Comparing Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 and 12S: Which is the Best Mid-Range Smartphone?
Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 12 and 12S are two of the company’s latest mid-range smartphones. Both phones were released in the spring of 2023, but there are some important differences between them that you will want to consider before you decide which one you will buy. In this article, we will explore the features of both devices and compare them side by side so that you can choose which one is the best fit for your needs.
Design & Materials
Visually, the Redmi Note 12 and 12S have quite a few differences. The Note 12 has a 6.67-inch AMOLED screen with a 1080x2400 resolution and a 120 Hz refresh rate. It also has peak brightness of 1200 cd/m2 and a contrast ratio of 4500000:1. The body is made of plastic, though it is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The usable surface area on the Note 12 is 84.9%.
The Redmi Note 12S has a smaller 6.43-inch AMOLED display. Its resolution is the same as the Note 12, but its refresh rate is slightly lower at 90 Hz. The peak brightness is 700 cd/m2 and it has HDR support. The body is also made of plastic, albeit with the same Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. The usable surface area here is 84.6%.
Hardware
In terms of hardware, the Note 12 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 (SM6225) processor, which is based on the 6nm architecture. It is available with 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 64GB of UFS storage. It also has external storage via an SD card. The AnTuTu score for the Note 12 is 287964.
The Redmi Note 12S is powered by the MediaTek Helio G96 (12nm) processor. It is available in 6GB and 8GB RAM variants and with 64GB, 256GB, or 128GB of UFS storage. It also has an SD card slot for external storage. The AnTuTu score for the Note 12S is 302877.
Camera
The cameras on both smartphones are similar in some ways, but there are some notable differences. The Note 12 has a triple camera system consisting of a 50.0Mpx standard lens, an 8.0Mpx wide angle lens, and a 2.0Mpx macro lens. The selfie camera is 13.0Mpx. The sensors used are Samsung S5KJN1, Omnivision OV08D10, and 2.0Mpx respectively.
The Redmi Note 12S also has a triple camera system, but with some improved specs. The main sensor is Samsung S5KHM2, which has 108.0Mpx with a pixel size of 0.700. The wide angle lens is 8.0Mpx and the macro lens is 2.0Mpx. The selfie camera is 16.0Mpx and the sensor is CMOS.
Connectivity and Battery
Both Redmi Note 12 and 12S have Bluetooth 5.0 and Dual SIM support. The Note 12 has an audio jack and infrared port, while the Note 12S has upgrades Bluetooth 5.2 and audio jack. Both smartphones have a 5000mAh battery and 33.0W fast charging. They also have reverse charging support.
Conclusion
When deciding between the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 and 12S, whether it’s for features, design, camera, or performance, the decision mostly comes down to your preferences. Both of these mid-range handsets offer great value for money and are capable of handling most tasks. The main differences between the two devices are their designs, hardware, and camera specs, so you should take these factors into account when making your final decision.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
Ki Cost-effective Score |
7.5
Ki Cost-effective Score |
No price, no Ki |
Design and Screen score | 7.3 Design & Materials | 7.0 Design & Materials |
Performance and Hardware score | 6.4 Performance & Hardware | 7.0 Performance & Hardware |
Camera score | 6.1 Camera | 6.9 Camera |
Connectivity score | 6.0 Connectivity | 6.9 Connectivity |
Battery score | 7.7 Battery | 7.1 Battery |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
User score |
8.2
32 reviews
|
8.5
18 reviews
|
Specs |
![]() Global · 4GB · 128GB |
![]() Global · 6GB · 64GB |
---|---|---|
Inches | 6.67" | 6.43" |
Resolution | FHD+ | FHD+ |
Usable surface | 85% useful | 85% useful |
Aspect Ratio | 20:9 | 20:9 |
Dimensions |
76.0 mm
165.7 mm 7.8 mm |
73.4 mm
159.9 mm 8.1 mm |
Weight | 184 g | 179 g |
Micro |
SnapD. 685 Octa-Core |
Helio G96 Octa-Core |
RAM | 4 GB RAM | 6 GB RAM |
Storage | 128 GB | 64 GB |
AnTuTu |
338.900 v10 |
412.400 v10 |
Battery | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
Main Camera |
1
50 Mpx · ƒ/1.8 S5KJN1 2 3 |
1
108 Mpx · ƒ/1.8 S5KHM2 2 3 |
Selfie Camera | SELF 13 Mpx · ƒ/2.45 | SELF 16 Mpx · ƒ/2.4 |
Bands | ||
OS | Android 13 Tiramisu | Android 13 Tiramisu |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
Brand | Xiaomi | Xiaomi |
Aliases | -- | 2303CRA44A |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
Release date |
March 2023, 8 months ago |
April 2023, 7 months ago |
State | On Sale | Not available |
Market | Global | Global |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
Size |
76.0 mm
•
165.7 mm
•
7.8 mm
Print 3D Model
See more details
|
73.4 mm
•
159.9 mm
•
8.1 mm
Print 3D Model
See more details
|
Weight | 184 g | 179 g |
Usable surface | 85 % | 85 % |
Materials | Plastic | Plastic |
Resistance | IP53 | IP53 |
Colors |
Blue
Gray
Green
|
Black
Blue
Green
|
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
Diagonal | 6.67" | 6.43" |
Type | AMOLED • E2 Pro | AMOLED |
Aspect Ratio | 20:9 | 20:9 |
Resolution |
FHD+ 1080 x 2400 px |
FHD+ 1080 x 2400 px |
Density | 395 Pixels per inch | 409 Pixels per inch |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
Model | Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 (SM6225) | MediaTek Helio G96 |
CPU | 4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 + 4x1.9GHz Cortex-A53 | 2x Cortex-A76 2.05 GHz + 6x Cortex-A55 2.0 GHz |
Type | Octa-Core | Octa-Core |
Manufacturing | 6 nm | 12 nm |
64 Bits | Yes | Yes |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
GPU | Adreno 610 | ARM Mali-G57 MC2 900MHz |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB |
Type | LPDDR4X RAM | LPDDR4X RAM |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
Score |
338.900
Antutu v10
Overall performance better than 69% of devices
See more details
|
412.400
Antutu v10
Overall performance better than 75% of devices
See more details
|
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
Capacity | 128 GB | 64 GB |
Type | UFS Storage 2.2 | UFS Storage 2.2 |
SD Slot |
Yes
, Independent SD slot |
Yes
, Independent SD slot |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
Fingerprint | Yes, on the side | Yes, on the side |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
Sensors |
|
|
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
Notifications LED | -- | -- |
Cooling system | No | Yes |
Gaming buttons | No | No |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
No. of cameras | Triple rear camera | Triple rear camera |
1 Camera type |
Standard |
Standard |
Resolution | 50 Mpx | 108 Mpx |
Sensor | Samsung S5KJN1 | Samsung S5KHM2 |
Type | ISOCELL | ISOCELL |
Aperture | ƒ/ 1.8 | ƒ/ 1.8 |
ISO | -- | -- |
Pixel size | 0.64 µm | 0.70 µm |
Pixel Binning | 1-4 (2x2) | 1-9 (3x3) |
Sensor size | 1/2.76" | 1/1.52" |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
Flash | LED | LED |
Optical Stabilisation | No | No |
Slow Motion Video |
No, 30 fps |
Yes, 120 fps |
Others |
|
|
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
SELF Camera type |
Dedicated |
Dedicated |
Resolution | 13 Mpx | 16 Mpx |
Sensor | Unknown | Unknown |
Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Aperture | ƒ/ 2.45 | ƒ/ 2.4 |
Pixel size | 1.12 µm | -- |
Pixel Binning | -- | -- |
Sensor size | -- | -- |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
DxOMark Score |
63 Mobile 54 Photo 66 Video |
-- |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
5G | -- | -- |
4G LTE |
|
|
3G |
|
|
2G |
|
|
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
Dual SIM | Dual Sim Dual Standby | Dual Sim Dual Standby |
Type |
|
|
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi |
|
|
Others |
|
|
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
Version | Bluetooth 5.0 LE Low energy consumption | Bluetooth 5.2 LE Low energy consumption |
Others |
|
|
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
Navigation |
|
|
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
USB |
|
|
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
European measurement The European Union sets a limit of 2 W/kg averaged over 10 grams of tissue. |
-- | -- |
American measurement The FCC limit is 1.6 W/kg measured in a volume of 1 gram of tissue |
-- | -- |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
Others |
|
|
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
Capacity |
5000 mAh
See more details
|
5000 mAh
See more details
|
Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Polymer |
Fast charge |
Yes, 33.0W |
Yes, 33.0W |
Others |
|
|
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Global · 4GB · 128GB |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Global · 6GB · 64GB |
|
---|---|---|
Operating System |
|
|
Google Services (official) | Yes | Yes |