The itel S23 and Xiaomi Redmi 12C represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. However, they achieve this with different approaches to chipset selection, impacting performance and user experience. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 12C emerges as the stronger choice. Its MediaTek Helio G85 chipset, with higher clocked Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance advantage in everyday tasks and light gaming, offsetting the identical 10W charging and similar feature sets.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India | 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 | 2023 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164 x 76 x 8 mm (6.46 x 2.99 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 | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 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, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Black, Mystery White | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | S665L, S665LN | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | About 170 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) |
itel S23
- Potential for lower price point in certain markets.
- Growing brand recognition in specific regions.
- Likely similar battery life to Redmi 12C.
- Inferior chipset performance compared to Helio G85.
- Less established software support and updates.
- Potentially limited availability.
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- More powerful MediaTek Helio G85 chipset.
- Better gaming performance.
- Wider availability and established brand reputation.
- 10W charging is slow.
- Camera performance likely limited by sensor quality.
- Software can include pre-installed bloatware.
Display Comparison
Both the itel S23 and Xiaomi Redmi 12C likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Specific details like resolution and peak brightness are not provided, but we can assume they are similar – likely 720p+ resolution. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced panel technologies like LTPO is expected. Bezels are likely comparable, prioritizing cost reduction over premium aesthetics. Color accuracy will likely be standard for budget displays, leaning towards warmer tones.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature a primary camera paired with auxiliary lenses of limited utility (often 2MP macro or depth sensors). The image processing capabilities of the MediaTek Helio G85 may offer slightly better noise reduction and dynamic range compared to the Unisoc T606, but the overall image quality will be heavily dependent on the primary sensor used. Expect acceptable results in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low-light scenarios.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi 12C’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm) boasts 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, while the itel S23 utilizes the Unisoc T606 (12nm) with 2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The higher clock speeds on the Helio G85 translate to faster processing, particularly in CPU-intensive tasks. While both use the same 12nm process, the Helio G85’s architecture provides a performance edge. The GPU within the Helio G85 is also more capable, offering a better gaming experience, though still limited to low-to-medium settings. RAM configurations are likely similar, but the chipset difference will be the primary bottleneck.
Battery Life
Both devices are equipped with 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds – expect around 2.5 to 3 hours for a full charge. Battery capacity is not specified, but typical capacities for this segment range from 5000mAh to 5500mAh. The slightly more efficient Helio G85 chipset in the Redmi 12C *may* translate to marginally better battery life, but the difference will likely be minimal in real-world usage. The 10W charging is a significant limitation for both devices, making overnight charging the norm.
Buying Guide
Buy the itel S23 if you prioritize a brand with growing recognition in emerging markets and are primarily focused on basic communication and light social media use. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 12C if you need a slightly more responsive experience for multitasking, occasional gaming, and appreciate the broader ecosystem and software support Xiaomi provides.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 12C handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Redmi 12C's Helio G85 chipset can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you'll need to stick to low or medium graphics settings and accept occasional frame drops. It's not a dedicated gaming phone, but it offers a playable experience for casual gamers.
❓ How does the Unisoc T606 in the itel S23 compare to the Snapdragon 680 in terms of performance?
The Unisoc T606 generally performs slightly below the Snapdragon 680. The Snapdragon 680 offers a more efficient CPU and GPU, resulting in smoother multitasking and better gaming performance. The Helio G85 in the Redmi 12C is also superior to the Unisoc T606.
❓ Is the 10W charging on either phone a major drawback?
Yes, 10W charging is quite slow by today's standards. Expect a full charge to take over 2.5 hours. Both phones require overnight charging, and a quick top-up isn't feasible. This is a common compromise in the ultra-budget segment.
❓ Which phone is better for watching videos and browsing the web?
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C will provide a slightly smoother experience for video playback and web browsing due to its more powerful processor. While both phones have similar displays, the Helio G85 will handle these tasks with less lag and stutter.
