Xiaomi’s independent brand Redmi released the latest Redmi Note 12 series lineup in China recently. The lineup consists of multiple smartphones including the Redmi Note 12, Redmi Note 12 Pro, Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus, and Redmi Note 12 Explorer Edition. We have already taken a look at how these four models differ from each other in a dedicated comparison, but it’s time to check out how the individual models compare to their predecessors.

The Redmi Note 12 comes with a new Cortex A78 powered Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset as compared to the Cortex A76 powered Dimensity 810 chipset on the Redmi Note 11. The new model also shaves off a few grams off its weight and upgrades the display to a Samsung AMOLED panel instead of IPS LCD. But there are a bunch of changes too, which could be called as downgrades, especially in the camera department.

So let’s take a closer look at how the new Redmi vanilla model compares against its predecessor in this Redmi Note 12 vs Redmi Note 11 comparison.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 11

 Xiaomi Redmi Note 12Xiaomi Redmi Note 11
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm,
188 g		152.7 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm,
179 g
DISPLAY6.67 inches, 1080 x 2400 pixels (Full HD+), AMOLED, 120Hz6.6 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), IPS LCD, 90Hz
PROCESSORQualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, octa-core 2 GHzMediaTek Dimensity 810, octa-core 2.4GHz
MEMORY4 GB RAM, 128 GB – 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB4 GB RAM, 128 GB – 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB
SOFTWAREAndroid 12, MIUI 13Android 11, MIUI 12.5
CONNECTIVITYWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, GPSWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS
CAMERADual 48 + 2 MP, f/1.8 + f/2.4
8 MP f/2.0 front camera		Dual 50 + 8 MP (UW), f/1.8
16 MP f/2.0 front camera
BATTERY5000 mAh, fast charging 33W5000 mAh, fast charging 33W
ADDITIONAL FEATURES5G, dual SIM, IP53 dust and splash resistant, fingerprint(side-mounted)5G, dual SIM, IP53 dust and splash resistant, fingerprint(side-mounted)

Design

The Redmi Note 11 5G launched last year featured a complex camera module at the back, despite featuring only two usable cameras. On the other hand, the new model revamps its camera module with a cleaner design featuring just two large cameras. Personally, we feel the new design looks a lot more refined and symmetric. The back looks a lot cleaner now, inline with the premium model designs that we’ve seen over the past few years.

In terms of dimensions, the Redmi Note 12 is thinner at 8mm vs 8.8mm on the Redmi Note 11 5G model. The new model also reduces the weight to 188 grams. However, the Note 12 is both taller and wider than the previous generation.

Both the models are IP53 certified, so they are dust and splash resistant. The Redmi Note 12 comes in Black, White, and Blue color options while the Redmi Note 11 came in Black, Blue, and Mint Green options.

Display

Display is one area where the Redmi Note 12 brings significant upgrades over its predecessor. The Note 12 model comes with a 6.67-inch Samsung AMOLED panel featuring 2400 x 1080p resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 1200 nits peak brightness. In comparison, the older model featured a 6.6-inch IPS LCD panel with the same resolution and a lower 90Hz refresh rate.

This ensures that the Redmi Note 12 brings significantly better display experience over its predecessor and makes for a good reason for users to upgrade to the new model.

Specs & Software

The Redmi Note 12 features a decent entry-level Qualcomm chipset from the last generation: the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 with 5G support. In comparison, the Redmi Note 11 featured the Dimensity 810 processor clocked at 2.4GHz. Both these chips are aimed at the budget market with 5G support, so don’t expect any significant difference in terms of performance.

Both the models start at 4GB RAM and 128GB of ROM and go up to 8GB and 256GB of ROM in China. Note that these are UFS 2.2 storage storages.

The Redmi Note 12 runs Android 12 out of the box with MIUI 13. In comparison, the Redmi Note 11 comes with an older Android 11 version with MIUI 12.5 on top.

Camera

The camera section is a bit confusing. After all, Redmi has removed the useful ultra-wide angle sensor on the new model, replacing it with a pretty useless depth sensor.

The Redmi Note 12 features a 48MP primary shooter and a 2MP depth shooter while the older model had a 50MP primary camera and an 8MP secondary ultra wide camera. Clearly, the presence of the UW sensor makes the Redmi Note 11 more versatile and useful than the camera module found on the new model. In fact, it is disappointing to see a 2022 smartphone missing out on an ultra-wide sensor.

Even the front camera gets a lower resolution 8MP shooter instead of 16MP on the Redmi Note 11, however, the aperture is wider at 2.0 on the new model.

Battery

Both the model have the exact same battery configuration. The Redmi Note 12 and the Note 11 come with decent 5000mAh batteries on board with up to 33W fast charging.

Price

The vanilla Redmi Note 12 is available in the Chinese market with an official starting price tag of €170 or $170 but internationally it will be sold at a higher price tag. On the other hand, the older model retails for around $200 on global retailers like Giztop.

Considering the price difference, which one would you pick?

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 11: PROs and CONs

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12

PRO

  • Thinner Design
  • Upgraded AMOLED display with 120Hz
  • Cleaner Design

CONS

  • Inferior cameras

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11

PRO

  • Better cameras
  • Cheaper Price (current price)

CONS

  • 90Hz IPS LCD panel

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