Xiaomi Redmi K80 vs OnePlus 12R: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The Xiaomi Redmi K80 and OnePlus 12R represent compelling options in a fiercely competitive mid-to-high range smartphone market. The K80 arrives with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, promising a significant performance leap, while the 12R leverages the well-established Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and focuses on delivering a refined user experience with rapid charging and solid battery life. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw processing power and future-proofing, the Xiaomi Redmi K80 is the clear winner thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. However, the OnePlus 12R offers a more balanced package with excellent battery life (14:32h active use) and incredibly fast 100W charging, making it ideal for those who value longevity and convenience.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi K80 OnePlus 12R
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 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, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, November 272024, January 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, November 27Available. Released 2024, February 06
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions160.3 x 75 x 8.1 mm (6.31 x 2.95 x 0.32 in)163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 2.96 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight206 g (7.27 oz)207 g (7.30 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 7iCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~526 ppi density)1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1800 nits (HBM), 3200 nits (peak)LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 750Adreno 740
OSAndroid 15, HyperOS 2Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.6, 24mm (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, (ultrawide)-
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video8K@24fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 720p@1920fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single20 MP, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LHDC 55.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
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, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging90W wired, PD3.0, QC3+100W wired, 100% in 26 min
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 6550 mAhLi-Ion 5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Mint, BlueIron Gray, Cool Blue, Electric Violet, Sunset Dune
Models24117RK2CCCPH2609, CPH2585, CPH2611
PriceAbout 350 EUR€ 410.84 / $ 399.95 / £ 649.00
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.82 W/kg (body)

Xiaomi Redmi K80

  • Latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for top-tier performance
  • 90W fast charging for quick power-ups
  • Potential for future software updates and support

  • Potential for higher thermal throttling under heavy load
  • Battery life unknown, potentially less than the 12R

OnePlus 12R

  • Excellent 14:32h active use battery life
  • Ultra-fast 100W charging (0-100% in 26 minutes)
  • Proven Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 platform with stable performance

  • Older generation processor compared to the K80
  • May not match the K80’s peak performance in demanding tasks

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 12R boasts a bright display, peaking at 1181 nits measured, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Redmi K80’s display specifications are currently unavailable, the OnePlus 12R’s brightness level sets a high bar. The 12R’s panel likely utilizes LTPO technology, contributing to power efficiency. Without knowing the Redmi K80’s panel type, it’s difficult to assess its power consumption characteristics. Both devices likely employ high refresh rate panels, but the OnePlus 12R’s brightness advantage is a significant differentiator.

Camera Comparison

Camera details for the Redmi K80 are currently unavailable. The OnePlus 12R’s camera system, while not detailed in the provided data, likely focuses on delivering consistent image quality in various lighting conditions. Without sensor size or aperture information for either device, a direct comparison is impossible. However, the absence of details regarding advanced camera features on the K80 suggests the 12R may have a more refined camera experience, assuming a similar sensor hierarchy.

Performance

The Redmi K80’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) represents a substantial upgrade over the OnePlus 12R’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm). The K80’s CPU configuration – 1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720, 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720, and 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520 – offers a more modern architecture and higher clock speeds compared to the 12R’s 1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710, and 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510. This translates to faster application loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. However, the 8 Gen 3’s increased power consumption may lead to more noticeable thermal throttling under sustained load, a factor the 8 Gen 2 mitigates with its proven thermal profile.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 12R shines in the battery department, achieving an impressive 14 hours and 32 minutes of active use. This is coupled with incredibly fast 100W wired charging, capable of fully charging the device in just 26 minutes. The Redmi K80 offers 90W wired charging, which is still very fast, but slower than the 12R. While the K80’s battery capacity is unknown, the 12R’s combination of long battery life and rapid charging provides a significant convenience advantage. The 12R’s charging also supports PD3.0 and QC3+, offering broader compatibility.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K80 if you demand the absolute best performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, and are willing to potentially manage slightly higher thermal output. Buy the OnePlus 12R if you prioritize all-day battery life, incredibly fast charging, and a consistently smooth experience without pushing the absolute limits of processing power. It's the pragmatic choice for power users who don't necessarily need the latest and greatest.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Redmi K80 get noticeably hotter than the 8 Gen 2 in the OnePlus 12R during extended gaming sessions?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a more powerful chip, and therefore generates more heat. While Xiaomi likely implements cooling solutions, the 8 Gen 2 in the OnePlus 12R is known for its efficient thermal management, meaning it's less likely to experience significant throttling during prolonged gaming. Expect potentially shorter peak performance bursts from the K80 before thermal limits are reached.
❓ How does the 100W charging on the OnePlus 12R compare to the 90W charging on the Redmi K80 in real-world usage?
While both are incredibly fast, the OnePlus 12R’s 100W charging is demonstrably quicker, fully charging the device in just 26 minutes. The Redmi K80’s 90W charging will still be fast, but expect a slightly longer charge time. This difference is particularly noticeable when topping up the battery quickly during short breaks.
❓ Does the OnePlus 12R support features like wireless charging or reverse wireless charging?
The provided specifications do not mention wireless charging capabilities for the OnePlus 12R. Based on previous OnePlus models in this price range, it's unlikely to include wireless charging. Reverse wireless charging is also not mentioned and is likely absent.