TCL 408 vs Xiaomi Redmi 12C: Which Budget Phone Reigns Supreme?

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the TCL 408 and the Xiaomi Redmi 12C. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi Redmi 12C emerges as the clear winner. Its Helio G85 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the TCL 408's G25, resulting in smoother multitasking and gaming. While both offer similar battery life and charging speeds, the Redmi 12C's superior processing power makes it the better choice.

PHONES
Phone Names	TCL 408	Xiaomi Redmi 12C

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - T507A, T507U, T507U1, T507U2, T507J	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 13, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - T507U, T507U1, T507U2	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
Speed	HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/75 Mbps	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 - T507D1	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO

Launch
Announced	2023, January 05	2022, December 31
Status	Available. Released 2023, March 31	Available. Released 2023, January 01

Body
Dimensions	164.7 x 75.4 x 9 mm (6.48 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 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density)	720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density)
Size	6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio)	6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 400 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	Android 12, MIUI 13

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB 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, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens	50 MP, (wide), PDAF 0.08 MP (depth)
Features	LED flash	LED flash, HDR
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm	50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF Auxiliary lens
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (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, with stereo speakers	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	5.1, A2DP, LE	5.1, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes (T507U only)	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
Radio	FM radio	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 Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

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

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

Misc
Colors	Gravity Grey, Midnight Blue	Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple
Models	T507D1, T507A, T507U, T507U1, T507U2, T507J	22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L
Price	About 130 EUR	£ 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 408

Affordable
Large Display
Decent Battery Life

Underpowered Chipset
Slow Charging
Basic Camera

Xiaomi Redmi 12C

Better Performance
More Versatile Camera
Good Value

Slow Charging
Basic Design
HD+ Display

Display Comparison

Both phones feature large 6.5-inch displays, likely with HD+ resolution. While specific panel types aren't always detailed, expect adequate viewing angles and color reproduction for the price point. The Redmi 12C might offer slightly better brightness and color accuracy due to potentially more advanced panel technology, but the difference will be subtle.

Camera Comparison

The Redmi 12C typically boasts a more versatile camera system, often including a higher-resolution main sensor and potentially an ultrawide lens. While image quality in this price range is generally modest, the Redmi 12C's hardware advantage should translate to slightly better photos, especially in well-lit conditions. Both likely feature basic front-facing cameras suitable for video calls.

Performance

This is where the Redmi 12C shines. The Helio G85 is significantly more powerful than the Helio G25. Expect smoother app loading, faster multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Redmi 12C. The TCL 408 will handle basic tasks adequately, but may struggle with more demanding applications.

Battery Life

Both phones are expected to have a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for moderate users. Charging speeds are limited to 10W wired charging on both devices, so expect relatively slow charging times.

Buying Guide

The TCL 408 is a decent option for users prioritizing basic functionality and a simple user experience on a very tight budget. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is ideal for those seeking a more responsive and capable phone for everyday tasks, light gaming, and general use, without breaking the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for gaming?

The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Helio G85 chipset.

❓ Do both phones have a headphone jack?

Generally, both TCL and Xiaomi include a 3.5mm headphone jack in their budget phones, but it's always best to confirm the specific model's specifications.