Redmi K90 vs Redmi Note 12S

The Redmi K90 (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, while the Redmi Note 12S (2023) runs on the MediaTek Helio G96. By overall MobileRank rating, the Redmi K90 leads — 76/100 vs 48/100 (a 28-point difference). Key differences: the Redmi K90 has the bigger battery (7100 mAh vs 5000); the main camera is 50 MP vs 108 MP; the Redmi K90 is faster in AnTuTu (3,088,357 vs 493,222); the Redmi Note 12S is noticeably lighter (176g vs 206g).

The Redmi K90 significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 12S by 28 points (76/100 vs 48/100).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Redmi K90
Performance 92
Display 82
Camera 58
Battery 72
Portability 55
Value for money 90
Redmi Note 12S
Performance 41
Display 69
Camera 44
Battery 46
Portability 72
Value for money
What makes Redmi K90 better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 3088357 vs 493222
  • Better Geekbench Single: 3041 vs 678
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 9494 vs 1895
  • Bigger battery: 7100 vs 5000 mAh
  • Faster charging: 100W vs 33W
  • Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 90Hz

  • Higher performance (92/100 vs 41/100)
  • Better camera (58/100 vs 44/100)
  • Longer battery life (72/100 vs 46/100)
  • Better display (82/100 vs 69/100)
What makes Redmi Note 12S better?
  • Better main camera: 108MP vs 50MP
  • Lighter: 176g vs 206g

  • Better portability (72/100 vs 55/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Redmi K90 vs the Redmi Note 12S, the Redmi K90 scores 28 points higher (76/100 vs 48/100). In the "performance" category, the Redmi K90 leads (92/100 vs 41/100). In the "camera" category, the Redmi K90 leads (58/100 vs 44/100). In the "battery" category, the Redmi K90 leads (72/100 vs 46/100). In the "performance" category, the Redmi K90 significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 12S (92/100 vs 41/100). In the "display" category, the Redmi K90 is a bit better (82/100 vs 69/100). In the "camera" category, the Redmi K90 is a bit better (58/100 vs 44/100). In the "battery" category, the Redmi K90 notably outperforms the Redmi Note 12S (72/100 vs 46/100). In the "portability" category, the Redmi Note 12S notably outperforms the Redmi K90 (72/100 vs 55/100).

Redmi K90: The Redmi K90 is a better fit for gamers and power users, budget-conscious buyers.
Redmi Note 12S: The Redmi Note 12S is a better fit for everyday use.
Specs comparison
Specification Redmi K90 Redmi Note 12S
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite MediaTek Helio G96
AnTuTu 3088357 493222
Geekbench Single 3041 678
Geekbench Multi 9494 1895
Display 6.6" AMOLED 6.4" AMOLED
Resolution 2510x1156 1080x2400
Refresh rate 120 Hz 90 Hz
Battery 7100 mAh 5000 mAh
Charging 100W 33W
Main camera 50 MP 108 MP
Ultrawide 8 MP 8 MP
Telephoto 50 MP 0 MP
Front camera 20 MP 16 MP
RAM 12GB / 16GB 6GB / 8GB
Storage 256GB / 512GB 64GB / 128GB / 256GB
OS Android 16 Android 13, MIUI 14
Brightness (peak) 3500 nits 1000 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68 IP53
Dimensions 157.5×75.3×8.0 mm 159.9×73.9×8.1 mm
Weight 206 g 176 g
Launch price $401
Camera comparison
Redmi K90
  • Main: 50MP f/f/1.9
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 20MP
58
camera
Redmi Note 12S
  • Main: 108MP f/f/1.9
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Front: 16MP
44
camera
Display comparison
Redmi K90
  • 6.6" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 2510x1156
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
82
display
Redmi Note 12S
  • 6.4" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 1080x2400
  • Refresh rate: 90 Hz
69
display
Battery and charging
Redmi K90
  • 7100 mAh
  • Wired: 100W
  • No wireless charging
72
battery
Redmi Note 12S
  • 5000 mAh
  • Wired: 33W
  • No wireless charging
46
battery
Overall performance score

We compared Redmi K90 and Redmi Note 12S, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Redmi K90 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
76/100
3088357 AnTuTu
Redmi Note 12S MediaTek Helio G96
48/100 -526.2%
493222 AnTuTu

Redmi K90 leads Redmi Note 12S by 526.2% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Redmi K90
$401
Redmi Note 12S
Price unknown
Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Redmi K90 significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 12S (92/100 vs 41/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Redmi K90 is a bit better (82/100 vs 69/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Redmi K90 is a bit better (58/100 vs 44/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Redmi K90 notably outperforms the Redmi Note 12S (72/100 vs 46/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the Redmi Note 12S notably outperforms the Redmi K90 (72/100 vs 55/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Redmi K90 or the Redmi Note 12S?

The Redmi K90 significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 12S by 28 points (76/100 vs 48/100).

What is the rating of the Redmi K90 and the Redmi Note 12S?

The Redmi K90 has a MobileRank rating of 76/100, the Redmi Note 12S — 48/100.

Which has the better camera: the Redmi K90 or the Redmi Note 12S?

The Redmi K90 leads on camera score (58/100 vs 44/100).

Which is more powerful: the Redmi K90 or the Redmi Note 12S?

The Redmi K90 leads on performance (92/100 vs 41/100).

Should you choose the Redmi K90 over the Redmi Note 12S?

The Redmi K90 is a better fit for gamers and power users, budget-conscious buyers. The Redmi Note 12S is a better fit for everyday use.