The Pro's already-excellent performance makes it the smarter buy
In the crowded middle ground of the smartphone market, where aspiration meets affordability, Xiaomi's Redmi Note 12 Pro and Pro+ arrive as near-mirror images of each other — twin devices that ask a quiet but meaningful question about value: how much difference does a little more really make? Both phones, released in early 2023, offer mid-range buyers a compelling convergence of display quality, processing power, and camera capability at prices that don't demand sacrifice. The distinction between them — faster charging, a higher-resolution sensor — is real but measured, a reminder that progress in consumer technology often lives in the margins.
- The mid-range smartphone space is fiercely contested, and Xiaomi enters with two devices so similar they force buyers to interrogate what they actually need from a phone.
- The Pro+'s 120W charging — a full battery in thirty minutes — creates genuine urgency around the question of whether the standard Pro's 67W system is a dealbreaker or merely a minor inconvenience.
- A 200-megapixel main camera on the Pro+ sounds transformative, but both phones output comparable default images, making the real advantage one of processing cleanliness rather than raw resolution.
- MIUI 14's dramatic reduction in bloatware and improved stability signals Xiaomi navigating toward a software experience that no longer undermines capable hardware.
- After extended testing, both phones land as confident all-day performers — the Pro even edging out the Pro+ on battery endurance — leaving the choice between them as a matter of priorities rather than necessity.
Xiaomi's Redmi Note 12 Pro and Pro+ are nearly identical devices separated by a handful of meaningful upgrades. Both share a 6.67-inch OLED display, a MediaTek Dimensity 1080 processor, a 5,000mAh battery, and three of their four rear cameras. The Pro+ distinguishes itself with 120W fast charging — a full charge in thirty minutes versus nearly an hour on the Pro's 67W system — and a 200-megapixel main camera in place of the Pro's 50-megapixel sensor. These are real differences, but not transformative ones.
Design-wise, both phones carry flat plastic frames that feel premium, glass backs, thin bezels, a centered hole-punch camera, and a reliable side-mounted fingerprint scanner. The Pro+ is slightly heavier at 208 grams versus 187 grams, a difference noticeable in hand but not burdensome. Both carry IP53 splash resistance and ship with a transparent gel case — a small but practical inclusion.
The shared display punches above its class: vivid OLED colors, 120Hz refresh, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support, and Gorilla Glass 5 protection. Peak brightness at 900 nits holds up in most conditions, though direct sunlight remains a challenge. Performance from the Dimensity 1080 is consistently smooth — gaming generates warmth but not heat, multitasking flows without friction, and battery life comfortably covers a full day. Notably, the Pro outlasted the Pro+ by roughly 15 percent in endurance testing, likely because its lower-resolution sensor draws less power.
The cameras tell the most interesting story. The Pro's 50-megapixel sensor produces vibrant, detailed daylight shots — occasionally over-processed, but strong overall — with capable night mode performance. The Pro+'s 200-megapixel sensor delivers cleaner, less artificially processed results and genuinely impressive low-light photography that approaches flagship territory. Both share an 8-megapixel ultrawide and a 2-megapixel macro that performs only in bright conditions.
Software arrives as MIUI 14 on Android 12 — not the latest base, but Xiaomi's most refined interface yet. Only eight apps are non-removable, a vast improvement over earlier bloatware-heavy versions. Customization runs deep, stability is solid, and minor isolated glitches during testing didn't suggest systemic problems.
Ultimately, both phones deliver flagship-adjacent capability at mid-range prices. The Pro+ earns its premium through faster charging and superior camera processing; the Pro answers back with better battery endurance and a lower price. The choice between them is less about quality and more about which trade-offs align with how you actually use a phone.
Xiaomi's Redmi Note 12 Pro and Pro+ arrived as nearly identical twins, separated by a few meaningful upgrades that justify the price difference but don't fundamentally alter the experience. Both phones share the same 6.67-inch OLED display, the same MediaTek Dimensity 1080 processor, the same 5,000mAh battery, and three of their four rear cameras. Yet the Pro+ model commands attention with its 120W charging capability—capable of reaching a full charge in thirty minutes—compared to the Pro's 67W system, which takes nearly an hour. The Pro+ also swaps in a 200-megapixel main camera where the standard Pro settles for 50 megapixels. These differences matter, but they're not revolutionary.
The design language is where the phones announce themselves as serious mid-range contenders. Both feature flat frames made of plastic that feel nothing like plastic, paired with glass backs that curve slightly on the Pro+ while remaining flat on the Pro. The Pro+ weighs 208 grams to the Pro's 187 grams, a difference you'll notice in hand but won't regret. Both phones sit comfortably, with thin bezels framing a centered hole-punch camera and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner that works reliably. They're IP53 rated for splash and dust resistance, and Xiaomi includes a transparent gel case in the box—a practical touch that saves you from day-one scratches while you hunt for something more stylish.
The display is where both phones punch above their weight class. That 6.67-inch OLED panel delivers 2,400 by 1,080 pixels at 120Hz, with support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ content. Peak brightness reaches 900 nits, which is adequate but not exceptional—direct sunlight will still wash out the screen if you're not careful. Gorilla Glass 5 provides solid protection without being cutting-edge. What matters is the lived experience: colors are vivid, viewing angles hold up, and the touch response feels snappy. The display can intelligently shift between 30 and 120Hz depending on what you're doing, and manual controls let you tweak the experience to your preference.
Performance is where these phones reveal their competence. The Dimensity 1080 is a 6nm processor that handles everything you throw at it without complaint. Both units tested came with 12GB of RAM, though the Pro offers 6GB and 8GB variants while the Pro+ starts at 8GB. Gaming doesn't cause heat problems—the phones warm up but never get hot, even during extended sessions with graphically intensive titles. General multitasking is fluid, with only occasional stutters that barely register. The battery life is genuinely good, easily lasting a full day of mixed use, and the Pro actually delivered about 15 percent more endurance than the Pro+ during testing, likely due to its lower-resolution main camera sensor drawing less power.
The camera systems reveal the most tangible difference between these siblings. The Pro's 50-megapixel main sensor with f/1.9 aperture and optical image stabilization produces 12.5-megapixel default images that look vibrant and detailed in daylight, though occasionally overprocessed. Night mode kicks in automatically and handles low light admirably, preserving detail while controlling noise. The Pro+ steps up with a 200-megapixel main camera that outputs 12-megapixel images by default, delivering noticeably cleaner results with less artificial processing. Its low-light performance is genuinely impressive for a mid-range phone, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with some flagship devices. Both phones share an 8-megapixel ultrawide, a 2-megapixel macro camera, and a 16-megapixel selfie shooter. The macro camera is a gimmick—those tiny sensors only work well in bright conditions—but the ultrawide performs respectably in good light.
Software arrives as MIUI 14 running atop Android 12, not the latest Android version but Xiaomi's most polished iteration of its custom interface. Only eight apps cannot be removed, a dramatic improvement from previous versions drowning in bloatware. MIUI 14 introduces automatic compression for unused apps and extensive customization options—you can split the notification shade from the quick settings, rearrange the recent apps screen, or dial back the interface to feel more like stock Android. The company includes its own image and video editing tools, a capable security app, and an IR blaster for remote control functionality. During testing, the software proved stable, though occasional quirks appeared: the OS froze briefly on the Pro, and the notification shade stuck momentarily on the Pro+. These were isolated incidents, not patterns.
What emerges from living with both phones is a clear value proposition. The Redmi Note 12 Pro delivers flagship-adjacent performance and camera quality without the flagship price tag. The Pro+ justifies its premium through faster charging and a superior main camera, but the gap between them isn't wide enough to make the standard model feel like a compromise. If you need a phone that handles everything competently—gaming, photography, all-day battery life—without demanding a second mortgage, either of these will serve you well. The choice between them comes down to whether you value the faster charging and cleaner camera processing of the Pro+ enough to pay the difference, or whether the Pro's already-excellent performance and battery life make it the smarter buy.
Citas Notables
The Redmi Note 12 Pro and Pro+ offer a lot for the asking price, and with everything considered, it's not difficult to recommend them.— Review assessment
The Pro+ is the better phone of the two, but the difference is really not big. You can easily get away with getting the Redmi Note 12 Pro and calling it a day.— Review conclusion
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Why does the Pro+ cost more if they're so similar? What's actually different?
The charging speed is the real differentiator. The Pro+ charges fully in thirty minutes with 120W, while the Pro takes nearly an hour at 67W. That's a meaningful gap if you're someone who's always rushing. The 200-megapixel camera on the Pro+ also produces cleaner, less processed images, especially in low light. But honestly, the Pro's 50-megapixel camera is already very good—the Pro+ is more refined, not transformative.
Does the extra weight of the Pro+ matter in daily use?
You'll notice it. The Pro+ is 21 grams heavier, and it's slightly thicker. It doesn't feel cheap or unbalanced, but it's definitely present in your hand. Some people prefer that heft; others find it unnecessary. The Pro feels lighter and more nimble without sacrificing durability.
What about the software? Is MIUI 14 actually usable, or is it bloated?
It's genuinely improved. Only eight apps can't be removed, which is refreshing compared to what Xiaomi shipped before. The customization is extensive—you can make it feel like stock Android if you want, or lean into the extra features. There are occasional bugs, but nothing that ruins the experience.
How does the camera hold up in real-world situations, not just test shots?
The Pro's main camera is vibrant and detailed in daylight, maybe a touch oversaturated. The Pro+ is more restrained and natural-looking. In low light, the Pro+ genuinely competes with flagship phones, which is remarkable for the price. The ultrawide is decent, and the macro is basically a novelty—don't buy either phone for macro photography.
Is the battery life actually a full day?
Yes, easily. Both phones get you through a full day of mixed use without stress. The Pro actually lasted slightly longer than the Pro+ in our testing, probably because the lower-resolution camera sensor draws less power. Neither phone excels on standby, though—they drain faster when idle than you'd hope.
Who should actually buy one of these?
Anyone who wants solid performance, a good camera, and a reliable phone without spending flagship money. If you need the fastest possible charging and prefer cleaner camera processing, the Pro+ is worth it. But the Pro is genuinely capable enough that you won't feel like you compromised.