The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is heating up, with the Lava Blaze 3 5G and Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G vying for dominance. Both offer 5G connectivity at an accessible price point, but significant differences in their core hardware – specifically the chipsets – dictate their strengths and weaknesses. This comparison dives deep into those differences to determine which phone delivers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing efficiency and sustained performance, the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, built on a 4nm process, offers superior thermal management and potentially longer battery life compared to the Lava Blaze 3 5G’s Dimensity 6300. However, the Lava Blaze 3 5G remains a competitive option for those seeking raw CPU clock speed.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 88 SA/NSA | 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 | 2024, September 16 | 2023, August 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, September 18 | Available. Released 2023, August 04 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass) |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 76.2 x 8.6 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.34 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 | 201 g (7.09 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.9 cm2 (~83.0% 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 (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 613 |
| OS | Android 14, planned upgrade to Android 15 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, HyperOS 2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| 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 |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Unspecified |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired, PD |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glass Blue, Glass Gold | Jade Black, Pastel Blue, Moonstone Silver |
| Models | - | 23076RN4BI, 23076RN8DY, 2AFZZRN8DY |
| Price | About 120 EUR | € 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 3 5G
- Potentially higher peak CPU performance due to higher clocked cores.
- Competitive price point.
- 5G connectivity.
- Less efficient 6nm process may lead to throttling.
- Potentially shorter battery life.
- Image processing may be less refined.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G
- More efficient 4nm process for better battery life.
- Sustained performance advantage due to thermal efficiency.
- Power Delivery (PD) charging support.
- Slightly lower peak CPU clock speeds.
- May be marginally more expensive.
- Similar camera hardware to the Lava Blaze 3 5G.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The key difference lies in the processing powering them. Without specific display specs, we can infer that the Redmi 12 5G’s more efficient chipset may allow for slightly better power management related to display usage. Bezels are expected to be similar, and color accuracy will likely be standard for the segment.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. Both phones likely feature a primary camera and supporting lenses. The Redmi 12 5G, benefiting from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), may offer slightly better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. The 4nm process also allows for more efficient power delivery to the ISP. We anticipate both phones will include a 2MP macro lens, which offers limited practical benefit due to its low resolution.
Performance
The core of this comparison is the chipset battle: Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6nm) versus Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4nm). While the Dimensity 6300 features slightly higher clocked Cortex-A76 cores (2.4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz on the Snapdragon), the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2’s 4nm process node is a significant advantage. This smaller node translates to improved power efficiency and reduced heat generation. The Snapdragon’s Cortex-A78 cores, while clocked slightly lower, are architecturally more advanced than the A76, offering better instructions-per-clock (IPC). This means the Redmi 12 5G is likely to maintain higher sustained performance during demanding tasks. Both phones utilize similar Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, but the 4nm process will still benefit the Redmi.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 18W wired charging, but the Redmi 12 5G adds support for Power Delivery (PD), offering potentially faster charging with compatible chargers. The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2’s superior efficiency will likely translate to longer battery life on the Redmi 12 5G, even with a similar battery capacity (which is not specified in the provided data). The 4nm process reduces power consumption during all tasks, extending usage time between charges. Expect a 0-100% charge time of around 2 hours for both devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lava Blaze 3 5G if you prioritize peak CPU performance for short bursts of demanding tasks and are comfortable with potentially warmer operation. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G if you value all-day battery life, consistent performance under load, and a more efficient chipset that minimizes throttling during extended gaming or video playback.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Lava Blaze 3 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 6300, built on a 6nm process, is more prone to thermal throttling than the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2. Expect performance to decrease after extended gaming, and the phone may become noticeably warm to the touch. The Redmi 12 5G’s 4nm process will handle heat much more effectively.
❓ Does the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G support faster charging than 18W, even with PD?
While the Redmi 12 5G supports Power Delivery (PD), it's still capped at 18W. PD allows for compatibility with a wider range of chargers and potentially more efficient charging, but it won't exceed the 18W limit. Using a PD-compatible charger may still result in a slightly faster and more stable charge.
❓ Is the difference in CPU clock speed between the Dimensity 6300 and Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 noticeable in everyday tasks?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, the difference in CPU clock speed will be minimal. The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2’s architectural advantages and efficiency gains are more impactful in sustained workloads and multitasking. The Dimensity 6300 might feel slightly snappier for very short, single-threaded tasks.
