Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G vs Realme 10: A Head-to-Head Comparison

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G and Realme 10 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at an attractive price point, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you make the right choice.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Realme 10 edges out the Redmi Note 12 4G thanks to its slightly better battery life, faster charging, and brighter display. While the Redmi Note 12 4G offers a solid experience, the Realme 10 provides a more polished and feature-rich package for the price.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G	Realme 10

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41	LTE
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE

Launch
Announced	2023, March 23	2022, November 09
Status	Available. Released 2023, March 30	Available. Released 2022, November 11

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	165.7 x 76 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in)	159.9 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.30 x 2.89 x 0.31 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	183.5 g (6.49 oz)	178 g (6.28 oz)
	IP53, dust and splash resistant	-

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 3	Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)
Size	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio)	6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)	Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 1000 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm)	Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)
GPU	Adreno 610	Mali-G57 MC2
OS	Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS	Android 12, Realme UI 3.0

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
	UFS 2.2	UFS 2.2

Main Camera
Dual	-	50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF Auxiliary lens
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple	50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)	-
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR, panorama
Single	13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0"	16 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide)
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes
	-	24-bit/192kHz audio

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE	5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port	Yes	-
NFC	Yes (market/region dependent)	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	Unspecified	No
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	33W wired	33W wired, 50% in 28 min
Type	Li-Po 5000 mAh	5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Onyx Gray, Mint Green, Ice Blue	White, Blue
Models	23021RAAEG, 23021RAA2Y, 23027RAD4I, 23028RA60L	RMX3630
Price	£ 189.99 / € 107.98 / ₹ 9,998	About 440 EUR
SAR	1.09 W/kg (head) 0.89 W/kg (body)	-
SAR EU	0.90 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body)	-

Tests
Battery life	Endurance rating 117h	Endurance rating 126h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-27.9 LUFS (Good)	-24.9 LUFS (Very good)
Performance	AnTuTu: 319219 (v9) GeekBench: 1797 (v5.1), 1341 (v6) GFXBench: 7.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 385829 (v9) GeekBench: 1762 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G

Excellent battery life
Reliable performance
Good value for money

Lower brightness display
Slightly slower charging
Less powerful chipset compared to Realme 10

Realme 10

Brighter display
Faster charging
More powerful chipset
Sleek design

Slightly shorter battery life than Redmi Note 12 4G
Potentially more expensive

Display Comparison

The Realme 10 boasts a significantly brighter display at 610 nits compared to the Redmi Note 12 4G's 744 nits. While both offer infinite contrast ratios (a nominal specification), the Realme 10's higher brightness makes it more usable outdoors. Both phones likely feature similar LCD panels with FHD+ resolution, offering decent color accuracy for everyday use.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is likely comparable between the two, with both offering decent image quality in good lighting conditions. However, the Realme 10 might have a slight edge in video recording due to potentially better image stabilization. Specific camera specs (megapixel counts, aperture) are not provided, so a direct comparison is difficult without further testing.

Performance

The Realme 10's Mediatek Helio G99 chipset generally outperforms the Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 in the Redmi Note 12 4G. The Helio G99's Cortex-A76 cores provide a noticeable boost in CPU performance, making the Realme 10 feel snappier for gaming and demanding apps. Both phones have 6nm process, but the architecture difference is key.

Battery Life

The Realme 10 takes the lead in battery endurance with a rating of 126 hours, slightly surpassing the Redmi Note 12 4G's 117 hours. Furthermore, the Realme 10's 33W charging can reach 50% in just 28 minutes, a significant advantage over the Redmi Note 12 4G's standard 33W charging.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G is ideal for users prioritizing long battery life and a reliable, no-frills experience. The Realme 10 is a better choice for those who value a brighter display, faster charging, and a slightly more modern design.