Xiaomi’s mid-range offerings are fiercely competitive, and the Poco X5 Pro and Redmi Note 12S represent distinct approaches. The Note 12S prioritizes affordability, while the X5 Pro aims for a more premium experience with a focus on performance. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset provides a substantial performance advantage over the Redmi Note 12S’s Helio G96, making it better suited for gaming and demanding applications. The faster 67W charging is also a significant benefit, despite a similar battery endurance rating.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 06 | 2023, February 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 26 | Available. Released 2023, February 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.30 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) | 162.9 x 76 x 7.9 mm (6.41 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 176 g (6.21 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits (HBM), 1000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 13, MIUI 14 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 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) | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| 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 | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2 (Intl), 5.1 (India), A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1), BDS (B1) | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, recording | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band - India |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 45 min
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Onyx Black, Ice Blue, Pearl Green | Astral Black, Horizon Blue, Poco Yellow |
| Models | 2303CRA44A, 23030RAC7Y, 2303ERA42L | 22101320G, 22101320I |
| Price | € 122.47 / $ 149.99 / £ 229.89 | € 156.00 / $ 221.33 / ₹ 22,490 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 113h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.9 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 531398 (v9)
GeekBench: 2930 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S
- More affordable price point
- Decent battery endurance
- Functional for basic tasks
- Significantly weaker performance
- Slower charging speeds
- Likely lower quality display
Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 778G
- Faster 67W charging with PD3.0/QC4
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Higher price tag
- Similar battery endurance to Note 12S
- May be overkill for basic users
Display Comparison
The Poco X5 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 912 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Redmi Note 12S. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels (given the price points), the X5 Pro’s superior brightness is a clear advantage. Contrast ratio is listed as infinite (nominal) for the X5 Pro, typical of IPS panels, but the Note 12S’s contrast ratio is not specified. The absence of high refresh rate information for the Note 12S suggests it’s likely capped at 60Hz, while the X5 Pro is expected to offer a smoother 120Hz experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. However, given the price difference, it’s reasonable to assume the Poco X5 Pro benefits from a more sophisticated camera system. The larger sensor size, if present, would capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance. Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), if included in the X5 Pro, would further enhance image quality and reduce blur. The Redmi Note 12S likely relies on software processing to compensate for its potentially less capable hardware. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the Note 12S is a common, but often underwhelming, feature.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco X5 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Redmi Note 12S’s MediaTek Helio G96 (12nm). The 778G features a more modern CPU architecture – a 1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 prime core alongside 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – versus the Note 12S’s 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration. The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 778G also contributes to better power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling during sustained workloads. This means the X5 Pro will maintain higher performance levels for longer periods, particularly in graphically intensive games.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the difference in charging speeds. However, the Poco X5 Pro’s 67W wired charging (with PD3.0 and QC4 support) is a game-changer, allowing a full charge in just 45 minutes. The Redmi Note 12S’s 33W charging is considerably slower. The X5 Pro also offers 5W reverse wired charging, a convenient feature for topping up accessories, which the Note 12S lacks. While battery life is comparable, the X5 Pro’s charging speed significantly reduces downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S if you need a functional, reliable smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media, and your budget is extremely tight. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro if you prioritize smooth performance for gaming, streaming, and multitasking, and you’re willing to spend a bit more for a noticeably faster and more responsive experience. The X5 Pro is also the better choice for users who value faster charging speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 778G in the Poco X5 Pro get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 778G is known for its efficiency. While it will generate heat during prolonged gaming, the 6nm process node and Xiaomi’s thermal management system should prevent significant throttling. Expect playable frame rates even after 30-60 minutes of demanding games, though some performance reduction is possible.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Redmi Note 12S slow compared to other phones in this price range?
Yes, 33W charging is relatively slow compared to the 67W charging offered by the Poco X5 Pro and many other mid-range phones. Expect a full charge to take well over an hour, potentially closer to two hours, depending on the battery level.
❓ Will the Helio G96 in the Redmi Note 12S struggle with demanding apps or multitasking?
The Helio G96 is a capable processor for basic tasks, but it will show its limitations when running multiple demanding apps simultaneously or handling graphically intensive applications. Expect some lag and slowdowns when multitasking or playing demanding games.
❓ Does the Poco X5 Pro support 5G connectivity, and will I see a noticeable speed improvement over 4G?
Yes, the Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset in the Poco X5 Pro supports 5G connectivity. If you have 5G coverage in your area and a compatible SIM card, you will experience significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to 4G, resulting in quicker app downloads, smoother streaming, and lower latency.
