Apple iPhone 12 vs Xiaomi Redmi 13
The Verdict
iPhone 12 and Redmi 13 target vastly different market segments. Apple's flagship delivers superior display quality with 1200-nit Super Retina XDR OLED panel, faster 60Hz refresh, and exceptional color accuracy, while Xiaomi offers a larger 6.79-inch IPS LCD with 90Hz refresh that feels smoother for scrolling despite lower peak brightness. Performance heavily favors iPhone 12's A14 Bionic chip, providing years of software support and superior gaming capabilities compared to Redmi 13's MediaTek Helio G99 Ultra. Camera systems differ philosophically: iPhone excels at 4K Dolby Vision video and computational photography, Redmi 13 boasts a 108MP main sensor but lacks video prowess. Battery capacity slightly favors Xiaomi at 5030mAh versus 2815mAh, though iPhone's efficiency typically matches or exceeds real-world longevity. At $799 versus $179, iPhone 12 justifies premium pricing with durability, ecosystem integration, and long-term value. Budget-conscious buyers should choose Redmi 13; those prioritizing performance and longevity should select iPhone 12.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 12 if…
- →First iPhone with 5G connectivity
- →Ceramic Shield front cover is four times more drop-resistant
- →Flat-edge design is comfortable and stylish
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 13 if…
- →108 MP main camera captures highly detailed photos in daylight
- →Large 5030 mAh battery provides excellent two-day endurance
- →33W fast charging at this ultra-budget price point
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 12
Pros
- First iPhone with 5G connectivity
- Ceramic Shield front cover is four times more drop-resistant
- Flat-edge design is comfortable and stylish
- A14 Bionic delivers excellent performance and efficiency
- Dolby Vision HDR video recording is a first for any smartphone
Cons
- 60Hz display when competitors offered 90Hz or 120Hz
- Small 2815 mAh battery offers mediocre battery life
- 64 GB base storage is inadequate in 2020
- Lightning port instead of USB-C
- No telephoto lens — only dual camera
Xiaomi Redmi 13
Pros
- 108 MP main camera captures highly detailed photos in daylight
- Large 5030 mAh battery provides excellent two-day endurance
- 33W fast charging at this ultra-budget price point
- IP53 splash resistance for basic water protection
- Large 6.79-inch display is great for media consumption
Cons
- No 5G connectivity — 4G LTE only
- IPS LCD lacks the contrast and vibrancy of AMOLED
- Helio G99 Ultra struggles with heavy gaming
- No ultrawide camera — just main and macro
- Video recording limited to 1080p@30fps
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 | Xiaomi Redmi 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | Android 14 (MIUI 14 / HyperOS) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 164 g | 198.5 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Plastic frame, glass front, plastic back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP53 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 168.6 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 108 MP, f/1.75, PDAF |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 13 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Dolby Vision HDR | 1080p@30fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | — |
| Macro | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB / 8 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 5030 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 33W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.79 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2460 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 90Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 550 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz + 6x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | MediaTek Helio G99 Ultra |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in phones, see all Apple products or all Xiaomi products. View full details for the Apple iPhone 12 or the Xiaomi Redmi 13.