The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Oukitel C32 and Xiaomi Redmi 12C aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their choice of chipset. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 12C emerges as the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio G85 chipset, with higher clocked Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance advantage in everyday tasks and light gaming. While the Oukitel C32 is a viable option, the Redmi 12C’s slightly superior processing power justifies the often minimal price difference.
| 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, January | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 9.2 mm thickness | 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 | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 440 nits | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 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 |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 20 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
Other unspecified cameras | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted); unspecified sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5150 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Purple, Black | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | - | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | About 150 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) |
Oukitel C32
- Potentially lower price point
- Unisoc T606 offers decent efficiency
- Likely similar battery life to Redmi 12C
- Slower CPU performance compared to Helio G85
- Less established brand reputation
- Potentially less refined software experience
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Faster Mediatek Helio G85 chipset
- Better multitasking and app launch speeds
- More established brand and software support
- 10W charging is relatively slow
- May be slightly more expensive than Oukitel C32
- Camera performance is still limited by sensor size
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely utilizing LCD panels, common in this price bracket. Detailed specs like resolution and brightness are missing, but we can infer they are similar. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but rather on basic usability. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor. Color accuracy will likely be standard for the price, prioritizing power efficiency over color calibration.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is expected to be modest on both devices. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make precise comparisons. However, the Redmi 12C’s brand reputation suggests slightly more refined image processing algorithms. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of autofocus. Real-world image quality will depend heavily on software optimization and lighting conditions, but the Redmi 12C is likely to produce more consistently usable photos.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C’s Mediatek Helio G85 features 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, while the Oukitel C32 utilizes the Unisoc T606 with 2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The higher clock speeds on the Helio G85 translate to faster processing, particularly in CPU-bound tasks. While both are 12nm chips, the G85’s architecture provides a performance edge. The Redmi 12C will likely exhibit smoother multitasking and quicker app launch times. Thermal management is unlikely to be a major concern on either device, given the relatively low power draw of these chipsets.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but both likely house batteries in the 5000mAh range, typical for this segment. The Redmi 12C includes 10W wired charging, which is slow by modern standards. The Oukitel C32’s charging speed is unknown, but is unlikely to be significantly faster. Expect a full charge to take several hours on both devices. Battery life will be heavily influenced by usage patterns, but both should comfortably last a full day with moderate use. The slightly more efficient chipset in the Oukitel C32 *might* translate to marginally longer battery life, but the difference will likely be minimal.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oukitel C32 if you prioritize a potentially lower upfront cost and are primarily focused on basic smartphone functions like calling, texting, and light social media browsing. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 12C if you value a smoother user experience, slightly better gaming performance, and a more established brand reputation within the budget segment. The Redmi 12C is the better all-rounder for users who want a phone that can handle a bit more than the bare minimum.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 12C struggle with popular apps like TikTok or Facebook?
The Helio G85 in the Redmi 12C is capable of running apps like TikTok and Facebook smoothly, though you might experience occasional slowdowns with multiple apps open simultaneously. It's designed for light to moderate usage, and these apps fall within its capabilities. The Oukitel C32 may exhibit more noticeable lag in these scenarios.
❓ Is the gaming performance on either of these phones acceptable for casual games?
Both phones can handle casual games like Candy Crush or Angry Birds without issue. However, for more demanding titles like PUBG Mobile, you'll need to lower the graphics settings significantly on both devices. The Redmi 12C’s Helio G85 will provide a slightly more playable experience, even at lower settings, due to its superior GPU.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge either phone from 0%?
With the Redmi 12C’s 10W charging, expect a full charge to take approximately 3-4 hours. The Oukitel C32’s charging time is unknown, but is unlikely to be significantly faster given its budget positioning. Neither phone supports fast charging technologies.
❓ Does the Redmi 12C have a dedicated microSD card slot for expandable storage?
Yes, the Xiaomi Redmi 12C does include a dedicated microSD card slot, allowing you to expand the internal storage up to 512GB. This is a significant advantage for users who plan to store a large number of photos, videos, or apps.
