Looking for a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank? The Realme C31 and Xiaomi Redmi 12C are popular contenders in the budget segment. But which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their features, performance, and value to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C edges out the Realme C31 thanks to its slightly more powerful Helio G85 chipset, resulting in smoother performance for everyday tasks and gaming. Both offer decent battery life and basic features, but the Redmi 12C provides a more compelling overall experience for the price.
| 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, March 25 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 31 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.7 x 76.1 x 8.4 mm (6.48 x 3.00 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 | 197 g (6.95 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda Glass | - |
| 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 (~81.4% 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 2.0 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 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 | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, AF
2 MP (macro)
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 | No | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Light Silver, Dark Green | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | RMX3501 | 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) |
Realme C31
- Clean and simple UI
- Decent battery life
- Lightweight design
- Affordable price
- Underpowered chipset
- Slow charging
- Average camera performance
- Lower screen brightness
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Better performance than C31
- Slightly better camera
- Good battery life
- Competitive price
- MIUI can be cluttered
- Slow charging
- HD+ resolution may appear pixelated
- Plastic build
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.51-inch HD+ display, offering adequate viewing for media consumption. However, the Redmi 12C's display often exhibits slightly better color accuracy and brightness, leading to a marginally more enjoyable viewing experience. The Realme C31's display is perfectly serviceable but lacks the vibrancy of its competitor.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi 12C generally captures slightly better photos, especially in well-lit conditions. Its image processing tends to produce more vibrant and detailed results. Both phones offer a similar camera setup (typically a 50MP main sensor), but the Redmi 12C's software optimization gives it a slight edge. Low-light performance is adequate on both, but not exceptional.
Performance
The Redmi 12C's MediaTek Helio G85 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the Realme C31's Unisoc Tiger T612. This translates to smoother app loading, faster multitasking, and a more responsive user interface. While neither phone is a powerhouse, the Redmi 12C handles everyday tasks and light gaming with greater ease.
Battery Life
Both devices offer a large 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for moderate usage. Charging speeds are identical at 10W, which is relatively slow by modern standards. Expect around 2-3 hours to fully charge either phone.
Buying Guide
The Realme C31 is a good option for users prioritizing a clean, simple interface and basic functionality. It's suitable for light users who primarily need a phone for calls, texts, and occasional social media. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is ideal for those seeking a bit more performance for multitasking, light gaming, and a slightly better camera experience, all while remaining budget-friendly.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C's Helio G85 chipset offers significantly better gaming performance compared to the Realme C31's Unisoc Tiger T612. You'll experience smoother frame rates and less lag on the Redmi 12C.
❓ How long does the battery last on each phone?
Both phones offer excellent battery life, typically lasting a full day with moderate usage. The 5000mAh battery is a strong point for both devices.
