The sub-₹15,000 (approximately $180 USD) smartphone market in India is fiercely competitive. The Realme C71, with its focus on fast charging and a newer chipset, challenges the established Samsung Galaxy A12, a long-standing favorite known for its brand recognition and reliable software. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and faster charging, the Realme C71 emerges as the winner. Its 45W charging and impressive 65:46h endurance significantly outperform the Galaxy A12’s 15W charging and likely shorter battery life. However, the A12’s Exynos 850 may offer a slightly smoother experience for basic multitasking.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - Asia | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Asia | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, June 02 | 2021, August 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, June 02 | Available. Released 2021, August 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.8 x 75.9 x 7.8 mm (6.53 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 6 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1604 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~264 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.2 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 725 nits (peak) | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T7250 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 15, Realme UI 6.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.88", PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0" | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 50% in 36 min (C71 model)
15W wired (P3 Lite model)
6W reverse wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Market-dependent versions:· 6000 mAh - Europe· 6300 mAh - Asia | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Lily (Forest Owl), Lily White (White Swan), Green, White | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | RMX5303 | SM-A127F, SM-A127F/DS |
| Price | € 84.69 / $ 113.38 / £ 118.99 / ₹ 6,874 | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.79 W/kg (head) |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 65:46h endurance, 1000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class A | - |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
Realme C71
- Significantly faster 45W charging
- Longer battery life (65:46h endurance)
- More modern CPU architecture (Unisoc T7250)
- Brand recognition is lower than Samsung
- Software updates may be less frequent
Samsung Galaxy A12 (India)
- Established brand reputation (Samsung)
- Potentially more refined software experience
- Wider service network in India
- Slow 15W charging
- Older chipset (Exynos 850)
- Likely shorter battery life
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific display specs (resolution, panel type) are missing for both, the focus here is on performance. The Realme C71’s advantage lies in its potential for faster refresh rates (though unconfirmed), which would improve scrolling smoothness. The Galaxy A12’s display, while likely adequate for everyday tasks, is likely to be less vibrant and responsive given its age and target price point.
Camera Comparison
Both phones target the budget segment, so camera expectations should be tempered. Specific camera specs beyond the presence of a camera are unavailable. However, given the market positioning, it’s safe to assume both rely on relatively basic sensors. The Realme C71’s potential for newer image processing algorithms, coupled with a potentially larger main sensor (though unconfirmed), *could* yield slightly better image quality in favorable lighting conditions. The Galaxy A12’s camera system is likely to be adequate for casual snapshots but will struggle in low light.
Performance
The chipset is where the most significant difference lies. The Realme C71’s Unisoc T7250 (12nm) utilizes a more modern architecture with two Cortex-A75 cores for performance and six Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency. This contrasts with the Samsung Galaxy A12’s Exynos 850 (8nm), which employs eight Cortex-A55 cores. While the Exynos 850 benefits from a smaller fabrication process, the A75 cores in the T7250 provide a noticeable performance boost in demanding tasks. The T7250’s architecture suggests better responsiveness in app loading and multitasking. However, the Exynos 850’s 8nm process *could* translate to slightly better thermal efficiency under sustained load, though this is speculative without testing.
Battery Life
The Realme C71 shines in the battery department. Its 65:46h endurance rating is a significant advantage over what’s expected from the Galaxy A12. The 45W wired charging is a game-changer, allowing a 50% charge in just 36 minutes. The Galaxy A12’s 15W charging is considerably slower, requiring significantly more time to reach a full charge. The C71 also offers 6W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the A12, allowing it to top up accessories like earbuds.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C71 if you need a phone that can quickly top up its battery and last through a full day of moderate to heavy use. It’s ideal for users who frequently travel or rely heavily on their phone for entertainment. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) if you prioritize brand reliability, a potentially more refined software experience (despite older hardware), and are less concerned with rapid charging or maximizing battery endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Unisoc T7250 in the Realme C71 struggle with demanding games like PUBG?
While the Unisoc T7250 isn't a flagship-level processor, its Cortex-A75 cores provide a performance boost over the Galaxy A12’s Exynos 850. PUBG should be playable at medium settings, but expect some frame drops during intense action. The A12 will likely struggle more with consistent frame rates.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the Samsung Galaxy A12 slow enough to be a major inconvenience?
Yes, 15W charging is significantly slower than the Realme C71’s 45W charging. Expect to spend over two hours to fully charge the Galaxy A12 from 0%, whereas the C71 can reach 50% in just 36 minutes. This difference is substantial for users who need a quick top-up.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Realme UI and Samsung's One UI?
Samsung’s One UI is generally considered more polished and feature-rich, but also more resource-intensive. Realme UI is lighter and faster, potentially offering a smoother experience on the C71’s less powerful hardware. However, Samsung typically provides longer software support.
❓ Will the Exynos 850 in the Galaxy A12 overheat during prolonged use?
The Exynos 850 is known to be relatively efficient, but it can experience some thermal throttling under sustained heavy load. While not a major issue for typical usage, extended gaming sessions or video recording could lead to performance drops as the chip heats up.
