The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 and Realme 12 Pro+ represent compelling options for users seeking a balance of features and affordability. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they take distinctly different approaches, particularly in battery life and charging speed. This comparison dives deep into the specifications and real-world implications to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and faster charging, the Realme 12 Pro+ emerges as the winner. Its 13:24 active use score and 67W charging significantly outperform the Redmi Note 13’s 9:49 and 33W, making it the more convenient choice for power users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, January 04 | 2024, January 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, January 10 | Available. Released 2024, January 29 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 161.1 x 75 x 7.6 mm (6.34 x 2.95 x 0.30 in) | 161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 174.5 g (6.14 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| 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 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors*, 120Hz, 1920Hz PWM, 1000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM), 950 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6080 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 710 |
| OS | Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, HyperOS | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
64 MP, f/2.8, 71mm, (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.4, 22mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | 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 | 67W wired, 50% in 19 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite black (Stealth Black), Arctic White, Ocean Teal, Prism Gold | Submarine Blue, Navigator Beige, Explorer Red |
| Models | 2312DRAABG, 2312DRAABI | RMX3840, RMX3841 |
| Price | $ 118.38 / £ 206.65 / € 150.99 / ₹ 15,950 | $ 465.00 / £ 299.00 / € 344.26 / ₹ 28,400 |
| SAR | 1.07 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.94 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | - |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Potentially lower price point
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Significantly shorter battery life
- Slower 33W charging
- Less efficient processor
Realme 12 Pro+
- Exceptional battery life (13:24h)
- Rapid 67W charging (50% in 19min)
- More efficient Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor
- Dimmer display compared to Redmi Note 13
- Potentially higher price
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 13 boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 991 nits, compared to the Realme 12 Pro+'s 802 nits. This difference translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. However, the Realme 12 Pro+’s panel technology isn’t specified, while the Redmi Note 13’s panel type is also unknown. Both phones likely utilize AMOLED technology given the market segment, but the Redmi Note 13’s higher peak brightness provides a tangible advantage for outdoor use. Bezels and color accuracy are not specified, making it difficult to assess these aspects definitively.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications beyond the main sensors, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Realme 12 Pro+’s likely inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) – a common feature in its price range – would provide a significant advantage in low-light photography and video recording, reducing blur and improving image stability. The Redmi Note 13’s camera capabilities are less clear without sensor size or aperture information. The absence of details regarding image processing algorithms also makes it difficult to assess the overall image quality of either device.
Performance
The Realme 12 Pro+ leverages the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (SM7435-AB) built on a 4nm process, offering a theoretical advantage in power efficiency and thermal management over the Redmi Note 13’s Mediatek Dimensity 6080 (6nm). The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 features a more modern CPU architecture – 4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 cores versus the Redmi’s 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 cores – suggesting superior multi-core performance. While both are octa-core CPUs, the architectural improvements in the Snapdragon chip should translate to smoother multitasking and more responsive gaming. The Realme’s 4nm process further contributes to reduced heat generation, potentially minimizing performance throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The Realme 12 Pro+ decisively wins in battery performance, achieving an impressive 13:24 hours of active use compared to the Redmi Note 13’s 9:49 hours. This nearly 4-hour difference is substantial and highlights the efficiency gains of the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 and potentially a larger battery capacity within the Realme. Furthermore, the Realme 12 Pro+ supports 67W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 19 minutes, while the Redmi Note 13 is limited to 33W charging. This faster charging speed significantly reduces downtime and offers greater convenience for users on the go.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 if you prioritize a bright display for outdoor visibility and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s ideal for users who primarily browse, consume media, and occasionally game. Buy the Realme 12 Pro+ if you demand exceptional battery life, rapid charging, and a more efficient processor for sustained performance, making it perfect for heavy users, travelers, and those who rely on their phone throughout the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 in the Realme 12 Pro+ get hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2’s 4nm process is designed for improved thermal efficiency compared to the Redmi Note 13’s Dimensity 6080 (6nm). While some heat generation is inevitable during gaming, the 7s Gen 2 is less prone to significant throttling, allowing for more sustained performance over longer periods. However, sustained peak performance will still generate heat, and the phone's cooling solution will play a role.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the Realme 12 Pro+ compared to the Redmi Note 13’s 33W charging in real-world use?
The Realme 12 Pro+’s 67W charging can reach 50% charge in approximately 19 minutes, while the Redmi Note 13’s 33W charging will take considerably longer – likely over an hour to reach the same level. This difference is significant for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery before leaving the house or during short breaks.
❓ Is the difference in active use battery life (9:49h vs 13:24h) noticeable in everyday use?
Absolutely. A nearly 4-hour difference in active use battery life is substantial. Users of the Realme 12 Pro+ can expect to comfortably get through a full day of moderate to heavy use without needing to recharge, while Redmi Note 13 users may find themselves reaching for a charger before the end of the day, especially with demanding tasks.
