The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Tecno Pop 6 Go and the Xiaomi Redmi 12C. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C takes the win thanks to its significantly more powerful Helio G85 chipset, offering smoother performance and better gaming capabilities. While the Tecno Pop 6 Go might be slightly cheaper, the Redmi 12C's improved performance justifies the small price difference.
| 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 | LTE | 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 | 2022, May 25 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 25 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 160.3 x 78.8 x 10.9 mm (6.31 x 3.10 x 0.43 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 | - | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~179 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~73.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition), HiOS | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB 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 | 5 MP, f/2.2, AF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ice-crystal Blue, Starfall Grey, Iris Purple, Gradation Sky Blue | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | BE6j | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | About 100 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) |
Tecno Pop 6 Go
- Likely very affordable
- Decent battery life
- Compact size
- Likely weak performance
- Basic camera
- Limited features
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Good performance for the price
- Versatile camera system
- Reliable brand
- Larger storage options
- 10W charging is slow
- Plastic build quality
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar HD+ displays, probably around 6.5 inches. Expect decent viewing angles but limited brightness. The Redmi 12C might have slightly better color accuracy due to Xiaomi's generally more refined display tuning, but the difference will be minimal.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi 12C likely boasts a more versatile camera setup, potentially including a higher-resolution main sensor and additional lenses. While neither phone is a photography powerhouse, the Redmi 12C should produce better images in various lighting conditions. The Pop 6 Go's camera will be adequate for basic snapshots.
Performance
This is where the Redmi 12C shines. The Helio G85 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the likely entry-level processor in the Pop 6 Go. Expect noticeably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and the ability to handle more demanding games. The Pop 6 Go will feel sluggish by comparison.
Battery Life
Both phones are expected to have large batteries (likely 5000mAh or greater) offering all-day battery life. Charging speeds are likely to be similar, around 10W for the Redmi 12C, and potentially even slower for the Pop 6 Go.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Pop 6 Go is ideal for users prioritizing basic functionality, calling, texting, and light social media use on a very tight budget. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is a better choice for those who want a more responsive experience, occasional gaming, and a slightly more versatile camera system.
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.
❓ Is the Tecno Pop 6 Go worth buying if I'm on a very tight budget?
If your budget is extremely limited and you only need basic functionality, the Pop 6 Go could be an option. However, the Redmi 12C offers much better value for a slightly higher price.
