which one is the best buy?

Xiaomi’s new mid-range devices Redmi Note 12, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Plus have appeared on March 23. There are no very big differences between the devices, especially not looking at the Pro and the Pro Plus. On paper, the difference is between a few tens and 100 euros, but how is that in practice? We put Redmi Note 12 Pro and 12 Pro Plus side by side.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus

The Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus is the most luxurious device of the Redmi Note 12 line. There’s the regular Redmi Note 12, the slightly more elaborate Redmi Note 12 Pro and the Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus, which differs only in handfeel and photography skills, as Plus features a 200 megapixel main camera, versus a 50 megapixel main camera on the regular Pro. In this article we compare the two devices: how different are they in real life?

The Redmi Note 12 Pro and Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus side by side

Specifications Redmi Note 12 range

	Redmi Note 12	Redmi Note 12 Pro	Redmi Note 12 Pro+
Dimensions	165.9 x 76.2 x 8mm	163 x 76 x 8mm	162.9 x 76 x 8.9mm
Weight	188 grams	187 grams	208.4 grams
Housing	Corning Gorilla Glass 3	Corning Gorilla Glass 5	Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Screen	6.67-inch Samsung AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak)	6.67 inch OLED, 1 billion colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (HBM)	6.67 inch OLED, 1 billion colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (HBM)
Processor	Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1	Mediatek MT6877V Dimensity 1080	Mediatek MT6877V Dimensity 1080
Random access memory	4 / 6GB	6 / 8 / 12GB	8 / 12GB
Storage memory	128GB	128 / 256GB	256GB
Rear cameras
Main camera	48MP, f/1.8	50MP, f/1.9 OIS	200MP, f/1.7 OIS
Wide-angle camera	8MP wide-angle, f/2.2	8MP wide-angle, f/2.2	8MP wide-angle, f/2.2
Third camera	2MP macro, f/2.4	2MP macro, f/2.4	2MP macro, f/2.4
Front cameras
	13MP, f/2.5	16MP, f/2.5	16MP, f/2.5
Battery	5,000mAh	5,000mAh	5,000mAh
Software	Android 12, MIUI 13	Android 12, MIUI 13	Android 12, MIUI 13
To colour	Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue	Stardust Purple, Frosted Blue, Onyx Black, White	Arctic White, Iceberg Blue, Obsidian Black, Trend edition
Extras	Infrared present	Infrared present	Infrared present
MSRP	249 euros	399 euros	499 euros

Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus feels significantly more luxurious

The biggest differences between these phones are in the design. What is immediately noticeable is that the Plus is a lot rounder and feels a bit heavier (it is: no less than 21 grams). It has rounded edges, making it more comfortable to hold. The Redmi Note 12 Pro does feel much cheaper. That is because it is rather straight-forward, without a round finish, but rather ‘hard’ cut. In terms of material, the two are both equipped with Gorilla Glass 5, although our review device from Pro does have an extremely reflective back. So you don’t have to carry a separate mirror in your bag if you want to touch up some make-up.

Our review device of Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus is white.

Mirror Mirror on the wall…

Redmi Note 12 Pro is much more stable on a table

The Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus may have a luxurious hand feel, but the camera island is a bit higher. That is annoying when you put the device on the table, because that creates a seesaw effect. The Xiaomi Redmi 12 Pro is a lot more stable in that respect. The camera island of the cheaper device is considerably less present and therefore also ensures that the device is stable on the table.

You can see that the phone sticks out a bit more on the left: Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus.

Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus charges at lightning speed

Do you have to leave in twenty minutes and your phone is down to 2 percent? Then you hopefully have the Plus variant of these two, because it has significantly better specifications when it comes to charging. Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus is charged to 100 percent in those 20 minutes, if you charge it wired (it does that at 120 Watt). Redmi Note 12 Pro is not even halfway there: with its 67 Watt charging power, it can only reach 100 percent after 46 minutes.

The 50 megapixel camera of Redmi Note 12 Pro

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The battery life of Redmi Note 12 Pro is better

Although the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro and Pro Plus both have a battery of 5,000 mAh and can make it to the end of the day, the Pro has a plus. Our experience is that the Pro sometimes lasted half a day longer than the Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus, although that obviously has to do with use. If you are constantly filming or on social media, the battery will deteriorate faster than if you only send text messages with it. But with the same use, the Redmi Note 12 Pro turns out to really last half a day longer than the Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus.

Both phones have the same size screen.

Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus takes better photos

The main difference of the Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus is that main camera which is 150 megapixels larger than that of Pro. However, we hardly notice it. This is partly because you don’t really need 200 megapixel photos for everyday life. They are, in fact, very large. Moreover, you mainly view photos on your smartphone, and although zooming on those 200-megapixel photos is certainly a more pleasant experience than on phones without a 200-megapixel camera, you rarely reap the benefits in practice. Below you can see at least a number of photo comparisons between the two devices.

Conclusion

Which of these phones is ultimately the best buy? Is it the cheaper, sturdy Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro, or does the 200 megapixel camera and fast charging of the Xiaomi Redmi Note Pro 12 Pro Plus have that edge? There is no unequivocal answer to that. It’s just what matters to you. Being able to charge a battery quickly is very handy, but maybe you prefer a phone with a longer battery life? Plus, if you spend $100 less, you can use that money for something more fun.

At the same time, the feeling of luxury with the Plus is considerably greater. There is also a cover with both phones, so you will have a lot less problems with wobbling on the table. So both phones have something to say for it. One thing is certain: in terms of specifications, these phones are not inferior to many high-end devices, so whichever you choose: you will have a good buy anyway.

Buy Redmi Note 12 Pro

The Redmi phones are available in different colors on storage variants on the Mi web store. Below you will find the recommended prices.

• Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G -> from 499 euros
• Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G ->from 399 euros
• Redmi Note 12 5G -> from 299 euros
• Redmi Note 12 -> from 249 euros

Buy Redmi Note 12 Pro

The Redmi Note phones are usually affordable devices with strong specifications. The same goes for the Redmi Note 12 Pro. The phone runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 1080. On the front is a 6.67 inch AMOLED screen (1080 x 2400 pixels) with a 120 Hz refresh rate. The device has an IP53 rating. This makes the phone splash-proof and protected against dust.

From 349 euros

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Buy Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus

The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G is the high-end phone with a 120 Hz Flow AMOLED screen. Inside you will find a MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chipset and this phone features 5G connectivity. It has a 200 megapixel main camera with OIS (Sony IMX 766) , with a wide-angle camera and a macro camera next to it.

From 499 euros

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