Gionee's K3 Pro and S12 Lite represent distinct approaches to the ultra-budget smartphone market. The K3 Pro, with its older but more powerful Helio P60 chipset, aims for a performance edge, while the S12 Lite focuses on affordability with the Helio A25. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the Gionee K3 Pro is the clear winner. Its Helio P60 chipset offers a significant performance uplift over the S12 Lite’s Helio A25. However, the S12 Lite remains a viable option for basic users on a very tight budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40 |
| EDGE | Class 10 | - |
| GPRS | Class 10 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 24. Released 2020, September | 2020, September 29. Released 2020, October 05 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 77.6 x 9.7 mm (6.47 x 3.06 x 0.38 in) | 166.2 x 76.3 x 8.4 mm (6.54 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 174 g (6.14 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 1.3 MP | - |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm, AF
2 other unknown cameras | 13 MP, (wide), AF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| 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 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML | - |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 666 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 12 h | - |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Jade Green, Pearl White | Blue, Green, Gray |
| Models | - | H602 |
| Price | About 80 EUR | - |
| SAR EU | 0.90 W/kg (head) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.1dB / Crosstalk -70.7dB | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 75dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 70dB
| - |
Gionee K3 Pro
- Significantly faster processor for smoother performance
- Better multitasking capabilities
- Potentially improved image processing
- Likely higher power consumption
- May be slightly more expensive
Gionee S12 Lite
- More affordable price point
- Potentially longer battery life due to efficient processor
- Suitable for basic smartphone tasks
- Slower processor and limited performance
- Struggles with multitasking and demanding apps
Display Comparison
Neither Gionee provides detailed display specifications. Assuming typical IPS LCD panels for this price bracket, the display experience will likely be similar in terms of color accuracy and viewing angles. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced features like HDR is expected. The focus here is on functionality rather than visual fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are lacking for both devices. Given the price point, expect basic camera performance. The focus should be on adequate image capture in good lighting conditions. Without knowing sensor sizes or lens apertures, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the K3 Pro’s more powerful chipset *may* allow for slightly better image processing, potentially resulting in marginally improved image quality. Avoid expecting flagship-level camera capabilities from either device.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Gionee K3 Pro’s MediaTek Helio P60 (MT6771) utilizes a 12nm process and features an octa-core configuration with four Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, paired with four Cortex-A53 cores. This architecture provides a substantial performance advantage over the S12 Lite’s Helio A25 (MT6762D). The A25 employs a 12nm process but uses only Cortex-A53 cores, clocked lower at 1.8 GHz and 1.5 GHz. This means the K3 Pro will exhibit faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better performance in demanding applications. The K3 Pro’s CPU is better suited for running multiple apps simultaneously without significant slowdowns.
Battery Life
Both phones feature 10W wired charging, indicating a similar charging experience. Without knowing the battery capacities, it’s difficult to assess real-world battery life. However, the Helio P60 in the K3 Pro is likely to consume more power than the Helio A25 in the S12 Lite. Therefore, the S12 Lite might offer slightly longer battery life on a single charge, despite potentially having a smaller capacity, due to its more efficient processor.
Buying Guide
Buy the Gionee K3 Pro if you need a phone capable of handling moderate multitasking, occasional gaming, and smoother app transitions. It’s ideal for users who value performance over absolute rock-bottom pricing. Buy the Gionee S12 Lite if you primarily need a phone for calls, texts, and light social media use, and are looking for the most affordable option possible, accepting compromises in speed and responsiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Gionee K3 Pro handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio P60 in the K3 Pro can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at lower graphics settings and potentially experience occasional frame drops. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it's significantly more capable than the S12 Lite for gaming.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Helio P60 and Helio A25 noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is quite noticeable. The K3 Pro will feel snappier when opening apps, switching between tasks, and browsing the web. The S12 Lite may exhibit lag and slowdowns with even moderate use.
❓ Does either phone support fast charging beyond the 10W standard?
No, both the Gionee K3 Pro and S12 Lite are limited to 10W wired charging. Expect a full charge to take approximately 2-3 hours.
❓ Which phone is better for someone who primarily uses WhatsApp and Facebook?
The Gionee S12 Lite is perfectly adequate for basic social media use like WhatsApp and Facebook. The Helio A25 is sufficient for these tasks, and the lower price point makes it a sensible choice if these are your primary needs.
