The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Tecno Pop 7 Pro and the Xiaomi Redmi 12C. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C takes the crown. While the Tecno Pop 7 Pro is a decent entry-level option, the Redmi 12C's superior chipset, slightly better camera, and overall smoother performance make it the more compelling choice for most users seeking a budget-friendly phone.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 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 | 2023, January 28 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 28 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.45 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 |
| Weight | - | 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 (~84.6% 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 | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, HIOS 12 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB 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 | 13 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Turquoise Cyan, Atlantic Blue | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | BF7, BF7h | 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) |
Tecno Pop 7 Pro
- Very affordable
- Decent battery life
- Sufficient storage (typically 64GB)
- Weak performance
- Basic camera
- Limited features
- Slower charging
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Better performance
- Improved camera
- Slightly better display
- More future-proof chipset
- Can still feel slow with very demanding tasks
- 10W charging is slow
- Design is fairly basic
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.56-inch HD+ display, offering adequate viewing for everyday use. Color accuracy and brightness are typical for this price range, with neither phone excelling in this area. The Redmi 12C might have a slightly better panel due to Xiaomi's generally better display calibration.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi 12C generally offers a better camera experience. While both have a primary 50MP sensor, the G85 chipset allows for better image processing. Expect slightly better detail, dynamic range, and low-light performance from the Redmi 12C. Both phones likely have similar selfie camera capabilities.
Performance
This is where the Redmi 12C shines. The Helio G85 chipset is significantly more powerful than the Helio A22 in the Pop 7 Pro. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Redmi 12C. The Pop 7 Pro will feel noticeably slower, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones offer a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life. However, the Redmi 12C's more efficient chipset may result in slightly better real-world battery performance.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Pop 7 Pro is ideal for users prioritizing basic functionality and extremely tight budgets. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is a better choice for those who want a smoother experience, slightly better camera capabilities, and a more future-proof chipset 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.
❓ Does the Tecno Pop 7 Pro have a good camera?
The Tecno Pop 7 Pro's camera is adequate for basic snapshots, but it doesn't offer exceptional image quality. The Redmi 12C provides a noticeable improvement.
❓ How much RAM do these phones typically have?
Both phones are commonly available with 3GB or 4GB of RAM. The Redmi 12C's chipset handles RAM more efficiently.
❓ What is the storage capacity of each phone?
Both phones typically offer 64GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card.
