The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 11 Pro+ and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. While both aim to deliver a solid experience, they take different approaches – the Redmi Note 12 prioritizes endurance and value, while the 11 Pro+ focuses on faster charging and a more powerful chipset. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 11 Pro+ is the better choice. Its significantly faster 100W charging and more powerful Mediatek Dimensity 7050 chipset provide a smoother, more responsive experience. While the Redmi Note 12 boasts excellent battery life, the 11 Pro+'s advantages in speed and convenience outweigh this benefit.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 27 | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 11 | Available. Released 2023, May 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, leather or plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) | 161.6 x 73.9 x 8.2 mm or 8.7 mm |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 183 g or 189 g (6.46 oz) |
| | IP53, dust and splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, HDR10+, 120Hz, 950 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) | Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades, Realme UI 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | 200 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0" | 32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| 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 | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min | 100W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue | Astral Black, Sunrise Beige, Oasis Green |
| Models | 22111317I, 22111317G | RMX3740, RMX3741 |
| Price | € 151.99 / $ 219.99 / ₹ 11,999 | € 399.90 / ₹ 27,990 |
| SAR | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 101h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 360745 (v9)
GeekBench: 1998 (v5.1), 2017 (v6) | - |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Excellent battery endurance (101h)
- More affordable price point (likely)
- Reliable Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset for basic tasks
- Slower 33W charging
- Less powerful chipset for demanding apps
- Dimmer display compared to the Realme 11 Pro+
Realme 11 Pro+
- Ultra-fast 100W charging
- More powerful Mediatek Dimensity 7050 chipset
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Slightly better battery endurance (112h)
- Potentially higher price
- Chipset may run warmer under sustained load
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
The Realme 11 Pro+ boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 793 nits compared to the Redmi Note 12’s 706 nits. This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. Both displays share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting deep blacks, but the Realme’s higher peak brightness is a clear advantage. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels (implied by contrast ratio), the Realme’s superior brightness makes it the better choice for media consumption and gaming. Bezels and color accuracy are not specified, but Realme typically focuses on vibrant, saturated colors, while Xiaomi often aims for more natural tones.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, Realme often emphasizes camera features in its Pro+ line, suggesting a more sophisticated camera system than the Redmi Note 12. The absence of details regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either phone suggests that low-light performance may be a weakness on both. We can assume both phones include standard wide and ultrawide lenses, but the Realme is likely to offer more advanced image processing algorithms.
Performance
The Realme 11 Pro+ is equipped with the Mediatek Dimensity 7050, featuring a 2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 core configuration, while the Redmi Note 12 uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 with a 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 setup. The higher clock speeds of the Dimensity 7050, coupled with its more efficient architecture, result in noticeably faster performance in benchmarks and real-world applications. The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, built on a 6nm process, is adequate for everyday tasks, but will struggle with demanding games or multitasking. The Realme’s chipset provides a smoother experience for power users. RAM specifications are not provided, but faster LPDDR5x RAM would further enhance the 11 Pro+'s performance.
Battery Life
The Realme 11 Pro+ offers a significant advantage in charging speed with its 100W wired charging capability, allowing for a rapid power-up. The Redmi Note 12’s 33W charging, while respectable, pales in comparison, taking 22 minutes to reach 50%. While the Redmi Note 12 boasts an endurance rating of 101 hours, the 11 Pro+ achieves 112 hours. This suggests the Realme is more efficient despite the faster charging. The faster charging of the 11 Pro+ mitigates any concerns about slightly lower battery capacity (not specified).
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 if you prioritize maximizing battery life and are on a very tight budget. Its 101-hour endurance rating is ideal for users who frequently travel or have limited access to charging. Buy the Realme 11 Pro+ if you value fast charging, smoother performance for demanding apps, and a brighter, more vibrant display. It’s the better option for users who want a phone that can keep up with their fast-paced lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 7050 in the Realme 11 Pro+ get noticeably warmer than the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 7050 is a more powerful chipset and will generate more heat under sustained load than the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1. While Realme likely incorporates thermal management solutions, users engaging in prolonged gaming may experience some degree of warming. The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, being less powerful, will remain cooler but may experience performance throttling sooner.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to fully charge the Realme 11 Pro+ from 0% with the 100W charger?
While the specifications state 100W charging, a full 0-100% charge on the Realme 11 Pro+ is estimated to take around 25-30 minutes. The charging speed slows down as the battery approaches full capacity to protect battery health. This is significantly faster than the Redmi Note 12's 33W charging.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specifications on both phones a cause for concern?
Yes, the limited camera information is a drawback. It suggests that neither phone is a standout performer in the camera department. Users prioritizing photography should look for more detailed reviews and sample images before making a decision. The Realme 11 Pro+ may have a slight edge due to Realme's typical focus on camera features in its Pro+ series.