The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Smart 10 Plus and Xiaomi Redmi 12C are two contenders vying for your attention. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 12C emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Helio G85 chipset, while not a massive leap, offers a demonstrable performance advantage over the Unisoc T7250 in the Infinix Smart 10 Plus, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. The faster CPU clock speeds contribute to a more responsive user experience.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 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 | 2025, June 16 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, June 16 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 165.6 x 77 x 8 mm (6.52 x 3.03 x 0.31 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 | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~263 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 700 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T7250 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 15, XOS 15.1 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 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 | Dual-LED flash, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (data transfer only; not for payments - market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 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 | 18W wired
Reverse wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sleek Black, Titanium Silver, Iris Blue, Ruby Red | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | X6725B_C, X6725B | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | About 70 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) |
Infinix Smart 10 Plus
- Faster 18W charging
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Potentially longer battery life under light use
- Slightly slower CPU performance
- Less established brand reputation
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- More responsive CPU performance
- Slightly better gaming performance
- Established brand with wider support
- Slower 10W charging
- Lacks reverse wired charging
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, typical for this segment. Specifics like resolution and peak brightness are not provided, but we can assume they are similar – likely 720p+ and adequate for indoor use. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic functionality. Bezels are expected to be noticeable on both, impacting the overall screen-to-body ratio.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones relying on basic sensors. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Redmi 12C’s image processing algorithms, benefiting from MediaTek’s optimizations, may yield slightly more pleasing results in good lighting conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both is largely a marketing gimmick and shouldn’t be a deciding factor for most users.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm) features a CPU with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, while the Infinix Smart 10 Plus uses the Unisoc T7250 (12nm) with 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The higher clock speeds on the Redmi 12C’s A75 cores provide a tangible performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks. While both use the same core architecture, the G85’s slightly more efficient GPU will also offer a better gaming experience. The Redmi 12C is likely to handle graphically demanding games with fewer stutters.
Battery Life
Both phones are expected to offer all-day battery life with moderate usage. The Redmi 12C has a 10W charging speed, while the Infinix Smart 10 Plus supports 18W wired charging and reverse wired charging. The 18W charging on the Infinix will result in faster 0-100% charge times, a significant benefit for users who frequently need to top up their battery. The reverse wired charging is a unique feature, allowing the Infinix to act as a power bank for other devices, a valuable addition for travelers or those with multiple gadgets.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Smart 10 Plus if you prioritize reverse wired charging – a rare feature in this price bracket – and potentially longer battery life due to the more efficient Unisoc chipset under lighter workloads. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 12C if you value a more responsive user interface, slightly better gaming performance, and a more established brand reputation within the Android ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Unisoc T7250 in the Infinix Smart 10 Plus struggle with multitasking?
The Unisoc T7250 is an entry-level chipset. While it can handle basic multitasking, running numerous apps simultaneously or switching between demanding applications may result in noticeable lag. The Redmi 12C’s Helio G85 will offer a smoother experience in these scenarios.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Redmi 12C painfully slow?
10W charging is indeed slower than the 18W charging on the Infinix Smart 10 Plus. Expect a full charge to take around 3-4 hours. However, for overnight charging, this is often not a significant inconvenience, and the Redmi 12C’s battery capacity is sufficient for all-day use.
❓ How useful is the reverse wired charging on the Infinix Smart 10 Plus in real-world scenarios?
The reverse wired charging is a niche feature, but can be incredibly useful in emergencies. If you find yourself with a friend whose phone is dying and you have access to a charging cable, the Infinix Smart 10 Plus can provide a temporary power boost. It's slower than a dedicated power bank, but a convenient option to have.
