The Realme Note 50 and Xiaomi Redmi 12C represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. However, they achieve this with different chipsets and subtle design choices. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 12C emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Mediatek Helio G85 chipset, with a marginally higher CPU clock speed, provides a noticeable performance edge in everyday tasks and light gaming. While both phones share 10W charging, the Redmi 12C’s slightly better processing power makes it a more responsive experience overall.
| 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 | 2024, January 23 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, January 23 | 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 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 |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 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, 27mm (wide) | 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 | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sky Blue, Midnight Black | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | RMX3834 | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | € 95.83 | £ 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 Note 50
- Potential for longer software support from Realme.
- Clean and streamlined Realme UI.
- Likely a slightly more compact design.
- Slightly weaker CPU performance compared to the Redmi 12C.
- 10W charging is slow.
- Camera performance likely similar to Redmi 12C, but potentially less refined.
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- More powerful Mediatek Helio G85 chipset.
- Slightly better gaming performance.
- Potentially more responsive user experience.
- Xiaomi’s MIUI can be bloated with pre-installed apps.
- 10W charging is slow.
- Software update support may be shorter than Realme.
Display Comparison
Neither the Realme Note 50 nor the Xiaomi Redmi 12C are display champions. Both are expected to feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Specifics like resolution and peak brightness are not provided, but we can assume they are similar – likely 720p+ and around 400 nits. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic usability. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor. Color accuracy will likely be standard for budget LCDs, meaning it won't be ideal for color-critical work.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be modest. Details on sensor size and aperture are unavailable, but it’s safe to assume both feature a primary camera around 13MP, accompanied by auxiliary lenses (likely 2MP depth/macro sensors) of limited utility. Image processing will be the key differentiator, and Xiaomi’s software generally leans towards more saturated and contrasty images, while Realme often aims for a more natural look. Don't expect exceptional low-light performance from either device. The focus should be on capturing acceptable photos in good lighting conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C boasts the Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm), featuring a CPU clocked at 2.0 GHz on its Cortex-A75 cores, while the Realme Note 50 utilizes the Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) with 1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. This 200 MHz difference, while seemingly small, translates to a tangible performance boost for the Redmi 12C in CPU-intensive tasks. Both utilize the same Cortex-A55 efficiency cores at 1.8 GHz. The Helio G85 also has a slightly more capable GPU, offering a better gaming experience, though still limited to low-to-medium settings in most titles. RAM configurations are likely similar, and both will benefit from optimized software to manage resources effectively.
Battery Life
Both the Realme Note 50 and Xiaomi Redmi 12C are equipped with 10W wired charging, a significant limitation in today’s fast-charging landscape. Battery capacity is not specified, but both are likely to house a 5000mAh battery, standard for this price range. This capacity should provide all-day battery life for moderate users. The 10W charging will result in a slow charge time – expect over 3 hours for a full 0-100% charge. Battery life will be more dependent on software optimization and usage patterns than any significant hardware difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Note 50 if you prioritize a potentially longer software support lifecycle from Realme, and are primarily focused on basic communication and light social media use. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 12C if you prefer a more responsive user experience, enjoy occasional mobile gaming, and value a slightly more powerful processor for multitasking.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G85 in the Redmi 12C struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Helio G85 can run PUBG Mobile, you'll need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low and the frame rate to achieve a smooth experience. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it's capable of providing acceptable gameplay for casual gamers.
❓ How does Realme UI compare to Xiaomi's MIUI in terms of bloatware?
MIUI is historically known for including a significant amount of pre-installed apps (bloatware), though Xiaomi has been improving in this area. Realme UI generally offers a cleaner, more streamlined experience with fewer pre-installed apps, making it more appealing to users who prefer a minimalist interface.
❓ Is the 10W charging speed a dealbreaker for daily use?
The 10W charging is undeniably slow. It's best suited for overnight charging. If you frequently need to top up your phone quickly, these devices are not ideal. Consider a power bank as a supplementary charging solution.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates and security patches?
Realme generally has a better track record of providing consistent software updates and security patches, even for their budget devices. While Xiaomi has improved, Realme typically offers longer-term support.
