Redmi Note 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Redmi Note 12 (2023) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 685, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $200 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 43/100 (a 41-point difference). Key differences: the main camera is 50 MP vs 200 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,515,964 vs 467,392); per DXOMark lab testing, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the stronger camera (157 vs 63); the Redmi Note 12 is noticeably lighter (188g vs 214g).
Redmi Note 12
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Lighter: 188g vs 214g
- Cheaper at launch: $200 vs $1299
- Longer battery life (66/100 vs 61/100)
- Better portability (72/100 vs 51/100)
- Higher AnTuTu: 3515964 vs 467392
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 466
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 1396
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 50MP
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 33/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 13/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 85/100)
Comparing the Redmi Note 12 vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 41 points higher (84/100 vs 43/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (96/100 vs 33/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 13/100). Value score: Redmi Note 12 — 48/100, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 76/100; it is biased by price level, so it should not be compared directly between devices at different prices. In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 12 (96/100 vs 33/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Redmi Note 12 are nearly equal (88/100 vs 85/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 12 (86/100 vs 13/100). In the "battery" category, the Redmi Note 12 is a bit better (66/100 vs 61/100). In the "portability" category, the Redmi Note 12 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (72/100 vs 51/100).
| Specification | Redmi Note 12 | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 467392 | 3515964 | |
| Geekbench Single | 466 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 1396 | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.7" AMOLED | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | — | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | — | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | — | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 63 | 157 | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 13 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 4GB / 6GB / 8GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 64GB / 128GB / 256GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | — | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | — | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | — | yes | |
| Protection | — | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | — | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 188 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | $200 | $1299 |
Redmi Note 12
- Main: 50MP
- Front: 13MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Redmi Note 12
- 6.7" AMOLED
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Redmi Note 12
- 5000 mAh
- Wireless charging: no data
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 10:12 hrs, total 28:50 hrs
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
We compared Redmi Note 12 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Redmi Note 12 by 86.7% in our overall performance rating.
Launch price difference: $1099. Redmi Note 12 was $1099 cheaper at launch.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 12 (96/100 vs 33/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Redmi Note 12 are nearly equal (88/100 vs 85/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 12 (86/100 vs 13/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Redmi Note 12 is a bit better (66/100 vs 61/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Redmi Note 12 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (72/100 vs 51/100).
Which is better: the Redmi Note 12 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 12 by 41 points (84/100 vs 43/100).
What is the rating of the Redmi Note 12 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Redmi Note 12 has a MobileRank rating of 43/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which has the better camera: the Redmi Note 12 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 13/100).
Which is more powerful: the Redmi Note 12 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 33/100).
Should you choose the Redmi Note 12 over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Redmi Note 12 is a better fit for everyday use. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers.