Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The Nokia C22 and Xiaomi Redmi 12C are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C emerges as the stronger contender, offering a more powerful processor, better performance, and a slightly more modern design. While the Nokia C22 boasts durability and a cleaner Android experience, the Redmi 12C's overall value proposition is hard to ignore.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 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, February 25 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, February 25 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.34 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 | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| | Splash and dust resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| 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 | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13 (Go edition) | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 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 | 13 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro) | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 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 | 5.2, 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 | 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 | Sand, Midnight Black | 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) |
Nokia C22
- Durable build quality
- Clean Android experience (near-stock)
- Reliable performance for basic tasks
- Software updates (typically timely)
- Underpowered processor
- Slow charging
- Basic camera performance
- Smaller display compared to competitors
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- More powerful processor (Helio G85)
- Larger display
- Better gaming performance
- More versatile camera system (dual camera)
- MIUI software (can be cluttered)
- Slower software updates compared to Nokia
- Plastic build feels less premium
Display Comparison
The Redmi 12C features a larger 6.71-inch display compared to the C22's 6.43-inch screen. Both offer HD+ resolution, but the Redmi 12C's larger size provides a more immersive viewing experience. Color accuracy and brightness are generally adequate for both, but the Redmi 12C might have a slight edge.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi 12C typically features a dual-camera setup (50MP main + 2MP depth) offering more versatility. The C22 usually has a single 50MP main camera. Image quality on both is decent in good lighting, but the Redmi 12C's additional depth sensor can improve portrait mode shots. Low-light performance is generally weak on both devices.
Performance
Here's where the Redmi 12C truly shines. Its MediaTek Helio G85 chipset is significantly more powerful than the Unisoc SC9863A in the C22. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Redmi 12C. The C22's processor is adequate for basic tasks but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones offer a similar battery capacity (around 5000mAh), providing all-day battery life for moderate usage. 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 Nokia C22 is ideal for users prioritizing durability, a clean Android experience, and a simple, reliable phone for basic tasks. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is a better choice for those seeking better performance for gaming and multitasking, a larger display, and a more feature-rich experience within a similar price range.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Nokia C22 generally receives more timely software updates and a cleaner Android experience compared to the Xiaomi Redmi 12C's MIUI.
❓ Can I play games on either of these phones?
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor. The Nokia C22 can handle basic games, but struggles with more demanding titles.
