Xiaomi 13T Pro vs Redmi Note 12 Discovery: Which Xiaomi Phone Reigns Supreme?

Xiaomi's 2023 lineup presents a compelling choice for consumers: the aggressively priced Redmi Note 12 Discovery, boasting groundbreaking 210W charging, and the more premium Xiaomi 13T Pro, powered by the flagship-tier Dimensity 9200+ chipset. This comparison dissects the trade-offs between raw performance and charging speed, helping you determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi 13T Pro is the superior choice. Its Dimensity 9200+ chipset delivers significantly faster performance and better long-term software support, justifying the higher price. However, the Redmi Note 12 Discovery’s 210W charging is a game-changer for those prioritizing minimal downtime.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Discovery Xiaomi 13T Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 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, 48, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2022, October 272023, September 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, November 01Available. Released 2023, September 26
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back or silicone polymer back, plastic frame
Dimensions162.9 x 76 x 9 mm (6.41 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)162.2 x 75.7 x 8.5 mm (6.39 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight207.5 g (7.34 oz)200 g or 206 g (7.05 oz)
 IP53, dust and splash resistant-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (HBM)AMOLED, 68B colors, 144Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 2600 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.35 GHz Cortex-X3 & 3x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 9200+ (4 nm)
GPUMali-G68 MC4Immortalis-G715 MC11
OSAndroid 12, MIUI 13Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
 UFS 2.2-
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLeica lens, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
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/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/1.9, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.88", 0.61µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 15mm (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps8K@24fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 4K/1080p@30fps HDR10+, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; 10-bit LOG, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 0.8µm
Video1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps, HDR10+
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.4, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), NavIC (L5), BDS
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
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, dual/tri-band (market/region dependent), Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging210W wired, PD3.0, 66% in 5 min, 100% in 9 min120W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 19 min
TypeLi-Po 4300 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackAlpine Blue, Meadow Green, Black
Models22101316UP23078PND5G
PriceAbout 380 EUR$ 370.00 / £ 482.55 / € 301.99
SAR EU-1.00 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Discovery

  • Blazing-fast 210W charging
  • Potentially more affordable price point
  • Efficient Dimensity 1080 chipset for everyday tasks

  • Less powerful chipset compared to the 13T Pro
  • Camera specifications are unknown, likely less capable

Xiaomi 13T Pro

  • Flagship-level Dimensity 9200+ performance
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
  • Likely superior camera system with OIS

  • Slower 120W charging compared to the Redmi Note 12 Discovery
  • Higher price tag

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi 13T Pro boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1094 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Redmi Note 12 Discovery. While the Redmi Note 12 Discovery’s panel specifications are not provided, the 13T Pro’s brightness ensures excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. Both devices likely utilize AMOLED technology, common in this price bracket, but the 13T Pro’s higher peak brightness is a clear advantage for outdoor use and HDR content consumption. We expect both to have a 120Hz refresh rate, but the 13T Pro may benefit from adaptive refresh rate technology for improved efficiency.

Camera Comparison

The context data only mentions 'Photo / Video' capabilities for the Xiaomi 13T Pro, lacking specific sensor details. However, given its flagship positioning, we anticipate a more sophisticated camera system with a larger primary sensor and optical image stabilization (OIS). The Redmi Note 12 Discovery’s camera specifications are also absent, making a direct comparison difficult. It’s reasonable to assume the 13T Pro will deliver superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions, and more versatile video recording options. The absence of details on both phones suggests a focus on software processing rather than hardware differentiation in the lower-end models.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi 13T Pro’s Mediatek Dimensity 9200+ (4nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Redmi Note 12 Discovery’s Dimensity 1080 (6nm). The 9200+ features a Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.35 GHz, alongside three Cortex-A715 cores and four Cortex-A510 cores, offering significantly improved CPU and GPU performance. The 6nm process of the Dimensity 1080, while efficient, can’t match the 4nm node of the 9200+, resulting in potentially more thermal throttling under sustained load. The 13T Pro is the clear winner for gamers and power users.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi 13T Pro offers an active use battery score of 11 hours and 50 minutes, and an endurance rating of 102 hours, indicating solid battery life. However, the Redmi Note 12 Discovery’s standout feature is its 210W wired charging, capable of reaching 66% charge in just 5 minutes and 100% in 9 minutes. The 13T Pro’s 120W charging (100% in 19 minutes) is still fast, but significantly slower. This difference is crucial for users who prioritize minimizing charging time, even if it means a slightly smaller battery capacity (not specified for the Redmi Note 12 Discovery).

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Discovery if you absolutely prioritize the fastest possible charging speeds and are willing to compromise on peak performance. This phone is ideal for users who frequently find themselves with low battery and need a quick top-up. Buy the Xiaomi 13T Pro if you demand a smoother, more responsive experience for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or heavy multitasking, and value a more refined camera system and longer software support.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the 210W charging on the Redmi Note 12 Discovery safe for the battery's long-term health?
Xiaomi employs multiple safety mechanisms to mitigate potential battery degradation from ultra-fast charging. These include optimized charging algorithms, temperature control, and specialized battery materials. While long-term effects require further observation, Xiaomi claims the 210W charging is designed to minimize impact on battery lifespan.
❓ Will the Dimensity 9200+ in the Xiaomi 13T Pro experience significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 9200+ is a powerful chipset, and some throttling is expected under sustained heavy load. However, the 4nm process node and Xiaomi’s cooling solutions (likely including vapor chamber technology) should effectively manage temperatures, minimizing performance drops during typical gaming sessions. Real-world testing will determine the extent of throttling.
❓ Does the Xiaomi 13T Pro support 8K video recording?
While not explicitly stated in the provided data, given the Dimensity 9200+'s capabilities and the phone's flagship positioning, it is highly probable that the Xiaomi 13T Pro supports 8K video recording at 24fps. Confirmation requires official specifications or hands-on testing.