The sub-$250 4G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y36 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches. The Y36 focuses on efficiency with the Snapdragon 680, while the Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G opts for a bit more power with the Snapdragon 732G. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and slightly better overall performance, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G is the stronger choice. Its 67W charging significantly reduces downtime, and the Snapdragon 732G offers a noticeable performance edge in demanding tasks. However, the vivo Y36 remains a compelling option for those seeking a more power-efficient device.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 27 | 2023, March 03 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May 27 | Available. Released 2023, April 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 76.2 x 8.1 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) | 164.2 x 76.1 x 8.1 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 202 g (7.13 oz) | 201.8 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.64 inches, 106.8 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 650 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, 700 nits (HBM), 1100 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7150 Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 13, Funtouch 13 | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED 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 |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
* the macro camera availability is market/region dependent
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired, 30% in 15 min
Reverse wired | 67W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Meteor Black, Gold, Aqua Glitter | Star Blue, Graphite Gray, Polar White, Ice blue |
| Models | V2247 | 2209116AG, 2209116AG |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 150 EUR |
vivo Y36
- Potentially better power efficiency with the 6nm Snapdragon 680.
- Competitive price point.
- Reverse wired charging offers added convenience.
- Slower charging speeds (44W vs 67W).
- Less powerful processor for demanding tasks.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G
- Faster 67W wired charging for quicker top-ups.
- More powerful Snapdragon 732G processor for smoother performance.
- Potentially better gaming experience.
- May exhibit slightly lower battery efficiency compared to the Y36.
- Potentially higher price point.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness or color gamut coverage) are absent, the focus here is on the processors. Display quality will likely be similar, leaning towards adequate for the price point. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of this segment. Color accuracy will likely be tuned for vibrant visuals, a common trend in both vivo and Xiaomi devices.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is limited. Both brands typically employ image processing algorithms that prioritize vibrant colors and boosted contrast. The Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G, given its slightly higher positioning, *may* have a larger main sensor, potentially capturing more detail in good lighting conditions. However, without knowing sensor sizes or apertures, this remains speculative. It’s safe to assume both phones will include standard features like portrait mode and night mode, but image quality will heavily depend on software optimization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G’s Snapdragon 732G (8nm) is built on a smaller process node than the vivo Y36’s Snapdragon 680 (6nm). While counterintuitive, the 8nm process allows for higher clock speeds and a more powerful GPU. The 732G’s octa-core configuration (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) offers a performance advantage over the Y36’s (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver). This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a better gaming experience on the Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G. The Snapdragon 732G’s Adreno 618 GPU is also more capable than the 680’s Adreno 610. However, the 6nm process of the Snapdragon 680 in the Y36 should result in slightly better power efficiency during less demanding tasks.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G’s 67W charging is a significant advantage. It can rapidly replenish the battery, minimizing downtime. While the Y36’s 44W charging is respectable, it’s noticeably slower. The Y36 claims a 30% charge in 15 minutes, while the Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G will likely achieve a much higher percentage in the same timeframe. The actual battery capacity of both devices is not provided, but the faster charging of the Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y36 if you prioritize long battery life and efficient performance for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light communication. It’s ideal for users who don’t heavily game or require intensive multitasking. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G if you value faster charging speeds, a bit more processing power for gaming and demanding apps, and are willing to trade a small amount of battery efficiency for that performance boost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 732G in the Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 732G is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship-level experience, it provides a significantly better gaming experience than the Snapdragon 680, especially for sustained gameplay.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G compared to the 44W charging on the vivo Y36?
The 67W charging on the Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G will significantly reduce charging times. While the Y36 claims 30% in 15 minutes, the Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G is likely to reach 50-60% in the same timeframe, and a full charge will be considerably faster overall.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 680 in the vivo Y36 get hot during prolonged use, like video recording or gaming?
The Snapdragon 680 is known for its efficiency, and generally doesn't overheat significantly. However, prolonged intensive tasks like video recording or gaming will likely cause some warming, but it should remain within acceptable limits and not lead to severe throttling.
