Xiaomi 12S Ultra vs Redmi Note 12 Pro: A Detailed Showdown

Xiaomi offers a diverse range of smartphones, catering to different budgets and needs. Two popular contenders are the flagship 12S Ultra and the mid-range Redmi Note 12 Pro. This comprehensive comparison will delve into their key features, helping you determine which device best aligns with your priorities.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra is the clear winner for performance and camera capabilities, boasting a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and a superior camera system. However, the Redmi Note 12 Pro offers excellent value with a strong battery life and a competitive feature set at a significantly lower price point.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi 12S Ultra Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 421, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2022, July 042022, October 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 09Available. Released 2022, November 01
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), eco leather back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame
Dimensions163.2 x 75 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 2.95 x 0.36 in)163 x 76 x 8 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight225 g (7.94 oz)187 g (6.60 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~522 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.73 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 12, MIUI 13Android 12, MIUI 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica lenses, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 0.7µm-
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/4.1, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 128˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF TOF 3D, (depth)50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@3840fps, gyro-EIS, Dolby Vision HDR 10-bit rec. (4K, 1080p)4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 0.7µm16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman Kardon24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 41 min 50W wireless, 100% in 52 min 10W reverse wireless67W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 15 min, 100% in 46 min
TypeLi-Po 4860 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Dark GreenFrosted Blue (Sky Blue), Onyx Black (Midnight Black), Polar White, Stardust Purple
Models2203121C22101316C, 22101316I, 23013RK75C, 22101316G
Price$ 288.00€ 148.54 / $ 142.17 / £ 149.99 / ₹ 19,999
SAR-1.09 W/kg (head)     1.06 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.99 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 93h Endurance rating 97h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.6 LUFS (Very good) -26.6 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 1039412 (v9) GeekBench: 4300 (v5.1) GFXBench: 51fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 490526 (v9) GeekBench: 2209 (v5.1), 2372 (v6) GFXBench: 22fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi 12S Ultra

  • Flagship Performance (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
  • Superior Camera System
  • High Brightness Display (1065 nits)
  • Fast Charging (67W wired, 50W wireless)

  • Higher Price
  • Potentially Less Battery Optimization compared to Redmi Note 12 Pro

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro

  • Excellent Value for Money
  • Long Battery Life (97h Endurance Rating)
  • Fast Charging (67W wired)
  • Well-Rounded Feature Set

  • Lower Performance than 12S Ultra
  • Less Advanced Camera System
  • Lower Display Brightness (890 nits)

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra takes the lead with a measured peak brightness of 1065 nits, significantly brighter than the Redmi Note 12 Pro's 890 nits. Both offer 'Infinite' contrast ratios (nominal), suggesting excellent black levels. While both displays are likely AMOLED, the 12S Ultra's higher brightness provides better visibility in direct sunlight.

Camera Comparison

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra's camera system is its standout feature. While specific details are missing, it's generally understood to have a significantly more advanced setup, likely including a larger sensor and improved image processing. The Redmi Note 12 Pro offers a capable camera, but it doesn't match the 12S Ultra's potential for high-quality photos and videos.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the 12S Ultra is a powerhouse, outperforming the Dimensity 1080 in the Redmi Note 12 Pro by a considerable margin. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the 12S Ultra. The 12S Ultra's 4nm process also contributes to improved efficiency.

Battery Life

Both phones demonstrate impressive battery endurance, with endurance ratings of 93h and 97h respectively. The Redmi Note 12 Pro shows a slightly faster charging time (46 mins vs 41 mins for 100%), but both support fast wired and wireless charging.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra is ideal for photography enthusiasts, power users, and those seeking top-tier performance. The Redmi Note 12 Pro is a great choice for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize battery life and a well-rounded experience without breaking the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xiaomi 12S Ultra worth the extra cost?
If you prioritize top-tier performance and a flagship camera experience, the 12S Ultra is worth the investment. However, if you're on a budget, the Redmi Note 12 Pro offers excellent value.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both phones have excellent battery life, with the Redmi Note 12 Pro showing a slightly higher endurance rating. However, real-world usage will vary.