The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Lava Blaze 5G and the Xiaomi Redmi 12C. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lava Blaze 5G takes the lead thanks to its 5G connectivity and significantly more powerful Dimensity 700 chipset. While the Redmi 12C offers a decent experience, the Blaze 5G's performance advantage makes it the better choice for most users, especially those wanting future-proof connectivity.
| 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 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 3 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 24 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.51 x 3.01 x 0.35 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 | 207 g (7.30 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.3% 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 (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 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 |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 50 MP, (wide), 0.64µm, AF
2 MP (macro)
0.3 MP | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (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 | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Green, Blue | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | LXX503 | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | About 130 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 5G
- 5G Connectivity
- Faster Processor (Dimensity 700)
- Better Gaming Performance
- Improved Image Processing
- 10W Charging (Slow)
- Potentially less versatile camera setup
- Brand recognition may be lower
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Large Display
- Good Battery Life
- Potentially better color accuracy on display
- Strong Brand Recognition
- Slower Processor (Helio G85)
- No 5G Connectivity
- Slower Performance
- 10W Charging (Slow)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large 6.5-inch displays, likely with HD+ resolution. The Redmi 12C might have slightly better color accuracy due to Xiaomi's generally refined display tuning, but the Blaze 5G's display should be perfectly adequate for everyday use. Expect similar brightness levels.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi 12C likely has a more versatile camera setup, potentially including a higher resolution main sensor and macro lens. However, the Blaze 5G's Dimensity 700 chipset offers better image processing capabilities, which could result in slightly better image quality in certain conditions. Both phones will likely offer decent camera performance for the price.
Performance
This is where the Lava Blaze 5G shines. The Dimensity 700 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the Helio G85. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Blaze 5G. The Redmi 12C will handle basic tasks well, but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones are expected to have a 5000mAh battery, offering all-day battery life for moderate users. Charging speeds are identical at 10W, meaning charging times will be relatively slow on both devices.
Buying Guide
The Lava Blaze 5G is ideal for users who want 5G connectivity and a smoother overall experience, particularly for gaming and multitasking. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is a good option for those prioritizing a large display and extended battery life on a very tight budget, and who don't need 5G.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Lava Blaze 5G worth the extra cost over the Redmi 12C?
If 5G connectivity and better performance are important to you, then yes, the Lava Blaze 5G is worth the extra cost. Otherwise, the Redmi 12C offers a solid budget option.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Lava Blaze 5G has significantly better gaming performance thanks to its more powerful Dimensity 700 chipset.
