Skip to content
specpair

Apple iPhone 15 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 12

Updated Apr 2026phones
Apple iPhone 15
Apple
Apple iPhone 15
$799
8.6/10
Winner
VS
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
Xiaomi
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
$179
7.1/10

The Verdict

Apple's iPhone 15 and Xiaomi's Redmi Note 12 occupy vastly different market segments, making direct comparison challenging. The iPhone 15 delivers flagship performance with its A16 Bionic chip, superior 48MP camera system with 4K@60fps Dolby Vision recording, and a stunning 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display at 2000 nits brightness. Its 20W wired and 15W MagSafe charging, IP68 rating, and 6GB RAM provide premium features at $799. Conversely, the Redmi Note 12 targets budget-conscious users with a larger 6.67-inch AMOLED display offering 120Hz refresh rate, substantially larger 5000mAh battery with faster 33W charging, and solid 50MP main camera, though it only records 1080p video. The Redmi's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 processor and 4GB base RAM fall significantly behind the A16 Bionic in raw performance. The iPhone 15 excels in display quality, camera capabilities, processing power, and durability (IP68 vs IP53). The Redmi Note 12 wins on battery capacity, screen refresh rate, and value proposition for basic tasks. For anyone needing flagship performance, superior cameras, and long-term software support, the iPhone 15 justifies its premium price. Budget buyers prioritizing battery life and screen smoothness should consider the Redmi Note 12.

ValueNote 12
CameraiPhone 15
BatteryNote 12
DisplayiPhone 15
PerformanceiPhone 15

Who Should Buy

Buy the Apple iPhone 15 if…

  • Dynamic Island brought to base model
  • 48 MP main camera upgrade
  • Switched to USB-C port

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 if…

  • AMOLED 120Hz display at $179 is exceptional value
  • 5G connectivity at ultra-budget pricing
  • 33W fast charging for the 5000 mAh battery

Category Scores

Apple iPhone 15
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
Value
7.5
8.7
Camera
9.0
7.2
Battery
7.8
8.9
Display
9.2
8.0
Performance
9.1
6.5

Pros & Cons

Apple iPhone 15

Pros

  • Dynamic Island brought to base model
  • 48 MP main camera upgrade
  • Switched to USB-C port
  • Strong A16 Bionic performance
  • Comfortable lightweight design

Cons

  • Stuck at 60Hz refresh rate
  • USB-C limited to USB 2.0 speeds
  • No telephoto camera
  • No always-on display

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12

Pros

  • AMOLED 120Hz display at $179 is exceptional value
  • 5G connectivity at ultra-budget pricing
  • 33W fast charging for the 5000 mAh battery
  • IP53 splash resistance for basic protection
  • Lightweight and slim design at 188 g

Cons

  • Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 offers limited performance
  • Only a depth sensor as secondary camera — no ultrawide
  • 4 GB base RAM is very tight for multitasking
  • Video recording capped at 1080p@30fps
  • MIUI has ads and bloatware

Full Specifications

SpecApple iPhone 15Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
SoftwareiOS 17Android 12 (MIUI 14)
Body
Weight171 g188 g
MaterialAluminum framePlastic frame, glass front, plastic back
IP ratingIP68IP53
Dimensions147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm165.9 x 76 x 7.98 mm
Camera
Main camera48 MP50 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
Front camera12 MP13 MP, f/2.4
Video4K@60fps Dolby Vision1080p@30fps
Ultrawide12 MP
Depth2 MP, f/2.4
Memory
RAM6 GB4 GB / 6 GB / 8 GB
Storage options128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB64 GB, 128 GB
Battery
Capacity3349 mAh5000 mAh
Charging20W wired33W wired
Wireless charging15W MagSafeNo
Display
Size6.1 inches6.67 inches
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLEDAMOLED
Resolution2556 x 11792400 x 1080
Refresh rate60Hz120Hz
Brightness (nits)20001200
Processor
CPUHexa-coreOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz + 6x1.8 GHz)
GPUApple GPU (5-core)Adreno 619
ChipsetApple A16 BionicQualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1
Connectivity
5G
NFC
USBUSB-C 2.0USB-C 2.0
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth5.35.1

Want to compare a third product?

Add another product for a 3-way comparison.

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 15 or the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12.