The Honor X7c and Xiaomi Redmi 12C represent two compelling options in the ultra-competitive budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this. The X7c leverages Qualcomm’s newer, more efficient Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, while the Redmi 12C relies on MediaTek’s Helio G85. This comparison will dissect the key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor X7c emerges as the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, built on a 4nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage and improved power efficiency over the Redmi 12C’s 12nm Helio G85. The significantly faster 35W charging is a game-changer for convenience, offsetting any potential minor drawbacks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 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 / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, August 18 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, August 20 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 166.9 x 76.8 x 8.2 mm (6.57 x 3.02 x 0.32 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 | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Aluminosilicate glass | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~389 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.3 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 120Hz, 850 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 613 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 14, MagicOS 8 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 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 | 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | 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 | 35W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5200 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Moonlight White, Forest Green | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | ALT-NX1 | 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 X7c
- Faster and more efficient Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset
- Significantly faster 35W charging
- Potentially better image processing
- Battery capacity not specified, potentially smaller than Redmi 12C
- Display specs are unknown
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Larger 5000mAh battery (potentially longer runtime)
- Lower price point (likely)
- Larger screen size (negligible difference)
- Slow 10W charging
- Less powerful and less efficient Helio G85 chipset
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, detailed specs are missing. The Redmi 12C’s larger screen size (6.71 inches vs. the X7c’s 6.72 inches) is negligible. Without knowing peak brightness or color gamut coverage, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner. Expect both to offer adequate, but not exceptional, viewing experiences.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera sensor information, a direct comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature a primary camera accompanied by auxiliary lenses (often 2MP macro/depth sensors of limited utility). The X7c’s image signal processor (ISP), integrated within the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, likely offers more advanced processing capabilities than the Helio G85’s ISP, potentially leading to better image quality in various lighting conditions. Expect both to perform adequately in good lighting, but struggle in low-light scenarios.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor X7c’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4nm) is a significant upgrade over the Redmi 12C’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm). The 4nm fabrication process translates to better thermal efficiency, meaning the X7c is less likely to throttle under sustained load. The Snapdragon’s CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55 – offers a more modern architecture than the Helio G85’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55. This results in faster app launch times and smoother multitasking on the X7c. While the Helio G85 is capable, it will struggle more with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Redmi 12C’s larger 5000mAh battery *appears* advantageous, but the Honor X7c’s 35W wired charging is a decisive advantage. The Redmi 12C’s 10W charging is painfully slow by modern standards. The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2’s improved power efficiency further mitigates the X7c’s potentially smaller battery capacity (spec not provided). A full charge on the Redmi 12C will take significantly longer, while the X7c can top up quickly when needed.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X7c if you prioritize sustained performance for everyday tasks and occasional gaming, and value faster charging speeds. This phone is ideal for users who want a smooth experience without frequent trips to the charger. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 12C if your primary concern is absolute affordability and you primarily use your phone for basic communication and light social media, and aren't concerned with charging speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G85 in the Redmi 12C struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Helio G85 is a capable chip for casual gaming, but it will likely require reduced graphics settings and may exhibit frame drops in demanding titles like PUBG Mobile, especially during prolonged gaming sessions. The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 in the X7c will offer a smoother experience, though it's still a budget chipset.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Redmi 12C with its 10W charging?
Expect a full charge from 0% to 100% on the Redmi 12C to take approximately 3-4 hours with the included 10W charger. This is a significant drawback compared to the Honor X7c’s 35W fast charging, which can significantly reduce charging times.
❓ Is the difference in CPU architecture (Cortex-A78 vs. Cortex-A75) noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the Cortex-A78 cores in the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 are a generation newer and more efficient than the Cortex-A75 cores in the Helio G85. This translates to snappier app launches, smoother scrolling, and a more responsive overall user experience on the Honor X7c.
