The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Tecno Spark 10 5G and the Xiaomi Redmi 12C. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Tecno Spark 10 5G takes the lead thanks to its significantly faster chipset, 5G connectivity, and quicker charging. While the Redmi 12C offers a more affordable price point, the Spark 10 5G's performance advantages make it the better overall choice for most users.
| 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 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 23 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 07 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.5 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 2.97 x 0.33 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 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13, HIOS 12.6 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB 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, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP, (depth) | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | Dual-LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 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 | Yes | 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, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | KI8 | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | About 200 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 Spark 10 5G
- Faster Processor (Dimensity 6020)
- 5G Connectivity
- Faster Charging (18W)
- Potentially better camera
- Potentially higher price
- Battery life might be slightly shorter than Redmi 12C
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- More Affordable
- Larger Battery Capacity (likely)
- Large Display
- Slower Processor (Helio G85)
- No 5G
- Slow Charging (10W)
- Potentially lower camera quality
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, but the Tecno Spark 10 5G likely has a slightly higher resolution and potentially a more vibrant color reproduction. The Redmi 12C's display is generally considered adequate for everyday use, while the Spark 10 5G aims for a more premium visual experience. Expect both to be LCD panels.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer multiple rear cameras, the Tecno Spark 10 5G likely has a more advanced image processing pipeline. Expect slightly better image quality, especially in low-light conditions, from the Spark 10 5G. Both will likely offer decent results for casual photography.
Performance
This is where the Tecno Spark 10 5G shines. The Dimensity 6020 is a more modern and powerful chipset built on a 7nm process, offering significantly better CPU and GPU performance compared to the Redmi 12C's Helio G85 (12nm). Expect smoother app loading, better multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the Spark 10 5G.
Battery Life
The Redmi 12C typically has a larger battery capacity (around 5000mAh), but the Tecno Spark 10 5G's more efficient chipset could offset this. The 18W charging on the Spark 10 5G is a significant advantage over the Redmi 12C's 10W charging, allowing for much faster top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Spark 10 5G is ideal for users who want 5G connectivity, smoother performance for gaming and multitasking, and faster charging. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is a good option for those on a very tight budget who prioritize affordability and a large display over raw power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Tecno Spark 10 5G worth the extra money?
Yes, if you value performance and 5G connectivity. The Dimensity 6020 offers a noticeable upgrade over the Helio G85.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Redmi 12C likely has a larger battery capacity, but the Tecno Spark 10 5G's more efficient chipset could result in similar real-world battery life.
