Are you in the market for a new mid-range phone? It can be overwhelming to choose from the endless options available in the market. But fear not, we’ve done the research for you and narrowed it down to two top contenders: the Samsung Galaxy A54 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro.
Let’s dive in and compare these two phones in terms of their physical properties, battery life, charging speed, speakers, performance, camera quality, and overall value for money.
Physical Properties:
Both phones are a standard size for their class, but the Galaxy is 5mm shorter, making it a bit more pocket-friendly. The Redmi, on the other hand, is a bit lighter and has a slightly larger display. The Galaxy is also IP67-rated, meaning it can survive being submerged in water up to 1m for 30mins, while the Redmi is only splash-proof. The Redmi also has an advantage in terms of connectivity options, with a 3.5mm headphone jack and an IR emitter that the Galaxy doesn’t have.
Battery Life:
Both phones have a 5,000mAh battery, but the Galaxy lasts longer with better endurance and screen-on results, with an extra 4 hours on a voice call and better standby efficiency.
Charging Speed:
The Redmi Note 12 Pro wins in this category, with 67W charging compared to the Galaxy’s 25W. A 30-minute charge on the Redmi from flat will get you to 78%, while the Galaxy will only be at 56%. The Redmi also wins in terms of packaging, as it comes with a charger in the retail bundle, unlike the Galaxy.
Speakers:
Both phones have good stereo speakers, with identical results for loudness in testing. However, the Galaxy has a slightly more balanced sound, while the Redmi is more mid-forward.
Performance:
Both phones have 5G capability, with the Galaxy using Samsung’s own Exynos 1380 chip, and the Redmi using the Mediatek Dimensity 1080. While the Galaxy’s CPU has a 4+4 core configuration vs. the Dimensity’s 2+6 setup, the Redmi’s 2xA78s can reach a little higher than the Galaxy’s 4xCortex-A78 cluster, making the difference under single-core load negligible. The Galaxy is slightly better in graphics benchmarks due to its Mali-G68 MP5 GPU, making it a slightly better option for gaming.
Camera Quality:
The Galaxy’s specific camera modules are better than the Redmi’s in all but the main 50MP unit. The Galaxy is more tailored towards camera use than the Redmi, and the images and videos we got out of both reinforce that notion. The Galaxy also has better selfie camera quality and can record 4K selfie video, while the Redmi cannot stabilize 4K video.
Overall Value for Money:
The Galaxy A54 is priced at a premium compared to the Redmi Note 12 Pro, but the extra money buys you some clear advantages, like better dust and water resistance, longer software support, and nice selfies. The Redmi has a couple of advantages you can enjoy daily, like the headphone jack and the IR blaster.
In Conclusion:
Both phones have great displays, and while the Galaxy lasts longer on a single charge, and the Redmi charges quicker, neither is a decider. Similarly, a slightly better overall camera experience on the Galaxy is not enough of an incentive to sway you in its direction. The Redmi’s price offsets its shortcomings, making it a more attractive option for those on a budget. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and priorities.
