Xiaomi's Redmi and Poco lines offer incredible value, but choosing between them can be tough. The Redmi Note 12 and Poco X5 are both strong contenders in the mid-range market, boasting impressive features at competitive prices. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you pick the perfect phone for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Poco X5 edges out the Redmi Note 12 thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and faster charging. Both offer excellent value, but the X5's Snapdragon 695 provides a noticeable performance boost, making it the preferred choice for those prioritizing speed and efficiency. Both have similar battery life.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 27 | 2023, February 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 11 | Available. Released 2023, February 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | IP53, dust and splash resistant | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 700 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) | Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone 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) | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0" | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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 | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min | 33W wired, 100% in 60 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue | Jaguar Black, Wildcat Blue, Supernova Green |
| Models | 22111317I, 22111317G | 22111317PG, 22111317PI |
| Price | € 151.99 / $ 219.99 / ₹ 11,999 | About 230 EUR |
| SAR | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) | 0.84 W/kg (head) 0.68 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.77 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 101h
|
Endurance rating 106h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
|
-27.3 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 360745 (v9)
GeekBench: 1998 (v5.1), 2017 (v6) |
AnTuTu: 400895 (v9)
GeekBench: 2088 (v5.1) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Balanced performance
- Good display quality
- Excellent battery life
- Sleek design
- Less powerful chipset than Poco X5
- Slower charging speed
- Camera could be improved in low light
Xiaomi Poco X5
- More powerful chipset
- Faster charging
- Slightly brighter display
- Good value for money
- Design might be less premium
- Camera performance similar to Redmi Note 12
Display Comparison
Both phones feature vibrant displays with excellent contrast ratios (nominally infinite). The Poco X5 boasts a slightly higher peak brightness of 728 nits compared to the Redmi Note 12's 706 nits, resulting in marginally better outdoor visibility. Both utilize AMOLED panels, offering rich colors and deep blacks.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is generally comparable between the two. Both offer capable photo and video capabilities, but detailed image quality will depend on specific lighting conditions and shooting modes. Expect decent results in well-lit environments, but low-light performance might be a weak point for both.
Performance
The Poco X5 holds a clear advantage here. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset is more powerful than the Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance. While both have octa-core CPUs, the X5's Kryo 660 cores offer a performance edge.
Battery Life
Battery life is a strong point for both devices. The Redmi Note 12 achieves an endurance rating of 101 hours, while the Poco X5 slightly surpasses it with 106 hours. Both offer all-day battery life with moderate usage. The Poco X5 also charges faster, reaching 100% in 60 minutes compared to the Redmi Note 12's 22 minutes to 50%.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is ideal for users who prioritize a balanced experience with a focus on everyday tasks and media consumption. The Poco X5 is better suited for gamers and power users who need a bit more processing power and faster charging speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Poco X5 is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 695 5G chipset.
❓ Does the Poco X5 support 5G?
Yes, the Poco X5 supports 5G connectivity thanks to its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset.
❓ What is the difference in charging speed?
The Poco X5 charges significantly faster, reaching 100% in 60 minutes, while the Redmi Note 12 takes longer (22 minutes to 50%).