The Redmi Note 12 and Redmi Note 12 Pro are the latest Redmi smartphones which are expected to be launched on Feb-March 2023.
In India, the Redmi Note 12 Global version is already available from 5 January 2023. It is likely that Malaysia will follow suit soon with the official launch of the Redmi Note 12 series.
For those who cannot wait, there are several vendors on Shopee and Lazada offering the Redmi Note 12 Pro starting from RM1170.
According to the global launching price, the Redmi Note 12 Pro base model is about RM250 more expensive than the Redmi Note 12. So is it worth spending RM250? Let’s find out.
We compare the specifications, design, camera, performance, battery life, and design of the new Redmi Note 12 and Redmi Note 12 Pro.
Key Takeaway:
The main differences between the Redmi Note 12 and Redmi Note 12 Pro are the Redmi Note 12 Pro has a better screen with better colours and smaller bezels as well as a more powerful MediaTek Dimensity 1080 that supports WiFi 6 and 5G connection. In contrast, the Redmi Note 12 is only using a Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 but it has a microSD card slot.
Comparing the Redmi Note 12 vs Redmi Note 12 Pro Specifications
| Redmi Note 12 | Redmi Note 12 Pro | |
| Design |  |  |
| Size | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm | 163 x 76 x 8 mm |
| Weight | 188 g | 187 g |
| IP rating | IP53 Dust and splash resistant | IP53 Dust and splash resistant |
| Display | Punch-hole 6.67 inches AMOLED, 120Hz, 395 PPI (1080p) Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Punch-hole 6.67 inches AMOLED, 120Hz, 395 PPI (1080p) Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| SIM slot | Hybrid Dual SIM (nano) | Dual SIM (nano) |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Chipsets | Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6nm) |
| Memory | 128GB 6GB RAM 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM 128GB 8GB RAM 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Card slot | microSD | no |
| Main Camera | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56″, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4″, 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) |
| Selfie Camera | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06″, 1.0µm |
| Sound | Loud speakers, 3.5mm jack | Stereo speakers, 3.5mm jack |
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Side-mounted |
| Battery | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 33W wired | 67W wired |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Check Shopee Check Lazada | Check Shopee Check Lazada |
Redmi Note 12 vs Redmi Note 12 Pro Price in Malaysia
Since the Redmi Note 12 series has not been officially launched in Malaysia yet, we can estimate the price based on the official pricing in India’s official Xiaomi store.
Check out the price prediction for Redmi Note 12 in Malaysia below.
Redmi Note 12 has only two variants, which are:
- 128GB ROM 4GB RAM – RM1059
- 128GB ROM 6GB RAM – RM1199
Redmi Note 12 Pro has three variants, which are:
- 128GB ROM 6GB RAM – RM1399
- 128GB ROM 8GB RAM – RM1499
- 256GB ROM 8GB RAM – RM1599
Make sure you check the latest pricing at Shopee and Lazada, which often offer promotions and discounts on new smartphones.
Redmi Note 12 vs Redmi Note 12 Pro Design
The Redmi Note 12 is available in three colours: Forest Green, Matte Black, and Mystique Blue; whereas the Redmi Note 12 Pro is available in three colours as well: Glacier Blue, Onyx Black, and Stardust Purple.
The Redmi Note 12 and Redmi Note 12 Pro have similar sizes. Redmi Note 12 has a 6.67-inch Samsung AMOLED screen with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, whereas Redmi Note 12 Pro also comes with a 6.67-inch AMOLED screen with PWM dimming and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
But there are a few key differences in the display of Redmi Note 12 vs Note 12 Pro which you might not notice at first glance.
The Redmi Note 12 Pro boasts a smaller bottom bezel, resulting in 86.7% screen-to-body ratio. Redmi note 12 has only an 85% screen-to-body ratio.
Next, the Redmi Note 12 Pro is using Corning Gorilla Glass 5 while the Redmi Note is only using Gorilla Glass 3.
In both phones, the front camera is designed with a punch-hole design.
On the rear panel, both Redmi Note 12 and Note 12 Pro are identical with no distinct differences.
When you look at these two Redmi smartphones from a distance, it’s hard to tell them apart.
Redmi Note 12 vs Redmi Note 12 Pro Performance
According to nanoreview.net, the Redmi Note 12’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 has an AnTuTu score of 383k, lower than the Redmi Note 12 Pro Dimensity 1080 with an AnTuTu score of 495k.
Although both processors are fabricated using a 6nm process, the MediaTek Dimensity 1080 is significantly more powerful with better single and multi-core scores, as well as better 3DMark performance.
Aside from its processing power, Dimensity 1080 also features support for WiFi 6 connections that can be connected to a WiFi 6 router.
As a result, Redmi Note 12 Pro should provide a better gaming experience with higher frame rates and more stability. Nevertheless, Redmi Note 12 is more than sufficient as a daily driver to check social media, watch videos, and play light mobile games.
Redmi Note 12 vs Redmi Note 12 Pro Camera
Both Redmi Note 12 and Redmi Note 12 Pro feature a triple camera system at the back: main camera (wide), ultra-wide and macro camera.
The main difference between camera on Redmi Note 12 and Redmi Note 12 Pro is the Redmi Note 12 main camera does not come with optical image stabilization (OIS) and slightly fewer megapixels.
For the selfie camera, the Redmi Note 12 Pro is slightly better with a 16 MP, f/2.5 camera compared to Redmi Note 12’s 13 MP, f/2.5.
The photo quality on Redmi Note 12 Pro is expected to be better than the Redmi Note 12 with higher pixels and sharper images.
Redmi Note 12 vs Redmi Note 12 Pro Battery Life
Based on official data, both Redmi Note 12 and Redmi Note 12 Pro have 5000mAh Li-Po batteries.
Redmi Note 12 supports 33W fast charging while the Redmi Note 12 Pro supports up to 67W charging so it can give a slightly faster burst charging when low battery life.
For real-world performance, the Redmi Note 12 is proven to last longer than the Redmi Note 12 Pro based on a performance test done by China Vlogger.
Redmi Note 12 has an impressive 12.5 hours of screen time, while Redmi Note 12 Pro has a maximum screen time of 9 hours and 45 minutes. As a result of the Snapdragon processor’s higher power efficiency and Redmi Note 12’s less power-hungry screen, the Redmi Note 12 has a longer battery life.
Redmi Note 12 and Redmi Note 12 Pro Video Review
Redmi Note 12 Video Review
Redmi Note 12 Pro Video Review
Conclusion: Which is Better, Redmi Note 12 or Redmi Note 12 Pro
Ultimately, the Redmi Note 12 and Redmi Note 12 Pro are very similar smartphones with two main differences: the Redmi Note 12 Pro has a more powerful processor and a better main camera.
If you’re a budget-conscious consumer, I recommend the Redmi Note 12 because it is more than enough to handle most tasks and play mobile games smoothly. Most importantly, it has incredible battery life that can easily last for 2 days without charging at all.
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