The smartphone landscape is increasingly segmented, with options ranging from ultra-premium flagships to aggressively priced mid-range devices. This comparison pits the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro, a performance-focused device powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, against the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 (China variant), a more affordable option built around the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1. We'll dissect the key differences to help you determine which phone best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance, gaming, and incredibly fast charging, the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro is the clear winner. However, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 provides a compelling value proposition for everyday tasks and light usage, making it ideal for budget-conscious consumers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 27 | 2023, August 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, November 01 | Available. Released 2023, August 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Asahi Glass), plastic frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) |
| Dimensions | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) | 163.1 x 74.2 x 9 mm (6.42 x 2.92 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 210 g (7.41 oz) |
| | IP53, dust and splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Asahi Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1240 x 2772 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~451 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.74 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Samsung AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 550 nits (typ), 1200 nits (HBM), 1600 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 13, ColorOS 13.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, (wide), 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 150W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Blue | Aurora Green, Titanium Gray |
| Models | 22101317C | PJA110 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 380 EUR |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 (China)
- Significantly more affordable price point
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Efficient Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset
- Substantially slower charging speed
- Limited gaming performance
- Inferior camera capabilities
OnePlus Ace 2 Pro
- Exceptional performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Blazing-fast 150W wired charging
- Superior camera system and image processing
- Higher price tag
- Potential for heat generation under heavy load (though mitigated by 4nm process)
- May be overkill for basic users
Display Comparison
While display specifications aren't provided for the Redmi Note 12, we can infer it utilizes an LCD panel typical of its price segment. The Ace 2 Pro, however, benefits from a more advanced panel, likely AMOLED, given its flagship positioning. The key differentiator lies in the chipsets; the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2's ISP supports higher refresh rates and more sophisticated display processing. This translates to smoother animations and potentially better color accuracy on the Ace 2 Pro. The absence of LTPO in the Redmi Note 12 suggests a less efficient refresh rate management, potentially impacting battery life.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for the Redmi Note 12, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Ace 2 Pro, leveraging the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s advanced ISP, will offer superior image processing capabilities, including better dynamic range, noise reduction, and low-light performance. The Ace 2 Pro is likely to feature a more sophisticated camera system with larger sensors and optical image stabilization (OIS), resulting in sharper, more detailed photos and videos. The Redmi Note 12 will likely rely on software processing to compensate for hardware limitations.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The OnePlus Ace 2 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) boasts a Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz, alongside Cortex-A715 and A710 performance cores, and efficient A510 cores. This architecture is significantly more powerful than the Redmi Note 12’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6nm), which relies on Cortex-A78 and A55 cores. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 also provides superior thermal efficiency, meaning the Ace 2 Pro will sustain peak performance for longer periods during demanding tasks like gaming. The Redmi Note 12 will likely exhibit throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 12’s 33W wired charging is significantly slower than the Ace 2 Pro’s 150W wired charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the Ace 2 Pro’s charging speed allows for a full charge in under 30 minutes, a massive convenience factor. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s efficiency also contributes to better battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the Redmi Note 12. The Redmi Note 12 will require considerably longer to recharge, making it less ideal for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 (China) if you need a reliable smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, social media, and casual browsing, and you're on a tight budget. Buy the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro if you demand top-tier performance for gaming, demanding applications, and appreciate the convenience of blazing-fast 150W charging, even at a higher price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 in the Redmi Note 12 sufficient for playing games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 can run PUBG Mobile, it will likely require lower graphics settings and may experience frame drops during intense gameplay. It's suitable for casual gaming, but not ideal for demanding titles or competitive play.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro with its 150W charging?
OnePlus claims a full charge from 0-100% takes approximately 25-30 minutes with the 150W SuperVOOC charging. Real-world results may vary slightly depending on ambient temperature and battery health, but it remains significantly faster than conventional charging methods.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 12 support software updates beyond the initial release?
Xiaomi typically provides software updates for its Redmi Note series, but the frequency and duration of support can vary. Expect security patches and minor feature updates, but major Android version upgrades may be limited.
❓ Will the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2's 4nm process helps mitigate heat generation, but prolonged gaming will inevitably cause some warming. OnePlus likely incorporates thermal management solutions like vapor chambers to prevent excessive throttling and maintain stable performance.
