The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Cubot Note 30 and Xiaomi Redmi 12C aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dissects those differences and helps you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 12C offers a more compelling experience. Its Helio G85 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Cubot Note 30’s Helio P35, making it better suited for multitasking and light gaming. While charging is slower, the overall responsiveness justifies the trade-off.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165 x 75.7 x 9 mm (6.50 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 168.8 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.65 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 20 MP, (wide)
2 MP (macro) | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 4000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | - | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | - | £ 132.99 / € 107.41 |
| SAR | - | 1.08 W/kg (head) 0.64 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.98 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
Cubot Note 30
- Potentially longer battery life due to less powerful chipset.
- May offer a slightly lower price point.
- Simple and straightforward user experience.
- Significantly slower performance compared to the Redmi 12C.
- Less responsive for multitasking and app switching.
- Limited gaming capabilities.
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Noticeably faster performance thanks to the Helio G85 chipset.
- Smoother multitasking and app switching.
- Better suited for light gaming.
- Slower 10W charging.
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load.
- May be slightly more expensive.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting similar power constraints impacting display capabilities. Specific display specs (resolution, panel type, brightness) are not provided, but given the price point, expect 720p LCD panels. The Redmi 12C’s slightly larger screen size (typically 6.71 inches vs. the Note 30’s likely similar size) may offer a more immersive viewing experience, but without detailed specs, it’s difficult to quantify. Color accuracy and viewing angles will likely be average on both.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is challenging. However, both phones likely feature a primary camera paired with depth or macro sensors. Given the market segment, image quality will be adequate for social media sharing in good lighting conditions. The Redmi 12C may benefit from slightly better image processing capabilities due to the more powerful chipset, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction. The presence of a larger sensor (if any) on the Redmi 12C would further enhance its low-light performance. Expect both phones to struggle in challenging lighting scenarios.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C’s Mediatek Helio G85 is a significant upgrade over the Cubot Note 30’s Helio P35. The G85 features a more modern CPU architecture with 2x Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz alongside 6x Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz, compared to the P35’s 4x Cortex-A53 cores at 2.35 GHz and 4x Cortex-A53 cores at 1.8 GHz. The A75 cores provide a substantial boost in single-core performance, crucial for app launch speeds and general responsiveness. While the P35 has a higher clock speed on its A53 cores, the architectural improvements of the G85’s cores outweigh this difference. This translates to a smoother user experience on the Redmi 12C, especially when multitasking or running demanding apps. The G85 also has a more capable GPU, making it better suited for light gaming.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified for either device, but both likely house batteries in the 5000mAh range, typical for this price point. The Redmi 12C’s 10W charging is significantly slower than what’s becoming standard, meaning a full charge will take considerably longer. The Cubot Note 30’s charging speed is unknown, but if it’s higher than 10W, it would be a notable advantage. However, the more efficient Helio G85 in the Redmi 12C might offset the slower charging somewhat, as it consumes less power during typical usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot Note 30 if you prioritize a potentially longer-lasting battery and are primarily focused on very basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 12C if you value smoother performance for everyday use, including app switching, web browsing, and casual gaming, even if it means slightly slower charging and potentially shorter battery life under heavy load.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 12C struggle with popular apps like Facebook and WhatsApp?
No, the Helio G85 chipset in the Redmi 12C is more than capable of handling everyday apps like Facebook, WhatsApp, and web browsing without significant lag. The improved CPU architecture provides a smoother experience compared to the Cubot Note 30’s Helio P35.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Redmi 12C a major drawback?
Yes, 10W charging is relatively slow by today's standards. Expect a full charge to take over 3 hours. However, the more efficient Helio G85 chipset may mean you don't need to charge as frequently, mitigating the impact of the slower charging speed.
❓ Can I play PUBG Mobile on either of these phones?
PUBG Mobile is playable on both, but with significant compromises. The Redmi 12C will offer a slightly better experience with lower frame rate drops, but expect to play on low settings. The Cubot Note 30 will struggle even on the lowest settings and may experience frequent lag.
❓ Which phone is better for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls and texts?
The Cubot Note 30 is a viable option if calls and texts are your primary use case. Its less powerful chipset will still be sufficient for these basic functions, and it may offer slightly longer battery life. However, the Redmi 12C’s smoother performance will still be noticeable even during these simple tasks.
