If you want an excellent smartphone but don’t want to spend a premium, Xiaomi provides lots of possibilities. Here are all the key differences Redmi Note 12 5G vs Note 12 Pro, which will help you decide which is right for you.
The company’s Redmi sub-brand is a good place to start, as the Redmi Note 12 series released four new phones in the UK and Europe in 2023. The 4G Redmi Note 12 is the lowest of these, starting at £219/€249.
In this essay, we’ll concentrate on the middle two in terms of cost. Should you buy the £279/€299 Redmi Note 12 5G or the £339/€399 Redmi Note 12 Pro if you have around £300/€300 to spend?
Differences between Redmi Note 12 5G and Redmi Note 12 Pro
Both phones have a clean, contemporary appearance. The Redmi Note 12 5G (hence referred to as the ‘Redmi Note 12’) comes in three colors: Onyx Gray, Ice Blue, and Forest Green. The Redmi Note 12 Pro, on the other hand, is available in three colors: black, white, and blue.
They appear to be extremely similar, yet their real structure is quite different. The normal Redmi Note 12 is built of plastic and is somewhat bigger and lighter than the Redmi Note 12 Pro, which is heavier and more compact.
This increases its durability but also makes it a smudge and fingerprint magnet. Meanwhile, the Redmi Note 12’s matte plastic exterior does not suffer from this issue. In addition, the bottom bezel of the screen on the Redmi Note 12 is somewhat bigger than that on the Pro variant.
Both phones have an IP53 certification, which means they are resistant to dust and water splashes. While they will not survive a complete submersion, they should be able to resist the rigors of daily living.
Another distinction is that the Redmi Note 12 features Gorilla Glass 3 on the front, whilst the Pro variant has Gorilla Glass 5 on the front.
Both gadgets, however, include a 6.67in OLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz, delivering smooth and bright images. The Redmi Note 12 Pro, on the other hand, takes things up a level with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision compatibility, making it the best pick for video consumption and gaming.
The normal Redmi Note 12’s display, on the other hand, is brighter, making it a better choice for outdoor use.
The Redmi Note 12 Pro has twin stereo speakers, with a downward-firing grille and a second one at the top of the phone. This is a superior option to relying simply on the earpiece, boosting the phone’s potential to generate exceptional audio.
Unfortunately, the audio quality of the regular Redmi Note 12 cannot compete, as it just has a single downward-firing speaker. While it can reach a reasonable loudness, it lacks bottom and usually creates a muddy sound. It’s fine for casual listening but doesn’t give much else.
In terms of connectivity, both versions have USB-C, Dual-SIM, and an audio jack at the bottom, allowing you to select between wireless earbuds and regular corded headphones.
The Redmi Note 12 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 CPU, while the Redmi Note 12 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 1080. Both chipsets give decent performance, however the Dimensity 1080 in the Pro model has a tiny advantage, especially in graphic-intensive activities.
The Redmi Note 12 scored 2006 points on our Geekbench 5 multi-core test, while the Pro model scored 2221 points.
In terms of RAM and storage, the Redmi Note 12 has 4GB of RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage that can be expanded up to 1TB. The Redmi Note 12 Pro, on the other hand, comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of non-expandable UFS 2.2 storage. If you require additional storage, the Note 12 is the obvious winner.
Both smartphones include a fingerprint sensor on the side, as well as 5G capability for higher communication rates. However, the Note 12 Pro supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, as opposed to Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1 on the ordinary Note 12.
Both phones feature a large 5000mAh battery. However, the Redmi Note 12 Pro delivers quicker charging, with 67W cable charging as opposed to the Redmi Note 12’s 33W wired charging. If you’re always on the go and require a speedy battery charge, the Pro model is a better option.
You can comfortably go through a whole day with the Redmi Note 12 without ever having to worry about locating a power outlet. On brighter days, especially when you’re at home, it can last up to 48 hours before needing to be recharged.
However, the Redmi Note 12 Pro lasts a full day of moderate use and may be extended to two days if you just use your phone periodically.
They may not compete with the finest battery life phones, but you won’t be concerned about them running out of juice all the time.
It’s worth noting that none of these phones supports wireless charging, which is understandable given the pricing.
When it comes to smartphones, camera capabilities are always an important factor to consider.
The Redmi Note 12 has a 48MP primary camera, an 8MP ultrawide camera, a 2MP macro camera, and a 13MP front-facing camera. The Redmi Note 12 Pro, on the other hand, has a 50Mp primary camera, an 8Mp ultrawide camera, a 2Mp macro camera, and a 16Mp front-facing camera.
The Pro also includes optical image stabilization (OIS) on the primary back lens. Both phones can snap photographs, but the Pro has a little advantage.
The photographs below were captured using the Redmi Note 12 (first) and the Redmi Note 12 Pro (second):
Redmi Note 12 Pro :
Price & availability
UK and Europe customers can buy only a single variant of the Redmi Note 12 for £279/€299 directly from Xiaomi. This version features 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.
The global version of the Redmi Note 12 Pro is available in one version only too. This model serves as the entry-level option, providing 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.
You can buy it at a price of just £339/€399. The phone can be obtained directly from Xiaomi in the UK and Europe.
Specs
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12:
- Android 13 w/ MIUI 14
- 6.67in Full HD+ (1080×2400) OLED display, 120Hz refresh rate
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
- Gorilla Glass 3 (front only)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1
- 4GB RAM
- 128GB UFS 2.2 storage (expandable up to 1TB)
- 48Mp, f/1.8 main camera
- 8Mp, f/2.2 118Ëš ultrawide camera
- 2Mp, f/2.4 macro camera
- 13Mp, f/2.45 front-facing camera
- Single speaker
- 3.5mm audio jack
- Dual-SIM
- 5G
- Wi-Fi 5
- Bluetooth 5.1
- IP53
- USB-C
- 5000mAh battery
- 33W wired charging
- 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm
- 188g
- Onyx Gray, Ice Blue and Forest Green colour options
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro:
- Android 13 w/ MIUI 14
- 6.67in OLED 120Hz curved display, 20:9, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
- Gorilla Glass 5 (front only)
- MediaTek Dimensity 1080
- 6GB RAM
- 128GB UFS 2.2 non-expandable storage
- 50Mp, f/1.9 main camera with OIS
- 8Mp, f/2.2 120Ëš ultrawide camera
- 2Mp, f/2.4 macro camera
- 16Mp, f/2.5 front-facing camera
- Dual stereo speakers
- Dual-SIM
- 5G
- Wi-Fi 6
- Bluetooth 5.2
- IP53
- USB-C
- 5000mAh battery
- 67W wired charging
- 163 x 76 x 8mm
- 187g
- Black, White or Blue colors options
