The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Tecno Spark 10C and the Xiaomi Redmi 12C. Both promise a lot, but which one delivers the best overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C edges out the Tecno Spark 10C thanks to its superior processor and faster charging. While both are solid budget options, the Redmi 12C's performance and charging speed provide a noticeably better user experience, justifying its slight edge.
| 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 | 2023, March 23 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 29 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm (6.45 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 (~84.6% 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 (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, HIOS 8.6 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 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 | 16 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP, (depth) | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, (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, (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 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | KI5k, KI5m | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | ₹ 9,990 | £ 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 10C
- Faster Charging (18W)
- Potentially better software updates (region dependent)
- Slightly more modern design (subjective)
- Weaker Processor
- Slower Performance
- May have bloatware
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- More Powerful Processor (Helio G85)
- Smoother Performance
- Established Brand Reputation
- Slower Charging (10W)
- Potentially less frequent software updates
- Design is more basic
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.6-inch display, likely with an HD+ resolution. While both are adequate for everyday use, expect color accuracy and brightness to be average. The Tecno Spark 10C might have a slightly more modern design, but the difference is minimal.
Camera Comparison
The Tecno Spark 10C typically features a higher resolution main camera (often 50MP) compared to the Redmi 12C's (usually 50MP as well). However, image quality is more than just megapixels. Expect both to produce decent photos in good lighting, but low-light performance will be average. Software processing plays a crucial role here, and Tecno often includes more aggressive image enhancements.
Performance
Here's where the Redmi 12C shines. The Helio G85 chipset is significantly more powerful than the Unisoc T606. Expect smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, and a more responsive user interface on the Redmi 12C. The T606 is sufficient for basic tasks, but struggles with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones likely pack a 5000mAh battery, offering all-day battery life for moderate users. However, the Redmi 12C's 10W charging is considerably slower than the Spark 10C's 18W charging. This means longer wait times to fully recharge the Redmi 12C.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Spark 10C is ideal for users prioritizing a slightly larger screen and potentially better software support (depending on regional updates). The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is a better choice for those who value performance, faster charging, and a more established brand reputation.
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. The Tecno Spark 10C will struggle with more demanding games.
❓ How long does the battery last on each phone?
Both phones offer all-day battery life with moderate usage. However, the Redmi 12C takes longer to charge due to its slower 10W charging.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
This is region-dependent. Tecno sometimes offers more frequent updates in certain markets, but Xiaomi generally has a more consistent track record.
