Redmi K80 vs iQOO 12 Pro: A Deep Dive into Xiaomi and vivo's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Flagships

Both the Xiaomi Redmi K80 and the vivo iQOO 12 Pro represent the pinnacle of Android performance, powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. However, these devices cater to slightly different priorities, with the iQOO 12 Pro emphasizing charging speed and wireless convenience, while the Redmi K80 aims for a more balanced approach. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right flagship for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing rapid replenishment, the vivo iQOO 12 Pro emerges as the winner. Its 120W wired charging and inclusion of 50W wireless charging significantly outperform the Redmi K80’s 90W wired-only solution. However, the Redmi K80 remains a compelling option for those less reliant on ultra-fast charging.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi K80 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 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 8.1 mm (6.31 x 2.95 x 0.32 in)164.6 x 75.4 x 8.6 mm or 8.8 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight206 g (7.27 oz)205 g or 210 g (7.23 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 7i-
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 (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 750Adreno 750
OSAndroid 15, HyperOS 2Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, Funtouch 14 (International), OriginOS 4 (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 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, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-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
Bluetooth5.4, 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
Charging90W wired, PD3.0, QC3+120W wired 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 6550 mAh5100 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Mint, BlueBlack, Red, White (BMW M branding)
Models24117RK2CCV2329A
PriceAbout 350 EURAbout 650 EUR

Xiaomi Redmi K80

  • Potentially more affordable price point.
  • Excellent Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance.
  • Balanced feature set for everyday use.

  • Slower 90W wired charging.
  • No wireless charging support.
  • Thermal management may be less aggressive.

vivo iQOO 12 Pro

  • Ultra-fast 120W wired charging.
  • Convenient 50W wireless charging.
  • Potentially superior thermal management.

  • Likely a higher price tag.
  • Image processing may be overly saturated for some.
  • Battery life may be slightly compromised by faster charging.

Display Comparison

While both devices are expected to feature high-refresh-rate AMOLED displays, specific details like peak brightness and panel technology (LTPO) are currently unavailable. However, given iQOO’s history with display quality, it’s reasonable to anticipate a slightly more vibrant and color-accurate panel on the 12 Pro. Bezels are likely to be minimal on both, reflecting current flagship trends. The absence of detailed display specs necessitates focusing on the core performance and charging differences.

Camera Comparison

Without specific camera sensor details, a direct comparison is challenging. However, both brands typically prioritize strong camera performance in their flagship models. The iQOO 12 Pro, given vivo’s imaging expertise, may lean towards more saturated and visually appealing image processing, while Xiaomi often aims for a more natural and accurate representation. The absence of information regarding OIS and lens apertures prevents a deeper analysis. It's safe to assume both will feature multi-camera setups, but the quality will depend heavily on sensor size and software optimization.

Performance

Both the Redmi K80 and iQOO 12 Pro utilize the Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) chipset, featuring an identical CPU configuration: 1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720, 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720, and 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520. This means raw processing power will be virtually indistinguishable. The key differentiator will likely be thermal management. iQOO often employs more aggressive cooling solutions, potentially allowing the 12 Pro to sustain peak performance for longer durations during demanding tasks like gaming. RAM configurations and speeds (LPDDR5x) will also play a role, but are currently unknown.

Battery Life

The iQOO 12 Pro’s charging capabilities are its standout feature. The 120W wired charging will drastically reduce charging times compared to the Redmi K80’s 90W solution. While the exact battery capacity remains unknown for both devices, the 120W charging on the iQOO 12 Pro effectively mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. Furthermore, the inclusion of 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging on the iQOO 12 Pro provides unparalleled convenience, a feature entirely absent on the Redmi K80.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K80 if you need a powerful, well-rounded flagship experience without the premium cost associated with advanced charging features. It’s ideal for users who primarily charge overnight or don’t frequently deplete their battery. Buy the vivo iQOO 12 Pro if you prioritize minimizing downtime and value the convenience of both incredibly fast wired and wireless charging, making it perfect for power users and gamers.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How much faster is the iQOO 12 Pro's 120W charging compared to the Redmi K80's 90W charging in real-world scenarios?
While exact times depend on battery capacity, the iQOO 12 Pro's 120W charging is expected to fully charge the device approximately 30-45 minutes faster than the Redmi K80's 90W charging. This difference is particularly noticeable when starting from a very low battery percentage.
❓ Does the lack of wireless charging on the Redmi K80 significantly impact the user experience for those accustomed to it?
For users heavily reliant on wireless charging for convenience, the absence of this feature on the Redmi K80 is a significant drawback. It necessitates using a cable for every charge, which can be inconvenient for those who frequently top up their battery throughout the day.
❓ Given both phones have the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, will I notice a performance difference in demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the core processing power is identical, the iQOO 12 Pro may sustain higher frame rates for longer periods due to potentially more advanced thermal management. This means less throttling during extended gaming sessions, resulting in a smoother and more consistent experience.
❓ Is the 10W reverse wireless charging on the iQOO 12 Pro useful for charging accessories like earbuds?
Yes, the 10W reverse wireless charging is a convenient feature for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches. While not as fast as dedicated chargers, it provides a useful emergency charging option when a power outlet isn't readily available.