The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Oppo A17 and the Xiaomi Redmi 12C. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience? Let's dive in and find out.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C edges out the Oppo A17 thanks to its significantly more powerful Helio G85 chipset, resulting in smoother performance and a better user experience. While both are budget options, the Redmi 12C's improved processing power makes it the more compelling choice.
| 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, 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 | 2022, September 26 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 26 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 75.6 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.98 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| | IPX4 water resistance | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.3% 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 (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, ColorOS 12.1 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 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 | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Lake Blue, Sunlight Orange | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | CPH2477 | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | € 159.99 / $ 168.76 / ₹ 8,999 | £ 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) |
Oppo A17
- Affordable
- Reliable for basic tasks
- Decent battery life
- Sleek design (typical of Oppo)
- Underpowered chipset
- Slow performance
- Limited camera capabilities
- Basic features
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- More powerful processor (Helio G85)
- Smoother performance
- Better multitasking
- Improved gaming
- Good value for money
- Slow charging (10W)
- Basic camera features
- HD+ display (not Full HD)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large 6.56-inch displays, likely with HD+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles and color reproduction for everyday use. The Redmi 12C might offer slightly better brightness due to its newer panel, but the difference will be minimal.
Camera Comparison
The Oppo A17 typically features a 50MP main camera, while the Redmi 12C also boasts a 50MP main sensor. Image quality will be comparable in good lighting conditions. However, the Redmi 12C's more powerful processor may allow for slightly better image processing and low-light performance. Both phones likely include macro and depth sensors.
Performance
This is where the Redmi 12C shines. The Helio G85 is a substantial upgrade over the A17's Helio G35. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother scrolling, and better gaming performance on the Redmi 12C. The A17 will handle basic tasks adequately, but may struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones are expected to have a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for moderate users. The Redmi 12C's 10W charging is a slight disadvantage compared to what some competitors offer, but it's standard for this price range.
Buying Guide
The Oppo A17 is a good choice for users prioritizing a simple, reliable phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is ideal for those who want a smoother experience for multitasking, gaming, and more demanding apps, even on a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Helio G85 chipset.
❓ Does the Oppo A17 have 5G?
No, neither the Oppo A17 nor the Xiaomi Redmi 12C support 5G connectivity. They are both 4G LTE devices.
❓ What is the storage capacity of these phones?
Both phones typically come in configurations with 64GB or 128GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card.
❓ Which phone has a better design?
Design is subjective, but Oppo is generally known for its aesthetically pleasing designs. However, the Redmi 12C has also improved in design compared to previous models.
