Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The Realme C30s and Xiaomi Redmi 12C are two popular contenders in the budget segment. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C takes the crown thanks to its significantly more powerful Helio G85 chipset, offering noticeably better performance for gaming and multitasking. While both offer decent battery life and basic cameras, the Redmi 12C's processing power makes it the superior pick 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 | 2022, September 14 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 23 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 75.7 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 | 186 g (6.56 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 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, Realme UI Go | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 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 |
| | - | 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, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, (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 | 4.2, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Stripe Blue, Stripe Black | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | RMX3690 | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | About 100 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 C30s
- Clean Android experience
- Lightweight and compact design
- Decent battery life
- Weak performance
- Basic camera system
- Slow charging
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Significantly better performance
- More versatile camera system (ultrawide lens)
- Good value for money
- MIUI software can be cluttered
- Plastic build quality
- Slow charging
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.51-inch HD+ display, offering adequate viewing for everyday use. Color accuracy and brightness are typical for this price range, with neither phone excelling in this area. The Redmi 12C might have slightly better viewing angles due to its panel technology, but the difference is minimal.
Camera Comparison
The Realme C30s typically features a 50MP main camera and a 2MP depth sensor, while the Redmi 12C boasts a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens. Image quality is decent in good lighting conditions on both, but the Redmi 12C's ultrawide lens provides more versatility. Low-light performance is generally weak on both devices.
Performance
This is where the Redmi 12C truly shines. The Helio G85 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the C30s' Cortex-A55 CPU. Expect smoother app launches, faster multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Redmi 12C. The C30s will feel sluggish by comparison, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones are equipped with a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life under moderate usage. Charging speeds are identical at 10W, meaning a full charge will take around 2-3 hours. Battery optimization is key here, and both phones perform reasonably well.
Buying Guide
The Realme C30s is ideal for users who prioritize simplicity, a clean Android experience, and basic functionality like calls, texts, and light social media use. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is better suited for those who want a smoother experience, occasional gaming, and a more responsive overall performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C's Helio G85 chipset provides significantly better gaming performance compared to the Realme C30s.
❓ Is the Realme C30s good for basic tasks?
Yes, the Realme C30s is adequate for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use, but it may feel slow at times.
❓ Do both phones support 5G?
No, neither the Realme C30s nor the Xiaomi Redmi 12C support 5G connectivity. They both rely on 4G LTE.
❓ What is the software experience like on each phone?
The Realme C30s offers a cleaner, more stock-like Android experience. The Redmi 12C runs MIUI, which can be more feature-rich but also more cluttered.
