Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The Motorola Moto E40 and Xiaomi Redmi 12C are two popular contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C edges out the Moto E40 thanks to its significantly more powerful Helio G85 chipset, resulting in smoother performance and better gaming capabilities. While both offer decent battery life and basic features, the Redmi 12C provides a more compelling overall experience for the price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 40, 66 - Brazil | 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 | 2021, October 07 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 11 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.7 x 9.1 mm (6.5 x 2.98 x 0.36 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 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 (~81.6% 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 1.8 GHz | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T700 | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali G52 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB 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 | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | 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 | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Carbon Gray, Pink Clay | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | - | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | About 90 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) |
Motorola Moto E40
- Clean Android experience
- Reliable everyday performance
- Decent battery life
- Headphone jack
- Slow performance
- Basic camera
- Slow charging
- Less powerful chipset
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Better performance (Helio G85)
- Slightly better camera
- Modern design
- Good value for money
- Xiaomi's MIUI can be cluttered
- Slow charging
- HD+ display resolution
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering adequate viewing for everyday use. However, the Redmi 12C's display often exhibits slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The Moto E40's display is perfectly serviceable, but not a standout feature.
Camera Comparison
The Moto E40 boasts a 48MP main camera, while the Redmi 12C also features a 50MP main camera. In practice, the Redmi 12C often produces slightly more detailed and vibrant photos, particularly in well-lit conditions. Both phones struggle in low-light scenarios, but the Redmi 12C's image processing tends to be a bit more consistent.
Performance
This is where the Redmi 12C truly shines. The Helio G85 chipset is a noticeable upgrade over the Unisoc T700 in the Moto E40. Expect smoother app loading, faster multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Redmi 12C. The Moto E40 can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones offer a large 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for moderate users. Charging speeds are identical at 10W, which is relatively slow by today's standards. Expect around 2-3 hours to fully charge either device.
Buying Guide
The Motorola Moto E40 is a good option for users prioritizing a clean Android experience and reliable everyday performance for basic tasks. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is ideal for those seeking better performance for multitasking, gaming, and a slightly more modern design, even on a tight budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C's Helio G85 chipset provides significantly better gaming performance compared to the Moto E40's Unisoc T700.
❓ Does either phone have 5G connectivity?
No, neither the Motorola Moto E40 nor the Xiaomi Redmi 12C support 5G connectivity. They both rely on 4G LTE.
❓ What software experience can I expect?
The Moto E40 offers a near-stock Android experience, while the Redmi 12C runs Xiaomi's MIUI, which includes additional features and customization options but can also feel more cluttered.
