Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming, especially with so many options from Xiaomi. The Xiaomi 12S and Redmi Note 12S both offer compelling features, but cater to different users. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone is the right fit for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi 12S is the clear winner for performance and premium features, boasting a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and faster charging. However, the Redmi Note 12S offers incredible value for budget-conscious buyers, providing a solid experience at a significantly lower price point.
| 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, 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 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 | 152.7 x 69.9 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 | 179 g / 182 g (6.31 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~419 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.28 inches, 95.2 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1100 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
13 MP, f/2.4, 15mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm
5 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto macro), AF | 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, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 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, HDR | 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 42 min
50W wireless, 100% in 57 min
10W reverse wireless | 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, White, Purple, Green | Onyx Black, Ice Blue, Pearl Green |
| Models | 2206123SC | 2303CRA44A, 23030RAC7Y, 2303ERA42L |
| Price | About 570 EUR | € 122.47 / $ 149.99 / £ 229.89 |
Xiaomi 12S
- Flagship Performance
- Excellent Camera System
- Fast Charging (Wired & Wireless)
- Premium Build Quality
- High Refresh Rate AMOLED Display
- Higher Price
- Can be prone to overheating under sustained load
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S
- Affordable Price
- Decent Camera for the Price
- Reliable Battery Life
- Good for Everyday Use
- Mid-Range Performance
- LCD Display
- Slower Charging
- Less Premium Build
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi 12S typically features a high refresh rate AMOLED display (likely 120Hz) with vibrant colors and excellent contrast, often with HDR10+ support. The Redmi Note 12S usually has an LCD display, which is generally good but lacks the same level of color accuracy and contrast as AMOLED. Expect a slightly lower refresh rate on the Redmi Note 12S, potentially 60Hz or 90Hz.
Camera Comparison
The Xiaomi 12S generally has a more advanced camera system, often including a primary sensor with OIS, an ultrawide lens, and a telephoto lens. Image processing is also typically superior. The Redmi Note 12S has a decent camera setup, but image quality and features are generally lower than the 12S. Low-light performance will be noticeably better on the 12S.
Performance
This is where the Xiaomi 12S truly shines. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a flagship-level chipset, delivering blazing-fast performance for demanding games and applications. The Redmi Note 12S's Helio G96 is a mid-range chipset, capable of handling everyday tasks smoothly but struggling with intensive workloads. Expect noticeable lag in demanding games on the Redmi Note 12S.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi 12S offers significantly faster charging speeds (67W wired, 50W wireless) compared to the Redmi Note 12S's 33W wired charging. Battery capacity is likely similar between the two, but the 12S's faster charging means less time plugged in. Both should offer all-day battery life with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi 12S is ideal for power users, gamers, and photography enthusiasts who demand top-tier performance and features. The Redmi Note 12S is perfect for everyday users, students, and those seeking a reliable and affordable smartphone with a decent camera and battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xiaomi 12S worth the extra money?
If you prioritize performance, camera quality, and fast charging, then yes, the Xiaomi 12S is worth the investment. However, if you're on a budget, the Redmi Note 12S offers excellent value.
❓ What is the biggest difference between these two phones?
The biggest difference is the chipset. The Xiaomi 12S has a flagship Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, while the Redmi Note 12S has a mid-range Helio G96. This significantly impacts performance.
