The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Honor X5c Plus and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12R aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily diverging in their chipset choices and charging capabilities. This comparison will dissect those differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing long-term performance and efficiency, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12R is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, built on a 4nm process, provides a noticeable advantage in both processing power and thermal management compared to the Honor X5c Plus’s older Helio G81.
| 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, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, September 24 | 2023, June 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, September 24 | Available. Released 2023, June 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 167 x 77 x 7.9 mm (6.57 x 3.03 x 0.31 in) | 168.6 x 76.3 x 8.2 mm (6.64 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.79 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 550 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G81 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 613 |
| OS | Android 15, MagicOS 9 | Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 18W wired, PD |
| Type | Li-Po 5260 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ocean Cyan, Meteor Silver, and Midnight Black | Black, Blue, Silver |
| Models | - | 23076RA4BC |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Honor X5c Plus
- Potentially lower initial purchase price.
- Decent performance for basic tasks.
- Likely similar battery capacity to the Redmi Note 12R.
- Older, less efficient Helio G81 chipset.
- Slower 15W charging.
- May experience more performance throttling under load.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12R
- More efficient Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset (4nm).
- Faster 18W charging with Power Delivery.
- Better long-term performance and software support.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Honor X5c Plus.
- Similar battery life to the X5c Plus despite efficiency gains.
- Camera performance relies heavily on software optimization.
Display Comparison
Neither Honor nor Xiaomi provide display specifications beyond resolution in their marketing materials. However, given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The key difference lies under the hood. The Redmi Note 12R’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2’s integrated ISP likely offers slightly better image signal processing for potentially improved color accuracy and dynamic range. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Redmi Note 12R’s Snapdragon ISP is likely to provide better image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in more detailed and vibrant photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The Honor X5c Plus’s Helio G81 ISP is older and less sophisticated. Both phones likely include a standard macro lens, which are generally of limited utility due to their low resolution. The larger sensor (if present on the Redmi Note 12R) will capture more light, improving low-light performance.
Performance
The core of the difference between these two phones is the chipset. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12R’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4nm) is a significant upgrade over the Honor X5c Plus’s MediaTek Helio G81 (12nm). The 4nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon offers superior power efficiency, translating to less heat generation and potentially less performance throttling during sustained tasks like gaming. While both CPUs feature octa-core configurations, the Redmi Note 12R utilizes Cortex-A78 cores (2x2.2 GHz) which are architecturally more advanced than the X5c Plus’s Cortex-A75 cores (2x2.0 GHz). This translates to faster single-core performance, crucial for everyday tasks and app responsiveness. The Redmi Note 12R also benefits from a more modern GPU, offering a smoother gaming experience.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn’t specified, both phones likely feature batteries in the 5000mAh range, typical for this segment. The Redmi Note 12R’s 18W charging with Power Delivery (PD) support is a clear advantage over the Honor X5c Plus’s 15W charging. PD allows for faster and more efficient charging with compatible chargers, potentially reducing charge times by a noticeable margin. The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2’s superior power efficiency also contributes to potentially longer battery life in real-world usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X5c Plus if you prioritize a slightly lower upfront cost and are comfortable with a chipset that, while capable, is less efficient and may show its age faster. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12R if you value a more modern, power-efficient processor, faster charging speeds, and a phone that’s likely to receive software updates for a longer period. The Redmi Note 12R is the better investment for users who plan to keep their phone for more than a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi Note 12R’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to maintain a stable frame rate. The Helio G81 in the Honor X5c Plus will struggle more with consistent performance in demanding titles.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Redmi Note 12R compared to the Honor X5c Plus?
The Redmi Note 12R’s 18W charging with PD support will significantly reduce charging times compared to the Honor X5c Plus’s 15W charging. While exact times depend on the charger used, expect the Redmi Note 12R to reach a full charge approximately 30-45 minutes faster.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 in the Redmi Note 12R offer noticeable improvements in app loading times?
Yes, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2’s more powerful CPU and GPU, combined with its efficient architecture, will result in noticeably faster app loading times and smoother multitasking compared to the Honor X5c Plus.
❓ Is the Redmi Note 12R likely to receive more software updates than the Honor X5c Plus?
Generally, Xiaomi provides more consistent and longer-term software support for its devices than Honor. The Redmi Note 12R is likely to receive at least one major Android update and several security patches, while the Honor X5c Plus’s update schedule may be more limited.
