The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Huawei nova Y61 and the Xiaomi Redmi 12C. But which one delivers the best experience for your hard-earned cash? Let's dive in and find out.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C edges out the Huawei nova Y61 thanks to its superior chipset (Helio G85), faster charging (10W vs 22.5W), and generally better performance. While the nova Y61 might offer a slightly better design, the Redmi 12C provides a more compelling overall package.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - EVE-LX3 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 26, 28, 38, 40, 66 - EVE-LX3 | 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 |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EVE-LX9, EVE-LX9N | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, November 01 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, November | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.35 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 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | EMUI 12, no Google Play Services | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB 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 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 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 |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
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 |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (EVE-LX9N only) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | 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 | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sapphire Blue, Mint Green, Midnight Black | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | EVE-LX9, EVE-LX9N, EVE-LX3 | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | About 140 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) |
Huawei nova Y61
- Potentially better design
- Faster charging (22.5W)
- Possible smoother software (EMUI)
- Weaker chipset
- Unspecified CPU performance
- Potentially lower overall performance
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- More powerful Helio G85 chipset
- Better gaming performance
- More responsive multitasking
- Slower charging (10W)
- Potentially less refined design
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar LCD displays, probably around 6.5 inches with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. The nova Y61 might have slightly better color accuracy, but the Redmi 12C could offer a brighter display. Expect similar viewing angles and overall display quality, leaning towards adequate rather than exceptional.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely similar, with both phones featuring a primary camera around 13MP and a depth sensor. The Redmi 12C's more powerful processor could lead to slightly better image processing and low-light performance. Expect decent, but not exceptional, camera quality from both devices.
Performance
This is where the Redmi 12C shines. The Mediatek Helio G85 chipset is significantly more powerful than the unspecified Octa-core CPU in the nova Y61. Expect smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, and faster app loading times on the Redmi 12C. The nova Y61 might feel sluggish by comparison, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 5000mAh. However, the Redmi 12C's slower charging (10W) means it will take longer to fully charge compared to the nova Y61's 22.5W fast charging. Battery life itself should be comparable, offering a full day of moderate use.
Buying Guide
The Huawei nova Y61 is a good choice for users prioritizing aesthetics and a potentially smoother software experience (depending on Huawei's EMUI implementation). The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is ideal for those seeking better performance, a more powerful chipset for gaming, and faster charging capabilities, all at a competitive price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Helio G85 chipset.
❓ Does the Huawei nova Y61 support Google Play Services?
Due to US sanctions, Huawei phones often lack Google Play Services. You may need to use Huawei's AppGallery or explore workarounds, which can be complex.
❓ Which phone has faster charging?
The Huawei nova Y61 supports 22.5W fast charging, while the Xiaomi Redmi 12C has 10W charging, making the nova Y61 faster.
