The smartphone landscape is increasingly segmented, with options ranging from ultra-premium flagships to aggressively priced mid-rangers. The Realme GT Neo 5 240W and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 (China) represent opposite ends of this spectrum within the value-focused market. The GT Neo 5 aims to deliver near-flagship performance and revolutionary charging speeds, while the Redmi Note 12 prioritizes affordability and everyday usability. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Realme GT Neo 5 240W is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset offers a substantial performance leap over the Redmi Note 12’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, and the 240W charging is a game-changer. However, budget-conscious users seeking a reliable daily driver will find the Redmi Note 12 a capable and cost-effective option.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 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, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 27 | 2023, February 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, November 01 | Available. Released 2023, February 09 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) | 163.9 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| | IP53, dust and splash resistant | Illuminated RGB (on the back) |
| Display |
|---|
| 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 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Samsung AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, (wide), 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/3.3, 20mm (microscope) |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (dual side) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| 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, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 240W wired, 50% in 4 min, 100% in 10 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 4600 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Blue | Purple, Black, White |
| Models | 22101317C | RMX3708 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 440 EUR |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 (China)
- Highly affordable price point
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Reliable and efficient Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset
- Significantly slower charging speed
- Limited gaming performance
- Likely lower-quality display
Realme GT Neo 5 240W
- Blazing-fast 240W charging
- Flagship-level Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 performance
- Superior gaming capabilities
- Higher price tag
- Potentially higher power consumption
- May run warmer under heavy load
Display Comparison
While specific display details for the Redmi Note 12 are absent, it's likely to feature a standard LCD panel. The Realme GT Neo 5, however, benefits from a more advanced display technology, though specifics are not provided. The core difference lies in the processing power needed to drive a higher refresh rate and resolution, which the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 handles with ease. The Redmi Note 12’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 may struggle with demanding graphical tasks on a high-resolution display, potentially leading to stuttering. Bezels and color accuracy are unknown for both, but the GT Neo 5’s higher tier chipset suggests a greater potential for accurate color reproduction.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the GT Neo 5’s positioning as a performance-focused device, it likely incorporates a more sophisticated camera system with a larger sensor and optical image stabilization (OIS). The Redmi Note 12, being a budget-oriented phone, likely features a simpler camera setup. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s image signal processor (ISP) also offers superior image processing capabilities, resulting in better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the Redmi Note 12 is a common budget feature, but its utility is limited due to the small sensor size and lack of detail.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Realme GT Neo 5’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) is a flagship-level chipset, featuring a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.19 GHz, alongside three Cortex-A710 performance cores and four Cortex-A510 efficiency cores. This contrasts sharply with the Redmi Note 12’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6nm), which utilizes two Cortex-A78 cores at 2.0 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers significantly better thermal efficiency, meaning the GT Neo 5 will sustain peak performance for longer periods without throttling. The GT Neo 5’s superior GPU will also deliver a far smoother gaming experience. The Redmi Note 12 is suitable for casual gaming and everyday tasks, but will struggle with graphically intensive titles.
Battery Life
The Realme GT Neo 5’s 240W charging is its headline feature, capable of charging from 0 to 50% in just 4 minutes and reaching 100% in 10 minutes. This dramatically reduces downtime and offers unparalleled convenience. While the Redmi Note 12’s 33W charging is respectable, it pales in comparison. The actual battery capacity of both devices is not provided, but the GT Neo 5’s faster charging mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s improved power efficiency also contributes to better overall battery life, despite its higher performance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 (China) if you need a dependable smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, social media, and light web browsing, and your budget is a primary concern. Buy the Realme GT Neo 5 240W if you prioritize gaming, demanding applications, and the convenience of incredibly fast charging, and are willing to spend more for a significantly enhanced user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme GT Neo 5 240W's charging brick work with other devices?
While the 240W charger is incredibly fast, it utilizes the Power Delivery (PD) protocol. However, to achieve 240W speeds, you need a compatible device and cable. It will work with other PD-compatible devices, but at their maximum supported wattage, which will be lower than 240W.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 in the Redmi Note 12 sufficient for playing PUBG Mobile?
The Redmi Note 12’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 can run PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to maintain a stable frame rate. Expect occasional stuttering during intense firefights. It's not ideal for a consistently smooth gaming experience.
❓ Does the Realme GT Neo 5 240W get excessively hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is known for its efficiency, but it can still generate heat under sustained load. The Realme GT Neo 5 likely incorporates a robust cooling system to mitigate this, but some degree of warmth is expected during extended gaming. The 4nm process helps to manage thermal output compared to older generation chips.
