Nokia G42 5G vs Redmi Note 12 Pro+
The Verdict
Nokia G42 5G targets budget-conscious buyers seeking sustainability and simplicity, while Redmi Note 12 Pro+ delivers flagship features at a mid-range price. Display quality differs significantly: Nokia offers a 6.56-inch IPS LCD at 1612x720 (90Hz, 450 nits) versus Redmi's superior 6.67-inch AMOLED at 2400x1080 (120Hz, 900 nits). Performance favors Redmi with its Dimensity 1080 and Mali-G68 GPU crushing Nokia's Snapdragon 480+ and Adreno 619, especially for gaming and multitasking. Camera specs heavily favor Redmi: 200MP main with OIS and 4K video recording beats Nokia's 50MP without OIS and 1080p limitation. Battery capacity matches at 5000mAh, but Redmi's 120W charging vastly outpaces Nokia's 20W. RAM configuration tips toward Redmi with standard 8GB versus Nokia's base 4GB. Nokia excels in repairability (stated design priority) and sustainability (100% recycled plastic), plus Android 13 versus Redmi's Android 12. For $80 more, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ provides substantially better displays, performance, and charging speed, making it superior for most users despite Nokia's eco-friendly positioning.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Nokia G42 5G if…
- →Three years of OS updates and three years of security patches
- →Repairability-focused design with easily replaceable parts
- →100% recycled plastic back for environmental sustainability
Buy the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ if…
- →200 MP main sensor is a headline spec at this price
- →120W charging is exceptionally fast for the segment
- →OIS on the main camera aids low-light stability
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Nokia G42 5G
Pros
- Three years of OS updates and three years of security patches
- Repairability-focused design with easily replaceable parts
- 100% recycled plastic back for environmental sustainability
- 5G connectivity at a budget $249 price
- 5000 mAh battery provides multi-day endurance
Cons
- HD+ resolution is pixelated on the 6.56-inch screen
- Snapdragon 480+ is underpowered for demanding tasks
- 2 MP macro and depth cameras are useless
- Only 20W charging is very slow for the 5000 mAh battery
- 8 MP front camera produces soft selfies
Redmi Note 12 Pro+
Pros
- 200 MP main sensor is a headline spec at this price
- 120W charging is exceptionally fast for the segment
- OIS on the main camera aids low-light stability
- 120Hz AMOLED display
- NFC included
Cons
- Dimensity 1080 is a mid-range chip, not flagship
- Heavy at 210 g
- No wireless charging
- 8 MP ultrawide is mediocre
- MIUI ads in some regions
Full Specifications
| Spec | Nokia G42 5G | Redmi Note 12 Pro+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13 | Android 12 (MIUI 13) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 193 g | 210 g |
| Material | 100% recycled plastic back, repairable design | Plastic back, aluminum frame |
| IP rating | IP52 | IP53 |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.8 x 8.5 mm | 162.9 x 76.0 x 8.8 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, PDAF | 200 MP, f/1.65, OIS |
| Depth | 2 MP, f/2.4 | — |
| Front camera | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 16 MP, f/2.4 |
| Macro | 2 MP, f/2.4 | — |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Ultrawide | — | 8 MP, f/2.2, 120-degree |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB / 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 120W HyperCharge wired |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.56 inches | 6.67 inches |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1612 x 720 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 90Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 450 | 900 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz + 6x1.9 GHz) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G | MediaTek Dimensity 1080 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 |
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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.
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