Looking for a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank? The Realme C35 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 C35 thanks to its superior Helio G85 chipset offering noticeably better performance and a faster charging speed. While both are solid budget options, the Redmi 12C provides a more compelling overall experience.
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 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, February 10 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February 14 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.32 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 | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda Glass | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB 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 |
| | 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, 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), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, 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 | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glowing Black, Glowing Green | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | RMX3511 | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | £ 129.99 / ₹ 7,999 | £ 132.99 / € 107.41 |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.13 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 C35
- Stylish Design
- Large Display
- Decent Battery Life
- Weaker Processor
- Slower Charging
- Less Versatile Camera
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Better Performance
- Faster Charging
- More Versatile Camera
- Good Value
- Less Premium Design
- HD+ Display (potential limitations)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.74-inch display, likely with an HD+ resolution. While both offer a large viewing area, the Redmi 12C might have slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to potential panel differences. Expect similar viewing experiences overall, suitable for everyday use and media consumption.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi 12C generally boasts a more versatile camera setup, often including a higher resolution main sensor and potentially additional lenses like a macro or depth sensor. While both offer decent image quality in good lighting conditions, the Redmi 12C is likely to produce more detailed and vibrant photos, especially in challenging lighting scenarios. Expect both to offer standard features like portrait mode and HDR.
Performance
This is where the Redmi 12C shines. The Helio G85 chipset is significantly more powerful than the Unisoc Tiger T616. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Redmi 12C. The Realme C35 will handle basic tasks adequately, but may struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for moderate users. However, the Redmi 12C's 10W charging is faster than the Realme C35's 18W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Realme C35 is a good choice for users prioritizing a stylish design and a slightly larger screen. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is ideal for those seeking better performance, faster charging, and a more versatile camera system, even within a tight budget.
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 C35 have NFC?
Yes, the Realme C35 typically includes NFC for contactless payments, a feature that may or may not be present on all Redmi 12C variants. Check the specific model's specifications.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Xiaomi generally provides more frequent software updates and longer support lifecycles for their devices, giving the Redmi 12C a slight edge.
