The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Realme C25Y and the Xiaomi Redmi 12C. But which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C edges out the Realme C25Y thanks to its superior chipset and faster charging. While both offer solid value, the Redmi 12C's performance boost and quicker top-ups 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, 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 | 2021, September 16 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 30 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 76 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.36 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 | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 420 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI R | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 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, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glacier Blue, Metal Gray | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | RMX3265, RMX3268, RMX3269 | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | About 140 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) |
Realme C25Y
- Sleek design
- Decent main camera
- Good battery life
- Underpowered chipset
- Slow charging
- Mediocre display
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Better performance (Helio G85)
- Faster charging (10W)
- Modern design
- Good value
- Camera can be inconsistent
- HD+ display resolution
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.51-inch HD+ display, offering decent viewing angles and color reproduction for the price. However, the Redmi 12C often has slightly better brightness and color accuracy. The Realme C25Y's display is adequate but not exceptional.
Camera Comparison
The Realme C25Y boasts a 50MP main camera, while the Redmi 12C also has a 50MP main camera. In practice, the Redmi 12C often produces slightly more vibrant and detailed images, thanks to its better image processing. Both phones struggle in low-light conditions.
Performance
The Redmi 12C's MediaTek Helio G85 chipset significantly outperforms the Realme C25Y's Unisoc T610. The G85 offers a noticeable improvement in gaming performance and general responsiveness. The Realme C25Y can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones have a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for moderate usage. However, the Redmi 12C's 10W charging is still faster than the Realme C25Y's 18W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Realme C25Y is a good option for users prioritizing a slightly more refined design and a potentially better camera experience (though marginal). The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is ideal for those seeking better performance, faster charging, and a more modern look, especially if gaming or multitasking are important.
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 Realme C25Y have NFC?
Yes, the Realme C25Y typically includes NFC for contactless payments, though it's best to confirm the specific variant you're purchasing.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Xiaomi generally offers slightly better software update support and a more feature-rich MIUI experience compared to Realme's UI.
