The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme C51 and Xiaomi Redmi 12C are two contenders vying for your attention. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The C51 prioritizes charging speed, while the Redmi 12C focuses on a marginally more powerful processor. This comparison will dissect their key specifications to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing quick top-ups and all-day usability, the Realme C51 is the better choice. Its 33W charging significantly outperforms the Redmi 12C’s 10W, reducing downtime. While the Redmi 12C boasts a slightly faster CPU clock speed, the real-world performance difference is minimal for everyday tasks.
| 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 - Africa, India | 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 | 2023, July 24 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 167.2 x 76.7 x 8 mm (6.58 x 3.02 x 0.31 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 (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 560 nits (peak) | 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 13, Realme UI T | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 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 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 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, 28mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 0-50% in 28 min | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mint Green, Carbon Black | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | RMX3830 | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | About 410 EUR | £ 132.99 / € 107.41 |
| SAR | 1.18 W/kg (head) 0.78 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 C51
- Significantly faster 33W charging
- Potentially better thermal management due to Unisoc chipset
- Competitive price point
- Slightly slower CPU clock speed compared to Redmi 12C
- Camera performance likely similar to Redmi 12C
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Slightly faster CPU clock speed for marginally better performance
- Competitive price point
- MediaTek Helio G85 offers a small GPU advantage
- Extremely slow 10W charging
- Potential for more thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely utilizing LCD panels, common in this price bracket. Detailed specs like resolution and peak brightness are missing, but we can assume they are similar – around 720p+ and adequate for indoor use. Bezels are likely to be noticeable on both, and color accuracy will be standard for budget phones. The lack of high refresh rates (90Hz or 120Hz) is expected at this price point.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be comparable, with both phones likely featuring a primary sensor around 13MP. Details on sensor size and aperture are missing, but we can expect similar image quality in good lighting conditions. Both will likely include a 2MP depth sensor and a 2MP macro sensor – the latter being of limited practical use due to its low resolution. Image processing will likely prioritize vibrant colors over accuracy. Low-light performance will be a weakness on both devices.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset: the Realme C51 uses the Unisoc Tiger T612, while the Redmi 12C features the MediaTek Helio G85. Both are 12nm chips, indicating similar power efficiency. However, the Helio G85 has a slightly higher CPU clock speed (2.0 GHz vs 1.8 GHz on the Cortex-A75 cores), suggesting a marginal performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks. Both utilize the same Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency. The Helio G85 also has a slightly more capable GPU, potentially offering a smoother experience in less demanding games. However, neither chipset is designed for graphically intensive gaming. RAM configurations are likely similar, impacting multitasking performance more than the CPU difference.
Battery Life
The Realme C51’s 33W charging is a game-changer in this segment. It can charge from 0-50% in just 28 minutes, a significant advantage over the Redmi 12C’s slow 10W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, both are likely around 5000mAh, providing all-day battery life for moderate usage. The faster charging of the C51 mitigates the impact of a potentially slightly smaller battery capacity, as users can quickly top up throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C51 if you need a phone that can quickly recharge, minimizing interruptions during your day. This is ideal for users who frequently travel or have limited access to power outlets. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 12C if you prioritize a slightly more powerful processor for light gaming or multitasking, and are willing to accept significantly slower charging speeds. This phone suits users who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, and basic apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Unisoc Tiger T612 in the Realme C51 capable of running popular games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Tiger T612 can run PUBG Mobile, expect to play at lower graphics settings and frame rates to maintain a stable experience. It's not a gaming-focused chipset, so demanding titles will likely struggle. The Helio G85 in the Redmi 12C offers a slight edge, but neither phone is ideal for serious mobile gaming.
❓ How long does it *really* take to fully charge the Xiaomi Redmi 12C with its 10W charger?
With a 10W charger, a full charge from 0% on the Redmi 12C will likely take over 3 hours, potentially closer to 4. This is a significant drawback compared to the Realme C51’s 33W charging, which can reach 50% in under 30 minutes. This makes the C51 a much more convenient option for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Does either phone support any form of fast charging protocols beyond what's advertised?
Neither phone is expected to support advanced fast charging protocols like Power Delivery or Quick Charge. They are limited to the advertised charging speeds (33W for the C51 and 10W for the Redmi 12C). Using a more powerful charger won't necessarily result in faster charging.
