Xiaomi's Redmi Note series consistently delivers impressive value. But with so many options, choosing the right one can be tricky. We're pitting the Redmi Note 12 Turbo against the Redmi Note 12S to determine which phone offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi Note 12 Turbo is the clear winner, boasting a significantly faster chipset, faster charging, and a more premium feel. The 12S remains a solid budget option, but the Turbo's performance advantage makes it the better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 28 | 2023, March 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 28 | Available. Released 2023, April 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 161.1 x 75 x 7.9 mm (6.34 x 2.95 x 0.31 in) | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.30 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 181 g (6.38 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM) | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits (HBM), 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.91 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.49 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7475-AB Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 (4 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 725 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13, MIUI 14 | Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1), BDS (B1) |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, 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 | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4 | 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White, Harry Potter Edition | Onyx Black, Ice Blue, Pearl Green |
| Models | 23049RAD8C | 2303CRA44A, 23030RAC7Y, 2303ERA42L |
| Price | About 270 EUR | € 122.47 / $ 149.99 / £ 229.89 |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Turbo
- Significantly faster performance
- 120Hz display
- 67W fast charging
- Premium build quality (likely)
- Better camera processing
- Potentially higher price
- May lack some features found on higher-end Xiaomi phones
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S
- More affordable
- Reliable for everyday tasks
- Decent camera in good lighting
- Good battery life
- Slower performance
- 60Hz display
- Slower charging
- Less premium build quality
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 Turbo typically features a higher refresh rate (120Hz vs 60Hz on the 12S), resulting in smoother scrolling and animations. Both phones likely have similar AMOLED or LCD panel quality, but the Turbo's higher refresh rate provides a noticeable visual upgrade. Brightness and color accuracy are likely comparable.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature a similar main camera setup (typically a 50MP sensor). However, the Turbo's more powerful processor allows for better image processing and potentially improved low-light performance. Video recording capabilities are also likely to be superior on the Turbo. The 12S will produce decent photos in good lighting conditions.
Performance
This is where the Turbo truly shines. The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 is a powerhouse compared to the Helio G96. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a much better gaming experience on the Turbo. The 12S will handle basic tasks adequately, but struggles with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a similar battery capacity (around 5000mAh). However, the Turbo's 67W fast charging significantly outperforms the 12S's 33W charging, allowing for much quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Redmi Note 12 Turbo is ideal for gamers, power users, and anyone who prioritizes performance and fast charging. The Redmi Note 12S is a great choice for budget-conscious buyers who need a reliable phone for everyday tasks and don't require top-tier performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Redmi Note 12 Turbo worth the extra money?
Yes, if performance and fast charging are important to you. The Turbo offers a significant upgrade over the 12S in these areas.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both phones have similar battery capacities, so real-world battery life will likely be comparable. However, the Turbo's faster charging means you can top up quicker.
