The sub-$150 5G smartphone market is heating up, with the Lava Yuva 4 and Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G vying for dominance. Both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price, but they take drastically different approaches to achieving this, primarily in their chipset choices. This comparison dissects those differences and reveals which phone offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, built on a more efficient 4nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage and better thermal management compared to the Lava Yuva 4’s Unisoc T606. While the Lava offers a slightly simpler experience, the Redmi’s superior processing power justifies the small price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, November 28 | 2023, August 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, December | Available. Released 2023, August 04 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass) |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 76 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.33 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 | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~82.8% 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 (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 613 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, HyperOS 2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), AF
VGA
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired, PD |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glossy White, Glossy Purple, Glossy Black | Jade Black, Pastel Blue, Moonstone Silver |
| Models | - | 23076RN4BI, 23076RN8DY, 2AFZZRN8DY |
| Price | About 80 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 Yuva 4
- Potentially simpler software experience.
- May be slightly more affordable.
- Decent battery life for basic usage.
- Significantly weaker processor performance.
- Slower charging speed.
- Less efficient chipset leading to potential throttling.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G
- Faster and more efficient Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor.
- 18W charging with Power Delivery.
- Better potential for software updates and support.
- May be slightly more expensive.
- Xiaomi’s MIUI software can be resource-intensive.
- Potential for bloatware.
Display Comparison
Neither phone boasts a standout display. Details on panel type (IPS vs LCD) and resolution are missing, but both likely target a 720p+ resolution common in this segment. The key difference lies in processing power impacting UI smoothness. The Redmi 12 5G’s more powerful chipset will contribute to a more responsive user interface, even if the raw panel specs are similar. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of budget devices.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the main sensor, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Redmi 12 5G likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), which generally delivers better image processing and noise reduction than the ISP found in Unisoc chipsets. The Redmi’s processing power will also aid in faster image capture and processing. Expect both phones to struggle in low-light conditions, but the Redmi has a higher potential for better overall image quality.
Performance
This is where the Redmi 12 5G truly shines. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4nm) is a significant upgrade over the Unisoc T606 (12nm) in the Lava Yuva 4. The 4nm process node translates to superior power efficiency and reduced heat generation, allowing the Snapdragon to sustain higher clock speeds for longer periods. The Redmi’s CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55 – also represents a step up in core architecture compared to the Yuva 4’s 2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55. This means faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Redmi.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature similar battery capacities (around 5000mAh is typical for this segment). However, the Redmi 12 5G’s 18W charging with Power Delivery (PD) support offers a clear advantage over the Lava Yuva 4’s slower 10W charging. PD allows for more efficient charging and compatibility with a wider range of chargers. While 10W charging isn’t unusable, the Redmi will significantly reduce charging times, getting you back up and running faster.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lava Yuva 4 if you prioritize simplicity and a minimal software experience, and your usage is limited to basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G if you want a phone capable of handling more demanding apps, occasional gaming, and benefit from faster processing speeds and more efficient power consumption, making it a more future-proof option.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T606 in the Lava Yuva 4 struggle with demanding apps like video editing or resource-intensive games?
Yes, the Unisoc T606 is a budget-focused chipset. While it can handle basic tasks, it will likely struggle with demanding applications. Expect noticeable lag, slow loading times, and potentially poor performance in graphically intensive games. The Redmi 12 5G’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 is significantly better equipped for these tasks.
❓ Does the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G support carrier aggregation, and will that impact 5G speeds?
While Xiaomi doesn't explicitly list all supported bands, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 typically supports carrier aggregation, which combines multiple 5G channels for faster and more stable speeds. This is a significant advantage over devices that lack this feature, especially in areas with strong 5G coverage. The Lava Yuva 4’s 5G capabilities are less well-defined.
❓ How much bloatware is pre-installed on the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G, and can it be removed?
Xiaomi’s MIUI software is known for including pre-installed apps (bloatware). However, many of these apps can be uninstalled or disabled, freeing up storage space and improving performance. The amount of bloatware can vary depending on the region and carrier.
