The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Xiaomi Poco M6 and Realme 12 Pro+ represent compelling options at different price points. The Poco M6 aims for aggressive value with its Dimensity 6100+ chipset, while the Realme 12 Pro+ targets a more premium experience with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and convenience, the Realme 12 Pro+ emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 offers a noticeable performance uplift, coupled with significantly faster 67W charging and a brighter display. However, the Poco M6 remains a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers.
| 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 | 2023, December 22 | 2024, January 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, December 26 | Available. Released 2024, January 29 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 168 x 78 x 8.1 mm (6.61 x 3.07 x 0.32 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 | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM), 950 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 710 |
| OS | Android 13, MIUI 14 | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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 | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (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 | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD | 67W wired, 50% in 19 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Galactic Black, Orion Blue | Submarine Blue, Navigator Beige, Explorer Red |
| Models | 23128PC33I | RMX3840, RMX3841 |
| Price | ₹ 9,388 | $ 465.00 / £ 299.00 / € 344.26 / ₹ 28,400 |
Xiaomi Poco M6
- More affordable price point
- PD fast charging support
- Competent processor for everyday tasks
- Slower charging speed (18W)
- Likely lower peak display brightness
- Less powerful processor compared to the Realme
Realme 12 Pro+
- Faster 67W charging
- Brighter display (802 nits)
- More powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset
- Higher price tag
- Potentially larger physical size
- Software bloat (typical of Realme)
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. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize LCD or AMOLED panels (data missing for Poco M6), the Realme’s brightness advantage is a clear win for outdoor usability. The absence of refresh rate data for the Poco M6 suggests it may be limited to 60Hz, while the Realme 12 Pro+ is likely to offer a smoother 120Hz experience, enhancing scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for either device, a direct comparison is limited. However, Realme often emphasizes camera capabilities in its 'Pro+' line, suggesting a more sophisticated camera system than the Poco M6. The Realme 12 Pro+ likely features a larger main sensor and potentially optical image stabilization (OIS), leading to better low-light performance and sharper images. The Poco M6 likely relies on software processing to compensate for a potentially smaller sensor. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely irrelevant, offering minimal practical benefit.
Performance
The Realme 12 Pro+’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm) holds a clear architectural advantage over the Poco M6’s MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm). The 7s Gen 2 features newer Cortex-A78 cores (2.40 GHz) compared to the Poco’s Cortex-A76 cores (2.2 GHz), resulting in superior single-core performance. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon also contributes to better power efficiency and thermal management, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Realme’s chipset is demonstrably more powerful for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing.
Battery Life
The Realme 12 Pro+ shines in the battery and charging department. Its 67W wired charging can replenish 50% of the battery in just 19 minutes, a significant advantage over the Poco M6’s slower 18W charging. While the Realme 12 Pro+’s active use battery score of 13:24h is impressive, the Poco M6’s battery capacity is unknown. However, the faster charging speed of the Realme mitigates concerns about battery life, allowing for quick top-ups throughout the day. The inclusion of PD (Power Delivery) on the Poco M6 is a positive, but the lower wattage limits its overall charging speed.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco M6 if you need a highly affordable smartphone for everyday tasks, social media, and light gaming, and are willing to compromise on charging speed and peak performance. Buy the Realme 12 Pro+ if you prioritize a smoother user experience, faster charging, a brighter display, and are willing to spend a bit more for a more refined overall package. This phone is ideal for users who frequently game or consume multimedia.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 in the Realme 12 Pro+ handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
Yes, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is capable of running Genshin Impact at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. While it won't match the performance of flagship chipsets, it provides a smooth gaming experience for most titles. The 4nm process also helps to mitigate thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Poco M6 slow enough to be a major inconvenience?
For casual users, 18W charging is adequate, but it will take considerably longer to fully charge the device compared to the Realme 12 Pro+'s 67W charging. Expect a full charge to take well over two hours. If you frequently find yourself needing to quickly top up your battery, the Poco M6's charging speed may be a drawback.
❓ Does the Realme 12 Pro+ have a microSD card slot for expandable storage?
Unfortunately, the Realme 12 Pro+ does not offer a microSD card slot for expandable storage. Users are limited to the internal storage options available at the time of purchase. This is a common omission in phones at this price point.
