The Xiaomi Redmi A3 Pro and Realme 12 Pro+ represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive budget and mid-range smartphone market. The A3 Pro aims for affordability, while the 12 Pro+ pushes the boundaries with faster charging and a more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and convenience, the Realme 12 Pro+ is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset and 67W charging significantly outperform the Redmi A3 Pro’s Helio G81 and 10W charging, justifying the price difference.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, October | 2024, January 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, October | Available. Released 2024, January 29 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 171.9 x 77.8 x 8.2 mm (6.77 x 3.06 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 | 204 g (7.20 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.88 inches, 112.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM), 950 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G81 Ultra | Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 710 |
| OS | Android 14, HyperOS | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB 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, (wide)
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 |
|---|
| Single | Yes | 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 | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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 | 10W wired | 67W wired, 50% in 19 min |
| Type | 5160 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black | Submarine Blue, Navigator Beige, Explorer Red |
| Models | 2409BRN2CG | RMX3840, RMX3841 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | $ 465.00 / £ 299.00 / € 344.26 / ₹ 28,400 |
| SAR EU | 1.43 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) | - |
Xiaomi Redmi A3 Pro
- Extremely affordable price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Potentially longer standby time due to lower power chipset
- Slow 10W charging
- Outdated Helio G81 chipset
- Likely inferior display quality
Realme 12 Pro+
- Fast 67W charging
- Powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset
- Bright and likely accurate display
- Excellent battery life (13:24h active use)
- Higher price compared to Redmi A3 Pro
- May be overkill for very basic users
Display Comparison
The Realme 12 Pro+ boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 802 nits. While the Redmi A3 Pro’s display specifications are not provided, this brightness difference is crucial for outdoor visibility. The Realme’s panel likely benefits from a more advanced manufacturing process, contributing to better color accuracy and contrast. The lack of detailed display specs for the A3 Pro suggests a more basic LCD panel, potentially impacting viewing angles and color reproduction.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Redmi A3 Pro, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Realme 12 Pro+ likely features a more sophisticated camera system, potentially including Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and larger sensor sizes. While megapixel count isn't everything, the Realme’s camera system is positioned to deliver better low-light performance and dynamic range. The A3 Pro likely relies on software processing to compensate for hardware limitations, potentially resulting in less detailed images.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 12 Pro+ utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm), featuring a more modern architecture with 4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the Redmi A3 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra, which employs older Cortex-A75 and A55 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and 1.8 GHz respectively. The 4nm process of the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 translates to superior power efficiency and thermal management, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. This means the Realme 12 Pro+ will handle demanding games and applications with greater ease and consistency.
Battery Life
The Realme 12 Pro+ shines with its 67W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 19 minutes. This is a massive advantage over the Redmi A3 Pro’s slow 10W charging. While the Redmi A3 Pro’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Realme 12 Pro+ achieves an impressive 13:24h of active use, demonstrating excellent battery life despite the faster charging. The combination of efficient chipset and optimized software allows the Realme to maximize battery endurance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi A3 Pro if you need a functional, extremely affordable smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and are willing to compromise on performance and charging speed. Buy the Realme 12 Pro+ if you prioritize a smoother user experience, faster charging, and better long-term performance for gaming and demanding applications, and are willing to spend a bit more.
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 flagship-level performance, it can run Genshin Impact at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. The 4nm process also helps to minimize thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Realme 12 Pro+ from 0%?
While the Realme 12 Pro+ reaches 50% in 19 minutes, a full charge from 0% typically takes around 50-60 minutes with the included charger. This is still significantly faster than the Redmi A3 Pro's 10W charging, which could take several hours.
❓ Does the Redmi A3 Pro support any form of fast charging, even with a third-party charger?
The Redmi A3 Pro is limited to 10W charging, and while using a more powerful charger *might* slightly reduce charging time, the phone's internal charging circuitry will still cap the input at 10W. It won't benefit from faster charging protocols.
❓ What kind of user would be best suited for the Xiaomi Redmi A3 Pro?
The Redmi A3 Pro is ideal for first-time smartphone users, seniors, or anyone who primarily needs a phone for basic communication – calls, texts, and light social media. It's a no-frills device focused on affordability.
