TCL 30 SE vs Xiaomi Redmi 12C: Which Budget Champion Reigns?

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the TCL 30 SE and the Xiaomi Redmi 12C. Both promise a lot, but which one delivers the best overall experience?

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi Redmi 12C takes the crown. While the TCL 30 SE has a slightly better display, the Redmi 12C's significantly more powerful Helio G85 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost for gaming and multitasking, making it the better choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	TCL 30 SE	Xiaomi Redmi 12C

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EMEA/APAC	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
Speed	HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
	2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 66 - LATAM	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO

Launch
Announced	2022, February 27	2022, December 31
Status	Available. Released 2022, April 20	Available. Released 2023, January 01

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back	-
Dimensions	165.2 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.50 x 2.97 x 0.35 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 + Nano-SIM
Weight	190 g (6.70 oz)	192 g (6.77 oz)

Display
Resolution	720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)	720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density)
Size	6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio)	6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ)	IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)	Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm)	Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm)
GPU	PowerVR GE8320	Mali-G52 MC2
OS	Android 12, TCL UI 4.0	Android 12, MIUI 13

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 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	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", 1.12µm	50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF Auxiliary lens
Triple	50 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (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	1080p@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 (6165H/6165H1 only)	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
Radio	Unspecified	FM radio
USB	USB Type-C 2.0	microUSB 2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer
	-	Virtual proximity sensing

Battery
Charging	15W wired	10W wired
Type	Li-Po 5000 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Atlantic Blue, Space Gray, Glacial Blue	Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple
Models	6165H, 6156H1, 6165A, 6165A1, 6165S	22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L
Price	-	£ 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)

TCL 30 SE

Slightly better display quality
More compact design
Versatile camera system with macro lens

Weaker processor
Slower performance
Slower charging speed

Xiaomi Redmi 12C

Significantly better performance
More responsive user experience
Generally better camera processing
Competitive price

Less vibrant display
Slower charging speed

Display Comparison

The TCL 30 SE boasts a slightly brighter and more color-accurate display, often praised for its viewing angles. The Redmi 12C's display is adequate but doesn't quite match the TCL's vibrancy. Both feature HD+ resolution, so sharpness isn't a major differentiator.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer decent camera setups for their price range. The TCL 30 SE typically has a slightly more versatile camera system with a macro lens. The Redmi 12C often produces more consistent results in various lighting conditions due to its more powerful processor assisting image processing. Image quality is generally comparable, but the Redmi 12C's processing gives it a slight edge.

Performance

This is where the Redmi 12C shines. The Helio G85 is a substantial upgrade over the Helio G25 in the TCL 30 SE. Expect smoother app loading, better gaming performance, and a more responsive user experience on the Redmi 12C. The TCL 30 SE can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.

Battery Life

Both phones offer large batteries (typically around 5000mAh), providing all-day battery life for moderate users. Charging speeds are a drawback for both, with the TCL 30 SE offering 15W and the Redmi 12C a slower 10W wired charging. Expect long charge times for both.

Buying Guide

The TCL 30 SE is a good option for users prioritizing a slightly better display and a more compact design. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is ideal for those seeking better performance, especially for gaming and everyday multitasking, at a competitive price.