Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming, especially with so many options from Xiaomi. The Xiaomi 12S Pro and Redmi Note 12S cater to different users, offering distinct features and price points. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you make the right decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi 12S Pro is the clear winner for performance and features, boasting a flagship Snapdragon chip, superior camera system, and incredibly fast charging. However, the Redmi Note 12S offers excellent value for budget-conscious buyers seeking a reliable and capable daily driver.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 04 | 2023, March 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 07 | Available. Released 2023, April 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back or eco leather back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 74.6 x 8.2 mm or 8.7 mm | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.30 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 203 g / 204 g (7.16 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | - |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~521 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.73 inches, 109.4 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits (HBM), 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Leica lens, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/1.9, 50mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom
50 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide) | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 8K@24fps (HDR), 4K@30/60fps (HDR10+), 1080p@30/120/240/960fps, 720p@1920fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR10+ | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio
Tuned by Harman Kardon | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1), BDS (B1) |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 120W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 19 min
50W wireless, 100% in 42 min
10W reverse wireless | 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4600 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, White, Purple, Green | Onyx Black, Ice Blue, Pearl Green |
| Models | 2206122SC | 2303CRA44A, 23030RAC7Y, 2303ERA42L |
| Price | About 670 EUR | € 122.47 / $ 149.99 / £ 229.89 |
Xiaomi 12S Pro
- Flagship Performance
- Exceptional Camera
- Ultra-Fast Charging (120W)
- Premium Build Quality
- High Refresh Rate AMOLED Display
- Higher Price
- Can get warm under heavy load
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S
- Excellent Value for Money
- Reliable Performance for Daily Tasks
- Decent Camera
- Large Display
- Good Battery Life
- Lower Performance than Flagship Phones
- LCD Display
- Slower Charging (33W)
- Less Premium Build
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi 12S Pro typically features an AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The Redmi Note 12S usually has an LCD display, which is still good but lacks the same level of contrast and color accuracy. The 12S Pro often has a higher resolution as well.
Camera Comparison
The 12S Pro's camera system is a major highlight, often featuring a high-resolution main sensor (50MP or higher), ultrawide lens, and telephoto lens. Image quality, low-light performance, and video recording capabilities are all superior. The Redmi Note 12S has a decent camera, but it doesn't match the 12S Pro's capabilities.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the 12S Pro provides significantly faster processing speeds and smoother multitasking compared to the Helio G96 in the Redmi Note 12S. Gaming performance is also dramatically improved on the 12S Pro. Expect noticeable lag on the Note 12S with demanding apps.
Battery Life
While both phones offer decent battery life, the 12S Pro's 120W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast top-ups. The Redmi Note 12S's 33W charging is slower but still respectable.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi 12S Pro is ideal for power users, photography enthusiasts, and those who demand top-tier performance. The Redmi Note 12S is perfect for students, casual users, and anyone looking for a feature-rich phone without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xiaomi 12S Pro worth the extra money?
If you prioritize performance, camera quality, and fast charging, then yes, the 12S Pro is worth the investment. However, if you're on a budget, the Redmi Note 12S offers a compelling alternative.
❓ What is the biggest difference between these two phones?
The biggest difference is the chipset. The 12S Pro's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 provides significantly more power than the Redmi Note 12S's Helio G96, impacting performance across the board.
