which is the better performer under Rs 20,000?

The Redmi Note 13 5G and Realme 12+ 5G are popular smartphones available to buyers under the Rs 20,000 price segment. If you’re looking to purchase a new phone in this price segment and are curious about how well both devices hold up in terms of performance, we’ve got you covered. We will be doing a comprehensive performance-based comparison between the Redmi Note 13 5G and the Realme 12+ 5G to find out which smartphone offers better performance for its price.

Geekbench

The Geekbench 6 benchmark test evaluates the processor’s performance and gives us a reference on how the smartphone’s performance should work in day-to-day use. The Redmi Note 13 5G scored 737 on the single-core test and 1905 on the multi-core test, while the Realme 12+ 5G scored 973 on the single-core test and 2413 on the multi-core test. These results indicate that the Realme 12+ outperforms the Redmi Note 13 in both performance-intensive tasks reliant on single-core performance and multitasking scenarios that rely on multi-core performance.

Winner: Realme 12+ 5G

AnTuTu

AnTuTu benchmark evaluates a smartphone’s performance across various metrics, which include the CPU, GPU, Memory (RAM+ROM), and UX (user experience). The Redmi Note 13 5G secured an aggregate score of 4,53,830 on the benchmark test, while the Realme 12+ 5G clocked an aggregate score of 5,95,408 on the test. The Realme 12+ exceeds the Redmi Note 13 in every metric, particularly when it comes to the GPU, where it has almost double the score. The Realme 12+ secures another win in this round.

Winner: Realme 12+ 5G

CPU Throttle

To gauge the throttling on each smartphone, we tested both on the CPU throttle app, set to operate on 50 threads for 30 minutes each. At the end of the test, the Redmi Note 13 5G showcased an impressive 92 percent peak performance output, while the Realme 12+ 5G exhibited a slightly lower peak performance output of 86 percent. Although the difference may not be glaring, it highlights that the Redmi Note 13 5G is a more capable device under stress.

Winner: Redmi Note 13 5G

Gaming test

For the gaming test, we played BGMI for 30 minutes each on both smartphones at the HD resolution and High frame rate settings. While the gameplay experience was relatively smooth at 60FPS for both devices, the Realme 12+ emerges as the superior gaming device, as it can support the game at HDR resolution, a feature the Redmi Note 13 lacks.

In terms of thermals, both smartphones performed well, with just a 5-degree rise in pre-game and post-game temperatures. However, the Realme 12+ 5G experienced a higher battery drain compared to the Redmi Note 13 5G.

Winner: Realme 12+ 5G

Verdict

From the comparative analysis thus far, it is abundantly clear that, when it comes to performance, the Realme 12+ 5G is a better performer compared to the Redmi Note 13 5G. The result is not very surprising, considering the latter uses a less powerful Dimensity 6080 chipset. If your priorities lean towards performance, the Realme 12+ is a good option for its price. The Redmi Note 13 5G, meanwhile, impresses with its outstanding stability at peak performance, dwarfing even the Realme 12+.

If you’re on a strict budget, the Redmi Note 13 5G offers a good balance of features and specifications and retails around Rs 17,000. However, if you desire a bit more oomph from your smartphone, you can bump up your budget to consider the Realme 12+ 5G, which typically retails around Rs 20,000. Here are comprehensive reviews for both the Redmi Note 13 5G (review) and the Realme 12+ 5G (review) if you want to learn more about the devices.