The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and two contenders vying for your attention are the Huawei nova Y61 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12. Both offer compelling features at accessible price points, but which one truly delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 emerges as the clear winner. Its superior chipset, faster charging, brighter display, and exceptional battery life provide a significantly better user experience than the Huawei nova Y61, despite both being budget-friendly options.
| 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, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EVE-LX9, EVE-LX9N | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, November 01 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, November | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 619 |
| OS | EMUI 12, no Google Play Services | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0" |
| 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 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (EVE-LX9N only) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sapphire Blue, Mint Green, Midnight Black | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | EVE-LX9, EVE-LX9N, EVE-LX3 | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | About 140 EUR | € 151.99 / $ 219.99 / ₹ 11,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 101h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 360745 (v9)
GeekBench: 1998 (v5.1), 2017 (v6) |
Huawei nova Y61
- Potentially good value (depending on price)
- Simple and easy to use
- Huawei ecosystem integration
- Unspecified processor performance
- Likely weaker display
- Unknown battery life
- Slower charging
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Powerful Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset
- Excellent battery life and endurance
- Bright and vibrant display
- Faster 33W charging
- Good camera performance
- MIUI software can be bloated (subjective)
- Design may not appeal to everyone
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 boasts a significantly brighter display at 706 nits compared to the Y61's likely lower brightness (spec not provided, assuming standard budget phone brightness). The 'Infinite' contrast ratio mentioned for the Redmi Note 12 suggests excellent image quality, while the Y61's display is expected to be adequate but not exceptional. Color accuracy and viewing angles are likely better on the Redmi Note 12.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Redmi Note 12 is expected to have a more advanced camera system. The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 often pairs with better image processing capabilities. The Y61's camera is likely adequate for casual snapshots, but the Redmi Note 12 should deliver superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) are needed for a more precise comparison.
Performance
The Redmi Note 12's Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Y61's Octa-core processor (details unspecified). The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 offers better CPU and GPU performance, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved gaming capabilities. The Y61 will likely handle basic tasks adequately, but struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 12 shines in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 101 hours and an active use score of 10:58 hours. The Y61's battery capacity and longevity are unknown, but it's unlikely to match the Redmi Note 12's performance. The Redmi Note 12's 33W charging is also faster than the Y61's 22.5W.
Buying Guide
The Huawei nova Y61 is a decent choice for users prioritizing a simple, straightforward phone for basic tasks and those heavily invested in the Huawei ecosystem. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is ideal for users seeking a well-rounded device with strong performance, a vibrant display, a capable camera, and outstanding battery life – all at an affordable price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Huawei nova Y61 a good phone for basic use?
Yes, the nova Y61 can handle basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing, but it may struggle with more demanding apps or games.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 has significantly better battery life, with an endurance rating of 101 hours compared to the unknown rating of the nova Y61.
