Xiaomi Redmi K40S vs Redmi Note 12 Pro: The Ultimate Showdown

Xiaomi continues to deliver impressive value with its Redmi series. The Redmi K40S and Redmi Note 12 Pro are both strong contenders, but cater to slightly different needs. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone is the right fit for you.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Redmi K40S boasts a significantly faster Snapdragon 870 chipset, making it the clear winner for performance-focused users. The Note 12 Pro shines with its brighter display and potentially longer battery life, offering a more well-rounded experience for everyday use.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi K40S Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 421, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2022, March 172022, October 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, March 17Available. Released 2022, November 01
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame
Dimensions163.2 x 76 x 7.7 mm (6.43 x 2.99 x 0.30 in)163 x 76 x 8 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight195 g (6.88 oz)187 g (6.60 oz)
 Splash resistantIP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 12, MIUI 13Android 12, MIUI 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single20 MP, (wide)-
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, 119˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps; gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single20 MP, (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30/120fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging67W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 38 min67W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 15 min, 100% in 46 min
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Gray, Blue, GreenFrosted Blue (Sky Blue), Onyx Black (Midnight Black), Polar White, Stardust Purple
Models-22101316C, 22101316I, 23013RK75C, 22101316G
PriceAbout 260 EUR€ 148.54 / $ 142.17 / £ 149.99 / ₹ 19,999
SAR-1.09 W/kg (head)     1.06 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.99 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 97h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.6 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 490526 (v9) GeekBench: 2209 (v5.1), 2372 (v6) GFXBench: 22fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Redmi K40S

  • Superior Performance (Snapdragon 870)
  • Faster Charging (67W)
  • Good Value
  • Compact Design

  • Display not as bright as Note 12 Pro
  • Camera potentially slightly behind Note 12 Pro

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro

  • Brighter Display (890 nits)
  • Excellent Battery Life
  • Good Camera Performance
  • Modern Design

  • Slower Performance (Dimensity 1080)
  • Charging slightly slower than K40S

Display Comparison

The Redmi Note 12 Pro takes the display crown with a measured peak brightness of 890 nits, offering a noticeably brighter and more vibrant viewing experience, especially outdoors. The K40S has a good display, but lacks the same level of brightness. The Note 12 Pro's infinite contrast ratio also contributes to richer colors and deeper blacks.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the Note 12 Pro potentially has an edge in image processing and low-light performance due to newer software and potentially a slightly improved sensor. The K40S still delivers good image quality, but may not be as consistent in challenging conditions. Detailed camera tests are needed for a definitive verdict.

Performance

The Snapdragon 870 in the Redmi K40S is a powerhouse. It consistently outperforms the Dimensity 1080 in the Note 12 Pro in benchmarks and real-world usage, providing smoother gaming and faster app loading times. The K40S is the clear winner for those prioritizing speed and responsiveness.

Battery Life

The Redmi Note 12 Pro demonstrates excellent battery endurance, with an endurance rating of 97 hours and active use lasting 12 hours and 8 minutes. While the K40S also offers decent battery life, the Note 12 Pro appears to have a slight advantage in longevity.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi Redmi K40S is ideal for gamers, power users, and anyone prioritizing raw performance. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro is a great choice for those seeking a vibrant display, reliable battery life, and a balanced feature set for everyday tasks and photography.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Redmi K40S is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 12 Pro have a better camera?
Potentially. While both have capable cameras, the Note 12 Pro's newer software and potentially improved sensor may offer slightly better image quality, especially in low light.
❓ Which phone charges faster?
The Redmi K40S charges slightly faster, reaching 100% in 38 minutes compared to the Note 12 Pro's 46 minutes.
❓ Is the Redmi Note 12 Pro worth the upgrade from an older Redmi phone?
Yes, especially if you prioritize a brighter display and improved battery life. The camera improvements are also a worthwhile upgrade.