The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is heating up, with the Lava Blaze 1X and Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G vying for dominance. Both aim to deliver 5G connectivity without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Blaze 1X relies on the established Mediatek Dimensity 700, while the Redmi 12 5G debuts with Qualcomm’s newer, 4nm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone offers the best overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, built on a more efficient 4nm process, provides a noticeable performance edge and improved thermal management compared to the Lava Blaze 1X’s Dimensity 700. While the Blaze 1X is a capable device, the Redmi 12 5G’s efficiency and slightly faster charging give it the win.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 27 | 2023, August 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, June 14 | Available. Released 2023, August 04 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass) |
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.51 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 168.6 x 76.3 x 8.2 mm (6.64 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 207 g (7.30 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.79 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 550 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 613 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, HyperOS 2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Triple | 50 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP
0.3 MP | - |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Unspecified |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 18W wired, PD |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glass Blue, Glass Green | Jade Black, Pastel Blue, Moonstone Silver |
| Models | - | 23076RN4BI, 23076RN8DY, 2AFZZRN8DY |
| Price | - | € 104.09 / ₹ 15,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 0.88 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.98 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
Lava Blaze 1X
- Proven Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset
- Solid performance for everyday tasks
- Competitive price point
- Less efficient 7nm process
- Slower charging speed (15W)
- Potentially lower performance in demanding games
Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G
- More efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4nm)
- Faster 18W charging with PD support
- Improved performance in games and apps
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 is a newer platform, potential for early software bugs
- Xiaomi’s MIUI software can be resource intensive
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature standard 60Hz LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood. While specific display specs are unavailable, the Redmi 12 5G’s Qualcomm chipset often integrates more advanced display controllers, potentially leading to slightly better color accuracy and brightness. However, without detailed measurements, this remains speculative. Bezels are expected to be similar on both devices, prioritizing affordability over premium aesthetics.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones focusing on affordability. Expect a primary camera around 13-50MP on both devices, but the image processing algorithms will differ. Xiaomi’s image processing is generally more aggressive, aiming for vibrant, social media-ready photos. Lava’s approach is likely more natural. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on both devices is largely a marketing gimmick; image quality will be limited. The aperture of the main lens will be a key factor, but without specific data, it’s difficult to determine which phone will perform better in low-light conditions.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4nm) utilizes ARM Cortex-A78 cores, a step up from the Cortex-A76 cores found in the Lava Blaze 1X’s Dimensity 700 (7nm). This architectural advantage, coupled with the more efficient 4nm fabrication process, translates to better single-core and multi-core performance. The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 will handle multitasking and demanding apps with greater ease, and is more likely to maintain consistent performance under sustained load. While both phones feature 8GB of RAM (assumed based on market segment), the chipset’s inherent efficiency will be the deciding factor for users who game or use resource-intensive applications.
Battery Life
Both phones feature adequate battery capacity for all-day use, but the Redmi 12 5G’s 18W charging with Power Delivery (PD) support offers a practical advantage. While the Lava Blaze 1X supports 15W charging, the lack of PD means slower overall charging speeds. The 4nm process of the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially extending battery life on the Redmi 12 5G. Expect approximately 2-3 hours to fully charge the Redmi 12 5G, while the Blaze 1X may take closer to 3-4 hours.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lava Blaze 1X if you prioritize a proven chipset and are comfortable with potentially slightly lower performance in demanding tasks. It’s a solid option for everyday use and light multitasking. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G if you value efficiency, smoother performance in games and apps, and a slightly faster charging experience. It’s the better choice for users who want a more future-proof device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 in the Redmi 12 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 is a capable chipset for PUBG Mobile. While you may need to lower graphics settings for optimal frame rates, it will provide a smoother and more consistent gaming experience compared to the Dimensity 700 in the Lava Blaze 1X, thanks to its more powerful CPU and GPU.
❓ Does the Lava Blaze 1X support VoWiFi (Wi-Fi Calling)?
Support for VoWiFi varies by carrier and region. While the Dimensity 700 chipset is technically capable of VoWiFi, Lava does not explicitly advertise this feature. You'll need to check with your mobile carrier to confirm compatibility.
❓ How does Xiaomi's MIUI software affect the Redmi 12 5G's performance?
MIUI is known for its feature-rich interface, but it can also be resource-intensive. While the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 is powerful enough to handle MIUI, users may experience occasional lag or slowdowns, especially with many apps open. Optimizing the software and disabling unnecessary features can help improve performance.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the Lava Blaze 1X significantly slower than the 18W charging on the Redmi 12 5G?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Redmi 12 5G's 18W charging with Power Delivery will charge the phone faster and more efficiently than the Lava Blaze 1X's 15W charging. Expect a 30-60 minute difference in full charge times.
