The sub-₹10,000 (approximately $120 USD) smartphone segment in India is fiercely competitive. The Realme C15 and Samsung Galaxy A12 represent two strong contenders, each aiming to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device offers the best value for your money, focusing on real-world performance and usability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a more efficient processor, the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) emerges as the better choice. Its Exynos 850, built on an 8nm process, provides a noticeable advantage over the Realme C15’s Helio G35 in multitasking and app loading times, despite the Realme’s slightly faster clock speeds on some cores.
| 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 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 28. Released 2020, July 28 | 2021, August 12 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, August 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 75.9 x 9.8 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.39 in) | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 209 g (7.37 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP B/W, f/2.4
2 MP, f/2.4 | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Marine Blue, Seagull Silver | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | RMX2180 | SM-A127F, SM-A127F/DS |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.79 W/kg (head) |
Realme C15
- Faster 18W charging
- Potentially longer battery life for basic use
- Aggressive pricing may offer better value
- Less efficient Helio G35 chipset
- Older Cortex-A53 CPU cores
- Potentially slower app loading times
Samsung Galaxy A12 (India)
- More efficient Exynos 850 chipset (8nm)
- Modern Cortex-A55 CPU cores
- Smoother multitasking and app performance
- Slower 15W charging
- Samsung’s software can include bloatware
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common trait in this price bracket. However, the lack of detailed display specs (resolution, brightness) necessitates a focus on the chipsets’ ability to drive the UI smoothly. The A12’s Exynos 850, with its more efficient architecture, may contribute to a slightly more responsive experience when scrolling through content, even if the panel characteristics are similar.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor and several auxiliary lenses. Without detailed sensor size information, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner. However, Samsung’s image processing algorithms generally offer more refined results, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Realme C15’s camera is likely tuned for vibrant, saturated colors, while the A12 aims for a more natural look. The inclusion of 2MP macro/depth sensors on both devices is largely marketing fluff and shouldn’t heavily influence your decision.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A12’s Exynos 850 (8nm) is a significant step up from the Realme C15’s MediaTek Helio G35 (12nm). The 8nm process inherently offers better power efficiency and thermal performance. While the Helio G35 has slightly higher clock speeds on its prime cores (2.3 GHz vs 2.0 GHz), the Cortex-A55 cores in the Exynos 850 are more modern and efficient than the Cortex-A53 cores in the Helio G35. This translates to better sustained performance under load and less throttling. The A12 will handle multitasking and app switching more gracefully.
Battery Life
The Realme C15’s 18W charging is a clear advantage over the Galaxy A12’s 15W charging. While neither offers incredibly fast charging, the 18W support will reduce the time spent tethered to a wall outlet. Battery capacity isn’t specified, but both likely fall in the 5000mAh range. The Exynos 850’s superior power efficiency may partially offset the charging speed difference, potentially leading to comparable real-world battery life, but the C15 will still likely have a slight edge in longevity for very light users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C15 if you prioritize maximizing battery life and are primarily focused on very basic smartphone tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use. Its 18W charging offers a quicker top-up than the A12. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) if you value smoother performance for everyday tasks, a more modern chipset architecture, and a brand known for reliable software updates, even within the budget segment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Galaxy A12 get hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850’s 8nm process and efficient architecture contribute to better thermal management compared to the Helio G35. While it won’t deliver flagship-level gaming performance, it’s less prone to significant throttling during extended gaming sessions, maintaining a more consistent frame rate.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?
Generally, no. 2MP macro cameras on budget smartphones typically produce low-resolution, soft images with limited detail. They are often included for marketing purposes but offer minimal practical benefit. The primary camera on either phone will deliver far superior results for close-up shots.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A12 handle PUBG Mobile at 60fps?
The Exynos 850 can likely run PUBG Mobile at balanced graphics settings and medium frame rates (around 30-40fps). Achieving a consistent 60fps may be challenging, especially in intense firefights, and will require lowering the graphics settings significantly. The Realme C15 will struggle to maintain even 30fps consistently.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates?
Samsung generally provides more consistent and longer-term software support for its devices, even in the budget segment, compared to Realme. While neither phone will receive updates for years, the Galaxy A12 is more likely to receive security patches and potentially one major Android version update.
