The competition in India’s mid-range 5G smartphone market has never been tougher. As of November 2025, two strong contenders are leading the segment — Redmi Note 13 Pro Max 5G and Realme 12 Pro. Both devices bring powerful processors, feature-packed cameras, and sleek designs, aiming to deliver a premium experience without crossing the ₹30,000 mark.
While Redmi focuses on camera innovations and display quality, Realme emphasizes design and performance balance. This detailed comparison breaks down every key aspect — design, display, performance, camera, battery, and pricing — to help you choose the right 5G phone for your needs.
Design and Display
The Redmi Note 13 Pro Max 5G follows Redmi’s signature premium aesthetic, featuring a frosted glass back with curved edges and a centered camera island. The build feels sturdy yet light, weighing around 190 grams. Its display measures 6.73 inches, featuring a 1.5K AMOLED panel with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and peak brightness of 1800 nits. The viewing experience is bright, vivid, and ideal for multimedia consumption.
In comparison, the Realme 12 Pro opts for a more elegant design with its vegan leather finish and circular camera module inspired by luxury watches. It has a 6.7-inch curved AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and HDR10+ certification. While the brightness peaks slightly lower at 1500 nits, the color calibration is warm and cinematic.
| Specification | Redmi Note 13 Pro Max 5G | Realme 12 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Display Type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Size | 6.73 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Resolution | 1.5K | Full HD+ |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Peak Brightness | 1800 nits | 1500 nits |
| Build | Glass Back | Vegan Leather Finish |
Verdict: Redmi Note 13 Pro Max 5G takes the lead with a sharper 1.5K display, though Realme 12 Pro’s leather texture offers a more luxurious in-hand feel.
Performance and Processor
The Redmi Note 13 Pro Max 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, paired with up to 12GB LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage. The chipset delivers efficient multitasking and moderate gaming performance, maintaining stable thermals even during extended usage.
Meanwhile, the Realme 12 Pro runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor, also combined with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. It provides smooth UI navigation and gaming for titles like BGMI, COD Mobile, and Genshin Impact, although it’s slightly less power-efficient compared to Redmi’s newer 7s Gen 2 chip.
| Specification | Redmi Note 13 Pro Max 5G | Realme 12 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 |
| RAM | 8GB / 12GB | 8GB / 12GB |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 128GB / 256GB |
| OS | MIUI 15 (Android 15) | Realme UI 6 (Android 15) |
In benchmarks, the Redmi Note 13 Pro Max 5G scores around 725,000 on AnTuTu, outperforming Realme’s 680,000 score. This gives Redmi an edge in raw power and sustained performance.
Verdict: Redmi Note 13 Pro Max 5G offers better overall performance and thermal stability.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality often defines user choice in this price range, and both phones offer impressive setups.
The Redmi Note 13 Pro Max 5G sports a 200MP Samsung HP3 main sensor with OIS, accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide lens and a 2MP macro shooter. Its 16MP front camera captures bright, natural selfies. The 200MP sensor provides exceptional clarity and detail, particularly under daylight.
The Realme 12 Pro, meanwhile, features a 50MP Sony IMX890 main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide, and a 32MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom. It also has a 16MP front camera. Realme’s photos are tuned for more contrast and saturation, appealing to those who prefer punchier colors.
| Camera Feature | Redmi Note 13 Pro Max 5G | Realme 12 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 200MP (Samsung HP3, OIS) | 50MP (Sony IMX890, OIS) |
| Ultra-Wide | 8MP | 8MP |
| Telephoto | — | 32MP (2x Optical Zoom) |
| Front Camera | 16MP | 16MP |
| Video Recording | 4K @ 30fps | 4K @ 30fps |
In daylight photography, Redmi’s 200MP mode captures exceptional detail. In contrast, Realme performs better in portrait and telephoto shots. Night photography is slightly better on the Redmi Note 13 Pro Max due to its larger sensor and AI noise reduction algorithms.
Verdict: Redmi delivers sharper detail and better night shots; Realme excels in portraits and zoom.
Battery and Charging
Battery life remains strong for both phones, though Redmi gains an edge in capacity.
| Feature | Redmi Note 13 Pro Max 5G | Realme 12 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 5100 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging Speed | 120W HyperCharge | 67W SuperVOOC |
| Charging Time | 0–100% in 22 minutes | 0–100% in 45 minutes |
Redmi’s 120W fast charging is significantly quicker, allowing a full top-up in under 25 minutes — a major convenience for heavy users.
Verdict: Redmi Note 13 Pro Max 5G wins decisively for both battery capacity and charging speed.
Software and User Experience
The Redmi Note 13 Pro Max 5G runs on MIUI 15 based on Android 15, featuring cleaner icons, AI optimization, and minimal bloatware. The UI feels smoother with adaptive memory management.
The Realme 12 Pro uses Realme UI 6 on Android 15, offering deeper customization options, enhanced privacy dashboards, and a more colorful interface. Both brands promise three years of OS updates and four years of security patches.
Verdict: Redmi offers a smoother experience, while Realme focuses on customization and visual appeal.
Price in India (November 2025)
| Model | Variant | Price (India) |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 13 Pro Max 5G | 8GB + 128GB | ₹27,999 |
| Redmi Note 13 Pro Max 5G | 12GB + 256GB | ₹30,999 |
| Realme 12 Pro | 8GB + 128GB | ₹26,999 |
| Realme 12 Pro | 12GB + 256GB | ₹29,999 |
The difference is marginal, but Redmi justifies its slightly higher price with better hardware and faster charging.
Verdict: Redmi Note 13 Pro Max 5G offers more value overall, while Realme 12 Pro appeals to users preferring design and color-rich display quality.
Final Verdict
The Redmi Note 13 Pro Max 5G and Realme 12 Pro are two of the strongest mid-range phones in India this November. Both combine design, performance, and camera excellence, but they cater to slightly different user priorities.
Choose the Redmi Note 13 Pro Max 5G if you want:
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Better overall performance and power efficiency
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Superior camera detail and night photography
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Lightning-fast 120W charging
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Sharper 1.5K AMOLED display
Choose the Realme 12 Pro if you prefer:
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Premium vegan leather design
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Balanced camera with optical zoom
-
Slightly more affordable price tag
Both phones deliver excellent value, but for users seeking flagship-grade performance in a mid-range price, the Redmi Note 13 Pro Max 5G stands out as the more complete package.
FAQs
Which phone has the better display?
The Redmi Note 13 Pro Max 5G offers a 1.5K AMOLED display, sharper and brighter than the Realme 12 Pro’s Full HD+ panel.
Which one performs better for gaming?
Redmi Note 13 Pro Max 5G’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 delivers better stability and efficiency during extended gaming sessions.
Which phone charges faster?
Redmi Note 13 Pro Max 5G supports 120W HyperCharge, reaching full charge in about 22 minutes.
How is the camera quality compared?
Redmi’s 200MP sensor captures finer detail, while Realme’s 32MP telephoto lens provides better zoom capabilities.
What is the price difference in November 2025?
The Redmi Note 13 Pro Max 5G starts at ₹27,999, while the Realme 12 Pro starts slightly lower at ₹26,999.
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