The Lava Blaze and Xiaomi Redmi 12C represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Blaze prioritizes affordability, while the Redmi 12C attempts to offer a more robust feature set, primarily through its more powerful chipset. This comparison will dissect the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing smooth multitasking and occasional gaming, the Xiaomi Redmi 12C is the better choice. Its Helio G85 chipset provides a significant performance uplift over the Lava Blaze’s Helio A22, justifying the slight price premium. However, the Lava Blaze remains a viable option for those with extremely basic needs and a tight budget.
| 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 07 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 14 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 76.3 x 8.9 mm (6.49 x 3.00 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 | - | 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 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB 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 | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lenses | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 13 MP, (wide), AF
Other unspecified cameras | - |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Green, Red, Black, Blue | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | LZX403, LZX411 | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | About 110 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
- Extremely affordable price point
- Potentially longer battery life under light use
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Significantly slower performance
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Poor gaming performance
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Faster and more responsive performance
- Better multitasking capabilities
- More enjoyable gaming experience
- Slightly higher price
- Slow 10W charging
- May not offer significantly better camera quality
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely utilizing LCD panels, a common trait in this price bracket. Specifics like resolution and brightness are not provided, but we can infer that they are similar, aiming for a 720p+ resolution. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic usability. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor. Color accuracy will likely be standard for the segment, prioritizing power efficiency over color calibration.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar in real-world usage, as both devices will rely heavily on software processing to enhance image quality. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Redmi 12C’s more powerful chipset could potentially enable more sophisticated image processing algorithms. It’s safe to assume both phones feature a primary camera and potentially a depth or macro sensor (the latter often being of limited utility). Focusing on the primary sensor’s megapixel count and aperture would be more informative than the presence of low-resolution auxiliary lenses.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C’s MediaTek Helio G85 is a substantial upgrade over the Lava Blaze’s Helio A22. The G85 features an octa-core configuration (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) compared to the Blaze’s quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53. This translates to significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. The G85’s architecture, utilizing Cortex-A75 cores, provides a performance boost in demanding tasks. While both are built on a 12nm process, the G85’s more efficient design and additional cores offer a clear advantage. The Redmi 12C is likely to handle popular titles like PUBG Mobile at lower settings with playable frame rates, something the Helio A22 would struggle with.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified for either device, but both likely house batteries in the 5000mAh range, a standard for budget smartphones. The Redmi 12C’s 10W wired charging is relatively slow compared to modern standards, but it’s comparable to what’s offered in this price segment. The Helio G85’s increased power consumption will likely offset some of the battery life gains, but the more efficient architecture should still result in all-day battery life for moderate users. The Lava Blaze, with its less demanding chipset, might offer slightly longer battery life under light usage, but the performance trade-off isn’t worth it for most users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lava Blaze if you need a smartphone for absolutely essential tasks – calls, texts, and light app usage – and are on the strictest budget. It’s a functional device for first-time smartphone users or as a backup phone. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 12C if you prefer a more responsive experience, enjoy occasional gaming, or anticipate using multiple apps simultaneously. The G85 chipset offers a noticeable improvement in overall performance and future-proofing.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 12C struggle with demanding apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
No, the Helio G85 chipset in the Redmi 12C is more than capable of handling everyday apps like Facebook, WhatsApp, and web browsing without significant lag. It’s designed for smooth performance in common use cases.
❓ Is the Lava Blaze suitable for a senior citizen who primarily uses the phone for calls and texts?
Yes, the Lava Blaze is a perfectly adequate choice for a senior citizen with basic needs. Its simplicity and affordability make it a practical option for calls, texts, and essential communication.
❓ Can the Redmi 12C run PUBG Mobile, and if so, at what settings?
The Redmi 12C can run PUBG Mobile, but you’ll need to lower the graphics settings to smooth or classic and reduce the frame rate to achieve playable performance. Don't expect a high-fidelity gaming experience, but it's functional for casual gaming.
❓ Does the Redmi 12C support fast charging, and how long does it take to fully charge?
The Redmi 12C supports 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow. A full charge from 0% to 100% will likely take around 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on the charger and usage during charging.
