POCO X6 Neo 5G vs Realme 12 5G: Battle of the Budget-Friendly Powerhouses

The POCO X6 Neo 5G made its grand entry into the Indian market this Wednesday, drawing attention with its starting price of Rs 15,999. This latest addition to the POCO series boasts an array of features such as an AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, the MediaTek Dimensity 6080 chipset, and a hefty 5000mAh battery supported by 33W fast charging. Positioned as a value-for-money gadget, it aims to rival other mid-range smartphones in India, including the similarly priced Realme 12 5G.

So let's compare the POCO X6 Neo 5G and the Realme 12 5G and see which phone is the better value king in the market.

POCO X6 Neo 5G vs Realme 12 5G: A Detailed Comparison

Design and Aesthetics

The POCO X6 Neo 5G features a design that many might find familiar. It comes with a center-positioned punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera and flat edges. Its slim bezels around the screen enhance the viewing experience. The device also includes a volume rocker and power buttons on the right edge, with the SIM tray slot on the left. The phone's rear panel hosts a large rectangular module housing dual camera sensors, an LED flash, and the POCO branding. Available colors for this model are Astral Black, Horizon Blue, and Martian Orange.

In contrast, the Realme 12 5G boasts a more premium gradient back panel design. Its rear features a large circular module for the dual-camera setup and an LED flash. The volume rocker and a power button, which doubles as a fingerprint sensor, are located on the right edge. This model also includes a center-positioned punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera and comes in Twilight Purple and Woodland Green colors.

Display Quality

The POCO X6 Neo 5G is equipped with a 6.67-inch FHD+ sAMOLED display, offering a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 1000 nits peak brightness. It also features Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for added protection. Meanwhile, the Realme 12 5G features a slightly larger 6.72-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 950 nits of peak brightness.

Performance Metrics

Under the hood, the POCO X6 Neo 5G is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6080 chipset, coupled with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB of internal storage, expandable up to 1TB. The Realme 12 5G, on the other hand, runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ SoC and offers up to 8GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage.

Camera Capabilities

Both phones feature a 108MP primary camera and a 2MP depth sensor. However, the POCO X6 Neo 5G includes a 16MP front camera for selfies, surpassing the Realme 12 5G's 8MP front camera.

Battery Life and Software

The POCO X6 Neo 5G is backed by a 5000mAh battery with 33W fast charging, running on Android 13 with MIUI 14. The Realme 12 5G also offers a 5000mAh battery but with a higher 45W fast charging support, running on Android 14-based Realme UI 5.0.

Pricing in India

Price-wise, the POCO X6 Neo 5G starts at Rs 15,999 for the 8GB/128GB variant and goes up to Rs 17,999 for the 12GB/256GB model. The Realme 12 5G is priced at Rs 16,999 for the 6GB/128GB variant and Rs 17,999 for the 8GB/128GB version.

Verdict

Both the POCO X6 Neo 5G and Realme 12 5G are strong contenders in the budget-friendly smartphone segment. Here's a quick breakdown to help you decide:

Choose POCO X6 Neo 5G if:

• You want a higher resolution front camera (16MP vs 8MP)
• You find the starting price of Rs 15,999 attractive (for the 8GB/128GB variant vs Realme 12's 6GB/128GB variant)
• You want more storage (128GB/256GB options compared to Realme 12's sole 128GB variant)
• You want more RAM (6GB/8GB compared to Realme 12's 6GB/8GB variants)

Choose Realme 12 5G if:

• You prefer a more premium-looking design (subjective preference)
• You value faster charging speeds (45W vs 33W)