The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor Play7T and Xiaomi Redmi 12C are two contenders vying for your attention. While both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, they take different approaches to achieving this. The Play7T prioritizes processing power with a newer chipset, while the Redmi 12C focuses on affordability. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor Play7T emerges as the stronger choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 6020 chipset, built on a more efficient 7nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Redmi 12C’s Helio G85. The faster 22.5W charging is also a significant benefit, offsetting any potential battery capacity differences.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 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 / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 28 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 04 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 167.5 x 76.9 x 8.3 mm (6.59 x 3.03 x 0.33 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 | 196 g (6.91 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 (~85.1% 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 6020 (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, Magic UI 6.1 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 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 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 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 | - | 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 | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, 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 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Silver | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | RKY-AN10 | 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 Play7T
- Faster and more efficient processor (Dimensity 6020)
- Significantly faster charging (22.5W)
- Potentially better sustained performance due to 7nm process
- May be slightly more expensive than the Redmi 12C
- Detailed camera specs are unknown
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Likely more affordable price point
- Potentially larger battery capacity (unconfirmed)
- Larger screen size (6.71 inches)
- Slower and less efficient processor (Helio G85)
- Significantly slower charging (10W)
- Less capable chipset for demanding tasks
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, detailed specs like resolution and peak brightness are missing. The Redmi 12C’s larger screen size (6.71 inches vs. the Play7T’s 6.75 inches) is a minor difference. The absence of high refresh rates on both suggests a focus on power efficiency rather than visual fluidity. Color accuracy is likely to be standard for the segment, leaning towards warmer tones for wider appeal.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones relying on budget sensors. Detailed sensor information is unavailable, but it’s safe to assume both feature a primary camera and depth/macro sensors. The Redmi 12C’s 50MP main sensor (based on market data) likely offers a slight advantage over the Play7T’s, but image processing plays a crucial role. Expect decent results in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of autofocus.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Play7T’s Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7nm) is a clear upgrade over the Xiaomi Redmi 12C’s Helio G85 (12nm). The 7nm process allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, translating to better sustained performance and less heat generation. The Dimensity 6020’s CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – offers a more modern architecture than the Redmi 12C’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55. This means the Play7T will handle demanding tasks and multitasking with greater ease. While both phones likely feature similar RAM configurations, the superior chipset will be the bottleneck for the Redmi 12C.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, the Redmi 12C’s 10W charging is a significant disadvantage compared to the Honor Play7T’s 22.5W charging. This translates to considerably longer charging times for the Redmi 12C. Even if the Redmi 12C has a slightly larger battery capacity, the Play7T’s faster charging will likely result in less downtime. The Dimensity 6020’s improved power efficiency also contributes to potentially better real-world battery life on the Play7T, despite any capacity differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play7T if you prioritize smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and quicker charging. It’s ideal for users who occasionally game or use demanding applications. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 12C if your primary needs are basic communication, light social media use, and extended battery life, and you’re on a very tight budget where every dollar counts.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Honor Play7T handle popular games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Mediatek Dimensity 6020 in the Honor Play7T is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The Helio G85 in the Redmi 12C will struggle more with demanding games, requiring even lower settings and potentially experiencing noticeable lag.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge each phone?
With 22.5W charging, the Honor Play7T should fully charge in approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on battery capacity. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C’s 10W charging will take significantly longer, likely exceeding 3 hours for a full charge.
❓ Is the Redmi 12C a good option for someone who primarily uses WhatsApp and Facebook?
Yes, the Redmi 12C is well-suited for basic tasks like WhatsApp and Facebook. Its Helio G85 chipset is sufficient for these applications, and its potentially larger battery capacity could provide longer standby time. However, the slow charging speed is a drawback.
❓ Does the Honor Play7T support software updates?
Honor’s software update policy is improving, but it’s not as consistent as Xiaomi’s MIUI. Expect at least one major Android update, but long-term support is uncertain. The Redmi 12C, running MIUI, generally receives more frequent updates and security patches.
