If you are in the market for a mid-range smartphone, then three names must have popped onto your screen: the newly launched Realme 12 Plus, Redmi Note 13, and the POCO X6. All these smartphones come with a host of features, including a 120Hz AMOLED display, powerful chipsets, and fast charging.
If you are confused about which of these devices to pick, you have landed at the right place. In this article, we will look deeper into Realme 12 Plus, Redmi Note 13, and POCO X6 so you can make a smart decision for your next device.
Specs at Glance
Specs
Realme 12 Plus
Redmi Note 13
POCO X6
Display
6.67-inch 120Hz AMOLED
6.67-inch 120Hz AMOLED
6.67-inch 120Hz AMOLED
Chipset
MediaTek Dimensity 7050
MediaTek Dimensity 6080
Snapdragon 7S Gen 2
RAM and Storage
8GB RAM and up to 256GB Storage
Up to 12GB RAM and 256GB Storage
Up to 12GB RAM and 512GB Storage
Rear Cameras
50MP + 8MP + 2MP
108MP + 8MP + 2MP
64MP+ 8MP + 2MP
Front Cameras
16MP
16MP
16MP
Battery and Charging
5000mAh battery with 67W charging
5000mAh battery with 33W charging
5100mAh battery with 67W charging
Price in India
Realme 12 Plus: The Realme 12 Plus comes in two storage options: 128GB, which costs Rs 20,999, and 256GB, which costs Rs 21,999.
Redmi Note 13: The base variant of Redmi Note 13 with 6GB + 128GB costs Rs 17,999, the 8GB + 256GB variant costs Rs 19,999, and the 12GB + 256GB variant costs Rs 21,999.
POCO X6: The base variant with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage costs Rs 20,999, and the top-of-the-line 12GB RAM and 512GB storage variant costs Rs 23,999.
Design
The Realme 12 Plus follows the same aesthetics we have seen in the Realme 12 series: a vegan leather back and a luxury watch layout. On the other hand, the Redmi Note 13 and POCO X6 share somewhat similar appearances thanks to almost identical camera islands.
However, POCO follows its bold branding strategy of putting the brand logo and camera specs on the right side of the camera island. In contrast, Redmi takes a more subtle approach with a clearer back and just Redmi branding at the bottom left.
While design primarily boils down to personal preference, we can offer guidance based on your taste. If you want a smartphone that catches everyone’s attention and looks premium, the Realme 12 Plus is your go-to device. If you want something to give you bold vibes, the POCO X6 is the device for you. And if you like things simple and traditional, the Redmi Note 13 is a no-nonsense device.
Display
Interestingly, all three smartphones flaunt the same 6.67-inch 120Hz AMOLED display and a centrally aligned punch-hole camera. Regarding peak brightness capabilities, the Realme 12 Plus takes centre stage with 2000nits, followed by the POCO X6 with 1800nits, and the Redmi Note 13 with just 1000nits.
However, it’s important to remember that these are just peak brightness numbers, which no one usually gets or cares about in real-world performance. That’s why it’s almost impossible to pick a clear winner based on display, as all smartphones will offer almost identical visual experiences.
Performance and UI
This is where things start to get interesting. The latest contender, the Realme 12 Plus, packs the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 SoC, and the Redmi Note 13 packs the MediaTek Dimensity 6080 SoC, which feels like the predecessor of the 7050. However, the POCO X6 packs the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 SoC.
Unfortunately, we will have to deal with bloatware with all three smartphones when it comes to the software and UI. So, if we keep that aside, the Realme 12 Plus is the only device with the Android 14-based Realme UI 5.0 out of the box. The Reami Note 13 and POCO X6 run MIUI 4, based on Android 13.
If we have to pick a winner in terms of performance and UI purely based on the spec sheet, then the Realme 12 Plus emerges as the strongest contender. It packs the latest chipset and software, which is a big plus. However, we have reviewed the Redmi Note 13 and POCO X6, so you can check that out if you are curious about their real-life performance.
Camera
The Realme 12 Plus features the 50MP Sony LYT 600 primary sensor with OIS support, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2MP macro sensor. The Redmi Note 13 houses a 108MP primary sensor with 3X In-Sensor Zoom capabilities and the same 8MP ultra-wide camera and 2MP macro sensor.
The POCO X6 packs a 64MP primary sensor with the same 8MP ultra-wide and 2MP macro sensors. On the front, all three smartphones flaunt a 16MP selfie shooter.
If you zoom a lot or usually crop images, the Redmi Note 13 is a clear winner thanks to its 108MP primary sensor. Apart from that, all the smartphones will have similar features as they have almost the same ultra-wide, macro, and selfie sensors.
Battery
The Realme 12 Plus and Redmi Note 13 have a 5000mAh battery, which can be refuelled with 67W and 33W fast charging, respectively. Meanwhile, the POCO X6 packs a slightly bigger 5100mAh battery and supports 67W fast charging.
So, while all three smartphones will deliver almost identical battery performance, the Realme 12 Plus and POCO X6 will steal the show regarding charging.
Verdict
The Realme 12 Plus wins in most aspects – it looks premium, has the latest tech, quick charging, a good camera, and more.
But if you find a good deal on the POCO X6, it’s also a solid choice with its Snapdragon chipset and fast charging. On the other hand, if more megapixels matter to you, the Redmi Note 13 is another option to consider.
