The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Realme C30 and the Xiaomi Redmi 12C. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C edges out the Realme C30 thanks to its more powerful Helio G85 chipset, resulting in noticeably smoother performance. While both offer basic features, the Redmi 12C's improved processing makes it the better choice for everyday tasks and light gaming.
| 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 | 2022, June 20 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 28 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.46 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 | 182 g (6.42 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 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits | 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 Tiger T612 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI Go | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB 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 | - | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 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, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | 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 | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lake Blue, Bamboo Green | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | RMX3581, RMX3623 | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | About 90 EUR | £ 132.99 / € 107.41 |
| SAR | 1.02 W/kg (head) 0.68 W/kg (body) | 1.08 W/kg (head) 0.64 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.98 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
Realme C30
- Very affordable
- Compact and lightweight
- Decent battery life
- Underpowered chipset
- Basic camera
- Slow charging
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Better performance than C30
- More versatile camera
- Good battery life
- Design can feel a bit dated
- Slow charging
- HD+ display isn't the sharpest
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.51-inch HD+ display, offering decent viewing angles and adequate brightness for indoor use. Color accuracy is typical for this price range, leaning towards slightly oversaturated hues. Neither display stands out significantly, making it a draw.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi 12C generally offers a more capable camera system. While both have a primary 50MP sensor, the Redmi 12C often produces more detailed and vibrant images, particularly in well-lit conditions. The Realme C30's camera is adequate but struggles in low light. The Redmi 12C also typically includes additional features like a depth sensor.
Performance
This is where the Redmi 12C shines. The Helio G85 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the Unisoc Tiger T612. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more enjoyable experience overall. The Realme C30 can feel sluggish at times, especially with multiple apps open.
Battery Life
Both phones pack a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life under moderate usage. Charging speeds are identical at 10W, which is relatively slow by today's standards. Expect around 2-3 hours to fully charge either device.
Buying Guide
The Realme C30 is ideal for users prioritizing a very basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light media consumption. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is a better fit for those who want a slightly more responsive experience, occasional gaming, and a more versatile camera system.
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. The Realme C30 struggles with even basic games.
❓ Do both phones have NFC?
NFC availability varies by region. Check the specific model number and retailer listing to confirm NFC support for either device.
❓ What type of storage do these phones use?
Both phones typically use eMMC 5.1 storage, which is slower than the UFS standard found in higher-end devices.
