The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and two contenders vying for your attention are the Realme C55 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G. Both offer compelling features at affordable prices, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will break down every aspect, helping you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi Note 12 4G edges out the Realme C55 thanks to its more efficient chipset and slightly brighter display. While the C55 boasts impressive battery endurance, the Redmi Note 12 4G's Snapdragon 685 provides a smoother overall experience and better future-proofing.
| 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 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 07 | 2023, March 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 08 | Available. Released 2023, March 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.6 x 75.9 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) | 165.7 x 76 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189.5 g (6.70 oz) | 183.5 g (6.49 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 680 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 64 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 50% in 29 min | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sun Shower, Rainy Night, Rainforest | Onyx Gray, Mint Green, Ice Blue |
| Models | RMX3710 | 23021RAAEG, 23021RAA2Y, 23027RAD4I, 23028RA60L |
| Price | ₹ 8,399 | £ 189.99 / € 107.98 / ₹ 9,998 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 0.89 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.90 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 123h
|
Endurance rating 117h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1264:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-31.8 LUFS (Below average)
|
-27.9 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 257263 (v9)
GeekBench: 1452 (v5.1), 1413 (v6)
GFXBench: 9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 319219 (v9)
GeekBench: 1797 (v5.1), 1341 (v6)
GFXBench: 7.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme C55
- Exceptional battery life
- Vibrant display with high contrast
- Stylish design
- Fast charging (33W)
- Less powerful chipset
- Slightly lower brightness compared to Redmi Note 12 4G
- Potentially shorter software support
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G
- More efficient chipset (Snapdragon 685)
- Slightly brighter display
- Better future-proofing
- Refined image processing
- Slightly shorter battery life than Realme C55
- Design may be less striking to some
Display Comparison
Both phones feature vibrant displays, but the Redmi Note 12 4G takes a slight lead. The Realme C55's 1264:1 contrast ratio is excellent, but the Redmi Note 12 4G's measured 744 nits brightness surpasses the C55's 659 nits, offering better visibility in direct sunlight. The Redmi Note 12 4G also claims an 'infinite' contrast ratio, though this is a marketing term.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is generally comparable, with both phones offering decent image quality in good lighting conditions. However, the Redmi Note 12 4G's image processing tends to be slightly more refined, resulting in more natural-looking photos. Low-light performance is likely similar on both devices.
Performance
The Redmi Note 12 4G's Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 (6nm) chipset is significantly more efficient than the Realme C55's Mediatek Helio G88 (12nm). This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better overall responsiveness. The Snapdragon 685 also benefits from better thermal management.
Battery Life
The Realme C55 demonstrates impressive battery endurance with an endurance rating of 123h, slightly surpassing the Redmi Note 12 4G's 117h. Both phones support 33W wired charging, allowing for a 50% charge in approximately 29 minutes for the Realme C55. The Redmi Note 12 4G will take a similar amount of time.
Buying Guide
The Realme C55 is ideal for users prioritizing exceptional battery life and a vibrant display for media consumption. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G is a better choice for those seeking a more responsive performance, a slightly brighter screen, and a more modern chipset for longer software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G's Snapdragon 685 chipset offers better gaming performance due to its superior efficiency and processing power compared to the Realme C55's Helio G88.
❓ How much storage do these phones offer?
Both phones typically come in configurations with 64GB or 128GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card. Specific storage options may vary depending on the region and retailer.
