Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Discovery vs Motorola Edge 40 Pro: A Deep Dive Comparison

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Discovery and Motorola Edge 40 Pro represent distinct approaches to the Android smartphone market. The Redmi Note 12 Discovery aggressively targets charging speed and value, while the Motorola Edge 40 Pro aims for near-flagship performance with a premium chipset. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and a more refined experience, the Motorola Edge 40 Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset delivers significantly faster processing and graphics capabilities. However, the Redmi Note 12 Discovery’s 210W charging is a game-changer for those who value speed above all else.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Discovery Motorola Edge 40 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2022, October 272023, April 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, November 01Available. Released 2023, April 04
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions162.9 x 76 x 9 mm (6.41 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)161.2 x 74 x 8.6 mm (6.35 x 2.91 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight207.5 g (7.34 oz)199 g (7.02 oz)
 IP53, dust and splash resistantIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (HBM)OLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 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)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G68 MC4Adreno 740
OSAndroid 12, MIUI 13Android 13, up to 3 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.2UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/1.9, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/1.6, (telephoto), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm60 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.61µm
Video1080p@30/60fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG, DisplayPort 1.4
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 -Ready For 3.5 support
Battery
Charging210W wired, PD3.0, 66% in 5 min, 100% in 9 min125W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 50% in 6 min, 100% in 23 min 15W wireless 5W reverse wired 5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4300 mAhLi-Po 4600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackInterstellar Black, Lunar Blue
Models22101316UP-
PriceAbout 380 EUR€ 313.87
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 117h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -22.6 LUFS (Excellent)
Performance- AnTuTu: 1273764 (v9) GeekBench: 4896 (v5.1), 5352 (v6) GFXBench: 112fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Discovery

  • Revolutionary 210W wired charging
  • Potentially more affordable price point
  • Efficient Dimensity 1080 chipset for everyday tasks

  • Less powerful processor compared to Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Limited camera information suggests a less advanced system
  • No wireless or reverse wireless charging

Motorola Edge 40 Pro

  • Flagship-level Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
  • High peak display brightness for outdoor visibility
  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging capabilities

  • Slower charging speed compared to Redmi Note 12 Discovery
  • Higher price tag
  • Potential for thermal throttling under extreme load (though mitigated by 4nm process)

Display Comparison

The Motorola Edge 40 Pro boasts a display capable of reaching 1050 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Redmi Note 12 Discovery’s display specs are not provided, it’s likely to be lower, impacting outdoor usability. The Edge 40 Pro’s 'Infinite' contrast ratio suggests a high-quality OLED panel, offering deep blacks and vibrant colors. The lack of LTPO information for either device means adaptive refresh rates are not guaranteed, potentially impacting battery life during less demanding tasks.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is missing for the Redmi Note 12 Discovery. The Motorola Edge 40 Pro likely features a more sophisticated camera system, leveraging the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s advanced image signal processor (ISP). Without specific details, it’s difficult to assess low-light performance or video stabilization. The absence of information regarding OIS on either device is a notable omission. We can assume the Edge 40 Pro will offer a more versatile and higher-quality camera experience.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Edge 40 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) is a significant leap ahead of the Redmi Note 12 Discovery’s Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6nm). The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s octa-core configuration, featuring a Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz, provides substantially more processing power. The 4nm process node also translates to improved thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. The Dimensity 1080, while capable, is geared towards efficient performance rather than outright speed. The Edge 40 Pro will excel in graphically intensive games and demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Motorola Edge 40 Pro has an endurance rating of 117 hours, indicating solid battery life. However, the Redmi Note 12 Discovery’s 210W charging is the standout feature. Achieving 66% charge in 5 minutes and 100% in just 9 minutes is unparalleled. While the Edge 40 Pro’s 125W charging is still fast (50% in 6 minutes, 100% in 23 minutes), it’s significantly slower. The Edge 40 Pro also offers 15W wireless and 5W reverse charging, features absent in the Redmi Note 12 Discovery’s specifications. The Redmi Note 12 Discovery prioritizes minimizing downtime, while the Edge 40 Pro focuses on overall longevity and charging versatility.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Discovery if you need unparalleled charging speeds and are willing to compromise on peak performance. It’s ideal for users who frequently find themselves needing a quick power boost. Buy the Motorola Edge 40 Pro if you prioritize a smooth, responsive experience for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking, and appreciate the benefits of a flagship-level processor.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How much does the 210W charging of the Redmi Note 12 Discovery impact battery health over the long term?
While 210W charging is incredibly fast, Xiaomi likely employs sophisticated charging algorithms and thermal management to mitigate potential battery degradation. However, consistently utilizing ultra-fast charging *can* contribute to faster battery wear over several years compared to slower charging methods. It's a trade-off between convenience and long-term battery lifespan.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Motorola Edge 40 Pro experience significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2's 4nm process node and Motorola's thermal design are engineered to minimize throttling. While some throttling is inevitable under sustained peak load, it should be less pronounced than with older generation chipsets. Expect consistently high frame rates for most games, but prolonged, demanding sessions may see a slight performance dip.
❓ Is the 125W charging on the Motorola Edge 40 Pro still considered fast compared to other flagship phones?
Yes, 125W charging is still very fast and significantly quicker than the charging speeds offered by many other flagship devices. While it doesn't match the Redmi Note 12 Discovery's 210W, it's more than sufficient for most users and provides a full charge in a reasonable timeframe (approximately 23 minutes).