The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Oppo A5 Energy and Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G both aim to deliver connectivity and functionality without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches, primarily in their chipset choices and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and faster charging, the Oppo A5 Energy emerges as the stronger contender. Its Dimensity 6300 chipset, built on a 6nm process, offers a performance edge over the Redmi 12 5G’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, and the 45W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the Redmi 12 5G remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget.
| 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, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, March 18 | 2023, August 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, March 21 | Available. Released 2023, August 04 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass) |
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 75.5 x 7.9 mm (6.49 x 2.97 x 0.31 in) | 168.6 x 76.3 x 8.2 mm (6.64 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g or 196 g (6.84 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Crystal Shield Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1604 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~264 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.2 cm2 (~86.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.79 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 1000 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 550 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 613 |
| OS | Android 15, ColorOS 15 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, HyperOS 2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, BLE Audio | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Unspecified |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 33W UFCS, PD | 18W wired, PD |
| Type | 5800 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Flower Pink, Mocha Brown (Mocha Chocolate), Jade Green (Moss Green) | Jade Black, Pastel Blue, Moonstone Silver |
| Models | PKV110 | 23076RN4BI, 23076RN8DY, 2AFZZRN8DY |
| Price | About 150 EUR | € 104.09 / ₹ 15,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 0.88 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.98 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
Oppo A5 Energy
- Faster 45W charging significantly reduces downtime.
- Dimensity 6300 offers better CPU performance for multitasking.
- 6nm process potentially leads to better thermal management.
- Camera specs are currently unknown, potentially lagging behind competitors.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Redmi 12 5G.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G
- More affordable price point.
- 4nm process offers good power efficiency for basic tasks.
- Likely a clean and streamlined MIUI software experience.
- Slower 18W charging.
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 offers less CPU performance than the Dimensity 6300.
- Potential for more noticeable throttling under sustained load.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness or color gamut coverage) are absent, the focus here is on the underlying performance. Both likely utilize LCD panels common in this price bracket. The absence of high refresh rates is expected. The real differentiator will be color accuracy and viewing angles, which require hands-on testing.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. Both phones likely feature a primary camera and supporting lenses. The Redmi 12 5G often includes a 50MP main sensor, while the A5 Energy's sensor resolution is unknown. Image processing algorithms will play a significant role in image quality. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization, which can introduce artifacts in low-light conditions. The 2MP macro cameras commonly found on both devices offer limited utility due to their low resolution and fixed focus.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A5 Energy’s Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6nm) features a Cortex-A76 based prime core configuration, offering a noticeable advantage in single-core performance compared to the Redmi 12 5G’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4nm) with its Cortex-A78 cores. While the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 benefits from a more efficient 4nm process, the Dimensity 6300’s architecture provides a performance boost in demanding tasks. The 6nm process on the Dimensity 6300 also suggests better thermal management under sustained load. Both phones utilize 6x Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, but the Dimensity 6300’s higher clock speeds (2.4GHz vs 1.95GHz) contribute to its overall performance advantage. RAM configurations are likely similar, but the chipset is the key factor.
Battery Life
The Oppo A5 Energy’s 45W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Redmi 12 5G’s 18W charging. This translates to substantially faster charging times – potentially topping up from 0-100% in under an hour compared to the Redmi’s longer duration. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery on the A5 Energy. The A5 Energy also supports 33W UFCS and PD, offering broader compatibility with chargers.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A5 Energy if you need a phone capable of handling moderate gaming and multitasking with less thermal throttling, and if fast charging is a priority. You’ll appreciate the quicker top-ups and more consistent performance. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G if you prioritize a lower upfront cost and are willing to accept slightly slower performance and charging speeds. It’s a solid choice for basic smartphone tasks and light usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Dimensity 6300 in the Oppo A5 Energy handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Dimensity 6300 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but expect to use medium graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. The 6nm process and Cortex-A76 cores provide a performance boost over the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, but it's not a gaming-focused chipset. Sustained performance will depend on the phone's thermal design.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Oppo A5 Energy with the 45W charger?
With 45W charging, the Oppo A5 Energy should fully charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 50-60 minutes, depending on battery capacity. This is significantly faster than the Redmi 12 5G’s 18W charging, which will likely take over 2 hours.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 in the Redmi 12 5G efficient enough for all-day battery life with moderate usage?
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2’s 4nm process is relatively efficient. With moderate usage – including browsing, social media, and occasional calls – the Redmi 12 5G should provide all-day battery life. However, heavy gaming or prolonged video streaming will drain the battery faster.
