The Oppo A12 and Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. However, subtle differences in their chipsets and feature sets can significantly impact the user experience. This comparison dives deep into the specifications to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport edges out the Oppo A12. While both phones share a similar price bracket, the Redmi 9i Sport’s Helio G25 chipset, though not a massive leap, offers a slight performance advantage for everyday tasks and light gaming, coupled with the convenience of 10W charging.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 20. Released 2020, April 20 | 2021, September 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, September 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 155.9 x 75.5 x 8.3 mm (6.14 x 2.97 x 0.33 in) | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 165 g (5.82 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), ColorOS 6.1 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0, 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4230 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black | Carbon Black, Coral Green, Metallic Blue |
| Models | CPH2083, CPH2077 | - |
| Price | About 560 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 32GB 3GB RAM | $ 519.00 | - |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | $ 539.00 | - |
Oppo A12
- Potentially larger RAM option (4GB)
- May offer a more refined software experience (brand dependent)
- Slightly higher CPU clock speeds
- Older chipset (Helio P35)
- No information on charging capabilities
- Likely lower GPU performance
Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport
- Helio G25 chipset optimized for gaming
- 10W wired charging for faster recharge times
- Generally better value for the price
- RAM capacity not specified
- Potentially less refined software experience
- Lower peak CPU clock speeds
Display Comparison
Neither Oppo nor Xiaomi provide detailed display specifications beyond the basic panel size. Given the price point, both likely utilize LCD panels with 720p+ resolution. The focus here isn't on display quality, but rather on usability. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, impacting the overall screen-to-body ratio. Color accuracy and brightness are likely to be average, suitable for indoor use but potentially washed out in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are expected to feature basic camera setups. Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but given the market segment, we can anticipate a primary sensor paired with depth or macro lenses of limited utility. Image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing and lighting conditions. The Redmi 9i Sport's camera performance is likely to be comparable to the A12, with neither offering exceptional photographic capabilities. Focusing on the primary sensor's megapixel count (if available) would be more indicative of potential image detail than the presence of a 2MP macro lens.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A12 features the Mediatek Helio P35, an older 12nm processor with an octa-core configuration split into 4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport utilizes the Helio G25, also a 12nm chip, but with a slightly lower clock speed configuration of 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. While the P35 has higher peak clock speeds, the G25 is designed for gaming, offering a modest GPU improvement. This translates to slightly smoother performance in less demanding games on the Redmi 9i Sport. The A12's 3GB/4GB RAM options are a factor, but the chipset bottleneck will be more significant for demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, typical battery sizes for phones in this price range fall between 4000mAh and 5000mAh. The Redmi 9i Sport benefits from 10W wired charging, a crucial advantage over the Oppo A12, which lacks any charging information. This means the Redmi 9i Sport will offer faster recharge times, reducing downtime and improving usability for users who rely on their phone throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A12 if you prioritize a slightly larger RAM option (4GB vs. the Redmi 9i Sport's unspecified RAM) and potentially a more refined software experience, though this is brand-dependent. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport if you value a marginally more capable processor for smoother multitasking and the added convenience of wired charging, making it a better choice for users who frequently use their phone on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Redmi 9i Sport struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
The Helio G25 chipset in the Redmi 9i Sport is capable of running apps like WhatsApp and Facebook without significant issues. However, multitasking with several apps open simultaneously might lead to some slowdowns. The A12 may experience similar limitations, and potentially more, due to its older chipset.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Redmi 9i Sport fast enough for daily use?
While 10W charging isn't the fastest available, it's a significant improvement over having no specified charging speed, as is the case with the Oppo A12. It will take approximately 2-3 hours to fully charge the Redmi 9i Sport, which is adequate for overnight charging and provides enough power for a full day of moderate use.
❓ Can either of these phones handle basic mobile games like PUBG Mobile or Free Fire?
Both phones can *run* PUBG Mobile and Free Fire, but expect to play at the lowest graphics settings and frame rates. The Redmi 9i Sport’s Helio G25 offers a slight advantage in gaming performance, potentially allowing for marginally smoother gameplay compared to the Oppo A12’s Helio P35.
❓ What kind of storage expansion options are available on these phones?
Both the Oppo A12 and Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport typically include a dedicated microSD card slot, allowing for storage expansion up to 256GB. This is crucial given the limited internal storage options (32GB/64GB) available on these devices.
