The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Nokia C110 and Xiaomi Redmi 12C aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison will dissect those differences and determine which device offers the best overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 12C emerges as the better choice. Its Helio G85 chipset, featuring more modern CPU cores, provides a noticeably smoother experience for everyday tasks and even light gaming. While the Nokia C110 offers a clean Android experience, the performance gap is too significant to ignore.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, June 02 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, June 14 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 74 x 8.5 mm (6.33 x 2.91 x 0.33 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 |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~273 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (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 | 32GB 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 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide), AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 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 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, barometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 5W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 3000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | N156DL | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | About 100 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) |
Nokia C110
- Clean Android experience with minimal bloatware
- Potential for longer software support from Nokia
- Reliable brand reputation for durability
- Significantly weaker performance due to the older Helio P22 chipset
- Slow 5W charging
- Likely limited gaming capabilities
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Faster and more responsive performance with the Helio G85
- Faster 10W charging
- Better suited for multitasking and light gaming
- MIUI software can be bloated with pre-installed apps
- Potential for more frequent software updates with less long-term support
- Xiaomi's software experience isn't for everyone
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. Specifics like resolution and brightness are not provided, but we can assume they are similar – likely 720p+. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic usability. Bezels are expected to be noticeable on both, contributing to a larger overall footprint for the screen size. Color accuracy will likely be standard for this price range, prioritizing power efficiency over color calibration.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar and unremarkable on both devices. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make definitive claims. However, given the price point, expect 13MP or similar main sensors. Image processing will be the key differentiator, and Xiaomi’s software typically leans towards more saturated, vibrant images, while Nokia aims for a more natural look. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on both is largely a marketing gimmick and unlikely to produce usable results. Focusing on the main sensor’s performance in good lighting conditions will be the most realistic expectation.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nokia C110’s Mediatek Helio P22 (MT6762) uses older Cortex-A53 cores in a 4x2.0 GHz and 4x1.5 GHz configuration. This is a relatively dated architecture. The Redmi 12C’s Helio G85 (MT6769Z) is a significant step up, employing 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores alongside 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The A75 cores offer substantially better single-core performance, crucial for app launch speeds and general responsiveness. This translates to a snappier experience on the Redmi 12C, especially when switching between applications. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural improvements of the G85 outweigh the process node similarity.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but both likely house around a 5000mAh battery, standard for this segment. The Redmi 12C has a clear advantage with its 10W wired charging compared to the Nokia C110’s 5W charging. This means the Redmi 12C will reach a full charge significantly faster, reducing downtime. While a larger battery capacity would be ideal, the faster charging speed of the Redmi 12C mitigates the impact of a potentially slightly smaller battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nokia C110 if you prioritize a guaranteed clean Android experience with minimal bloatware and value long-term software support, even if it means sacrificing performance. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 12C if you prioritize responsiveness and a more fluid user experience, particularly for multitasking and casual gaming, and are comfortable with Xiaomi’s MIUI software.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 12C struggle with popular apps like Facebook and WhatsApp?
No, the Helio G85 in the Redmi 12C is more than capable of handling everyday apps like Facebook, WhatsApp, and web browsing without significant lag. The more modern CPU cores provide a smoother experience compared to the Nokia C110’s older chipset.
❓ Is the Nokia C110 a good choice for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls and texts?
Yes, the Nokia C110 is a viable option for basic communication. However, even for calls and texts, the slower processor might result in slightly longer app loading times. If responsiveness is important, even for simple tasks, the Redmi 12C is preferable.
❓ Can the Redmi 12C handle any mobile games?
The Redmi 12C can handle light mobile games like *Candy Crush* or *Angry Birds* without issue. More demanding titles like *PUBG Mobile* will require significantly reduced graphics settings and may still experience frame drops. The Helio G85 is a gaming-focused chip, but it's still an entry-level processor.
❓ How much bloatware is pre-installed on the Xiaomi Redmi 12C?
Xiaomi’s MIUI software is known for including pre-installed apps (bloatware). While the amount varies, users can typically uninstall or disable many of these apps. This is a trade-off for the enhanced features and customization options MIUI offers.
