The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Coolpad Cool 12A and Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Coolpad Cool 12A emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Spreadtrum chipset, featuring a Cortex-A75 core, provides a noticeable performance edge over the Redmi 9A Sport’s all-Cortex-A53 configuration, making it more responsive for everyday tasks. While the Redmi 9A Sport benefits from a more efficient 12nm process, the Cool 12A’s faster charging partially offsets its potential battery life disadvantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 05. Released 2020, October 05 | 2021, September 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, September 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back | - |
| Dimensions | 156.2 x 75.2 x 8.9 mm (6.15 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 202.5 g (7.16 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~273 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Spreadtrum | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 418 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSD | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, PDAF
2 MP | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 21 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), PDAF | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC2 (market dependent) | 10W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 618 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 31 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dream Black, Dream Blue, Fantasy Silver | Carbon Black, Coral Green, Metallic Blue |
| Models | X3a40, X3c50 | - |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 100 EUR |
Coolpad Cool 12A
- Faster CPU performance due to Cortex-A75 core
- Faster 18W charging with QC2 support
- More responsive user experience
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to Redmi 9A Sport
- Chipset may generate slightly more heat under sustained load
Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport
- More power-efficient chipset (12nm process)
- Potentially longer battery life
- Lower price (potentially, depending on market)
- Slower CPU performance
- Slower 10W charging
- Less responsive user experience
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic usability. Without specific display specs, it's reasonable to assume similar resolutions and brightness levels. The absence of features like high refresh rates or PWM control means neither is particularly geared towards demanding visual tasks or users sensitive to flicker.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature basic camera setups focused on affordability. Without detailed sensor information, it’s safe to assume both rely on primary sensors with modest resolutions. The Redmi 9A Sport’s camera is likely optimized for basic point-and-shoot photography, while the Coolpad Cool 12A’s camera performance will depend heavily on its image processing algorithms. Given the price point, expecting exceptional image quality from either device is unrealistic. Any additional sensors (likely 2MP macro/depth) are unlikely to significantly impact the overall camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Coolpad Cool 12A’s Spreadtrum processor utilizes a quad-core configuration with a single high-performance Cortex-A75 core clocked at 2.0 GHz, paired with three Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz. This architecture provides a significant boost in single-core performance compared to the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport’s MediaTek Helio G25. The G25 features an octa-core setup, but all cores are Cortex-A53, clocked at 2.0 GHz and 1.5 GHz respectively. While the G25 has more cores, the A75 core in the Coolpad offers superior individual core performance, translating to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. The Helio G25’s 12nm process is more efficient, potentially leading to better battery life, but the architectural advantage of the Coolpad’s CPU is likely to be more noticeable in daily use.
Battery Life
The Redmi 9A Sport’s MediaTek Helio G25, built on a 12nm process, offers better power efficiency. This, combined with a likely similar battery capacity to the Coolpad Cool 12A, should translate to longer battery life. However, the Coolpad Cool 12A compensates with 18W wired charging with QC2 support (market dependent), significantly faster than the Redmi 9A Sport’s 10W charging. This means the Coolpad can replenish its battery much quicker, reducing downtime. While the Redmi 9A Sport may last longer on a single charge, the Coolpad’s faster charging is a significant convenience factor.
Buying Guide
Buy the Coolpad Cool 12A if you prioritize a smoother user experience and faster charging, even if it means potentially slightly shorter battery life. This phone is ideal for users who frequently switch between apps or play light mobile games. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport if battery life is your absolute top priority and you primarily use your phone for basic communication and media consumption. Its more efficient chipset will stretch a single charge further, but expect slower performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Coolpad Cool 12A handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Coolpad Cool 12A can *run* PUBG Mobile, expect to play at lower graphics settings and frame rates. The Spreadtrum chipset isn't designed for intensive gaming, and sustained performance may be limited by thermal throttling. The Redmi 9A Sport will likely offer a similar gaming experience.
❓ Does the Redmi 9A Sport support fast charging, and how long does it take to fully charge?
The Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport only supports 10W wired charging. This is significantly slower than the Coolpad Cool 12A’s 18W charging. Expect a full charge to take approximately 3-4 hours, depending on the battery capacity.
❓ Is the difference in CPU architecture (A75 vs A53) noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Cortex-A75 core in the Coolpad Cool 12A provides a significant boost in single-core performance, resulting in snappier app launches, smoother scrolling, and a more responsive overall user experience compared to the all-Cortex-A53 configuration of the Redmi 9A Sport.
❓ Which phone is better for watching videos and browsing the web?
The Coolpad Cool 12A is better suited for these tasks. The faster CPU allows for smoother video playback and quicker webpage loading times. While both phones can handle these activities, the Coolpad will provide a more fluid experience.
