Apple iPhone 15 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
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.
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
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
| Spec | Apple iPhone 15 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 17 | Android 12 (MIUI 14) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 171 g | 188 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Plastic frame, glass front, plastic back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP53 |
| Dimensions | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm | 165.9 x 76 x 7.98 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, PDAF |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 13 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 1080p@30fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | — |
| Depth | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 4 GB / 6 GB / 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 64 GB, 128 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3349 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 33W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.67 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 1200 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz + 6x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 619 |
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.1 |
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
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 15 or the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12.
