Nokia C12 Plus vs Xiaomi Redmi A1+: The Ultimate Budget Battle

Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The Nokia C12 Plus and Xiaomi Redmi A1+ are two contenders vying for the budget crown. But which one truly delivers the best experience for the price?
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi Redmi A1+ edges out the Nokia C12 Plus thanks to its slightly more efficient chipset and faster charging. While both offer basic functionality, the Redmi A1+'s performance and charging speed provide a more usable daily experience for the average user.

PHONES
Phone Names Nokia C12 Plus Xiaomi Redmi A1+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2023, April 012022, September 23
StatusCancelledAvailable. Released 2022, September 23
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame-
Dimensions-164.9 x 76.8 x 9.1 mm (6.49 x 3.02 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight-192 g (6.77 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~267 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)
Size6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 400 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55)Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53
ChipsetUnisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm)Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm)
GPUIMG8322PowerVR GE8320
OSAndroid 12 (Go edition)Android 12 (Go edition), MIUI 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 2GB RAM32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Dual-8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) 0.08 MP (depth)
FeaturesLED flash, HDRDual-LED flash, HDR
Single8 MP, AF-
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single5 MP5 MP, f/2.2
Video720p1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYes-
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0microUSB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximityFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer
Battery
Charging-10W wired
TypeLi-Ion 4000 mAh, removableLi-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsDark Cyan, Charcoal, Light MintLight Green, Light Blue, Black
Models-220733SFG
PriceAbout 90 EUR€ 78.30 / £ 72.30 / ₹ 6,670
SAR-1.00 W/kg (head)     1.10 W/kg (body)    
SAR EU-0.91 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)    

Nokia C12 Plus

  • Clean Android experience
  • Nokia's brand reputation for reliability
  • Potentially slightly better display color accuracy

  • Slower performance
  • Slower charging
  • Less efficient chipset

Xiaomi Redmi A1+

  • Better performance for the price
  • Faster 10W charging
  • More efficient chipset
  • Generally smoother user experience

  • Xiaomi's MIUI can be cluttered
  • Basic camera quality

Display Comparison

Both phones feature similar, basic LCD displays, likely around 6.5 inches with HD+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles but limited brightness. The Nokia C12 Plus might have slightly better color accuracy, but the difference will be minimal.

Camera Comparison

Camera quality on both devices is expected to be basic. Both likely feature a single rear camera around 13MP. Image quality will be acceptable in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and limited detail in low light. The Redmi A1+ might have slightly better image processing.

Performance

The Xiaomi Redmi A1+'s MediaTek Helio A22 (12nm) generally outperforms the Nokia C12 Plus's Unisoc SC9863A1 (22nm). The Redmi A1+'s quad-core processor with a higher clock speed provides a smoother experience for everyday tasks. The Nokia C12 Plus's octa-core setup doesn't translate to significantly better real-world performance due to the chipset's limitations.

Battery Life

Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 5000mAh, offering all-day battery life with moderate usage. However, the Xiaomi Redmi A1+'s 10W wired charging provides a faster charging experience compared to the Nokia C12 Plus, which likely has slower charging capabilities (potentially 5W or 7.5W).

Buying Guide

The Nokia C12 Plus is ideal for users prioritizing a clean Android experience and Nokia's brand reputation. The Xiaomi Redmi A1+ is a better choice for those needing slightly better performance and faster charging, especially if they frequently use their phone throughout the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better performance?
The Xiaomi Redmi A1+ generally offers better performance due to its more efficient chipset and higher clock speed.
❓ Does the Nokia C12 Plus have faster charging?
No, the Xiaomi Redmi A1+ has faster 10W wired charging compared to the likely slower charging speeds of the Nokia C12 Plus.
❓ Which phone is better for taking photos?
While both have basic cameras, the Xiaomi Redmi A1+ likely has slightly better image processing and overall photo quality.