Poco M6 Pro vs Realme 12 Pro+: Which Budget Snapdragon Reigns Supreme?

The sub-$300 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro and Realme 12 Pro+ represent compelling options. The Poco M6 Pro focuses on delivering a solid core experience with a newer generation Snapdragon 4 series chip, while the Realme 12 Pro+ aims higher with a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 and a focus on faster charging and display quality. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and faster charging, the Realme 12 Pro+ is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 offers a noticeable performance uplift, and the 67W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the Poco M6 Pro remains a strong contender for those on a tighter budget.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro Realme 12 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 411, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, August 052024, January 29
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, August 05Available. Released 2024, January 29
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass)-
Dimensions168.6 x 76.3 x 8.2 mm (6.64 x 3.00 x 0.32 in)161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)196 g (6.91 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass-
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density)
Size6.79 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90Hz, 550 nitsAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM), 950 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 613Adreno 710
OSAndroid 13, MIUI 14Android 14, Realme UI 5.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDRLED 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
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm32 MP, f/2.4, 22mm (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCUnspecifiedYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, PD67W wired, 50% in 19 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPower Black, Forest GreenSubmarine Blue, Navigator Beige, Explorer Red
Models23076PC4BIRMX3840, RMX3841
Price₹ 9,990$ 465.00 / £ 299.00 / € 344.26 / ₹ 28,400

Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro

  • More affordable price point
  • Efficient Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset
  • Compact and lightweight design (assumed)

  • Slower charging speed (18W)
  • Less powerful processor
  • Likely lower display quality

Realme 12 Pro+

  • Faster Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor
  • Significantly faster 67W charging
  • Brighter and higher quality display

  • Higher price tag
  • Potentially larger and heavier design
  • May require more frequent charging despite larger battery

Display Comparison

The Realme 12 Pro+ boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 802 nits, compared to an assumed lower peak brightness on the Poco M6 Pro (typical of its price bracket). While the Poco M6 Pro’s panel specifics are unknown, the Realme’s higher brightness translates to better outdoor visibility. The Realme 12 Pro+ likely utilizes a higher quality panel, offering improved color accuracy and viewing angles. The absence of LTPO technology on either device suggests neither offers adaptive refresh rates for optimal power efficiency.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs for the Poco M6 Pro, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, the Realme 12 Pro+ is expected to feature a more sophisticated camera system, potentially including a larger main sensor and optical image stabilization (OIS). The Realme’s image processing algorithms are likely more refined, resulting in better dynamic range and low-light performance. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are largely marketing features and offer limited practical benefit. The Realme 12 Pro+’s camera system is likely the stronger performer, offering more versatility and image quality.

Performance

The Realme 12 Pro+’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm) represents a substantial performance upgrade over the Poco M6 Pro’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4nm). The 7s Gen 2 features a more powerful CPU configuration – 4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 cores versus the Poco’s 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 cores – resulting in faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. While both chips are built on a 4nm process for improved efficiency, the 7s Gen 2’s architectural advantages provide a clear edge in demanding tasks and gaming. The Poco M6 Pro will handle everyday tasks adequately, but the Realme 12 Pro+ offers a more future-proof experience.

Battery Life

The Realme 12 Pro+’s 67W wired charging is a game-changer, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 19 minutes. This is a significant advantage over the Poco M6 Pro’s slower 18W charging. While the Realme 12 Pro+’s active use battery score of 13:24h is impressive, the Poco M6 Pro’s battery life will depend on its capacity (not provided). However, the faster charging of the Realme 12 Pro+ mitigates concerns about battery drain, allowing for quicker top-ups throughout the day.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro if you need a reliable daily driver for basic tasks, social media, and light gaming, and prioritize affordability above all else. Buy the Realme 12 Pro+ if you prefer a smoother experience with more demanding apps, enjoy faster charging, and value a brighter, more vibrant display for media consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 in the Poco M6 Pro struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
While the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 is capable, Genshin Impact and similar titles will likely require significant graphics settings reductions to achieve playable frame rates on the Poco M6 Pro. The Realme 12 Pro+'s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 offers a much smoother experience with these games, allowing for higher settings and more consistent performance.
❓ How much of a difference will the 67W charging make in daily use on the Realme 12 Pro+?
The 67W charging on the Realme 12 Pro+ is a substantial convenience. Being able to add 50% charge in under 20 minutes means you can quickly top up during a short break, minimizing downtime and reducing range anxiety. The Poco M6 Pro’s 18W charging will take considerably longer to achieve the same level of charge.
❓ Is the Realme 12 Pro+ likely to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, built on a 4nm process, is relatively efficient. While some heat generation is inevitable during extended gaming, the Realme 12 Pro+ is unlikely to experience significant thermal throttling, especially with its likely larger chassis providing more surface area for heat dissipation. The Poco M6 Pro may exhibit more noticeable throttling under sustained load.