brighter Display (744 nits)
- Reliable Performance for Everyday Use
- Affordable Price
- No 5G Connectivity
- Slower Chipset (Snapdragon 685)
- Potentially Less Versatile Camera
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 4G has a measured peak brightness of 744 nits, suggesting a potentially brighter and more visible display, especially outdoors. While the V23e 5G's display details are less readily available, it likely offers good color accuracy and sharpness. The Redmi Note 12 4G's 'infinite' contrast ratio is a nominal claim and should be taken with a grain of salt.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities, but specific camera specs are missing. The V23e 5G is likely to have a more versatile camera system, potentially including a wider range of features and better low-light performance. The Redmi Note 12 4G's camera is expected to deliver decent image quality for casual photography.
Performance
The vivo V23e 5G's Mediatek Dimensity 810 chipset generally outperforms the Redmi Note 12 4G's Snapdragon 685. The Dimensity 810's Cortex-A76 cores provide a noticeable boost in processing power, making the V23e 5G better suited for demanding tasks and gaming. The Redmi Note 12 4G is still capable for everyday use, but may struggle with more intensive applications.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G shines in this category with an impressive endurance rating of 117 hours. This significantly surpasses what we'd expect from the vivo V23e 5G. While the V23e 5G offers 44W fast charging, the Redmi Note 12 4G's battery life is likely to be the deciding factor for many users.
Buying Guide
The vivo V23e 5G is ideal for users who want 5G capabilities, enjoy gaming, and appreciate a modern design. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G is perfect for those prioritizing long battery life, a vibrant display, and a reliable, no-frills experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The vivo V23e 5G's Dimensity 810 chipset provides better gaming performance than the Redmi Note 12 4G's Snapdragon 685.
❓ Is the Redmi Note 12 4G worth buying if I don't need 5G?
Absolutely! Its exceptional battery life and bright display make it a compelling choice for users who prioritize longevity and media consumption.