The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Lava Blaze 2 and the Xiaomi Redmi 12C. Both promise a lot for their price point, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C edges out the Lava Blaze 2 thanks to its superior Helio G85 chipset offering better performance and a more efficient 10W charging. While the Blaze 2 has a slightly faster charging speed, the Redmi 12C's overall package is more compelling for most users.
| 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, 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, April 10 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 18 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165 x 76.1 x 8.6 mm (6.50 x 3.00 x 0.34 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 | 203 g (7.16 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.2% 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 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (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 6GB 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 |
| | UFS 2.2 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | 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 b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glass Blue, Glass Black, Glass Orange | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | LZX409 | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | About 100 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) |
Lava Blaze 2
- Faster 18W Charging
- Potentially Vibrant Display (speculative)
- Weaker Chipset
- Likely Inferior Camera
- Slower Software Updates (typical of Lava)
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Better Performance (Helio G85)
- Longer Battery Life
- More Versatile Camera
- Better Software Support (Xiaomi)
- Slower 10W Charging
- Basic Display
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar LCD displays, probably around 6.5 inches with an HD+ resolution. The Blaze 2 *might* have slightly better color accuracy, but this is difficult to confirm without testing. Expect adequate viewing angles and brightness for typical usage.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi 12C likely has a more versatile camera system, potentially including a higher resolution main sensor and additional lenses. While both phones will produce decent photos in good lighting, the Redmi 12C should offer better detail and dynamic range. Low-light performance will likely be similar on both.
Performance
Here's where the Redmi 12C shines. The MediaTek Helio G85 is generally a more powerful and efficient chipset than the Unisoc Tiger T616. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Redmi 12C. The T616 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a 5000mAh battery. However, the Redmi 12C's more efficient chipset should translate to longer battery life in real-world usage. The Lava Blaze 2's 18W charging is faster, but the Redmi 12C's 10W charging is still adequate for overnight charging.
Buying Guide
The Lava Blaze 2 is a good option for users prioritizing slightly faster charging and a potentially more vibrant display (though this is speculative). The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is ideal for those seeking a smoother, more responsive experience and a longer-lasting battery, making it the better choice for everyday use.
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 Lava Blaze 2 get regular software updates?
Lava phones are not known for frequent or timely software updates. Xiaomi generally provides better software support.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is expected to have better battery life thanks to its more efficient chipset, despite having the same battery capacity.
