Highlights
- Redmi Note 12 5G edges out with dust and splash resistance.
- Redmi boasts a brighter display and Gorilla Glass 3 protection.
- Realme leads with a 108MP main camera for high-resolution photos.
- Realme offers faster 45W charging and longer software support.
The Realme 12 5G and Redmi Note 12 5G are notable competitors in the mid-range smartphone market, each bringing their unique strengths to the table.
The former is a recent announcement while the latter has been in the market for more than two months.
This comprehensive comparison aims to highlight the intricate differences between the two, assisting you in making an informed purchasing decision.
Design
Realme 12 5G: Sporting dimensions of 165.7mm x 76mm x 7.69mm and weighing approximately 188g, the Realme 12 5G emphasizes a modern aesthetic with a sleek, slim profile.
It offers unique color options such as Twilight Purple and Woodland Green, catering to users looking for style alongside functionality.
Redmi Note 12 5G: Slightly larger and thicker at 165.9mm x 76.2mm x 8mm, but with the same weight, the Redmi Note 12 5G provides a robust build with IP53-rated dust and splash resistance.
Its color palette includes Frosted Green, Matte Black, and Mystique Blue, aiming to suit a variety of tastes while adding an extra layer of durability.
Winner: Redmi Note 12 5G, due to its practical advantage in durability with dust and splash resistance.
Display
Realme 12 5G: Features a 6.72-inch AMOLED display, boasting a Full HD+ resolution and a high 120Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals.
Its peak brightness reaches 950 nits, allowing for clear visibility even under bright conditions, and it claims an impressive 91.40% screen-to-body ratio for an immersive viewing experience.
Redmi Note 12 5G: Comes with a slightly smaller 6.67-inch AMOLED screen that also supports a Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.
However, it takes the lead with a peak brightness of 1200 nits and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, enhancing both its visibility in extreme lighting conditions and its durability.
Winner: Redmi Note 12 5G, for its superior brightness and protective screen technology.
Cameras
Realme 12 5G: Puts forward a powerful 108MP main camera for high-resolution photos, complemented by a 2MP portrait camera for depth sensing.
The front sports an 8MP camera for selfies.
This setup emphasizes high-resolution imaging, especially with its main camera sensor.
Redmi Note 12 5G: Offers a more versatile camera setup with a 48MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide lens for broader shots, and a 2MP macro camera for close-ups, alongside a 13MP front camera.
This array allows users to capture a wide range of photo types, from landscapes to detailed close-ups.
Winner: Redmi Note 12 5G, for its broader range of photography options, accommodating more diverse shooting scenarios. However, the Realme beats Redmi in terms of photographic zoom.
Performance
Realme 12 5G: Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chipset, it delivers robust performance with an octa-core CPU arrangement and the Mali G57 MC2 GPU.
It offers 4GB or 6GB RAM options, catering to different user needs from casual usage to more demanding applications.
Redmi Note 12 5G: Utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset, which also features an efficient octa-core CPU and the Adreno 619 GPU. Similar RAM configurations ensure that performance is on par for everyday tasks and moderate gaming.
Winner: Tie, as both devices are well-matched in terms of performance, catering to the mid-range segment effectively.
Features
Realme 12 5G: Stands out with its 45W SUPERVOOC charging technology for rapid battery replenishment, dual SA modes for enhanced 5G connectivity, and realme UI 5.0 based on Android 14, promising a fresh software experience with a commitment to three years of updates.
Redmi Note 12 5G: Offers a solid feature set with 33W fast charging, comprehensive 5G connectivity options, and runs on MIUI 14 (International) or MIUI 13 (India), ensuring a rich user interface with two years of software update support.
Winner: Realme 12 5G, for its faster charging solution and longer commitment to software updates, providing better long-term value.
Battery
Both smartphones pack a 5000mAh battery, promising extended use on a single charge.
The Realme 12 5G’s 45W SUPERVOOC charging significantly outpaces the Redmi Note 12 5G’s 33W fast charging in theory, but the Redmi’s specific claim of reaching 50% charge in 22 minutes is noteworthy for those needing quick top-ups.
Even during our tests the Realme outpaces the Redmi by a slender marging.
Winner: Realme 12 5G, for its detailed and practical fast-charging capabilities
Final Thoughts
The Redmi Note 12 5G and Realme 12 5G see a kind of tie in this comprehensive comparison.
In terms of display quality and camera versatility, the Redmi takes the lead while for features and battery, the crown goes to Realme.
The Realme 12 5G also shines with a higher resolution main camera and a promise of longer software support.
Your choice between the two should be influenced by which aspects—camera versatility, screen protection, charging speed, or software longevity—you value most in a smartphone.
Both models offer compelling features that make them strong contenders in the mid-range 5G smartphone market.
Realme 12 Specs
GENERAL
| Sim Type | Dual Sim, GSM+GSM |
| Dual Sim | Yes |
| Sim Size | Nano+Nano SIM |
| Device Type | Smartphone |
| Release Date | January 22, 2024(Expected) |
DESIGN
| Bezel less | No |
| Colors | Stone crystal black, Gold |
DISPLAY
| Type | Color IPS LCD Screen (16.7M) |
| Touch | Yes, 360 Hz Touch Sampling Rate |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 1080 x 2408 pixels, 120 Hz |
| Aspect Ratio | 20.06:9 |
| PPI | ~ 401 PPI |
| Screen to Body Ratio | ~ 90.5% |
| Features | Screen Contrast: 1500:1, Brightness: 400 nit |
| Notch | Yes, Water Drop Notch |
MEMORY
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Expandable RAM | Upto 6 GB Extra Virtual RAM |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| Storage Type | UFS 2.2 |
| Card Slot | Yes, upto 1 TB |
CONNECTIVITY
| GPRS | Yes |
| EDGE | Yes |
| 3G | Yes |
| 4G | Yes |
| 5G | Yes |
| 5G Bands | NR SA: n1/n5/n8/n28A/n41/n78, NR NSA: n41/n77/n78 |
| VoLTE | Yes |
| Wifi | Yes, with wifi-hotspot |
| Wifi Version | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | Yes, v5.3, A2DP, LE |
| USB | Yes, USB-C v2.0 |
| USB Features | USB on-the-go |
EXTRA
| GPS | Yes, with AGPS, BEIDOU, GLONASS, QZSS, GALILEO |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Yes, Side |
| Face Unlock | Yes |
| Sensors | Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor, Distance Sensor, Acceleration Sensor |
| 3.5mm Headphone Jack | Yes |
CAMERA
| Rear Camera | 50 MP f/1.8 (Wide Angle) 2 MP f/2.4 (Macro) f/2.8 (Portrait lens) with autofocus |
| Features | Night Scene, Panorama, Professional Mode, Portrait, HDR, Super Macro, AI Scene Recognition, AI Beauty, Filter, Color Enhancement, Street Shot, Portrait Bokeh Control, Super Text |
| Video Recording | 1080p @ 30 fps FHD, 720p @ 30 fps HD |
| Flash | Yes, LED |
| Front Camera | 16 MP f/2.1 (Wide Angle) |
| Front Video Recording | 1080p @ 30 fps FHD |
TECHNICAL
| OS | Android v14 |
| Custom UI | realme UI 6.0 |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 8050 |
| CPU | 3 GHz, Octa Core Processor |
| Core Details | 1xPrime Core@2.63 GHz & 3xPerformance Cores@2.4 GHz& 4xEfficiency cores@1.8 GHz |
| GPU | Adreno GPU |
| Java | No |
| Browser | Yes |
MULTIMEDIA
| Yes | |
| Music | MP3, AAC, APE, AMR, WAV, OGG, FLAC, WMA |
| Video | AVI, 3GP, MP4, WMV, MKV, MOV, ASF, FLV |
| FM Radio | No |
| Document Reader | Yes |
BATTERY
| Type | Non-Removable Battery |
| Size | 5000 mAh, Li-Po Battery |
| Fast Charging | Yes, 67W Fast Charging |
Redmi Note 12 5G Key Specifications
Performance
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G |
| CPU | Octa core (2.4 GHz, Single core, Kryo 670 + 2.2 GHz, Tri core, Kryo 670 + 1.9 GHz, Quad core, Kryo 670) |
| Architecture | 64 bit |
| Fabrication | 6 nm |
| Graphics | Adreno 642L |
| RAM | 8 GB |
Camera & Display
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G |
| Rear Camera | 50 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP |
| Front Camera | 16 MP |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Display | 6.67 inches (16.94 cm) |
General
| Launch Date | May 17, 2023 (Unofficial) |
| Operating System | Android v13 |
Display
| Display Type | OLED |
| Screen Size | 6.67 inches (16.94 cm) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels |
| Aspect Ratio | 20:9 |
| Pixel Density | 395 ppi |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Bezel-less display | Yes with punch-hole display |
| Touch Screen | Yes, Capacitive Touchscreen, Multi-touch |
| HDR 10 / HDR+ support | Yes, HDR 10+ |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
Camera |
||
| Camera Setup | Triple | |
| Resolution | 50 MP, Primary Camera 8 MP, Ultra-Wide Angle Camera 2 MP, Macro Camera |
|
| Autofocus | Yes | |
| Flash | Yes, LED Flash | |
| Image Resolution | 8150 x 6150 Pixels | |
| Settings | Exposure compensation, ISO control | |
| Shooting Modes | Continuous Shooting High Dynamic Range mode (HDR) |
|
| Camera Features | Digital Zoom Auto Flash Face detection Touch to focus |
|
| Video Recording | 3840×2160 @ 30 fps | |
FRONT CAMERA |
||
| Camera Setup | Single | |
| Resolution | 16 MP, Primary Camera | |
Battery
| Capacity | 5000 mAh |
| Type | Li-Polymer |
| Removable | No |
| Quick Charging | Yes, Fast, 67W |
| USB Type-C | Yes |
Storage
| Internal Memory | 128 GB |
| Expandable Memory | No |
Network & Connectivity
| SIM Slot(s) | Dual SIM, GSM+GSM |
| SIM Size | SIM1: Nano, SIM2: Nano |
| Network Support | 5G Not Supported in India, 4G Supported in India, 3G, 2G |
| VoLTE | Yes |
| SIM 1 |
4G Bands:
TD-LTE 2300(band 40)
FD-LTE 1800(band 3) 3G Bands:
UMTS 1900 / 2100 / 850 / 900 MHz
2G Bands:
GSM 1800 / 1900 / 850 / 900 MHz
GPRS:
Available
EDGE:
Available
|
| SIM 2 |
4G Bands:
TD-LTE 2300(band 40)
FD-LTE 1800(band 3) 3G Bands:
UMTS 1900 / 2100 / 850 / 900 MHz
2G Bands:
GSM 1800 / 1900 / 850 / 900 MHz
GPRS:
Available
EDGE:
Available
|
| Wi-Fi | Yes, Wi-Fi 4 (802.11 b/g/n) |
| Wi-Fi Features | Mobile Hotspot |
| Bluetooth | Yes, v5.2 |
| GPS | Yes with A-GPS |
| USB Connectivity | Mass storage device, USB charging |
Multimedia
| Loudspeaker | Yes |
| Audio Jack | 3.5 mm |
Sensors
| Fingerprint Sensor | Yes |
| Fingerprint Sensor Position | Side |
| Other Sensors | Light sensor, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope |
FAQs
How do the camera capabilities of the Realme 12 5G compare to the Redmi Note 12 5G?
The Realme 12 5G features a 108MP main camera, focusing on high-resolution shots, while the Redmi Note 12 5G offers a more versatile setup with a 48MP main sensor plus additional ultrawide and macro lenses for a variety of shooting scenarios.
Which device has better display technology?
The Redmi Note 12 5G comes out ahead with a peak brightness of 1200 nits and Corning Gorilla Glass 3, providing superior visibility and screen protection over the Realme 12 5G.
Can the Realme 12 5G’s battery charging speed compete with the Redmi Note 12 5G?
Yes, the Realme 12 5G’s 45W SUPERVOOC charging technology significantly surpasses the Redmi Note 12 5G’s 33W fast charging, offering quicker battery replenishment.
Which smartphone offers more value in terms of features and performance?
Both smartphones offer compelling features for their price point; however, the Realme 12 5G stands out with its superior main camera resolution, faster charging, and a promise of longer software support, offering better long-term value.
Is the Realme 12 5G or Redmi Note 12 5G better for gaming?
Both devices are equipped with capable processors and GPUs suitable for mid-range gaming. The choice between them would depend more on personal preference and other factors like display and battery life rather than gaming performance alone.
Should I buy the phone Realme 12 5G?
The Realme 12 5G feels like a noteworthy contender in the competitive sub-Rs 20,000 segment, providing me with a balance between performance, design, and features.
Even without its premium pricetag it’s a robust offering in terms of design, display, camera capabilities, and battery life.
Through my experience, it delivered on several fronts, offering a versatile and satisfying user experience that is hard to overlook for its price point.
What are the reasons to buy for Realme 12 5G?
Premium Design: Vegan leather back and meticulous craftsmanship offer a premium feel.
Impressive Display: 120Hz refresh rate and FHD+ resolution ensure a smooth and vivid visual experience.
Robust Camera: 108MP main sensor provides detailed and dynamic range-rich photos.
Stable Performance: MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chipset and ample RAM support smooth multitasking and gaming.
Rapid Charging: 45W SUPERVOOC charging rapidly replenishes the battery, minimizing downtime.
What are the contents after unboxing the Realme 12 5G?
Unpacking the Realme 12 5G feels strikingly similar to the Realme 12 Pro, with the same familiar sequence of unveiling.
Upon lifting the lid, the first thing that meets your eye is the handset itself, its elegant design and prominent features immediately catching your attention.
Tucked underneath the handset, you’ll find the 45W charger, neatly placed.
Accompanying the charger is a USB Type-C cable, a crucial accessory for powering up the device and transferring data.
A separate section of the box houses a transparent silicone cover.
The box also contains standard documentation, offering vital details about the device, and a SIM card removal tool, a necessary gadget for installing your SIM card into the phone.
Should you buy the Redmi Note 12 5G?
The Redmi Note 12 5G is one of the most affordable 5G offerings in the country. Besides the latest network connectivity, the phone is a complete package for those on a tight budget.
The handset features an AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 48MP camera that should take some decent photos in good lighting conditions, and there’s a large 5000mAh battery.
All these make the Redmi Note 12 5G a very good buy in the segment, especially with the reduced price.
Also Read: Redmi Note 12 5G available at Rs 14,999 in India: Is it worth the purchase at this low price deal ?
Also Read: Realme 12 5G Review: A Mid-Range Smartphone with High-End Features
Also Read: Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus 5G Review – A SuperNote to Revolutionise Smartphone Photography