Xiaomi Redmi K80 Pro vs. vivo iQOO 12 Pro: A Head-to-Head Performance and Charging Showdown

The Xiaomi Redmi K80 Pro and vivo iQOO 12 Pro represent two distinct approaches to the high-end Android market. The K80 Pro, leveraging Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite with its Oryon CPU architecture, aims for raw processing power. The iQOO 12 Pro, equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, focuses on refining the established flagship experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value and performance.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing peak CPU performance and potentially longer software support due to the newer Oryon architecture, the Xiaomi Redmi K80 Pro is the winner. However, the iQOO 12 Pro offers a more mature and broadly optimized experience with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, making it a strong contender for those valuing stability and established features.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi K80 Pro vivo iQOO 12 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 80, 81, 83, 84, 89 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 66, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, November 272023, November 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, November 27Available. Released 2023, November 14
Body
Dimensions160.3 x 75 x 8.4 mm (6.31 x 2.95 x 0.33 in)164.6 x 75.4 x 8.6 mm or 8.8 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight212 g or 217 g (7.48 oz)205 g or 210 g (7.23 oz)
Display
ProtectionLongjing glass 2-
Resolution1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~526 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~518 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1800 nits (HBM), 3200 nits (peak)LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M)Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 830Adreno 750
OSAndroid 15, HyperOS 2Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, Funtouch 14 (International), OriginOS 4 (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.6, 24mm (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, 60mm (telephoto), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF (10cm - ∞), OIS, 2.5x optical zoom 32 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)50 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.3", 1.2µm, ulti-directional PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/2.6, 70mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 15mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), AF
Video8K@24fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 720p@1920fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single20 MP, (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Video1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth6.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LHDC 55.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging120W wired, PD3.0, QC3+, 100% in 28 min 50W wireless120W wired 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 6000 mAh5100 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Mint, Lamborgini Green, Lamborgini BlackBlack, Red, White (BMW M branding)
Models24122RKC7CV2329A
PriceAbout 500 EURAbout 650 EUR

Xiaomi Redmi K80 Pro

  • Potentially higher peak CPU performance with Oryon cores
  • Fast 120W wired and 50W wireless charging
  • Newer architecture may offer longer software support

  • Oryon architecture may have initial software optimization issues
  • Thermal management could be a concern under sustained load

vivo iQOO 12 Pro

  • Mature Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 platform with proven performance
  • Excellent thermal efficiency due to 4nm process
  • 10W reverse wireless charging for accessories

  • CPU performance may be slightly lower than the K80 Pro in specific tasks
  • May lack the cutting-edge appeal of the Oryon architecture

Display Comparison

While both devices are expected to feature high-refresh-rate AMOLED displays, the provided data doesn't detail specifics. However, given the flagship positioning, both will likely offer excellent color accuracy and brightness. The iQOO series historically prioritizes display quality, potentially offering a slightly more vibrant and color-accurate panel. The absence of LTPO information means we can't assess dynamic refresh rate efficiency, a key factor for battery life.

Camera Comparison

The provided data lacks camera specifications. However, given the brands’ history, the iQOO 12 Pro is likely to emphasize computational photography and image stabilization, potentially utilizing a larger main sensor and more advanced algorithms. Xiaomi typically focuses on high-resolution sensors, but image processing can be more saturated. Without sensor size or aperture information, a definitive camera comparison is impossible, but the iQOO’s focus on stabilization could be a key differentiator for video recording.

Performance

The core battle lies in the chipsets. The Redmi K80 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, with its Oryon V2 Phoenix cores (2x4.32 GHz L + 6x3.53 GHz M), represents a significant architectural shift for Qualcomm. Oryon’s design prioritizes single-core performance, potentially exceeding the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s Cortex-X4 (3.3 GHz) in specific workloads. However, the Gen 3’s more traditional core arrangement (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720, 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720, 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) offers a balanced approach. The 4nm process of the Gen 3 should provide better thermal efficiency than the 3nm process of the 8 Elite, potentially leading to less throttling under sustained load. Both devices utilize LPDDR5x RAM, but the speed and configuration will impact real-world performance.

Battery Life

Both phones offer 120W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, promising incredibly fast top-ups. The Redmi K80 Pro claims a 100% charge in 28 minutes, while the iQOO 12 Pro’s time is unspecified but likely similar. The iQOO 12 Pro adds 10W reverse wireless charging, a convenient feature for topping up accessories. Battery capacity is not specified, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s 4nm process should offer better power efficiency, potentially offsetting a slightly smaller battery size in the iQOO 12 Pro.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K80 Pro if you need uncompromising CPU performance for demanding tasks like video editing, emulation, or heavy multitasking, and are comfortable with potentially early adopter software quirks. Buy the vivo iQOO 12 Pro if you prefer a refined, well-tested flagship experience with a proven chipset and a focus on gaming optimization, even if it means sacrificing the absolute highest CPU scores.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Redmi K80 Pro overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Elite's 3nm process and the Oryon architecture's design aim for efficiency, but the higher clock speeds could generate significant heat. Thermal throttling is a possibility, and sustained performance will depend heavily on Xiaomi's cooling solution. The iQOO 12 Pro's 4nm Gen 3 is likely to exhibit better sustained performance due to its more conservative thermal profile.
❓ Does the iQOO 12 Pro support high frame rates (90fps or higher) in popular games like PUBG Mobile and Genshin Impact?
The iQOO series is known for its gaming optimizations. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is capable of driving high frame rates in most Android games. Expect the iQOO 12 Pro to support 60fps and potentially higher frame rates (depending on game settings) in PUBG Mobile and Genshin Impact, likely with dedicated game modes and performance enhancements.
❓ How does the Oryon CPU architecture in the Redmi K80 Pro differ from the traditional ARM cores in the iQOO 12 Pro?
Oryon cores, designed by Qualcomm, prioritize single-core performance and efficiency. They differ from ARM's Cortex cores in their microarchitecture, aiming for higher instructions per clock (IPC). This can translate to faster performance in tasks that aren't heavily multi-threaded, like some games and productivity apps. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3's Cortex-X4 and A720 cores offer a well-balanced approach, excelling in both single-core and multi-core workloads.