Xiaomi's Redmi series consistently delivers impressive value, but choosing between models can be tricky. Today, we pit the powerhouse Redmi K50 Ultra against the speedy Redmi Note 12 Turbo to determine which phone offers the best experience for your needs and budget. Let's dive in!
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi K50 Ultra takes the crown for raw performance thanks to its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. However, the Note 12 Turbo offers a more streamlined experience and potentially better value for users prioritizing everyday tasks and a slightly more compact design. It's a close call!
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, August 11 | 2023, March 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August 25 | Available. Released 2023, March 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.1 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) | 161.1 x 75 x 7.9 mm (6.34 x 2.95 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 202 g (7.13 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 68B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision | OLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x2.91 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.49 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM7475-AB Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 725 |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 20 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (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) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 120W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 19 min | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4 |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gray, Blue, Mercedes AMG | Black, Blue, White, Harry Potter Edition |
| Models | 22081212C | 23049RAD8C |
| Price | About 430 EUR | About 270 EUR |
Xiaomi Redmi K50 Ultra
- Blazing-fast Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
- Incredibly fast 120W charging
- Likely superior camera system
- Premium build quality
- Potentially higher price
- May run hotter under sustained load
- Larger size might not suit everyone
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Turbo
- Excellent value for money
- Fast Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2
- Sleek and relatively compact design
- Good battery life
- Less powerful than the K50 Ultra
- Slower charging speed
- Camera may not be as versatile
Display Comparison
Both phones feature AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rates, offering smooth visuals. The K50 Ultra likely has a slightly higher peak brightness and potentially better color accuracy due to its higher positioning, but both provide excellent viewing experiences. The Note 12 Turbo might have a slightly more compact form factor, making it easier to handle.
Camera Comparison
The K50 Ultra is expected to have a more versatile camera system, likely including a higher resolution main sensor and potentially a telephoto lens. While the Note 12 Turbo's camera is capable, the K50 Ultra should deliver better image quality, especially in low light and with zoom capabilities. Specific sensor details are needed for a more precise comparison.
Performance
This is where the K50 Ultra truly shines. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is significantly more powerful than the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2. Expect noticeably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance on the K50 Ultra. The Note 12 Turbo is still fast, but it won't match the K50 Ultra's raw horsepower.
Battery Life
The K50 Ultra's 120W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging times. The Note 12 Turbo's 67W charging is still respectable, but it will take longer to fully charge. Both phones likely have similar battery capacities (around 5000mAh), so battery life should be comparable between charges, assuming similar usage patterns.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi K50 Ultra is ideal for gamers, power users, and anyone demanding top-tier performance. The Redmi Note 12 Turbo is a great choice for those seeking a fast, reliable phone for daily use, social media, and light gaming, without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Redmi Note 12 Turbo good for gaming?
Yes, the Note 12 Turbo is capable of handling most games well, but the K50 Ultra will provide a smoother and more immersive experience, especially for demanding titles.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
While both have similar battery capacities, the K50 Ultra's faster charging means you'll spend less time plugged in. Overall battery life between charges should be comparable.
