The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Honor Play 30 Plus and the Xiaomi Redmi 12C. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Play 30 Plus takes the lead thanks to its significantly faster Dimensity 700 chipset and faster charging. While the Redmi 12C offers a more established brand and potentially slightly better camera optimization, the Play 30 Plus's performance advantage makes it the better overall choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, December 16 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 02 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 167.6 x 77.2 x 8.6 mm (6.60 x 3.04 x 0.34 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 | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 5.0 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB 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 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Silver, Gold | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | CMA-AN00 | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | About 150 EUR | £ 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) |
Honor Play 30 Plus
- Faster Processor (Dimensity 700)
- Faster Charging (22.5W)
- Potentially better video recording
- Larger RAM options likely available
- Brand recognition less established than Xiaomi
- Camera software optimization might not be as refined
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Established brand reputation
- Potentially slightly better camera optimization
- Good value for money
- Slower Processor (Helio G85)
- Slow Charging (10W)
- Lower performance for demanding tasks
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large 6.7-inch displays, likely with HD+ resolution. While specific panel types (LCD vs. IPS) aren't explicitly stated, expect decent viewing experiences for everyday use. The Honor Play 30 Plus might offer slightly better color accuracy due to its more modern chipset, but the difference will be minimal.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi 12C likely benefits from Xiaomi's established camera software optimization. While the Play 30 Plus may have similar megapixel counts (likely a 50MP main sensor on both), the Redmi 12C's software processing might yield slightly more pleasing results in certain lighting conditions. However, the Dimensity 700's image signal processor (ISP) is more capable, potentially allowing for better video recording.
Performance
This is where the Honor Play 30 Plus shines. The Dimensity 700 is a considerably more powerful chipset than the Helio G85. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Play 30 Plus. The Redmi 12C will handle basic tasks adequately, but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature a large 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life. However, the Honor Play 30 Plus's 22.5W fast charging significantly outperforms the Redmi 12C's 10W charging, allowing for much quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Honor Play 30 Plus is ideal for users who prioritize performance and faster charging speeds, even on a budget. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is a good option for those who value brand recognition and potentially slightly better camera results, and are less concerned about raw processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Honor Play 30 Plus is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Dimensity 700 chipset.
❓ How long does the battery last on each phone?
Both phones offer all-day battery life thanks to their 5000mAh batteries, but the Honor Play 30 Plus charges much faster.
❓ Which phone has a better camera overall?
While both have decent cameras, the Redmi 12C might have slightly better camera software optimization, but the Play 30 Plus has a more capable ISP.
