The sub-$300 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Xiaomi Poco M6 Plus aims to deliver solid performance at an aggressive price point, while the Realme 12 Pro+ attempts to bridge the gap to premium features with a more powerful chipset and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and rapid charging, the Realme 12 Pro+ is the clear winner. Its 67W charging and impressive 13:24h active use score outweigh the Poco M6 Plus’s lower price. However, the Poco M6 Plus remains a compelling option for those on a tighter budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, August 01 | 2024, January 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, August 05 | Available. Released 2024, January 29 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back | - |
| Dimensions | 168.6 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm (6.64 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.79 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM), 950 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 AE (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 613 | Adreno 710 |
| OS | Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, HyperOS | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 108 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
64 MP, f/2.8, 71mm, (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.4, 22mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 67W wired, 50% in 19 min |
| Type | 5030 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Purple, Silver | Submarine Blue, Navigator Beige, Explorer Red |
| Models | - | RMX3840, RMX3841 |
| Price | ₹ 10,299 | $ 465.00 / £ 299.00 / € 344.26 / ₹ 28,400 |
Xiaomi Poco M6 Plus
- More affordable price point
- Efficient Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset
- Likely lightweight design
- Slower charging speed (33W)
- Less powerful processor
- Potentially lower display brightness
Realme 12 Pro+
- Faster 67W charging
- More powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Higher price tag
- Potentially heavier build
- May not offer expandable storage
Display Comparison
The Realme 12 Pro+ boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 802 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Poco M6 Plus. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both devices likely utilize LCD panels given their price points, the Realme’s superior brightness is a tangible advantage. We expect the Poco M6 Plus to have a more standard brightness level, adequate for indoor use but potentially washed out in bright conditions.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for the Poco M6 Plus, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, Realme typically focuses on camera capabilities in its 'Pro+' series. The Realme 12 Pro+ likely features a more sophisticated image processing pipeline and potentially a larger sensor size than the Poco. While megapixel count isn't everything, a larger sensor generally captures more light, resulting in better low-light performance. We anticipate the Realme 12 Pro+ to deliver more detailed and vibrant photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The Poco M6 Plus will likely offer acceptable image quality for social media, but won't compete with the Realme in terms of overall camera performance.
Performance
The Realme 12 Pro+ is equipped with the Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm), featuring a more powerful CPU configuration – 4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – compared to the Poco M6 Plus’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 AE (2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). This difference in core count and clock speed will result in noticeably faster application loading times and smoother multitasking on the Realme. Both chips are built on a 4nm process, offering good efficiency, but the 7s Gen 2 is a tier above in raw processing power, benefiting gaming and demanding apps.
Battery Life
The Realme 12 Pro+ shines in battery performance, achieving an impressive 13:24h of active use. While the Poco M6 Plus’s battery capacity is unknown, the Realme’s endurance is significantly bolstered by its 67W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 19 minutes. The Poco M6 Plus is limited to 33W charging, meaning a full charge will take considerably longer. This faster charging speed on the Realme is a major convenience factor for users who need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco M6 Plus if you need a functional, reliable smartphone for everyday tasks and prioritize affordability above all else. It’s ideal for users who don’t heavily game or rely on demanding applications. Buy the Realme 12 Pro+ if you prefer a smoother user experience, faster charging, and longer battery life, even if it means spending a bit more. This phone caters to users who value convenience and performance in a mid-range package.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 in the Realme 12 Pro+ capable of handling demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is a capable chipset for gaming. While it won't deliver the absolute highest frame rates at maximum settings, it should provide a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience in titles like Genshin Impact, especially with optimized settings. Expect playable frame rates at medium to high settings.
❓ How long will it realistically take to fully charge the Poco M6 Plus with its 33W charging?
Given the 33W charging speed, a full charge from 0% to 100% on the Poco M6 Plus will likely take around 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the battery capacity. This is considerably slower than the Realme 12 Pro+'s 67W charging.
❓ Does the Realme 12 Pro+ support 5G connectivity?
Yes, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset integrated within the Realme 12 Pro+ includes an integrated 5G modem, enabling support for 5G networks. This allows for faster download and upload speeds where 5G coverage is available.