The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Honor X5 Plus and Xiaomi Redmi 12C aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison will dissect those differences and determine which device offers the best overall experience for the average user.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 12C emerges as the better choice. While both phones share a 10W charging rate, the Redmi 12C’s Helio G85 chipset, with its more modern Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance advantage in everyday tasks and light gaming, justifying its slight price premium.
| 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 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, August 16 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.96 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 | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13, MagicOS 7.1 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 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 | 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 |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5200 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Cyan Lake, Midnight Black | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | WOD-LX1, WOD-LX2, WOD-LX3 | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | About 100 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 X5 Plus
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Decent battery life (estimated)
- Significantly weaker performance compared to Redmi 12C
- Outdated CPU architecture
- Limited gaming capabilities
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- More powerful Helio G85 chipset
- Smoother multitasking and app launches
- Better gaming performance
- More modern CPU architecture
- May be slightly more expensive
- Slow 10W charging
- Basic camera system
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. However, detailed display specs (resolution, brightness, color gamut) are unavailable. The focus here is on performance, not visual fidelity. Bezels are expected to be relatively thick on both, maximizing screen real estate within a budget. Color accuracy is likely to be standard for the price range, prioritizing power efficiency over color calibration.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones relying on basic sensors. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both will struggle in low-light conditions. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS). Image processing will likely be focused on basic enhancements, prioritizing speed over detail. The Redmi 12C *may* have a slight edge due to the more powerful ISP within the Helio G85, potentially allowing for faster image processing and slightly better dynamic range.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi 12C’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm) features a dual-core Cortex-A75 setup clocked at 2.0 GHz, paired with six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz. This architecture is significantly more capable than the Honor X5 Plus’s Helio G36 (12nm), which uses four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.2 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.6 GHz. The A75 cores in the G85 provide a substantial boost in single-core performance, translating to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural improvements of the G85 outweigh the slightly higher clock speeds of the G36’s A53 cores. The G85’s GPU is also more powerful, offering a better gaming experience, even at lower settings.
Battery Life
Both devices are equipped with 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds – expect around 2.5-3 hours for a full charge. Battery capacity is not specified, but given the target price point, both are likely to house batteries in the 5000mAh range. The more efficient Helio G85 in the Redmi 12C *could* translate to slightly better battery life, but the difference is unlikely to be substantial. The limiting factor is the slow charging speed, making overnight charging the norm.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X5 Plus if you prioritize a potentially lower initial cost and are primarily focused on extremely basic smartphone functions like calls, texts, and light social media browsing. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 12C if you value a smoother, more responsive user experience, even for moderately demanding tasks, and anticipate occasional gaming or multitasking. The Redmi 12C offers a better balance of performance and features for the price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 12C handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Redmi 12C’s Helio G85 can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you’ll need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a playable frame rate. Don’t expect a flagship gaming experience, but it’s capable of casual gaming sessions.
❓ Is the Honor X5 Plus a good choice for elderly users who primarily make calls and send texts?
Yes, the Honor X5 Plus is a suitable option for users with basic needs. Its simpler interface and potentially lower price point make it an accessible choice for those who primarily use a phone for communication. However, the slower performance may be noticeable even with basic tasks.
❓ How much storage do these phones typically come with, and can it be expanded?
Both the Redmi 12C and Honor X5 Plus typically come with 32GB or 64GB of internal storage. Crucially, both devices support microSD card expansion, allowing you to add up to 512GB or 1TB of additional storage for photos, videos, and apps.
❓ What version of Android do these phones run, and will they receive software updates?
Both phones likely ship with Android 13 (Go Edition) due to their limited RAM and storage. Software update support is typically limited on budget devices. Expect at most one major Android version update, and security patches may be infrequent.
