iQOO Z9 Lite vs. Redmi 12 5G: A Comparison of Features, Prices, and Specifications

This week saw the release of the iQOO Z9 Lite in the Indian market, marking the brand’s entry into the sub-Rs 12,000 pricing range. It is competitively priced at Rs 10,499 for the 4GB RAM and 128GB option, with the Realme C65 5G, Redmi 12 5G, and Vivo T3 Lite being some of its main competitors.

The iQOO Z9 Lite and the Redmi 12 5G will be compared in this post to see which is the superior option in the low cost range.

iQOO Z9 Lite vs Redmi 12 5G: Specs at Glance

iQOO Z9 Lite vs Redmi 12 5G: Price in India

There are two variations of the iQOO Z9 Lite and three for the Redmi 12 5G. The Redmi 12 5G starts at Rs 11,999, while the Z9 Lite costs Rs 10,499 for 4GB RAM and 128GB storage. The Redmi 12 costs Rs 1,000 more for the 6GB RAM and 128GB storage version. Additionally, the iQOO Z9 Lite lacks the 8GB RAM and 256GB storage option that the Redmi 12 5G offers. Therefore, the Redmi 12 5G would be the superior pick if RAM and storage options are important to you.

Redmi 12 5G vs. iQOO Z9 Lite: Design

• The back of the iQOO Z9 Lite has a rectangular camera module and is flat in form. Its matte-finished back panel makes for a pleasant grip. There are two colorways for the phone: Mocha Brown and Aqua Flow. It weights 185 grammes and has an IP64 rating.
• The Redmi 12 5G features a very basic camera module on the rear and a crystal glass design with rounded edges. Moon-Stone Silver, Pastel Blue, and Jade Black are the three colour variations available. It weights 199 grammes and has an IP53 rating.

The Redmi 12 5G chooses a glass back panel, whereas the iQOO Z9 Lite has a matte-finish back panel. There are different camera modules in both phones. An important benefit for a device in this price category is the iQOO Z9 Lite’s IP64 classification. It’s also important to note how much heavier the Redmi 12 5G is.

Redmi 12 5G vs. iQOO Z9 Lite: Display

• The 6.56-inch LCD display of the iQOO Z9 Lite features a water-drop-style notch, 840 nits of HBM, a 90Hz adaptive refresh rate, and 269 ppi density.
• The 6.79-inch IPS LCD display on the Redmi 12 5G has a punch-hole design, a refresh rate of 90 Hz, a density of 396 ppi, and a maximum brightness of 550 nits.

The Z9 Lite’s display is smaller than that of the Redmi 12 5G. The 90Hz refresh rate provided by both phones guarantees a comparable scrolling experience. On the other hand, the iQOO Z9 Lite may be a great choice if you prefer strong brightness. It’s also crucial to take into account how much more attractive the Redmi 12 5G punch-hole design is than the Z9 Lite’s water-drop-style notch.

iQOO Z9 Lite vs Redmi 12 5G: Performance

• Operating on a 6nm technology, the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 Octa-Core SoC powers the iQOO Z9 Lite. It comes with an inbuilt Mali-G57 MC2 GPU and supports up to 128GB of storage and 6GB of RAM.
• The Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 SoC, which is built on a 4nm process and has an integrated Adreno 613 GPU, powers the Redmi 12 5G. It is available in configurations that include up to 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM.

Notably, the Redmi 12 5G and iQOO Z9 Lite use different chipsets: the Redmi 12 5G’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 SoC is constructed on a 4nm process, whilst the iQOO Z9 Lite’s 6300 SoC is created on a 6nm technology. Furthermore, both phones have somewhat different RAM and storage options.

Redmi 12 5G vs. iQOO Z9 Lite: Software

• Based on Android 14, Funtouch OS 14 powers the iQOO Z9 Lite.
• Based on Android 13, the MIUI 14 comes preinstalled on the Redmi 12 5G.

There are many of customising options available for the iQOO Z9 Lite to make its software uniquely yours. But it comes with a tonne of pre-installed apps and junk. Three years of security patches and two years of OS updates are guaranteed by the brand. On the other hand, there is some slowness with MIUI on the Redmi 12 5G. Unfortunately, there is also a lot of bloatware on this phone. What’s more, the iQOO Z9 Lite has the most recent software installed. Two years of OS upgrades and four years of security patches are what Redmi has promised to provide, which is an extra year of security patches above iQOO.

Redmi 12 5G vs. iQOO Z9 Lite: Camera Comparison

• A 50-megapixel Sony AI primary camera with an f/1.8 aperture and a 2-megapixel bokeh camera with an f/2.4 aperture are both included in the iQOO Z9 Lite. It has an 8-megapixel front camera with an f/2.0 aperture for taking selfies.
• A 2-megapixel depth camera and a 50-megapixel camera with an f/1.8 aperture are also included with the Redmi 12 5G. It has an 8-megapixel front camera with an f/2.0 aperture for selfies.

Similar camera specifications are found on both phones’ front and back cameras.

Redmi 12 5G vs. iQOO Z9 Lite: Battery and Charging

• With a 5000mAh battery and 15W charging, the iQOO Z9 Lite is powerful.
• An 18W charger and a 5000mAh battery are included with the Redmi 12 5G.

The battery capacity of both phones are comparable.

iQOO Z9 Lite vs Redmi 12 5G: Verdict

• The distinctive colour options of the iQOO Z9 Lite set it apart and improved its overall look. It also has dependable battery life and excellent performance.
• On the other hand, the Redmi 12 5G features good cameras, a punch-hole design, great battery life, and reasonable charging rates. However, it’s important to note that these benefits come at a somewhat higher cost.