The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the Oppo A36 and the Xiaomi Redmi 12C. Both promise a solid experience without breaking the bank, but which one truly delivers?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Oppo A36 edges out the Redmi 12C thanks to its more efficient chipset and potentially better display. While the Redmi 12C offers a slightly larger battery and slower charging, the A36's overall performance and efficiency make it the slightly better choice for most users.
| 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 10 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 14 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.47 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 | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| 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 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB 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 |
| | UFS 2.2 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | PESM10 | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | About 220 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) |
Oppo A36
- More efficient chipset
- Potentially better display
- Sleek design
- Good value for money
- Slower charging than some competitors
- Camera might not be exceptional
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Larger battery capacity
- Larger screen
- Affordable price
- Less efficient chipset
- Slower charging
- Display quality may be lacking
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large 6.56-inch displays, but the Oppo A36 likely has a slightly better panel with more accurate colors and potentially higher brightness. The Redmi 12C's display is adequate but may lack the same visual pop. Resolution is likely similar (HD+).
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are comparable, with both phones likely featuring a 50MP main sensor. However, Oppo's image processing algorithms might provide slightly better results in certain conditions. Low-light performance is likely similar on both devices. Both likely have a depth sensor and a macro lens.
Performance
The Oppo A36's Snapdragon 680 (6nm) offers a significant advantage over the Redmi 12C's Helio G85 (12nm) in terms of efficiency and raw performance. Expect smoother multitasking and better gaming performance on the A36. The Snapdragon 680's 6nm process also contributes to better power efficiency.
Battery Life
The Redmi 12C boasts a larger 5000mAh battery compared to the Oppo A36's 5000mAh. However, the A36's more efficient chipset could result in similar or even slightly better real-world battery life. The Redmi 12C's 10W charging is considerably slower than what's expected from the A36.
Buying Guide
The Oppo A36 is ideal for users prioritizing smooth performance and a vibrant display for everyday tasks and light gaming. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is a good fit for those who need extended battery life and are less concerned about raw processing power, and appreciate a larger screen for media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Oppo A36 is generally better for gaming due to its more powerful and efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset.
❓ Does the Redmi 12C have fast charging?
No, the Redmi 12C only supports 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
While the Redmi 12C has a larger battery, the Oppo A36's more efficient chipset could result in similar or slightly better real-world battery life.
